In defense of travel agents...

I like to do my own research most of the time (it's part of the fun for me) but sometimes I just can't pull things together fast enough or find the kind of flights I need or feel comfortable I'm staying in the right location. On a more expensive or complicated trip I have a really great travel agent I use. We first found her when my husband (who thinks he is our travel agent) couldn't get us good flights from Zurich to Athens to Santorini.

The travel agent found us a direct charter from Zurich to Santorini. It was wonderful and we sat around the pool in Santorini feeling rather smug as we heard the grueling routes so many others took to get to the island.

Also, I needed help on a trip to Morocco. I found some information on Fodor's but not enough that I felt totally comfortable. The travel agent had been to Morocco a number of times and knew just what my concerns were and how to take care of them.

I will mention she was the second travel agent I spoke to and was referred by a friend who travels a lot. Like any service professional you have to look around a bit and check references.

I've been reluctant to add to this post, but what the hey...

I've been a part-time travel consultant for some time (not my main occupation, which had nothing to do with travel.) Around 18 months ago I affiliated with a large "host" agency as a home-based TA. I use my TA status mainly as a means of accessing GDSs more economically; I'll sell a cruise or a package now and then, but my main forte is weird air routings, and since most airlines no longer pay commissions, I work on an hourly fee basis for nearly all those gigs.

I've been posting and reading posts on Fodors for many more years than I've worked in the travel business, and I certainly don't see any conflict. Rather, I think there's a real benefit to both sides - I learn about things I wouldn't know otherwise, and from time to time I can point people in directions that will improve their travel experience, based on my knowhow in the biz. Synergy, not competition, is the way I see it. I don't use Fodors as a marketing vector, and I am prone to call out those who do.

Travel agents are people too, you know. Well, most of us.

This is a really interesting and valuable thread and I'm so glad I stumbled upon it. After several years of planning my own trips as well as those of my friends and family, I have begun to do part-time travel consulting as a side business to my day job (which is not travel-related). Mainly it's just a way to make some extra money doing something I love doing anyways, and hopefully this will finance the many trips I have on my wish list! When I first contemplated getting into travel consulting I felt almost badly about coming on Fodor's, like I was somehow "cheating" by reading posts and getting some of my information here. This makes me feel much better, knowing that there are others who do the same and that we are all contributors to the success of this board, no matter how we come to use the information we find here. I really value the advice I get on this forum and I try and contribute back as often as possible and I see that others do the same.

Christina,

Yours is exactly the kind of hostility I was talking about. I have to wonder why you feel you have the right to be so nasty to someone you don't even know.

I happen to be an excellent travel agent, conscientious, caring and very dedicated. I've been in the business a long time. My clients love me and are very loyal. That's because they know that all I want is to make them happy. I wouldn't have any clients if I didn't please them. Why would anyone sell the wrong product to a client, knowing they will never come back??

I work on a commissions only basis. Sometimes people call me just to pick my brains. They get me to send them an itinerary with hotels and trains and all kinds of good information . . . then they turn around and book it themselves online. They don't even save anything! What's up with that??

When is the last time you worked for a couple of weeks without getting paid?

Your spouting off at me is pretty contemptible. I hope you feel better now.

I am not a travel agent, but I do work these days as a tour guide, doing local coach tours. I've been posting on Fodor's long before I started working in tourism. (Like AbbyNicole, I love to plan, and do research.)

I can't say I've used these boards to research for my (local) tour guiding, but I do understand it when you say, "I don't want to come across as a know-it-all". Oh, how many times have I gotten questions from people, and I don't know the answer, and they say, what? don't you know this? No way is *any* one going to know the answers to everything. (Even if some posters on this board sound like they do. :) )

I think this board has a lot of "do it yourselfers", so they tend to resent travel agents, guides, and anyone who will do the logistical legwork in helping someone plan a trip. If my passengers are typical, the people on this board are the exception, not the rule. I've seen many people come to town without a map, any knowledge of the transit system, or any idea of what they want to do or see. I love to make suggestions, but I love, even more, people who research their trip before they depart!

I see absolutely nothing wrong with anyone, pro or not, using anything at their disposal to be an aid.

A person could be a travel agent for a hundred years and have barely scratched the surface of places to go or things to see. Boards like this allow them to pick the brains of folks that may have a personal exposure to a place or situation. In return, it allows us to pick their brains on good deals or other places.

Personally, I have nothing against folks advertising services or products, as long as there is a special place on the board to do so.

Just my 1.3 euro cents.

dave

Hi abby,

IMO so long as you abide by the rules [and so far, you have been scrupulous in doing so] it is a credit to you that you choose to frantanise with us "amateurs" in your free time.

agents can be invaluable where however much advice people get from forums like this, they still feel more comfortable having an agent making their bookings. Better that than not travelling at all!

Although i wouldn't dream of using an agent for travel in europe [we live here, which helps] we used an agent to help us plan our trip to South africa [because we hadn't been before and we had our kids with us] last year and I'm still glad that we did.

I would do the same if i was travellnig to another part of Africa, Asia, etc.

regards, ann

hi again, abby,

just thoughr of another use for agents - someone to blame when things go wrong.

:S-

regards, ann

lol, so true... even plane delays (as if we can predict that) are our fault.