6 Reasons Why You Should Use a Travel Agent
Updated: Oct 8, 2020
You would think that in this day and age, Travel Agents wouldn't exist anymore and some people predicted that our profession would soon be obsolete. However, that is far from the truth. We just changed the way we do business. With the rise of the Internet, it meant we had to change ... or go out of business. Many agents did away with their storefront presence as it was too costly to maintain and instead went to work from home. So, perhaps it looked like we disappeared but our numbers are rising once again as demand for a Travel Agent is increasing. Here are just some of the reasons why you should use a Travel Agent.
TIME Your time is valuable and precious and I take the time to help you plan your amazing vacation, honeymoon, bucket list trip or multi-generational vacation. There was a study done last year that said, consumers save an average of $452 and 4 hours of their time by using a Travel Agent. There was another article that I read last year that said that people make on average, 32 visits to 10 different websites to book their own airfare. That doesn't include the time it takes to research their destination, hotels, activities, car rentals and more. I have found that people come to me because they are frustrated and overwhelmed by all the choices and options out there. Everyone needs a vacation but 9 times out of 10, you don’t because you don’t have the time to plan.
EXPERIENCE
For one thing, I book a lot more travel than you do. Just last year, I booked a quarter of a million dollars in travel. Did you? If I haven't booked the type of trip you are looking to plan, then I know someone who I can refer you to or I have an expert I can call and help me plan it with you. Just think of me like Google, but for travel and a lot more personal. I help simplify the overwhelming options and provide personal, planning services. I don’t decide where you travel or how you travel, but I am your expert guide for planning your tailor-made vacation that you desire.
I also educate myself on various destinations by attending industry events and trade shows. I listen to webinars and take online courses to get specialized knowledge on various travel hot spots. I even travel to the destinations that I sell so I can give you personal, first-hand knowledge.
PERKS Do you like free stuff? I wrote a whole page on the free gifts you could be leaving on the table because you booked your trip on your own. There are all sorts of things that I have access too like free breakfast at your hotel, upgraded rooms, chocolates or other goodies to welcome you to your room, VIP check in, resort credits, etc.
ADVOCATE I am your travel advocate so I am there for you to help fix things if something happens. This does not replace travel insurance but it is an extra safety net when you are traveling. For example, I have had clients call me on holidays when they were not satisfied with the service on their trip. I spoke to the hotel manager with the same results as my client so I escalated the issue to the regional manager and my sales manager. I eventually got a partial refund on my client's stay which is very hard to do when you have already used the service.
MONEY This is a bit of a repeat from above since your time equals money but there are other ways I save my clients money. I can access sales and deals that are not open to the public. For example, I was able to save a family of 4 about $3000 to upgrade their room from a 1-bedroom to a 2-bedroom. How? I took advantage of a sale one of my suppliers was having so they got the upgrade for free. Another example is with international or business class airfare. I have saved my clients several hundred dollars PER TICKET by accessing wholesale prices not available to the public. This is why I can save my clients money even with my consultation fee.
ME That is right. You get me! As you can see from above, the value I add is far greater than the dollar amount spent on your trip. Plus, each time you use me means the better I get to know you and your travel style.
