travel agent benefits
What are the Perks of Working as a Travel Agent?
- First Notice of Great Deals. One of the main perks of working as a travel agent is that you often get first notice of great travel deals.
- Familiarization Trips. Another perk of working as a travel agent comes in the form of “familiarization trips”. ...
- Deep Discounts on Travel. ...
- Tax Deductions for Travel. ...
– They save you money
Six Reasons To Become A Travel Agent
- You can be your own boss.
- You have complete location freedom. Work from an office, from your home while the kids are at school—or from a resort across the world.
- You can see the world. ...
- It’s interesting and fun—and it helps people. ...
- There are lots of free training programs to help you get started. ...
- The industry is back. ...
– Travel insurance
Your plan should detail things like:
- The type of travel agent you want to become
- How to identify the best host agency – in case you want to start a home-based travel agency
- How much startup capital is necessary and how to acquire it
- Marketing details
- Milestones, and goals, etc.
– You can’t VIP yourself
Blue Bay Travel chief executive Alistair Rowland said: “Right now, nobody is booking anything ... leisure director at The Advantage Travel Partnership. Agents are continuing with plans for peaks despite the hit to immediate sales.
My 10 Travel Essentials
How can you benefit from working with a travel agent?
Why you should be using a travel agent?
What are the options to become a travel agent?
What are the advantages of booking with a travel agent?
Is it worth it to use a travel agent?
A travel agent can keep things organized, negotiate with services and personally work out any complications that may arise. Rather than trying to reserve rooms in the same hotels and seats on the same flights with multiple credit cards and names, let a travel agent do the dirty work.
What is the advantage of having a travel agent?
In most cases, travel agents have access to information about rates and routes that average consumer might not have, saving you time and money, even when you consider the agent's fee. Using a travel agent can also help you score a great deal on a package or promotion.
Why use a travel agent instead of booking online?
Why use a travel agent instead of booking online? Simply put, you'll have a better trip, without the stress of planning your trip alone. A travel agent can accommodate your interests, budget and time frame with their wealth of knowledge and expertise to make sure that you get the most out of your trip.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a travel agent?
Travel Benefits. Travel agents receive heavily discounted or even complimentary stays at hotels around the world. ... FAM Trips. ... Percentage Discounts. ... Uncertain Market. ... Mobility and Relocation. ... Doing What You Love. ... Lack of Job Security.
Do you pay extra using a travel agent?
They don't usually cost extra. It's a myth that working with a travel agent will automatically cost you more; most get paid via commissions from the hotel or outfitter.
What are the disadvantages of using a travel agent?
Price: The Travel Agent's Cost Pro: You often don't pay any more for using an agent because most travel agents get referral fees or commissions for booking your trip. Con: But sometimes you do pay more! Airlines, for example, don't pay commissions so you might get charged a fee by a travel agent who books your flight.
Is it cheaper to go through a travel agent or online?
Seaton says booking through a travel agent typically won't cost you more. She says while some agents will charge you a nominal planning fee, many agencies like hers do not charge anything extra for their services.
How do travel agents get paid?
A travel agent makes money by charging fees for separate elements of travel. For example, instead of charging a commission for booking tickets with airlines or hotel rooms, travel agents earn money by charging a service fee for each booked part.
What does a reputable travel agent do?
And if you're planning a complicated trip or an international getaway to a far-flung locale, an agent can offer helpful guidance and point you to tour companies that best match your needs, Richter adds.
Why do people turn to travel agents?
One of the top incentives of turning to a travel agent is getting access to their expertise and industry connections , explains Christopher Elliott, a consumer advocate and journalist. "Time is money," he says. Instead of conducting mind-numbing hours of research, agents who are members of larger consortia like Virtuoso have established industry connections and can help you negotiate with a big supplier for a discount, he adds. Richter echoes similar sentiments. "They work in large networks and have relationships with suppliers that you don’t have. Think, direct access. Speed dial access," she says. "Some travel agents can enhance trips with perks and surprises," she adds, highlighting that top agents have relationships with award-winning chefs, hotel managers and tour operators that booking sites do not.
What is the con of turning to an agent?
One major con of turning to an agent is "speaking to an agent who doesn’t know what they're doing, " he says. If you're working with an agent who provides you with limited options to choose from, that's a red flag, he says.
Do you have to pay for travel advisors?
If you don't want to pay for someone's connections, time and travel advice, using an agent may not be worthwhile to you. "There’s really no set fee structure," Richter explains. And while in many instances a travel advisor can help you clinch the greatest values, you will need to pay for their consultation hours, efforts and knowledge. "If they handle the arrangements for you, that money will most likely come back to you in one form or another," she adds.
Do travel agents beat internet prices?
And in terms of scoring the best deals, "believe it or not, travel agents often beat those internet prices," Richter says. Since many agents have access to their own booking and distribution systems, which offer access to cruise packages, airline tickets and hotel rooms, they can typically access the same web promotions, she adds.
What is a travel agent?
Travel agents are some of the most well-rounded, funny, personable and knowledgeable people you'll meet. They come from more backgrounds than you can even count -- they have been professors, hotel owners, tour guides, bus drivers. They all have one thing in common: They are passionate about sharing the world with you. Take advantage of their services.
What is a good way to contact a travel agent?
Ideally, a simple phone call or email could result in your next vacation -- already planned.
What to do if something goes wrong on your trip?
If something goes wrong on your trip, a good travel agent will go to bat for you -- no matter who is at fault -- and try to get your vacation back on track .
Do travel agents save you money?
Often, travel agents can save you money based on their supplier relationships -- or at least match the price you find -- while saving you time and effort. There are also hidden savings built into trips. A travel agent will likely book transfers for you, included in the price.
Can a travel agent help you?
They can match you with the vacation that you actually want, not the one that you saw on television. There is a difference between travel inspiration and actual travel desires. Destinations may look good on TV but not actually be ideal for you personally. Travel agents can help you define what it is you want to get out of a vacation.
Why do people use travel agents?
First, they save you the time and trouble of searching through the many options out there, creating a personalized itinerary that suits your travel preferences, and it's their job to be on top of special promotions and fine print about things like cancellation fees. They become a one-stop shop for not only paying your fares, but also for communication – an invaluable perk if you're planning for a big group. And finally, if something goes wrong during your trip, your travel agent can help you get the trouble ironed out.
What can a travel agent do?
Many travel agents specialize in a particular type of travel, such as cruises, Disney or Europe, and are able to make recommendations and help you plan a trip that meets your needs and budget. Their inside knowledge helps you avoid wasting time and money on the things you're not interested in, ...
What to do if a snowstorm delays your flight?
If you booked your travel through an agent, you can call him to get assistance with rebooking your travel arrangements. When you book through an online travel site, you might not be able to get that level of personalized attention, or you could have trouble finding someone who can help you get where you need to be. If something goes wrong when you arrive at your destination, such as your room is unacceptable or the transportation to the resort never shows up, your travel agent can usually resolve those problems.
How much does a travel agent charge?
According to the American Society of Travel Agents, their agents charge an average service fee of $36 for the most common service of all, booking airline tickets . Other agents may charge an up-front fee for trip research or planning, while others make their wage from commissions earned on their bookings.
Do travel agents sell cruises?
The American Society of Travel Agents, though, reports travel agents sell 85 percent of all cruises and 70 percent of all packages and tours, as of 2008. Agents are still in demand, and offer plenty of benefits when you are booking your vacation.
Can you save money by doing it yourself?
Likewise, if price is your bottom line and you can muster the time, you'll probably save money by doing it yourself – when Business Insider asked a handful of travel agents to quote them prices for the same itinerary, all but one of the agents quoted more expensive prices than what the authors found on their own.
Is the travel agent industry in decline?
If you believe the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the travel agent industry is in decline, with a projected 9 percent loss of jobs from 2016 to 2026. And in an online world where it's easier than ever to book a whole vacation yourself, that's hardly a surprise. But the industry is far from dead: In a research study sponsored by the American Society of Travel Agents, the third-party survey firm Lodestar Advisory Partners found that 92 percent of travelers who used a travel agent expected to consult one again. So, should you book everything yourself?
It saves you time and hassle
Time is our most valuable asset. That is why this is one of my favorite benefits of using a travel agent.
You have your travel agent from start to finish of your trip
Have you ever booked accommodations through a third-party site and had issues checking in? Missed a connecting flight? Or realized your passport expired right before a big international trip (unfortunately, my best friend has)?
Why do people use travel agents?
There are many benefits to using a travel agent, from saving time and money to unlocking special perks and benefits. Today, agents are more popular than ever and playing a key role in the continued growth of the travel and tourism industry.
What does a travel agent do?
Travel agents take care of every aspect of your trip, from your flights and hotel to ground transportation and excursions. Therefore, clients can be organized without having to stress over the planning process.
Travel Assistance
This is one of the best perks of using an agent, you will be working with a person, versus the internet. I take care of everything, from the time you arrive at your destination to the time you step foot back home, a dedicated agent is a irrefutable benefit.
Travel Recommendations
Need a recommendation on a resort, cruise line, vacation destination? With training and being well-traveled, I can offer you options you might not have considered.
Destination knowledge
As an agent I am constantly training and obtaining certifications to help you decide on the best fit for your wants and needs.
Convenience
Your time is valuable, why not have someone do all of the research and have all of the answers to your questions. All of your final details will be put in one comprehensive travel plan.
Advocate
Things on your trip not going as smoothly as you would like? Let me take care of things to help get your trip back on track.
Why do travel agents help?
On a more dire scale, travel agents can also help you in the instance of a natural disaster or some other type of event that would require you to evacuate a destination quickly. 4. They Want You To Be Happy. An airline or a hotel brand might not care that you rebook.
What are the pros and cons of using a travel agent?
1. You’re Not The One Planning Your Travel. For some people using a travel agent, it’s all about the convenience. You tell your agent where you want to go and what kind of travel you like, sit back and relax and then hop on a plane. Easy.
What to do if an airline cancels your flight?
If an airline cancels your flight or a hotel suddenly doesn’t have your reservation on file, your travel agent can help things get sorted, fast. Though, this doesn't really help when they also own the hotel or airline, as was the case with Thomas Cook. MORE FROM FORBES ADVISOR.
Do agents have a limited number of clients?
However, with agents, they often have a limited number of clients. They want to earn your repeat business. To do so, you’ll find that agents will go out of their way to make sure you’re pleased with your experience. That might mean throwing in something for free or upgrading your experience. 5.
Is it a pro or con to not plan your travel?
1. You’re Not The One Planning Your Travel. While not planning your travel is a pro to some, for other travelers, it’s a major con. Some travelers thoroughly enjoy the planning part of the travel experience.
What does a travel agent bring up?
32. Your travel agent will bring up all the small important details that you are unaware of or may be overlooking.
What is your travel agent?
44. Your travel agent is your safety net incase of emergency or misfortune.
Why do you need a vacation package?
2. Your vacation package will be way more personalized. 3. It will not cost you a penny more than if you book the package yourself. 4. They have access to quickly find deals and special offers that are not visible to regular travel consumers. 5. Travel Agents have more flexibility to put together complicated itineraries.
Which type of booking engine favors small travel agents and agencies?
40. Hotels favor small travel agents and agencies over the big online booking engines that normally demand higher commissions.
Do online agencies need more money?
52. You get to share the wealth. The big online agencies do not need any more money.
Do travel experts give feedback?
People who use travel experts most times end up with a more complete travel experience than those that booked online on their own. 24. Travel experts do not give feedback based on emotions or personal preference. They deliver the facts and allow you to make an educated decision. 25.
