Why Use a Travel Agent? Pros & Cons
It can be overwhelming when you first learn about using a travel agent. There are so many different things to research and choose from. It can feel like a new chapter is about to open when you first look into travel agencies. You’re probably wondering what the big deal is and how someone else can help plan your holiday. Keep reading to answer your question about why use a travel agent, the pros and some travel tips you should never miss!
Why Use a Travel Agent Contents
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What is a Travel Agent and What Do They Do?
If you’re wondering what do travel agents do, the short answer is that they work as intermediaries between you and your travel destination. They help you decide which attractions, hotels, and resorts you want to visit and allow you plan the most efficient and comfortable travel plan.
Travel agents work in many different ways:
- Firstly, they help you find hotels, attractions, and travel deals that suit your budget and taste.
- Secondly, they help you plan out your vacation by helping you choose the perfect time, location, and activity for your holiday.
- They also help you plan out your family vacation by helping you choose the right time, location, and activities for your family.
- Finally, they help you find deals and options that are only open to people who work in the travel industry.
How to use a travel agent?
If you’ve answered the question about why use a travel agent, the next step is to understand who you want to work with. If you are using a travel adviser for the first time, you’ll need to choose someone who has experience doing similar types of business. Do they specialise in the kind of holiday you want? For example, cruise lines, luxury holidays or backpacking experiences. You can begin the search for a travel agent by looking online or through recommendations from friends and family.,
Today, we benefit from being able to see reviews and experiences easily. No longer do we need to be overly concerned about the service or quality of an agent when you can find a lot of this information out in advance.
The three main options you have when booking through a travel agent are:
- A retail-based agency you can visit in person, by telephone or by email. These agents may also operate online too, like Tui or First Choice.
- Online travel agencies that are phone or email only. They vary from working on specific areas of travel like booking.com, to broader package holiday providers like Love Holidays or On The Beach.
- Home-based travel agents are usually independent and often more accessible and personable than larger travel businesses.
If you are interested in learning more about specific topics, many online review sites provide in-depth analysis and helpful tips. You can also ask friends, family, or other travel experts what they think about specific travel agents and try asking them in a private chat. You can also call or email your local travel agent’s office to discuss your travel plan and ask them to send a referral if they know of a good one. You may also consider going with a local travel company, but keep in mind that it will almost certainly be more challenging to work with them.
When to use a Travel Agent
When you start using a travel agent, you will probably be surprised at how many things can be added to your bucket list. However, it’s important to remember that getting the best deal is always the most important consideration. If you travel a lot, you’ll likely have questions about rates, airport hopping, and other travel experiences. Knowing that you can expect smooth sailing from a travel agent is always a big plus.
Depending on your travel preferences, you may also want to contact a travel advisor to find out about additional services or set up your account. It’s also a good idea to engage your travel agent at least a month in advance to ensure they are available for your travel needs. . These will help make your travel journey a little easier.
Pros & Cons of Using a Travel Agent
The Pros of Using a Travel Agent
Agents must be trained and knowledgeable about the latest travel regulations and areas of legal compliance. In the UK, this means that qualified travel agents must be members of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and have the relevant Air Travel Organisers licenses to sell ABTA and ATOL protected package holidays. As a client, you have much greater consumer protection than if you were to buy each component of your trip separately.
The Bottom line of working with a holiday agent is that they are a valuable resource. You just need to know what to look for to find the best one for you.
The Cons of Using a Travel Agent
The biggest downside to booking through a travel agent is that you may end up with many questions about travel experiences. These questions can be particularly challenging for newbie travellers who aren’t used to getting their fill of answers before heading out on their adventure.
When it comes to using an agent, the biggest concern for most people is that there will be additional costs. Of course, budget is a valid concern, as some agents charge fees for their services. However, before ruling out an agent based on price, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of using a travel agent.
Agent fees can vary widely, so it’s important to research and find an agent who fits your budget. Additionally, many agents offer free consultations to assess your needs, and they will always make it clear if they charge any fees. In truth, how travel agents work is to earn commission they get directly from their partners. Even when you book a hotel online, their marketing strategy will usually involve a fee, commission, or advertisement to get you there. If you use a travel agent, this marketing cost goes to them instead of the search engine or comparison site.
Can you always find better deals using a travel agent? Unfortunately, no. Sometimes the price will be the same or not as good if special online-only rates are applied.
Then why should I use a travel agent?
Well, you have to hunt for these travel products for yourselves, and sometimes it really does take a lot of hunting and research. If you don’t spend that long researching, you’re likely not getting the best deal anyway, so ask yourself what’s important to you and whether it’s time best spent. If your agent has good travel experience, this will be of huge value to you. If not, then maybe you will be better off on your own.
Why Use a Travel Agent instead of booking online in summary
Travel is a wonderful experience, but it isn’t easy without assistance. This is why you should think long and hard to answer your question about “why should I use a travel agent”. Luckily, there are many options when it comes to how to choose the right travel agent. If you are interested in booking a vacation, find the right one for you and your family and then make sure to keep up with the latest travel news and promotions. Travel agents can be an invaluable resource for all of your travel needs, and they can be a great way to save money while helping you get ready for your trip. But it is down to personal preferences whether you use one or not.
Do you want to give booking through a Travel Agent a try?
If you’d like to see more useful guides check out some of my other posts:
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Reading this information will help you find a better travel agency. Thank you for sharing this amazing article.