Here’s why to work with a travel agent in 2020

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7 reasons to work with a travel agent in 2020

Are you wondering why to work with a travel agent? Do you think travel agents are no longer necessary? Are you wondering if you can get a better deal through a travel agent? You’re in the right place.

Hi, I’m Amy. Yes, I’m a travel agent in 2020! Here’s why you still need me:

If you’re like I used to be, you think travel agents aren’t necessary anymore. With all of the OTA’s (online travel agencies) why use an actual travel agent? Well, actually, there are a lot of reasons! Here are the 7 top reasons to use a travel agent in 2020 and beyond.

1. Personalized Services

Working with a travel agent will ensure that your vacation experience is personalized for you. That is something that a booking website just can’t do. I love to send my clients personalized gifts for their vacations and other special touches to make their experiences unique.

Ever wonder why someone got a special gift like champagne or other personalized touches? They probably worked with a travel agent. If you want to have your trip tailored just for you, you should work with a travel agent.

2. Exclusive access

Did you know that there are some tours and amenities that are only available to book through a travel agent? If you’re not a travel agent, you probably didn’t know! Travel agents have access to exclusive tours and amenities that are not available to the general public. This can mean getting special experiences that you didn’t know existed.

3. Having someone on your side

I know for a fact that if you book something online, no one really cares if something goes wrong. If there is a problem, you might spend hours on the phone and possibly never come up with a solution. Having a travel agent on your side means you have an advocate. A travel agent has the resources to get to the bottom of any issue, quickly!

Have you ever spent hours on the phone with Expedia or American Airlines, because I have (as a consumer.) It isn’t fun. Working with a travel agent means having someone to advocate if you’re given the wrong hotel room or if your flight is canceled.

4. Resources

A travel agent has access to resources that are not available to the general public. One of the most common misconceptions is that working with a travel agent costs more than booking on your own. Travel agents can actually access incredible deals, which can mean big savings!

Travel agents can also have access to upgrades, added amenities, better seats on airplanes and so much more. If you’re not sure exactly what you want, a travel agent can help you figure it out. Maybe you want to go to Hawaii, but you’ve never been. A travel agent can help you figure out which island to visit, along with an itinerary that’s personalized just for you.

Related: 10 things you need to know before going to Hawaii

4b. Resources for special events

Are you planning a special event like a wedding or a proposal? That can be tough to tackle by yourself! Travel agents have access to resources and local vendors who can help make your dream a reality.

If you’re planning a destination wedding or proposal, you need to call me! I have over 7 years of experience in the wedding industry and I’d love to help you plan the perfect destination wedding or proposal.

5. Convenience

Sometimes you can spend hours in front of a computer and find a great deal. Other times, you’ll spend hours in front of the computer and come up with nothing. You’ve probably heard the expression time is money. You can spend hours pouring over the internet to (hopefully) find the best flights, best prices, etc. OR you can work with a travel agent.

Travel agents can plan every aspect of your trip. From flights to hotels to transportation and attractions. Working with a travel agent will not only ensure that you get the best possible prices, but it will also save valuable time. In my opinion, this is one of the best reasons why to work with a travel agent.

6. Saving Money

I touched on this already, but it’s important to go over again. I used to think that working with a travel agent would cost more. This simply isn’t the case! Travel agents have access to many deals that are not available to the general public.

Travel Agents with expertise in a certain area will likely charge a fee, but this doesn’t mean you’ll pay more overall. Your total price will still likely be less than what you would have been able to find on your own. 

7. Experience

Travel agents know the best times to visit certain areas. For example, you probably don’t want to go to Kona, Hawaii during the Ironman. Unless you’re participating, in which case, good for you. A travel agent will know the best (and worst) times to go to your desired destination.

You might want to avoid some tropical destinations during rainy seasons, where certain attractions could be closed. How will you know without hours of research? Work with a travel agent. Let’s say that you’re going somewhere that I am not particularly familiar with, I have access to a wealth of information that isn’t public as well as other professionals who will have the answer. If I don’t know, I can find out quickly!

I hope this post answered all of your questions about why to work with a travel agent in 2020. If you want to get a personalized vacation, save time and money, and more, give me a call at 417-239-5964! You can also set up a time for me to call you, or send a message via email. I’d love to make your dream vacation a reality.