Press 1, now press 2, 3, 4… now remain on hold. No one likes to wait on hold, especially when you are already stressed trying to set up your vacation and researching for what feels like forever. There has been much debate lately about whether or not to use a travel agent. With the internet and all the available Apps, do you really need a travel agent? Here are some reasons why all travelers should consider one.

Customer Service:

When you work with an agent, you are working with a real person, NOT a robot. Travel agents specialize in travel, so they know the best locations, guides, resorts, and they have the connections to arrange it with ease.  They are here for you when you need them.

They are able to find the best deals and customize your vacation around you. When you book a trip with a travel agent, most of the time you also get added benefits such as spa credit, car rental discounts, upgraded rooms, and more. Believe it or not, travel agents often come back at a better rate than the public, and they find the best deal without the hassle of dealing with it yourself.

Travel agents choose to help people with their travel because they love it! When you work with an agent, they are with you every step of the way, before, during and after your trip. They want to make sure you and your crew are building memories that will last a lifetime. The goal of an agent is to make your trip with them the best you’ve ever had.

Are travel agents for everyone?

If you are going for a weekend getaway to the beach, sure, google the best hotel/motel at the beach, and it’s a done deal. But if you are going for a 12 day vacation in South Africa and want to go on a safari, hike to the Lone Creek Falls, and also go mountain biking, you’re going to want to call a travel expert.

When planning a trip like this, it is simply not worth your time or risk of booking something you thought was what you wanted. The best part of this is that you don’t have to do anything other than to say what you want to do and where you want to go, and the travel agent will handle the rest, and more than likely, at a more affordable rate than you will find online. 

Isn’t it expensive to use a travel agent?

Actually, on the contrary, more times than not, travel agents will save you money and deliver more value. Travel advisors have connections and suppliers all over the world. This means that they get some of the best rates available which are not available to the public. Most of the time booking with a travel agent is actually more affordable than it would be to do it yourself.

Forget the stress and save time.

Obviously, these travel agents do this for a living. They know who to call, who to book with, where the best deals are, and the most suitable destination for your dream vacation. You hear about it all the time! Vacationers will spend hours and hours researching before they even begin the booking process, but then they wait on hold, only to realize that they want a different destination. At that point they start the process all over again. Once you’re paid and booked, cross your fingers because there’s no turning back.  Changing a booked itinerary can be very difficult online.

If you choose a travel agent to book your trip, all you would have to do is contact your agent, tell him what you want, and he or she will handle it from there — at no extra fee. They are invested in the satisfaction, happiness, and overall success of your trip. You will be treated as a friend, not just a number. You get to talk with a person, not a search engine or an anonymous voice. When you work with a travel agent, you are also building a relationship of trust that should last a lifetime for many more vacations to come.