Can’t I Just Book It Myself?
Do you use a travel agent, or plan your trips yourself? I thought for Travel Week Extravaganza, we should have a travel coordinator weigh in on this issue.
Please welcome my guest author today, Erin Sforza of MouseEarVacations.com® and CruisingCo.com®, as she fills us in on the benefits of using a travel agency.
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Can’t I Just Book It Myself?
For years I was my family’s unofficial travel agent. They would come to me for advice, especially about Walt Disney World, and at times, I would help them book their entire trip step by step and even put together itineraries that they could take to keep track of it all.
When I realized it was something that I really enjoyed doing and made it official, suddenly family and friends had all sorts of questions and the most common one was: “But couldn’t I just book this all myself?”
It was a question that I wasn’t really prepared to answer at first, by quickly figured out several reasons why a travel agent can be your best friend when it comes to putting together a truly memorable vacation.
Think about the last time you decided to visit a place you had never been. You may have searched online through websites for info on the best local restaurants, what hotel would be located near all the must-see attractions, what the must-see attractions actual were, and hours or even days later you may still be searching.
It’s hard to find a site with reviews that are not only fair, but also trustworthy and don’t even get me started on the “buy blind” concept of picking a price for a property to be named later.
Travel agents are there to handle the workload of researching a destination according to your (and your family’s) specific interests. When a client comes to me with a destination in mind and describes the family members they’ll be traveling with, I usually am already jotting down a few hotels, attractions, or cruise lines that would fit them perfectly.
Travel agents also have access to exclusive packages, discounts, and amenities (like airfare credits, spa & resort credits, and free rental cars) that are only offered to them through different suppliers. Instead of wading through what seems like endless information, you’ll have personalized options in about 24 hours and you can get to the fun part of planning your vacation much sooner!
In the “fun-stage” where you’re deciding what restaurants to try, what port excursions to book, or just how many spa treatments is too many (there’s no such number by the way!), your travel agent will be there to guide you and make sure that you are getting the most from your vacation dollar.
For example, there are some cruise lines that may seem cheaper and more accessible to families on a budget, but the hidden costs on board like soft drinks and children’s programs (yes, some cruise lines STILL charge for them!) can really add up, and who wants to spend their vacation painstakingly keeping track of spending, or telling the kids “no” at what seems like every turn?
Travel agents are there to offer their guidance and extensive resources to steer you to the perfect package, and also to help communicate the value of each option, not just the price.
Let’s say you booked a vacation based on an online promotion offering a hotel room and dining because it looked like a much better deal than only getting 35% off of the room. Think of what you’ll save with the free dining package! A travel agent will price out both, to make sure you’re getting the absolute best deal.
I actually saved a client $900 by going with a room discount and pairing dining and attraction tickets a la carte instead of using the dining package offered!
Aside from freeing up your time, offering you personalized options that will fit your family’s needs and interests, and making sure that you get the best value possible, here’s the most important reason to use a travel agent: when things go awry.
There is nothing so frustrating and upsetting as having your family’s dream trip take a detour. You want to know that if anything doesn’t go as planned, you have someone in your corner to support you, and get your vacation back on track.
I’ve been up until 2:30 am making arrangements for a hotel, rental car, and alternate flights for a family that was stranded at midnight by their airline in JFK with three young kids, had to drive to Newark and stay overnight to fly out the next morning. Horrible? Definitely, but it could have been worse if they had to figure everything out on their own, and fight their way through all the other passengers to get a car rental and hotel room. They also had someone to start their insurance claim immediately, and see it through until they were reimbursed.
You never want to think about that kind of thing happening, but I’ve gone through it myself without a travel agent, and believe me, I could’ve used that kind of assistance.
Whether you and your hunnie are escaping to Hawaii or Aruba, you’re planning a huge family reunion cruise, or taking your kids on a guided tour of Europe for the vacation of a lifetime, a travel agent can be a guide, a support system, and your best asset on your journey to a scrapbook full of amazing memories.
Erin Sforza is an Independent Travel Coordinator affiliated with MouseEarVacations.com® and CruisingCo.com® and lives on Long Island with her husband and daughter. Contact her by email at ErinS@CruisingCo.com ,(877)398-8244 or at www.facebook.com/ErinS.MEV to book your family’s next adventure!
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This guest post is part of my Travel Week Extravaganza. There will be great travel related articles and travel gear reviews and giveaways all week… so be sure to check out the fun!
