Sometimes I find people don’t think logically. It always amazes me on what fields or topics people will use the internet to make them “masters of that field”. There is plenty of information on the Internet about medical facts, diagnosis and procedures, but I don’t find to many people becoming their own doctors or mechanics, plumbers, lawyers, surgeons, dentists or even their own acupuncturist, but every seems to think they can be their own travel agent. What I usually find interesting is when I talk to many of these people and tell them the advantages of using a travel agent how most people didn’t understand the role of the agent.
There are exceptions, but most travel agents and agencies do not charge any fees for their services. I don’t. However, even the few that do, sometimes can get you a lower rate with their fees then you can get on your own. Most of us deal with consolidators, a consortium or vendors where we can get a lower rate without the risks. IF we don’t charge a fee, why wouldn’t you want an agent to do all the leg work and get you the best possible price for your trip - All for no additional costs to you. Your time is valuable isn’t it?
Other reasons, that are just as valuable, to use a travel agent could be as simple as piece of mind. Buying in the internet, do you really know who you are dealing with? Will they be around at certain times of the day or certain days of the week to deal with any issues that may arise? Just having the knowledge that you are getting the security of the airline, tour company, hotel etc as well as a local travel agency is double the protection since all of our vendors support Travel Agencies and their changes, but may not with some online ticketing. For example, you’re at the airport, you’ve been delayed at check in, or security or the flight delays have just made you want to change your ticket time. If you go to the counter with a ticket from a travel agency, they will be more then happy to work with you and change your tickets as needed. If you booked online with one of the other types of services, good chances are the ticketing agent at the airport will tell you that you need to call that 3-party ticketing source and that they cannot help you. It has happened, and will continue to happen due to the terms and conditions of the 3-party online places. It will not happen with a ticket from an agency.
Travel agents also have connections with so many different sources that they can, may times, price match or beat just about any price you can find online. I know someone that contacted me, and they had me book a package for them. I was $20 more then the price they found online. My price included direct flight, theirs had a layover. Their 2nd flight was delayed by more then 9 hours and they spent that time aggravated, at the airport and wishing they had spent the $20 dollars more. We had another client that thought they were saving $5. They weren’t. My price included cancellation waiver insurance. Theirs didn’t. Mine required a $300 deposit and the balance due almost six months away. They paid over $2200 upfront and will have a layover in Detroit during the most notorious time for snow. Can only imagine how that layover will be. I had layovers designed in California where not to much snow comes by. I had one client book a very large package directly with a vendor. We convinced them to switch the reservation to use and saved them almost $10,000 in the process by offering them our vendor promotion that the vendor could not offer directly.
Your time is valuable. How many times have you spend hours or all day trying to figure out a trip and research it, compare it, then book it. Did you really save any money. Remember most times you don’t, but even on the rare occasion that you do, wa you time not worth the $20, $25, or even $50 you may or may not have saved?
I, personally, have traveled to over 50 countries so far. Many times I know them first hand, have done extensive research on them and can help you make the best of your time there. That information alone should be worth the few dollars you may have saved by trying to do this on your own online. But I will promise you this. 99% of the time, the savings, if there are any will be so minimal taht it shouldn’t be worth your time doing it own your own. So call your travel agent and let them do your job. And, stick to an agent that is a Travel agent, not a salesman that also sells travel, or a masseuse that also sells travel, or a department store or road service company that also sells travel - Stick to a person that works with travel. Just like our slogan says - Travel is our passion, not our hobby.