If you have never used a travel agent before, after hearing some of the horror stories from those who had travel plans (or were actually traveling) when the coronavirus pandemic first broke out, you may be thinking that you probably should use one for your future travel plans. And you would be right to think just that, as having a trusted travel professional on your side is ALWAYS a good idea, and even more so when there are challenging situations.
(If you missed what happened in the world of travel when COVID-19 arrived, here’s a quick summary: Many folks who booked their travel with Expedia, or Travelocity, or Costco, or any number of online “discount” sites because they thought they were saving money or it seemed easiest at the time, found themselves in the middle of a huge travel mess as their travel plans unraveled. Endless busy signals, hours on hold, calls being dropped, being transferred from one department to another to another without any resolution, and little to no accurate information about cancellation/rebooking options – it wasn’t pretty. This is just one example but there are many others.
Meanwhile, travel agents were busy helping their clients. We spent the hours on hold so our clients didn’t have to, we knew what the current (constantly changing) policies were (and are), we advocated for our clients, got them the refunds or rebooked, and advised them of their best options. In short, we were there for them every step of the way. All while in many cases, not getting paid, due to a necessary cancellation. Which we were -and are – still happy to do because above all, we CARE about our clients in ways that these big online sites never will and we always, ALWAYS want what is best for them.)
So yes, working with a travel agent – especially since it will cost the same (and may actually save you money to say nothing of time, and stress) – is the smart thing to do!
Now that we’ve established that deciding to use a travel professional is the first step in making sure that your trip is everything you’ve dreamed of, then what?
First of all, while we can’t travel at the moment, it doesn’t mean you can’t start planning! The best trips take time to plan, and you can plan trips for next year and beyond. So if you want to have something amazing to look forward to while you’re at home, contact your travel agent about booking a trip now!
Your travel agent will offer expert advice, make sure you get the best price and the most value, answer your questions, hold your hand, help with travel emergencies, and so much more! From the time you contact her/him for information until you return home from your trip, your travel adviser is truly your best friend. No worries about calling an online booking engine with a question and getting a random person who doesn’t know you – or the destination you’re calling about. Your travel professional – who knows you, your needs, your worries, and most importantly, your destination – will be there for you every step of the way!
Here are some things you will want to keep in mind as you begin working with your new travel best friend.
Choose a Specialist If you have a toothache, you don’t go to a heart surgeon. If you want Chinese food you don’t go to an all-you-can-eat local diner. And so it is with travel. No one person can be an expert in every destination around the world. And your entire reason to work with a travel professional is for expert advice, right? So choose someone who is an expert in where you want to go! Travel agents spend countless hours learning about the destinations they represent through education and personal travel, all so that they can be the experts you need them to be. If you’re going to Walt Disney World, you better make sure that your agent knows what a FastPass is, or the best hotel options for a family of 5. Select a true travel expert for the vacation you are planning.
Provide lots of information. Once you have selected your travel agent, he/she will ask you some questions. This is not to be nosey, but rather to help you! Be forthcoming about what is important to you on your vacation. If there are special needs that you will have, let your agent know. Share your hopes and dreams for your trip: it may seem small to you, but knowing these things will help your travel professional to help you.
Be specific and don’t be shy. Travel agents may seem like miracle workers at times, but they aren’t mind readers. So let your agent know what specific dates you want to travel, and if you aren’t sure at the beginning, give her/him a good estimate. Pricing is always going to be based on dates so “sometime next spring” isn’t something that your travel agent can use to provide you with a quote. Likewise, share your budget range at the very beginning. Every vacation destination is going to have multiple options and your travel agent needs to know what is comfortable for you financially in order to narrow things down. It’s not helpful to you – or your agent – to be vague about what you want to spend, because without a budget, your agent is working blindly. A good travel professional will always be working to get you the best possible price, so be upfront about what you want to spend and then let her/him find what will work for your price range.
Don’t be a ghost. Once your vacation is booked, that’s not the end but rather just the beginning! There will be planning to do and your travel expert will be providing you with lots of information about your trip. She/he will also need information from you and may have questions for you as well. While you will want to touch base with your agent for help, your agent will also be touching base with you. So be sure that the email and phone number that you gave your travel agent are ones that you use regularly. Retrieve your voicemails and check your emails. Check your spam folder too, because sometimes agent emails end up there. Your travel agent wants to help you so if there is information that is needed, or a payment deadline coming up, be responsive. This is your vacation after all!
Life happens and things change. If you have a change to your vacation – whether it is the people going, dates, or family emergency – let your travel agent know asap. Often she/he can work quickly to alter your vacation plans without any problems, but in many cases time is truly of the essence if you want to minimize penalties. Keep your travel agent in the loop if there is a change that will affect your vacation.
You have an expert. You are working with this professional because she/he is an expert in where you want to vacation. So trust that expertise and let your agent guide you to what is best for you. Ask questions along the way so that you understand the information you are given. And if your agent gives you advice, know that the advice is provided for a very good reason.
Your travel professional is going to work VERY hard for you, to insure that you have the vacation of your dreams. She/he will spend countless hours making sure that your trip is all that you want it to be. The best part of working with a travel agent is that you truly have a partner to work with in planning your trip. You’re not alone, help is there whenever you need it. When it comes to working with a travel professional, as they say in Disney’s Toy Story, “You’ve got a friend in me”.
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