The Benefits of Travel Agents

Our first time using a travel agent was not what we expected, and therefore left a sour taste. With a bit of inquiry, we realized the experience was lacking due to our ignorance about the industry. Below, we'll share what we've learned and what we now love to do for others!

Travel planning can be overwhelming! A travel agent is a professional trip planner who designs travel itineraries. Planning may include everything from flights and hotel rooms to excursions and meals. Depending on traveler preferences, we may cover all details of the package or simply organize a portion of the trip. For example, we might arrange hotels, airfare and cruise line bookings while you handle free-time activities.

What are the benefits of using a travel agent, aka travel advisor? In short, convenience, expertise, and potential cost savings.

• Convenience - Let us save you time, effort, and stress. We handle the research, comparisons, and bookings, freeing up your time. We take care of all the details, including the things you may not think of and the things that you don't know that you don't know.

  Do you need support due to a travel disruption? One email, text, or call to us does it all. If you travel often, we will come to understand your preferences and can put together a booking with minimal input from you.

• Expertise - We have a direct line to vendors, we tour ships and hotels and have a large community of advisors that willingly share their expertise, feedback and recommendations with each other.

  Do you have a person with disabilities, dietary restrictions, or other special needs to consider? We know the right contacts for your accommodations.

  We can also support you with what to pack for the weather, give tips on the best coffee or ice cream spots, and the most social media-worthy shots to take.

• Potential Cost Savings - Occasionally, we may have access to special rates and promotions not readily available to the general public. We can also help save money by packaging your travel needs. We have access to numerous suppliers to find the best prices.

  Another perk - we'll continue to check prices to see if costs decrease and can be applied to your account!

Something else we didn't know? Travel agents are paid by the suppliers, not by you! Many travel agents, including us, do not charge for our services. However, certain suppliers don't offer commissions and repeat inquiries without booking are time-consuming, which is why some charge for their time. We reserve the right to update our fee policy at any time.