Researching your next trip is an exciting stage in your travel plans. Booking with an ATAS accredited agent means you’re in safe hands and can travel with confidence. Click here to read the benefits of booking with an ATAS Accredited Agency.
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7 Reasons you need a Travel Agent
When booking a holiday, you're obviously always trying to get the lowest prices possible on airline ticket, hotels, sightseeing and rental cars. But aside from the usual tips, there's one secret weapon to nearly always ensuring a good deal: using a travel agent.
Here is a list of the reasons why you should book through an agent for your next holiday. |
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(Source: Huffington Post) 1. They're likely to get you the lowest price possible. George Hobica, travel expert and founder of Airfarewatchdog, says, "Travel agents have tricks up their sleeves that automated websites have never heard of." That means knowing when a price is actually at its lowest point or using unorthodox methods (like ferries or trains) to get you to your destination for less. 2. You don’t have time. To plan and book your own trip, you’d have to set aside hours of time online or on the phone. There’s just so much information out there it’s hard to find what’s important. And you could easily miss a key detail. Travel experts provide one-stop shopping for everything you need for your vacation. “Travel advisors manage your most valuable and non-renewable asset: your leisure time,” said Matthew Upchurch, chairman and CEO of Virtuoso. 3. They've got better connections than the Internet. As Shulem points out in his Reddit AMA, travel agents have resources and connections that the Internet does not. "We have discounted air, we have over 800 hotels where we throw in breakfast and a $100 resort credit, (and) we have cruises where we can get you upgrades and cruise credits and many times a better price," he wrote. 4. They've got the most "pull" with hotels. Hotels are extra-careful to keep travel agents happy so that they'll continue to book in the future, writes a travel agent who goes by the name of Tychonaut on Reddit." A hotel can tell you (a private customer) 'no' without a problem. But if they are dealing with an agent they have a bigger incentive to turn that 'no' to a 'yes,'" he writes. 5. They're especially great at finding group discounts. If you're going to Disney World, taking a corporate trip or planning a romantic holiday, it's best to let travel agents do the work for you. They'll research the best deals for 2+ people, find coupons for going out to eat and try their best to upgrade your suite or hotel room to make it the best experience possible. Think of the time you're saving... researching alone would take days. 6. You want help in case of emergency. Your flight gets cancelled or a natural disaster hits the area you’re visiting. You may get sick during your trip or your passport is stolen. If you book online, don’t expect much help when an emergency hits. But travel agents will be there for you (usually 24/7), and will be able to resolve the problem thanks to their experience. You’ll be worry-free. As Shulem explains on Reddit, "...the trend is to look to the travel agent to save you time and help you out should a mishap arise." Travel agents act as a safety net and can sometimes get extra help regarding cancelled tickets that you, acting alone, could not. 7. They can find the best cruises and cruise activities for you. Need help finding a cruise ASAP, booking the perfect cabin or sorting through pages of off-the-boat excursions? Travel agents can get a cruise certification to help them navigate the cruise-planning waters like a total pro, and they're usually the first to find out about the best cruise deals or activities. |
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