Hi all,
I did a write up captioned ‘who needs a travel agent’ on
this blog some years back but today I have decided to make an extension to that
write up. When you mention the phrase ‘travel agent’ to some people they are
always quick to answer back ‘not me’. This is mainly due to the feeling that in
this age of technology, they can do just about anything that has to do with
their travel plans online. This opinion is not always true and the reasons
below will justify it.
1)
I can always make my booking online
without using an agent
Yes I will say but you will most probably
not be booking the same thing that your agent will book. Simply put, your agent
is like a teacher, who has studied virtually all the topics in your year
textbook while you are the student that will only study the topic the teacher
presents to you per time. While your
gaze at a time is limited to what you want, you agent’s gaze is broader and
equally more fascinating than yours. These he or she can bring into your plans
if allowed. Coupled with the fact that if you book it yourself you’re just a
reference number and there is no special desire to help you out if or when the need
arises. When you're stranded because of a cancelled or delayed flight, there's
nothing like e-mailing or texting your travel agent to get you on another
flight as they can often do it much faster than the airline.
2)
I do get cheaper prices online than through my
travel agent.
YES, you might be right but like a writer
puts it ‘it's not what you pay walking in the door, it's what you pay when you
leave’. Frankly, the initial ticket fee might look cheaper on the face value
but what does your total bill come to after you miss a flight, have to change
your date, need to do a refund, have to do an upgrade or need to cancel the
booking outright. The personal relationship built over the years with your
travel agent will be a pool of goodwill that you can draw from in such a
situation.
3)
Travel
agents steer you to options that get them higher commission.
This is not necessarily true especially in
this age of zero commission on most travel product. Also, since your preference
altogether overrides your travel agent’s interest, steering you towards any preferred option will
be suicidal for business. What an agent simply does is to match by developing a
good relationship with his or her client which helps in creating exactly what
their taste is.
4)
Travel agents charge service charge.
Yes
sometimes. Since it can take so long, sometimes week, in putting together an itinerary
that is quite complicated, the need for service charge arises just to pay for
their time. In attempting to meet a client’s need, you could go back and forth
for several weeks before the deal is finally settled.
5)
All travel consultants are the same.
I am tempted to make this my number one point
as this is the most prominent error of opinion that people have about travel
agents. As a traveler, your need and desires will determine who your agent
will be. Not all travel agents can package tours for instant or have full grasp
of the industry rules and regulations. Knowing what you want will greatly affect
who your choice of agent will be but trust me, there is a travel agent out
there that can serve you efficiently and professionally.
