Travel Agents?
Jan 5th, 2010, 05:55 PM
#1
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Travel Agents?
Does anyone use travel agents anymore? I don't. Is there some value they add that I'm missing??? Seems like they mostly get the same prices I can get and I'd only use them if I could get a better price or a great perk.
Jan 5th, 2010, 06:23 PM
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Some businesses use them to book travel - my DH at last job had use of one and he misses it at this job - price was less of an issue than time - and he valued being able to call or email his itinerary and let someone else set it up. Also, when there were delays, cancellations of weather issues, he called them and they fixed it. (Now I get to be his unpaid travel agent)
Jan 5th, 2010, 08:35 PM
#3
We have one we use for complicated flights in Asia when travelling with a group of friends. Otherwise, It gets so complicated to get a consensus and buy tickets quickly enough. He has found some great itineraries with prices that are teriffic. Only charges $25 on top of the airfare.
Jan 5th, 2010, 09:09 PM
#4
I use a travel agent for business travel, and I wouldn't do it any other way. What a time saver, especially if the itinerary changes (and changes and changes). I've worked with the same woman for more than 25 years, so obviously we have a great level of communication that has evolved into a sort of short-hand. She occasionally finds very creative ways to book flights to save money that I would never figure out. She has strong relationships with certain hotels/chains that I need to use and is often able to negotiate no-cost upgrades. Her fee is $45 per transaction (ditto flight changes/rebookings) which for some trips is ludicrously low for her time and overhead.
Jan 6th, 2010, 06:10 AM
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Except for flights and rental cars, I use a travel agent for booking cruises, and the few land tours we take and sometimes for hotel bookings. It doesn't cost me any more, and if a problem or change comes up, she deals with it saving me time and frustration. Although I do a lot of my own research which I enjoy, when I get tired of it, she takes over. It is lovely. She can clarify complicated visa issues when several are needed for one trip and make sure I don't get one I don't really need. Why should I spend my valued time on hours of work which I don't need to do with a professional available?
Jan 6th, 2010, 09:45 AM
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Travel agents can be good is they specialize in a particular area or type of trip and can getyou accees you wouldn;t otherwise. But this is typically high end travel on which they get commissions.
I do a lot of my trips through the corporate travel office since they get a lot of free ariline upgrades and even some from hotel chains. Otherwise wouldn;t touch one.
I do a lot of my trips through the corporate travel office since they get a lot of free ariline upgrades and even some from hotel chains. Otherwise wouldn;t touch one.
