Need to change your travel plans but don’t want to go through the extra time, money, and inconvenience of rebooking flights and lodgings on your own? That’s just one area where an experienced travel agent (also known as a travel adviser) may assist.
Continue reading to learn about the various advantages and disadvantages of utilizing a travel agency, allowing you to firmly determine whether or not a travel agent is worth it for your next trip.
The Pros of Using a Travel Agent
Travel agents can save you money – and get you other perks
“In some cases, you’ll actually get a better deal by working with a travel agent,” explains Jackie Steele, MagicGuides’ travel specialist. “This could be in the form of a cruise onboard credit (free spending money to use on the ship), access to special agency/group rates, or even just learning about a discount you qualify for but weren’t aware of.” The top agents will even keep an eye out for new savings when they become available and apply them to your trip after you’ve booked, he says.
Travel agents handle all the details
Hotel room? Booked. Dinner reservations? Made. Tour tickets? Ready to go. A travel agent manages all aspects of your holiday schedule. “The traveler still gets to be involved in the fun part of dreaming up ideas and providing their travel wishes, while we take and perfect them,” explains Jessica Parker, Trip Whisperer’s creator.
Molly McShea, owner and travel adviser at McShea Travel, explains that travel agencies may also assist with timing problems. “Travel agents know how many days should be spent in each destination, which tours go together, and how many things you should do in a day,” she adds, adding that creating an itinerary might be difficult if it isn’t something you do frequently.
Travel agents can provide local expertise
“A travel advisor’s industry connections and relationships provide added value to their clients,” says Valerie Edman, a luxury travel advisor and the owner of Cultured Travel LLC. According to her, working with a travel agency gives travelers access to a global network of relationships, which includes:
Our in-destination specialists collaborate with travel consultants to provide travelers with exceptional experiences not available to the general public.
The Cons of Using a Travel Agent
It might not be your cheapest option
In certain cases, it makes more sense to organize your own vacation. “If you’re planning a quick flight from New York City to Los Angeles, it’s easy enough to book it yourself online directly or through a third-party booking site,” Elliott tells me. “If you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip or bucket list honeymoon, that’s when you call the experts.”
You’ll have less flexibility in your itinerary
The benefit of dealing with a travel agency is having someone create an unforgettable holiday for you based on industry experience and local understanding. However, this might be a disadvantage if you come upon an activity or restaurant that isn’t in your planned agenda. If you modify your plans, you risk losing money; also, the time it takes for you and your travel agency to organize your change of plans may not be worth the inconvenience.
You still have to do some research
It’s critical to select a trustworthy agency, which means you’ll need to do some trip preparation yourself. Parker advises calling for this component. “Lots of people avoid or don’t pick up the phone as much anymore,” adds one woman. “That’s where you get the high-touch service, tone of voice, excitement or concerns to manage.” She recommends looking for the following red flags:
There are no charges: “Travel advisors are charging planning fees more now or increasing them, so the client knows more confidently than ever, we work for them, not the suppliers with the best commissions,” said Parker. “There are many things that are non-commissionable, and the advisor’s time and skills should not be provided for free. That’s the finest method to demonstrate that an adviser takes their company seriously.”
There are few options: If you work with someone who is inexperienced or has a motive to book you with a specific provider, they may not be putting your best interests first. “It’s important to check if they are with a larger consortia, accreditations and network, typically listed on their website and signatures,” Parker points out.