Myths of Using a travel agent

We make a salary whether you book with us or not. I hate to break the news but most travel agents work strictly on commission. What does that mean? They don’t get paid until after you have traveled on your trip. For example, you book a cruise for January 2020, the agent won’t get paid until after you have departed. Plus, if an agent spends hours working on an amazing vacation itinerary and you decide to book it on your own or with another agent, they get paid nothing for those long hours of work. Travel agents want to make your vacation dreams come true.
You’ll pay more to use us. I think this is the biggest reason travelers avoid us because they don’t understand how we get paid. If I book a cruise for you, I get paid a commission – a percentage of what you’re already paying for the cruise, but by the cruise line. You pay exactly the same price for the cruise (and possibly more) if you book on your own. It works the same way with hotel rooms, resorts, tours and car rental companies. Some agents (not all, and not me) will charge a consulting fee if they have to spend many hours conducting specialized research and planning elaborate itineraries on your behalf. These additional fees are worth the time and effort you would have spent on your own, which is invaluable.
Travel agents are only useful when booking big vacations. Do you know how long it takes me to book a hotel room for you? Once I have all your information, less than five minutes. I have friends who text me needing hotel rooms just for work or short weekend getaways because (a) they know I’ll get the best rate for them, and (b) they’re helping my business by allowing me to earn a commission on the booking. Looking for a short 3-night cruise on a budget? I will help you with that, too! Even one night in a bad hotel can be a nightmare and using us can help prevent that. Yes, smaller bookings equal smaller commissions, but these add up for me and my business.
We travel for free. Oh, how I wish this were true. Travel agents can get discounts and occasionally we are offered to apply for familiarization trips with cruise lines and resorts. But we still must PAY to get there and they are extremely competitive. If you think that becoming a travel agent means free or cheap travel, you are most certainly are wrong and should not become an agent.
You’re bothering us on off-hours. Many travel agents these days work from home, which means we’re never truly off-duty. I have made reservations at midnight in my home office, hotel rooms around the world and while sailing on a cruise. I have assisted clients at 3:00 AM when their luggage was lost in Europe or their transfers didn’t show. You see that hot deal online before going to bed at night, call or email your agent, they might find you a better deal or be able to tell if you that deal is legitimate. If you are ready to book a trip, unless I am driving, flying or using the restroom, I will take your call or email and book your trip regardless of the time. If you are traveling and something happens email or call me, if I can’t respond immediately it is your prerogative to proceed as needed. But at least try to reach out to me first.
We can’t get you a better deal. I understand. You’re a pro at comparison shopping for travel and know all the best-discounted travel booking engines. There’s no way we can offer those “limited time” or “exclusive” rates or sales, right? We see the same rates being offered by discount travel outlets. The difference is that we know intimately all the hidden costs, like taxes, additional fees, required deposits, pre-payment requirements, cancellation policies, etc. We know that some of those companies will cancel or modify your reservation with little or no notice, and they can do that – with few options for recourse. We’re the first ones notified (usually dozens of times per day) of upcoming fare sales and discounts. So, if we know you’re interested in a cruise to Alaska, for example, we can notify you about the sale before it starts so you can book as soon as the window opens to get a better choice of staterooms. There are instances (usually when booking air travel) where you can find a lower price. Just remember – you get what you pay for.
It doesn’t bother us when friends/family book without our help. It’s no secret to my friends and family that I’m a travel agent. I often see some of them posting photos from a cruise or vacation or hotel stay that they booked on their own instead of with me. I’m not going to lie; that hurts. Aside from the feelings of frustration knowing that they could have benefitted from my experience and expertise, I worry that they paid too much, or won’t have support if/when something goes wrong. Especially during hurricane season, I wonder if they thought to purchase trip insurance. I’m also sad that they could have helped support a friend or family member’s small business at no additional cost.
We don’t need you. Travelers need us now more than ever. With so many options for destinations and accommodations and transportation, taking a vacation can be more overwhelming than ever. This is what we do. This is what we know. We are experts not only on the travel industry but travel itself. If we don’t have the answer, we know exactly where to look to find it because this is what we’re trained to do. Do you know when monsoon season is in Asia, when half of Europe is closed for business during summer holidays, and how to avoid monster mosquito season in Alaska? We do. Do you know which cruise lines are best for wheelchair users or seniors, which ones have the best kids’ programs, and which ones cater to the party crowd? We do. Don’t waste your valuable time searching for travel options that we probably have at our fingertips – and likely at no additional cost.
All Travel Agents are the Same. Are all doctors, lawyers, dentists, car mechanics, and realtors the same? They need to be right for you and certified by the right organizations. I think people must realize we are counselors and concierges and lifestyle planners. We are Travel Advisors, not Agents. We offer first-hand knowledge and unmatched expertise to create custom trips for each client. We take classes, continuing education, and more to keep on top of the latest trends and travel styles. And, just like a doctor specialized in certain fields, some Travel Advisors become experts in certain destinations, regions or types of travel. The key is to find an Advisor that specializes in the type of trip you desire.

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