12/08/2015
I wanted to write a little bit about the question I get asked over and over…why should I book with a travel agent? I’m not going to lie, the travel industry has taken a turn with internet sales and travel agencies are few and far but the good ones have stayed. The reason you want to book with a travel agent is not only for their expertise but to also use them as your personal travel consultant. You may be booking your annual vacation once a year but a travel agent books several in a week. I often get calls to book an area around a certain time and as a travel agent, I can advise my clients of things they maybe didn’t think about. For instance, weather-hurricane seasons, humidity factors; hidden hotel costs-like parking fees, hotel resort fees, you name it. It seems like everywhere you turn theirs small print that a consumer may not know about but a travel agent will.
There isn’t a fee to book with a travel agent. No matter who you book with-travel agent, hotel desk, online-it’s a flat percentage which is taken from the bottom line. Some places do charge booking fees but I and most companies do not. The difference with booking online or direct 800 number of the hotel and booking with an agent is the personal customer service. I ask questions to get to know you and what you are interested in. I can recommend activities, restaurants, things to see, you name it.
One thing I would like to point out is when not to use a travel agent. Yes, I am actually saying this! Do not use a travel agent when just booking flights. In fact, do not use internet travel sites when booking flights only. If you use internet travel sites for flights only do this to gauge prices and then book direct with the company by going online direct to their site. So why am I saying this. Well, airline companies are now charging for everything now a days; check in bags, exit rows, drinks (believe it or not when I first started traveling booze was free on some airlines…oh I miss those days) so when you book through an internet travel site the fee is anywhere from $10-$50 and sometimes more. To book with an agent it can cost the same. Even when you call the airline direct to book they charge a fee usually around $25 so again, book direct online. Just note, when you book a package with air from an agent the fee is waived. Don’t get me wrong, I do assist people with flights. I get calls all the time about flights and I don’t mind assisting. I will still continue to give my clients advice even if they end up booking it themselves.
So note, travel agents are your best bet when booking vacation packages, hotel only, rental cars, cruises, etc. They can give you various tips for instance; when you book a rental car most of the time you can waive the insurance if you book with a major credit card…why? Most credit card companies have rental car insurance plans written in their contract so as long as you use your card when you rent the vehicle.
A travel agent will know a good deal and where to go for it. I don’t use one supplier, I work with multiple and I can price match pretty much anything, all I need is proof of a certain price or a screenshot.
Another good reason to book with a travel agent is payment options. You can usually book a vacation package with a small deposit and make payments over time. For example, I just booked a client 10 days in the Caribbean for next year. They paid $50/person deposit and the final payment isn’t due until 45 days prior to departure. I was asked if they can put small payments of $20/week if I wanted? My answer was absolutely and there isn’t a fee to do this.
So the next time you are looking to book a vacation, think of a travel agent who genuinely cares about your vacation. I first became a travel agent for the love a travel-it was my hobby and today it has become a successful business of mine. I get ecstatic talking about travel so let me help you make memories to last a lifetime!
