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Using a travel agency can save time and money, and they can help plan and book trips. Recommendations from friends and checking the American Society of Travel Agents can help in selecting an agency. Travel agents can find good deals and offer assistance during a trip. While online deals may be available, using a travel agent can make vacation planning stress-free.
The question of whether or not to use a travel agency is up to you, but there are some very compelling reasons for doing so. Booking a trip with a travel agent can save you time and money. There are many travel agencies available to help you plan and book your next trip.
When selecting a travel agency, it is helpful to ask friends and family who they refer to. If they’ve had good results and a pleasant experience working with a particular travel agency, there’s a good chance you will too. You can also check the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), a professional affiliation of travel agencies, to find registered agencies in your area. It is important that you have a good relationship with your travel agent and that you feel comfortable working with them.
Many people resist using a travel agency because they feel they can find better deals on the internet without having to pay a commission. While this may be true in some cases, often times a travel agent will be able to find exactly what you are looking for at a good price. Some travel agencies do not charge commissions and simply make money from commissions received from hotels, airlines, cruise lines, etc., while others charge a nominal fee. Most travel agencies charge a fee for booking airline tickets, although a travel agent may be able to get you better seats or another special offer that you may not be able to find on your own.
The benefits of using a travel agency are that you can tell your travel agent exactly what you want, including the type of hotel, activities, and any special needs you have, and the travel agent can take care of everything. If you are busy working and taking care of a family, you may not have time to research vacations and select the best one, while a travel agent can do the planning for you.
Another benefit of using a travel agent is that you have a point of contact if you have a problem at any point during your vacation. For example, if you are dissatisfied with your hotel or rental car, you can contact your travel agent who can then contact the business for you. Most companies are more likely to listen to travel agencies than an individual complaint, because they don’t want to lose the relationship and repeat business provided by a travel agency.
If you still feel you could get a better deal yourself, there’s nothing stopping you from checking online. There are some great last minute deals that a travel agent may not be able to get for you. However, if you’re short on time and want to make planning a vacation a stress-free experience, using a travel agent could be a good option.
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