As a Travel Agent of over 17 years it’s no mystery to me why some people get great deals and others do not when, but to the public it seems elusive. Take for instance this fall when rates were at an all time low for Mexico on certain charter flights. As a travel agent I see those specials immediately and can pass them on to my clients. As a result, my clients were/are travelling to Mexico and staying in 4 star all-inclusive resorts for under $700 for the week including the airfare and taxes. As a consumer you can search the web all day long but unless you know who is selling those special discounted charter seats, you will not see that they are out there. Travel agents use dozens of vendors who all sell the same packages. We take the time to check all of those vendors to see which ones are offering the best deals and specials. Many of those vendors you have never heard of and won’t find online with one of those big web agencies, but we know them well and know which ones are reputable and good to work with. They know us well too and make sure we get the best value and training so that we can pass it on to you. Tour companies like Sandals, Couples,Apple Vacations, and cruise lines like Viking River Cruises, Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Holland America along with others all make sure agents know how to find the best deals with their companies. It’s their job to keep Travel Agents educated, it’s not their job to keep the consumer educated.
Many agencies like Elliott Excursions have an email base that they make sure receive the great deals as soon as they come out. Some of them are very limited and time restricted but that’s what makes a great deal. I often have people who are skeptical of a trip because the rates just seem too low to include everything. As long as you have a Travel Agent you can trust to give you the bottom line you can feel safe in taking that deal! If you see a “too good to be true” deal online it’s probably a good idea to check it out with your Travel Agent as more often than not you are not seeing the total package price with taxes and transfers. A word to the wise…if you get a postcard in the mail offering a free cruise, several nights stay, etc. etc. throw it away! That really is a scam and too good to be true.
It’s the same story with cruises. Travel Agents can see every cruise line and every special code and offer with the touch of a few keys. We do it every single day so we know exactly where to look for them when you call. Again, you can search the web all day long but if you don’t know which codes to put in or which dates to look at, you may not stumble upon the best rates. We as agents have access to special promo codes, on board credit, and group rates that the regular consumer does not. That’s not to say that if you are booking on a huge online travel site you will not be offered some sort of credit or discount, you very well may. What you won’ be getting is someone to call and ask if you really found the best rate available or if there are additional expenses once on your trip. You also won’t have anyone to call personally to help you if that trip has a few bumps along the way. Believe me, if you were one of thousands of people stuck on an island this week due to a hurricane you definitely would be wishing you had a Travel Agent to text or call to spend hours on the phone looking for a replacement flight and extra nights at a resort. If you booked your trip online you would be on your own and frustrated beyond belief.
The bottom line is, find a Travel Agent that you trust to keep you informed of the great deals and stick with them. Make sure they know who you are and that you are a loyal customer. In the end you will be rewarded with those great rates that your friends are envious of when you travel. Most travel agencies either do not charge fee or they charge a small fee making it a no brainer to use them. A Travel Agent commission is built into every package or cruise price, regardless if you book it online yourself or not, so why not get the benefit of actually having the Travel Agent service.
Happy Travels!
Please feel free to call us for questions at 717-732-5749, or by direct email using the contact button below!
Many agencies like Elliott Excursions have an email base that they make sure receive the great deals as soon as they come out. Some of them are very limited and time restricted but that’s what makes a great deal. I often have people who are skeptical of a trip because the rates just seem too low to include everything. As long as you have a Travel Agent you can trust to give you the bottom line you can feel safe in taking that deal! If you see a “too good to be true” deal online it’s probably a good idea to check it out with your Travel Agent as more often than not you are not seeing the total package price with taxes and transfers. A word to the wise…if you get a postcard in the mail offering a free cruise, several nights stay, etc. etc. throw it away! That really is a scam and too good to be true.
It’s the same story with cruises. Travel Agents can see every cruise line and every special code and offer with the touch of a few keys. We do it every single day so we know exactly where to look for them when you call. Again, you can search the web all day long but if you don’t know which codes to put in or which dates to look at, you may not stumble upon the best rates. We as agents have access to special promo codes, on board credit, and group rates that the regular consumer does not. That’s not to say that if you are booking on a huge online travel site you will not be offered some sort of credit or discount, you very well may. What you won’ be getting is someone to call and ask if you really found the best rate available or if there are additional expenses once on your trip. You also won’t have anyone to call personally to help you if that trip has a few bumps along the way. Believe me, if you were one of thousands of people stuck on an island this week due to a hurricane you definitely would be wishing you had a Travel Agent to text or call to spend hours on the phone looking for a replacement flight and extra nights at a resort. If you booked your trip online you would be on your own and frustrated beyond belief.
The bottom line is, find a Travel Agent that you trust to keep you informed of the great deals and stick with them. Make sure they know who you are and that you are a loyal customer. In the end you will be rewarded with those great rates that your friends are envious of when you travel. Most travel agencies either do not charge fee or they charge a small fee making it a no brainer to use them. A Travel Agent commission is built into every package or cruise price, regardless if you book it online yourself or not, so why not get the benefit of actually having the Travel Agent service.
Happy Travels!
Please feel free to call us for questions at 717-732-5749, or by direct email using the contact button below!
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