10 Reasons to Work with a Travel Agent (Me!) on Your Next Trip!
We’ve all booked a trip on our own before, right? Information is everywhere – you can go to Google, Pinterest, Trip Advisor, or any other number of resources to research and plan your trip yourself. It’s actually a fun process exploring the options and finding the right fit. But there’s SO much information out there – planning a trip can become time consuming and overwhelming. And how do you know what sources are updated and trustworthy? That’s where a travel agent comes in – me! And to be honest, although it’s the most commonly used, travel “agent” isn’t my favorite title. I like to think of myself more as a travel advisor, or, as a fantastic and savvy friend once put it, travel designer. Fancy, huh? But really, that’s much more in line with what I do. I’m not trying to sell you something for the sake of selling you something. In fact, I’m not trying to sell you anything at all. My role here is to gather some information from you and help you find the right components and build a getaway that is the right fit for you (and your family, if applicable. Or hey, maybe it’s a solo trip or a ladies’ weekend!), the vibe you’re looking for, your schedule, and your preferred budget.
So here’s the thing, I know you can do it on your own. But let’s think about this – you have 24 hours a day; if you work 8, and sleep 8, that leaves a maximum of 8 hours in between that you might be able to spend on other things. And that’s being generous, right? Because you have the drive to and from work, getting ready for work, making meals, cleaning the house, working out, taking care of kids, spending time with your significant other, seeing friends, volunteer work and charitable events, etc. I could go on and on. We all have so many interests, hobbies, and competing priorities! Why not take one thing off your agenda and let me do the work for you?! Still not convinced working with a travel advisor is right for you? Here are 10 great reasons you should call me for your next trip!
1. Expertise + Advice
Here’s a scenario I see often – a client wants to take a trip, usually a getaway, but doesn’t know where. They know their approximate travel dates, and they know they want to be on a beach; they want to do some relaxing and maybe some exploring, but they don’t have a clear idea of where they want to be. Depending on the time of year they want to travel, a warm beach with some fun activities around could describe a large number of different locations. This is where my expertise and advise can help narrow things down and guide you to the right fit! In our travels, my husband and I have been to some really unique and relatively unknown places and this is where that information is so helpful! In addition to my own travel experience, I stay informed on all things travel, including up-and-coming hot spots, most popular destinations, and seasonal escapes to help you make the best decision possible to meet your preferences and needs. And if you do know where you want to go, I’ve got some knowledge and experience that can help enhance your trip!
2. All the details
Don’t sweat the small stuff was the mantra of the late 90s and early 00s. But in travel, the small stuff can make a big difference! Wouldn’t you rather just put in your request and have the professional present you with the most fitting options? Just like when you’re looking for a new house, you describe what you want and the realtor presents you with options to go see, or when you’re shopping for a new vehicle and you describe your must have’s and the sales staff finds some options that meet your requirements. This is what I can do for you! Our inquiry form is designed with you in mind – it only takes a few minutes! Fill out as much as you want (more is always helpful, but if you’re open to suggestions, that’s great too!), and I’ll take it from there! I’ll present you with options, and you provide feedback that allows me to fine tune the details. This process is specifically designed to make your role easier, so you don’t have to sweat the details and can focus on other things in life.
3. Save time + hassle
Travel advisors thrive on finding the right solution – it’s like a sport. We receive your inquiry details and we think to ourselves “challenge accepted!” You could spend hours researching a trip – finding the right flights, reading countless reviews of all the destinations or resorts you’re considering, trying to plan transportation to and from the airport, etc. But why spend your precious time on that when I can do it for you?
4. When things don’t go as planned
Let’s face it – as much as we do to prevent it, sometimes things just don’t go as planned. Maybe a blizzard delayed your flight, or the resort hotel isn’t seeing that you have two rooms booked, just one. No matter what the snag is, I’m here to help! Sure, the big companies have customer service lines, but they tend to have long hold times and it can often be difficult and time consuming to get the issue resolved if you’re not sure who you should be talking to. As a travel advisor, I have a relationship with a lot of these vendors and suppliers – I have access to different contacts that can help expedite resolutions. If something isn’t going right, don’t spend your time and energy trying to resolve it yourself. When you plan your trip with me, I’m your dedicated contact! You can call or text me and I will take the lead in sorting things out. And you can sit back and relax knowing I’m on your side!
5. Availability
Have you ever found the perfect resort room on a site like Expedia but it’s sold out? Now you have to try to find a different resort - so frustrating! Flights can be the same way – you find a great flight plan to your destination, but the discount site has blackout dates or charges for checked luggage. But when you go to book it with the airline directly, it’s not available! Travel advisors work with multiple sites and suppliers and build relationships with them, allowing us access to flights, seats, and rooms that may appear sold out or are otherwise not available to the general public.
6. Access to pricing that may not be available to the public
Just like having access to flights, seats, and rooms that may not be available to the general public, we often have access to special pricing that can’t be found by the DIY trip planner. Vendors often run promotions that only travel advisors have access to, and since we have access to multiple vendors and platforms, we are able to search them all to find you the best deal for your flights, hotel rooms, etc.
7. Lengthy or complex itineraries
Longer trips or trips with multiple or specialty destinations can be tricky to plan. All the logistics involved in lining up the different stops, transportation, visas, etc can be stressful. If you’ve never been to a certain area before, you may be unfamiliar with the options available to you. We specialize in making sure your trip goes smoothly – finding the right destination is just one part of that. For a multi-destination trip, knowing how much time you’ll need in each location to hit your must-do or must-see list, and the best mode to get from on location to the next are all part of the services that we can provide. Don’t agonize over how to get from Point A to Point B – let me help design the right
8. Destination entry and exit rules + regulations
Every country has its own set of rules for entry and exit. Some require visas, some require immigration cards or forms, and some have different requirements depending on what country your passport is from. These rules can change periodically, and knowing what resources to use to find the most accurate and current information can be a daunting task. I make sure to stay up-to-date on destination entry and exit rules and regulations so I can ensure you are prepared for your trip and things go smoothly.
9. COVID-19
Since early 2020, the travel industry has become so much more complex. COVID-19 is still new worldwide and we are still learning the best ways to keep everyone safe. Because new information emerges all the time, rules can change quickly. I use multiple sources to validate the current COVID-19 travel restrictions and rules of entry to help determine which destination is right for you, and what you’ll need to do to enter that destination and to re-enter the United States safely.
10. It costs you the same amount
Working with a travel advisor doesn’t cost you more money! Because we don’t charge fees on vacation packages, you’re actually getting more for your money by working with me. Here’s the thing most people don’t realize – when you book a trip on your own, you’re still paying commission to someone. Companies such as Expedia, Delta, Marriott, etc. build commission right into their fees and they keep those profits. And as good as their service may be once you finally get through to a person, it’s just not the same as having a dedicated and local advisor who’s got a relationship with those suppliers. Working with me, you get the benefit of personal service, someone invested in the success of your trip, all the other benefits listed above, and you’re supporting a small business. If you get all of that for the same price, you’re actually getting so much more than booking on your own!
Let me know what you think in the comments below! Have you used a travel agent to book a trip? How was the experience? Was this information helpful? If you haven’t worked with an advisor, I hope this information has shown you all the benefits I can provide for you! If you’d like to chat with me about how I can help, or get started on designing your next getaway, click here to submit an inquiry, or email me for more information at Megan@SummittoSea.com!