I’m always surprised with how many people tell me they haven’t ever used or considered using a Travel Agent to book their vacations. I feel as if Travel Agents get a bad rep. Many people think they cost more, are sneaky or are just aren’t needed. Even for someone like me who has booked trips more times than I can count, I lean towards using a Travel Agent more times than not.
What some people may not know is that I actually worked as a Travel Agent for a year. Honestly, it was a seriously hard job. People either refuse to use you or they bother you about every damn thing and use you as an information booth. Still, it was one of the most fun jobs I’d ever had because I was dealing with a product and industry I was passionate about.
Even years later, I find myself often advocating for fellow travelers to use a Travel Agent. There are several reasons why this makes sense and I’ll get into them down the way but really it comes down to two things; personalization and help.
Travel Agents have special deals with airlines and hotels, they also have special phone numbers to call into if something goes wrong with your trip. I know I’m not the only one that has spent HOURS on the phone with an airline, waiting on hold. Travel Agents have phone numbers that get them through right away.
So why else would you use a Travel Agent? Read on to find out:
| It can be cheaper to use a Travel Agent |
I say this with a big disclaimer that you must do most of the legwork yourself if you are looking to save money using a Travel Agent. I mean let’s be serious, like anything in life if you are going to be using a service, you’re going to pay for it. Travel is no different. If you’re looking for an agent to book a 10-day European adventure for you with everything included, you bet your ass you’re going to be paying for that persons time, as you should.
However, what I normally use agents for is booking a flight or itinerary that I’ve already researched and done myself. Places like Flight Centre will let you call in and book a flight at the same price that you’re seeing it online PLUS they’ll give you a credit for future travel. Free money? Okay!
Not only that, agencies like Flight Centre have sales and deals happening all the time. Last October when we went to Europe I called an Agent to book the flights that I was seeing online. Not only did they match the flights, but the woman I was dealing with let us know of a promotion they were having at the time and saved us $200 per person. That is a lot of money. Granted that’s not going to happen to you all the time but when it does, it’s definitely worth it.
| Time saver |
If you’re one of those people that hates planning trips I think you’re crazy because that’s the best part BUT this is where using a Travel Agent comes in handy. A lot of my friends, myself included, are super busy. Saving time is like saving money. Even if the travel agent has never been to the destination you’re going to, they will have tons of other agents at their fingertips to help you.
Travel Agents also have a plethora of things available to them to help make trip planning easier and faster. There were times when I had no idea about the destination one of my clients was going to but between the internal system, the guidebooks all around the shop and the other people I had around me, I was always able to provide the best help possible.
| Personalization is important |
When you’re taking a vacation, you want that trip to be special. You’re not just spending all of your money to have a shitty time, are you? I mean, it’s not just about the money either. I want to know that the person helping me plan this vacation actually cares and can help cater my trip to exactly how I want it.
Using a Travel Agent you’ll be able to have things like special meal requests or even possible upgrades when applicable. I love when my Travel Agent sends me a quick note before my trip wishing me well on my vacation or leaving a note at my hotel when I arrive. Not everyone cares about stuff like that but it always makes you feel good. As a Travel Agent, I always wanted to do these little extra things to make sure that my client was thoroughly enjoying their experience and saw value in using me. When you find a good Travel Agent like that, it will make your trip that much better I promise.
| They have VIP access |
Okay, not actually VIP but as mentioned above, Travel Agents have special phone lines and connections to travel providers that you don’t. It is so much easier for them to call up an airline and deal with a problem that it would be for you. Imagine never having to wait on the phone for hours just to talk to someone about even the tiniest of things? For me that’s more than half of the reason why I use an agent.
If you use a Travel Agent that works for a company than you’ll also have access to 24-hour help. Even if something goes wrong at your destination and you’re hours ahead or behind, you should be able to contact anyone at the company and they will help you.
Of course, these are all worst-case scenarios but let’s be honest, shit happens when you travel and things will always go wrong. No matter how small or big. Wouldn’t you want to know that in the worst case scenario you’ll have someone easily reachable that can do the legwork for you?
So, have I convinced you to use a travel agent yet?
Great post! I agree – my brother is a travel agent for cruises specifically. He can tell you which location is good to buy excursions from the cruise line, or buy from other tour companies not connected to the cruise line, or not buy any excursions at all! Very knowledgable. 🙂
Also, I love your blog and I LOVE your layout! Very clean, pretty, organized, and photo-focused. I found you because you commented on a post of mine!! I’ll definitely be back to read more! 🙂
Thanks Bailey! Great minds think alike – I was thinking the same thing about your blog this morning – it’s beautiful, I just discovered it today and will definitely be following along now – your pictures are gorgeous. Keep in touch!
We’ve used travel consultants for trips where we have never been and they’ve been really helpful. I do think it’s a common misconception that they make travel more expensive.
I think travel agents are a great alternative for people who can’t make their own travel reservations or are not that travel savvy. I’m sure they work pretty hard, but they will never work harder than you in getting a good deal, so for me they are not an option. Once in a while, for my peace of mind, I check my prices agains that of a travel agent and I’m always ahead. And why wouldn’t I be? A travel agent will never your best interest at heart.
I’m not a travel agent, but I work with a tour company where we do customized tours for visitors in North Wales. Because North Wales is so difficult to get around without a car, and some American drivers have a hard time with the roads, we create a tour for them that they will get to see great parts of Wales that maybe they wouldn’t have seen on their own. Sometimes there is simply stuff that travel agents can help with that can ease the burden of planning a huge trip. There should be no shame in using a travel agent, and people can still do research on their own about their trip as well! Thanks for sharing this, travel agents aren’t out of date, and its great to see someone point out all they do 🙂
At the end of the day, travel agents are plugged in. They are certainly misunderstood, and you bring up some great points. If they don’t know something about a particular destination, there’s a good chance they can quickly find someone who does. Conversely, they may put you in touch with someone who has a better idea than themselves (if they’re honest). For me, I use them for a convenience factor IF I feel like using them. Great post!
You are absolutely right! One thoughtless agent, and I’d never book anything with the travel agents help again.
I planned Mediterranean cruise with the help of the AAA agent, and he offered to book our flights to Rome, too. It was my graduation gift to my older granddaughter who was a valedictorian! When agent read me the schedule, I told him that 45 minutes between the connecting flights is too short and dangerous,but he insisted it was fine. We ended up making the connecting flight, but our luggage didn’t. Try to spend five days with two teenagers with no change of clothes! It was hell. Never again.
Oh no! That’s terrible. I would suggest you give travel agents another chance though – maybe start with something easy – and explain your past experiences, they’ll likely look to go above and beyond to renew your faith in travel agents 🙂
Thank you for your post! This shines a great light on our industry and we greatly appreciate it. It is always disheartening to hear/read/see others who have had bad experiences with other agents. Our office has been open since 1969. We’ve survived the economical challenges, industry challenges, perception challenges, and more. Fantastic!
Amazing! So glad you stopped by and enjoyed the post 🙂 It’s a shame more people don’t talk about the amazing experiences they have with agents!
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[…] when I start doing my research. Once I find a flight that I like or that suits my plans I either call a travel agent or book directly through that website (if all fights are with the same […]
Hi Madi! Just found your site today and alread love it. My husband and I both work full time, and I do get tired of seeing the “how to travel the world on no money” types of blogs, which is just not realistic for the vast majority of people (as is the option of taking 5 weeks or months off!). I have been wondering about travel agents, especially because I while I do enjoy the researching of trips it can be exhausting when you work full time, so was happy to read this post today. I was just wondering if you have some advice for how to find and choose a travel agent? Thank you!
Hi Jennifer! Thank you for stopping by. I’m so happy you found this blog useful .. that was the goal at the end of the day ;). I would shop around. It may take a bit more time but if you have a trip you’re looking at taking months in advance give the same itinerary, budget and dates to a few travel agents and see who comes back with the best options. I usually find this is the best way to compare apples to apples. Try a mix of independent travel agents and ones apart of a bigger company like flight Centre as well. I find the ones apart of well known chains often can get better pricing because their companies have contracts with bigger companies.
Madi, you are my new best friend! I’m a travel agent although I use the term personal travel planner because that’s truly what I am and what I do. I couldn’t agree with what you said more. So thank you for this wonderful post!
haha Thanks Lynne! I’m glad you liked the post. I’m a huge advocate of travel agents, they are truly super valuable.