3 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Travel Agent
Sure, you can book your vacation on your own terms since we have so many options nowadays with the internet. You can compare many websites for flights, hotels, Airbnb, and fun activities that are location specific to where you are going.
But…you can run into some issues that you may not even think about, or think you are getting the best deal possible.
With the everyday life madness, the thought of planning of trip can sound like a lot of work. This may not encourage you to actually book a vacation with your friends or family.
Do you now understand why you should book your vacation with a travel agent?
Here are three quick things that you may not have thought about when it comes to booking travel arrangements. You'll also see why hiring a travel agent will be beneficial for you.
Reason #1. Travel Agents will read all of the FINE little print for your flight and hotel reservations
Know when are you supposed to check-in for your flight so you can get the best seat possible without any extra fees. Be at the airport with enough time to get through security. Know your check-in and check-out times of the hotel, and other small print fees that you might miss out on.
A travel agent will give you all the important details that you must know, so you know when and where you have to be. All you have to do is focus on getting there on time.
Reason #2. Travel Agents know what to do if you miss your flight or connecting flight
Sometimes there are things that you can’t control such as weather delays or traffic that can cause you to miss a flight.
Don’t get stuck at the airport or worse pay MORE to change your flight to help you get where you need to be.
I can help rearrange flights if this happens to you, so you don’t miss any more time of your precious vacation time.
Reason #3. Travel Agents will buy trip protection for your trip
You've booked your trip months in advance. If you aren’t able to make it for whatever reason, a travel agent will make sure that you get a full refund. This is the beauty of trip protection because again you can’t control life and things happen. Plans change and that’s okay. A travel agent will help you get your money back.
Those things that a true travel agent professional such as myself can handle for you.
As a professional travel agent, I can do all the heavy lifting. I can help take the stress away. I can plan, organize, compare prices and book your trip for you.
All you have to worry about is getting to your final destination to enjoy yourself.
Leave the world behind. Relax, and create new memories with those who matter most to you that you will cherish forever.
Travel Insurance: 11 Reasons You Need To Have It
We know travel insurance can seem like just one more expense, and many travelers ask the question why buy travel insurance and why get travel insurance?
1. You need to cancel your trip
What happens if someone gets sick and can’t travel, a parent dies, you’re required to work, or your house floods?
With trip cancellation coverage, you’ll be able to recover your out-of-pocket expenses for these covered reasons and more.
2. You miss your connection
You’ve planned a cruise but you discover the connecting flight to get to the ship is delayed. With the missed connection it looks like you will miss your cruise departure. How will you catch up to the ship?
With missed connection coverage, you can take another flight to catch the ship at the next port-of-call. You’ll also have assistance services to help you arrange and pay for those travel changes.
3. Your flight is canceled
After attending the family reunion, you arrive at the airport to return home and are told tornadoes have canceled all flights through Dallas. Who will help you find a new flight to return home?
With trip interruption coverage, you’ll have the money to refund the expenses of a new return ticket or to stay in a comfortable hotel.
4. A hurricane damages your destination
You saved all year for a summer vacation to Aruba, but a hurricane destroys the hotel a week before you depart. Will you lose all the money you worked so hard to save?
With travel insurance protection for weather damage, you’ll be able to recover your pre-paid costs. Travel assistance services will also help you arrange a vacation at a new location – one the hurricane missed.
5. A terrorist event occurs
You’ve planned an excursion to Egypt for years, but weeks before leaving a terrorist attack occurs. The airports are closed and Egypt is in chaos. It would be unwise to travel now, but will you lose all your non refundable fees?
With terrorism coverage, you can cancel your trip without losing all the money you’ve spent.
6. You get sick or injured on your trip
You and your friends have planned a hiking trip to climb Machu Picchu since college. After your first night in Lima, you wake with severe stomach pains and a high fever. You cannot start your hike. Instead, you need emergency medical care – and quick.
With travel medical coverage, you won’t be paying a huge medical bill. You’ll also have assistance services – in your own language – to locate a suitable medical facility and arrange transportation.
7. Your baggage is delayed or lost
Your special day has finally arrived – a wedding at a beach side resort. Unfortunately, the airline made a mistake and your baggage will be delayed. Luckily you’ve got the dress and the rings, but what about your other clothes, shoes, toothpaste, and personal items?
With coverage for delayed bags, you can relax. The service hot-line will help you recover your bags. You’ll also be reimbursed for the essential items you need to start enjoying your trip.
Or, you are required to speak at a business conference in Las Vegas, but somewhere in transit, your baggage is lost. Your presentation is tomorrow, how will you get ready in time?
With coverage for luggage that is lost, stolen, or damaged, you’ll be reimbursed for new clothes and personal items. You can even get reimbursed for a suitcase so you can take your new stuff home.
8. Your passport is lost
You are at a conference in London, and you realize you left your passport at a local restaurant.
With coverage for lost passports, you’ll have help expediting the process of replacing and paying for a new passport.
9. You need an emergency medical evacuation
You and your daughter have planned a summer tour of Mont-Blanc, but high in the mountains your daughter is overcome with dizziness and a dangerously high fever. She needs immediate medical attention. How will you get her to safety?
With medical evacuation coverage, you can arrange safe transportation to a medical facility. Medical evacuations typically cost tens of thousands of dollars, but with trip insurance you won’t break the bank to save your daughter.
10. Your travel company files bankruptcy
You’ve planned a two-week honeymoon cruise to Alaska, but a week before the trip you see on the news that your cruise is canceled due to financial default of the cruise company. How will you recover your money?
With trip insurance that covers financial default, you’ll be able to recoup your expenses. With the help of assistance services, you’ll be able to reschedule your cruise as well.
11. You need emergency assistance services
You and your parents have planned a trip to their home country, but on your way, the train is canceled for mechanical repairs. You don’t speak the language. Who can help you locate alternative transportation?
With trip insurance you’ll have emergency assistance services. The service agents will recover your non refundable fees, then locate and pay for transportation to get you where you want to be.
5 Secrets to How Travel Agents Can Save You Money
Travel agents have all the secrets and a few tricks up their sleeves when it comes to getting the best deals possible.
As a travel agent - we get excited and enjoy the thrill of finding the best deals that we can pass onto YOU.
We want you to make your dreams of vacation a reality within a reasonable budget.
We are like the genie from Aladdin, your wish is my command. This is the thrill and excitement of the job.
Here are some of the best-kept secrets that allow us to get the best deal for you.
Secret #1: Be flexible with travel dates and times
Sometimes the best deals don’t always work with your preferred travel dates and times. It’s best to keep your options open because, in the end, it can save you a pretty penny. This is why it is super important for you to plan ahead of time to avoid any time constraints.
Secret #2: Constantly shop around
Prices are constantly changing online. They can be one price this morning and an hour later it is something completely different! It is important for you to constantly checking for the latest deals. And don’t forget to clear out your cookies or use incognito mode. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to talk to multiple travel agents to see which one is the best fit for you.
Secret #3: Book direct flights
Booking direct flights are always better because not only do you save time getting where you need to be, but can save you more money. Think about it… is it really worth saving a few dollars for a 3-hour layover? During this layover, you may get hungry and will purchase some food. To make things worse, you may get bored waiting for your next flight that you decide to look around at the airport shops and buy a few things that are already overpriced.
Secret #4: Support local businesses of where you are going
Travel agents will often recommend for you to support local businesses of where you are going can save you some money. Purchase local goods when it comes to groceries, toiletries, and much more. Experience something new instead of buying something name brand.
Secret #5: Travel during the off-season
Not only is traveling to a destination hotspot during the off-season will save you, but will make your trip a bit more enjoyable as well. Imagine smaller crowds at all the main attractions of where you are going. The locals may be nicer since it isn’t as crazy and will share what you can do there too. And yes, save some big bucks too!
Of course, we have plenty more secrets that we can share...but have to keep some to ourselves…
What are your personal secrets when it comes to booking travel?