The internet has changed the way people book their vacations. Instead of booking through an agency, individuals are now able to search for cheap flights and hotels on their own. The question is: what will happen to travel agencies in this new era? Let’s take a look at the benefits of using a travel agency instead of booking yourself.
1. Discounted prices
Booking a trip through an agency can be cheaper than booking it yourself. Travelers should be wary of online travel sites that advertise rock bottom prices and then add extra fees for things like hotel tax and porterage. These fees can inflate the price of your reservation by up to 45%. An agent is more likely to find lower rates and offer discounts because they know their target clients (tourists looking for good deals). The reason why you pay less when you use a travel agency is because the company has its own contracts with certain hotels, airlines etc. If you booked directly, you would have paid full price, whereas agencies get discounts.
2. Bonuses
Travel agents also offer perks like free upgrades, vouchers for future trips and free gifts. If you book through a travel agency, there is a possibility that they will give you complimentary bonuses that are worth more than the price of your reservation.
3. Personalized service
Another upside to booking with travel agencies instead of booking yourself is personalized service . One big perk is that agents can save their clients lots of time by filtering out all the irrelevant offers and narrowing down the selection until only the best options remain (in other words: no need to waste time finding low-cost flights). Travel agents also provide customized recommendations based on what you want to do abroad (for example, excursions or special touristy activities).
Even though agencies have been suffering from a decline of clients due to e-tourism , they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Here’s why: Agencies are still needed because there is no one site that can offer all the services of a good travel agency. In other words: booking your own trip on the web still isn’t as efficient for research purposes.
4. Accessibility
Another reason why travel agencies will stick around is accessibility. Customers often get frustrated when checking prices on sites like Expedia and Orbitz. The reason is that they don’t show the best deals, like last minute offers or special weekend packages. When you book directly on a hotel’s website, it means you’re usually not eligible for any of those promotions.
By booking through an agency, you get access to more offers and better prices. Moreover, if you book through an agency, your travel agent will call and check on the reservations to see if everything’s okay (they’ll also offer additional help and advice). This is especially important when traveling abroad: some airlines offer vouchers for passengers who miss their flights! If you booked your trip yourself without calling to confirm beforehand, then there goes your chance of getting a voucher.
5. Safety
To sum up: agents are there to help you, whether it’s making reservations or helping you through the entire process. This means that if something goes wrong (for example, your flight gets cancelled), they’re going to have a plan B ready for you. They know how the travel industry works and will give you different solutions.
Another benefit of using a travel agency is that they always want what’s best for their clients. If there’s a change of plans or a case of bad weather, they will let their customers know ASAP so they can make adjustments to their itinerary without getting stuck somewhere unprepared. In other words: agents are more likely to tell you about any last minute cancellations due to weather conditions or strikes because this is something that could affect their clients and they don’t want any inconvenience.
Travel agencies do all the research before you leave so you can enjoy your time abroad without worrying about anything. They will know which trains, buses or flights to take so your trip runs as smooth as possible.
6. Security
Another benefit of using a travel agency instead of booking yourself is security . Agents can give you tips on how to avoid scams and other unpleasant surprises (for example: staying away from certain areas at night because it’s not safe). If something goes wrong, like losing valuables or having your belongings stolen, then agents will find a solution and cover the costs associated with replacing them (for example, if your luggage gets lost on the way to your hotel).
7. Expert advice and tips
Agents will give you expert advice and tips . For example: they’ll tell you which hotels or flights to avoid (for example: certain airlines have a bad record for delayed or cancelled flights, so it’s better not to use them). They can also recommend tours that aren’t usually advertised in travel magazines, as well as share helpful itinerary ideas. In addition, agents will help with everything associated with planning a trip: from booking tickets and hotels to renting cars and securing visas .
Another plus of going through a travel agency is that they offer trusted information about places abroad . It’s important to do your research before traveling to a new country, but sometimes there are things that agents know that you wouldn’t find out about without consulting them. For example: customs regulations, visa rules and hidden costs associated with particular attractions.
8. Convenience
One of the main benefits of using a travel agency is convenience. Travelers have more time for themselves because they don’t have to worry about anything related to their journey or accommodation. That’s why many people go through agencies when traveling abroad : so they can fully enjoy their trip without having to spend time doing any research on the place. The fact that agents will take care of everything ensures nothing gets in the way between you and your holiday.
Another benefit of using a travel agency is that it’s flexible. Clients can change itineraries and request different services whenever they want. And if some plans need to be canceled or altered, the company will make sure there are no hidden costs attached (for example: some companies charge high fees for flight changes).
Some agencies also offer extra perks like gift cards and discounts on purchases made abroad . This way, clients don’t need to save up before going away—they’ll save money while travelling !
9. Money-saving tips
Agents save you time and money , as well as offer helpful advice and information about your destination: all of this saves you money. For example: agents can give price quotes for last minute trips, which are usually cheaper than other types of tickets. They’ll also help find cheap rental cars and tell you about promotional deals offered by different companies or attractions. Agency staff are familiar with the location where they organize trips to, so they know all the hidden costs associated with certain areas. And because everything is already researched, booked and paid for, you won’t have any unexpected expenses while traveling .
10. Personal Service
Another reason why people use travel agencies is that they offer personal service . Travelers want their needs met without having to spend hours doing research every time something new comes up (for example: when you must change your plans). This is why using a travel agency can be helpful. Agents are always up-to-date with the latest developments in their industry, so they’ll know exactly what to do if it’s necessary to make any changes to the itinerary (for example: because of strike action at an airport). Additionally, agents won’t pressure clients into making last minute purchases (that cost more), like salespeople working for different shops might.