8 Reasons to Use A Travel Agent

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You have been thinking about taking a vacation, so you crank up your computer and start looking. You want some information on cruises, but you come across an ad for an all inclusive resort in Punta Cana, and you click on the ad to see what all inclusive really means. Other links come up that you want to explore, and at the end of a couple of hours, you are more confused than ever. You also notice that you can contact  Expedia or Travelocity and they will book your vacation, but you still don’t know what to tell them to book. Doing it yourself is one way to book; calling an “Online Travel Agency” (OTA) is another way to book; and calling a travel agency is a third way to book. It seems that planning a vacation can be very stressful with all of these decisions.

Planning a trip on your own will take a lot a time, and you will have a lot of questions. If you are sure you know where you want to go, an OTA might work for you, but their service is very limited. So what does a travel agent do?

 

1     

Travel Agents spend a lot of time getting certified by travel suppliers.

So, they are equipped to answer questions about travel destinations such as Disney World, Hawaii, Europe or cruisning on board certain cruise lines. They attend multiple travel presentations each year and also spend time on webinars. In most cases, they have to take tests after the training to become certified by the travel provider.

 2     

Travel agents will book all of the elements of your travel.   

For example, if you are going to do a cruise in the Mediterranean, a cruise agent can book your airfare, pre and/or post cruise hotel stay, tours, transfers, and cruise. A travel agent will aks you questions about what you want to do on your trip, what type of accomodations you prefer, as well as questions about flight preferences. Be careful of the OTA! Their total price may be less than the travel agent's but you might have 2 or 3 stops during you flight that is making the fare cheaper, but you are wasting valuable vacation time. Also to keep the hotelprice low, the OTA may be booking you in a room that faces a brick wall. A travel agent will make sure you understand the value of travel insurance and what it covers.

 

3      

In most cases the price is the same, no matter who you book through.

It's true. The OTA, the travel agent, and even you get the same price. The cruise lines and resorts woud rather work with a travel agent because the travel agent holds the clients' hands and answers all the questions. Since agents have a lot of experience, the travel suppliers find them easier to work with. So how to agents get paid? The travel providers pay commission to agents based on the productivity of their agency. So everyone pays for an agent whether they use one or not.

 

 4      

The plane takes off and you get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach.

You left the travel documents on your deesk at home. If you booked with a travel agent, no problem. Just call, email, or text the agent when you arrive at your destination. Travel agents keep copies of your documents on their computer, so they can send them to you. It is also a good idea to copy your passport and/or scan it onto your phone. You won't be able to use it as a passport, but it will have all the information you need to get one.

5      

Travel agents usually have special relationships with the travel providers.

When sales start or prices are cut, the travel agent will receive notification via email. The agent can then to see that you are getting the best price based on the new information. Also, many agencies get exclusive promotions to pass onto their clients because their volume with that provider is so high. These promotions are passed on to clients.

6       

Travel agents usually know what new resorts and ships are on the horizon.

Travel suppliers will travel the country to hold seminars announcing new products. Travel agents have been aware that the cruise lines are expanding to China for the past couple of years. Royal Caribbean sent Quantum of the Seas to China this past spring, Anthem of the Seas will take Quantum's place at Port Liberty. Carnival will launch Vista next spring. There are new river cruise ships every year. Ask a travel agent what's going  to be new in 2016 and 2017. It's a travel agent's job to let clients know what is being offered that is new and exciting for their clients.
          

7     

Have you ever wondered why some guests get a bottle of wine in their cabin or at dinner?

 It is probably because a travel agent arranged for it to happen. Many travel agents will provide an amenity for  thier clients. Also, if you are traveling with a group (8 cabins or more), a travel agent will book amenities for everyone in the group.

8

How can your family get in touch with you while you are away?

You forgot to leave an itinerary for the folks that are picking you up at the cruise terminal. How can they get in touch with you.Travel agents keep your itinerary on file, so they know when the ship will be back into port. If something goes wrong while you are away, we can contact you through the cruise line. An OTA does not offer this service. Having a travel agent will give you peach of mind.

No matter what "disaster" happens while you are traveling, it is good to know there is someone back at home that can attend to things so that your vacation is not ruined, did the airline lose your luggage? No problem; contact your travel agent and it will be taken care of. You won't have to spend hous phoning the airline. Lost luggage is another reason for travel insurance. What if someone becomes ill while you travel? A travel agent can work with the hotel or cruise line to make sure you are taken care of; yet another reason for insurance.

Having a travel agent is like having a secretary at home. Your itinerary is available for your family who may need to contact you while you are away. Maybe the folks picking you up when you return forgot what tine to meet you. The travel agent is a phone call away. Leave that number with family while you are away. A low price that you may find online or that an OTA finds for you, may not be everything you want in a vacation. Your travel agent will get to know you and what expectations you have for traveling. A travel agent will make sure you know what not to miss and will find you excursions where you won’t be waiting in line for hours. So next time you book, give a travel agent a try.