“Are Travel Agents Archaic?” by Gramps Travel

February 15, 2018

Not If You Need Personal Assistance

It used to be that you couldn’t even book a flight without a travel agent. With the advent of the internet, those days are gone and many travel agents disappeared with it. Now, the tide has turned and travel has become so complicated that, often, help is needed. This is where a new breed of travel agent comes in handy. Travel agents are booming and there are some good reasons why.

How Do Travel Agents Get Paid?

This is the most common question I get. Every resort, cruise, hotel and rental car has commission built into the price which you pay regardless. For instance, when you take a cruise that you’ve booked through a travel agent, he will receive a small commission after you return from your trip. This means that the services of the travel agent are free to you and the cruise line is happy to have the additional business that the travel agent sent their way.

What Can I Expect?

Personal service. Some years ago I made a plane reservation through Expedia. A problem arose and I had to call them. Have you ever tried to find a phone number for Expedia? It’s rather challenging. With a travel agent you have a single person to talk to for all your bookings and questions. All travel agents respond to email, text and phone calls. They will treat you like a person, not a number.

Can I Make Payments on My Dream Vacation?

Yes. Travel agents can work out a payment schedule that meets your needs.

Can I Save Money?

Absolutely. Travel agents are aware of all the promotions and, often, can provide amenities that aren’t advertised. And talk about time. Why spend hours and hours slogging through screen after screen when you can rely upon the knowledge, training and expertise that your travel agent brings to the table? It’s like having your own concierge.

How About Special Needs?

Do you have dietary needs, mobility issues, require oxygen, or travel with a child who is autistic? These are just a few of the problems that a travel agent can help you solve. I have two clients who require oxygen while in flight. Every air line has different rules for this. I can help you negotiate the maze of rules and regulations.

Are Travel Agents Any Better Than the Web?

Nope. Just different. They have access to information that you don’t and, in many cases, have been to the places you want to go. In addition, there are suppliers who will deal only through travel agents and their prices are great because of the volume they book on a daily basis.

Bucket List Advice

Your travel agent can be your best friend and advocate when it comes to vacation planning. If you have a complicated itinerary, are traveling overseas, are a first-time cruiser or have a group, a good travel agent can save you hours and hours of headache and help avoid common pitfalls in booking and documentation.

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