I use an agent on occasion. However, I find myself doing so less and less as I gain knowledge of the travel world and have come to understand our travel style and our own personal likes and dislikes. Travel is my hobby.  The research and planning are half the fun for me. Many planning hours go into each trip we take. Knowing what our travel goals and aspirations are, I feel confident in my ability to plan a trip that will be memorable, relaxing, and interesting for both of us.  Will it be perfect? Not always, but that is okay with us. If something goes wrong like a canceled flight or a mix up with an Airbnb, we will have to figure out the solution ourselves rather than making a phone call to our agent who has the resources to quickly find a solution for us.

Is using an agent the right thing for you to do? Here are some things to consider.

Convenience

If the planning and research process does not interest you, having someone convey all the virtues of your destination and make recommendations based on their own experience and that of other clients can be the key to a stress-free trip.

Saving Money

If the world of travel is new to you, it is possible that the “great deal” you got on Expedia or another online service is not as good as you think. Agents often have access to special promotions and exclusive deals that they can pass along to you. Unless you have done your research and know what you should be paying for a flight or accommodations, having an expert on your side to guide you can save you a bundle. Especially for resort and cruise travel.

Risk-Free Travel

A reputable and insured agent can ensure that if a flight is canceled, a hotel closed, a hurricane hits your resort or your airline or tour company goes bankrupt, or a number of other unpreventable issues arise, you will get refunded without having to chase around your deposits. If through no fault of yours, mother nature or some other unforeseeable event prevents you from enjoying your holiday, you can rest in knowing that you will be fully refunded. Check the terms and conditions with your agent to be sure that you fully understand what is covered if there is a cancelation from their end.

This is not the same as having your own travel insurance. Travel insurance covers you if a medical issue arises or another acceptable family emergency occurs, that prevents you from taking your trip. It is important to understand the difference so be sure to discuss this in detail with your agent so that there are no surprises if things do not go as planned.

They Can Help You in a Crisis

On our European honeymoon several years ago, we had the unfortunate experience of a canceled flight from Nice to Barcelona. Not only was our flight canceled, but the entire country had a planned 3-day transportation strike including trains and busses. Yes, the French do this on occasion and apparently, we were the only ones in the country who were not aware! We had already checked out of our Airbnb and returned our rental car. Only upon entering the empty airport did we discover that there was no foreseeable way for us to get to Barcelona for at least three days. To make matters worse, my frantic online searches revealed that there were no cars available to rent and no hotel rooms to be had in the entire city.

Because I had booked our transportation, car rental, and one hotel on our 16-day excursion through our travel agent, I was able to contact her with a distressed “help we are stranded in Nice!” call. She was able to quickly obtain a hotel for us to spend the night and secured a car for us to rent in the morning to drive the 8 hours to Barcelona. Neither of these reservations were available to us online; however, she had the resources to book them for us. We lost our first day in Barcelona, but she saved us a lot of heartaches.

Important Information

If you miss something in your research, like needing a visa to get into Jordan to see Petra after touring Israel, a travel agent can save you a lot of grief, delays and possible cancellations. They are the experts on knowing what paperwork needs to be done and how far in advance to ensure that you are fully prepared for these and many other situations.

They Think of Things You Might Not

Did you remember to book transportation from the airport to your hotel? Maybe you planned on taking a cab? A mob of taxi drivers at the airport exit doors yelling at you in another language can be quite intimidating. You could easily get conned into paying 3 times the amount necessary to get to your accommodations. This and other incidentals are important to consider when planning your trip. An agent can alert you to all the details to consider so that you can just sit back and enjoy your trip.

Are You More Comfortable in a Group?

If you are doing an extensive trip involving several cities or even countries and are not comfortable venturing out on your own, agents can book you on a group tour. There are a multitude of options available considering price point, areas of interest, and even age group. Most of these tours allow some free time however schedules can be tight.  The usual appeal of these tours is usually is that you are able to see the highlights of many places in a short amount of time. All arrangements are made for you. Just show up and enjoy!

Going Out on Your Own

Our style of travel has evolved as our experience and confidence have. We like to spend several days at each destination to really get to know it. Large tour groups do not suit us.  I do plan some small group or private tours with small local tour companies. I book these myself through Viator or Get Your Guide. We do enjoy visiting the major landmarks and other attractions, however, I plan a loose schedule with plenty of time to sit on a balcony enjoying a glass of wine and a sunset, browse local shops, people watch, and of course, wander.

We prefer staying in an Airbnb to get a taste of what it would be like to be a local. Although I consider myself a foodie, I am not interested in going to restaurants three times each day.  I prefer instead to wander around a farmer’s market and purchase the local fare. Traditional bread, cheese, fruits, wine, beer, and whatever else looks appealing. We are then equipped to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in a park, on the beach or on a hike. For dinner, we typically eat out. Hopefully at a little out of the way place with amazing food and atmosphere frequented by locals. This saves us a lot of money and helps us experience the food culture in a non-touristy way.

We have a Delta Skymiles American Express card and preferred status with the airline. Understanding this system and utilizing it to its potential allows us to earn many perks and free flights through Delta and its partners. I am confident in booking my flights directly through the airline.

Because of experience, and the amount of time I put into planning each trip, I think of the little details necessary to have an enjoyable adventure. Being good travelers also means going with the flow. If you have the right attitude, the unexpected adventure can be the most memorable part of a trip.

You also might want to consider planning and booking part of the trip on your own and using an agent for areas that you feel less confident. While I will do most of my own research I will occasionally then contact my agent knowing exactly what I want her to book.

As you gain confidence in your ability to plan you may not use your agent as much. Either way, we have found that having a good repour with a reputable agent is a good thing even if you do not always use them. Our agent of choice is Valente Travel.  They can assist you with your travel wherever you are located.