Why Use a Travel Agent

More than ever, travel agents need to find ways to sell clients on the value of their services. The public is being inundated with emails, mailers, specials and daily deals. Unless we have something to offer that sounds better than just a low price deal, clients may simply be tempted to book direct. However a travel agent has so much more to offer a client than just the lowest rate. A travel agent’s ability to help people wade through all the deals is just one reason they need our help. After all, the internet provides information, but it does not provide expertise and service. Travel agents can book your tour, cruise, hotel room, airline ticket, train ticket and car rental. A travel agent can plan a complete itinerary, sell travel insurance, book theatre tickets and make restaurant reservations. Basically, with a travel agent, all you have to do is pack your bags and show up. A travel agent has expertise that would take the average person years to acquire. If you’re booking a cruise, a travel agent can make sure your cabin isn’t under the dance club. If you’re traveling to Paris, a travel agent can recommend a great little bistro. Travel agents can save you money. We often have access to deals, discounts and amenities that you cannot get on your own. A travel agent saves you valuable time, you can sort for hours through volumes of information, but, if something goes wrong on your trip, at least you can call your travel agent to get you out of a jam.

It’s true, all the aggressive pricing and promotional deals have stimulated some interest and some business. However, it is rare that we are unable to match any “deal” read in the paper or via email. As a matter of fact, even if you find a deal on the internet, it is recommended and advisable that the client let the travel agent make the booking for them. A travel agent will ensure that the hotel is aware of their arrival. That all special requests are taken care of and a travel agent will make sure that their client has a VIP treatment throughout their stay. Often times, a travel agent can counter the “cheap deal” with something even better and with a more value added. For clients considering more than just the cheapest room, we can often secure unpublished insider deals like free breakfast, a room upgrade and often times resort credits.

Travel agents have personal relationships with people at the hotels and cruise lines. A website may be able to offer a great rate, but it will not explain that you will get an internet room, which in most cases, is in the least desirable location. Also a website cannot explain why a hotel is not the choice for any number of reasons (location, noise, small rooms, poor service, etc). These are things only a travel agent would know based on their knowledge of the hotels and the city.

Let’s face it, if a client wants a flight from point A to point B they can easily do it themselves, but for those who want service and for those who want to make sure they will be taken care of, a travel agent is a one stop shop for all travel related needs and plans. A travel agent has an extensive network of high-level industry contacts, firsthand knowledge of the products represented and exclusive perks for clients such a priority upgrades, breakfast-inclusive rates, early check in/late check out, shipboard credit on cruises and the highest level of service at hotels and resorts around the globe. Now what website can possibly do that for you??

In today’s economic times, sea of information and travel deals, a travel agent can guide you to true travel deals and customize your travel experience while steering you clear of turbulence.