I am a
travel agent and I would just like to point something important out. Travel agents earn commissions from the vendor who provides the service to the client. Reputable travel agents quote you the prices they get directly from the vendor, any payments made go directly to the vendor (or, in the case of credit card payments, have the vendor charge your credit card directly), and they do not mark up prices. Some travel agents will charge a fee for researching complex travel plans or a small booking fee to cover the cost of postage; however, in most cases you do not pay any more by going through a travel agent than you would if you booked directly with the vendor.
Some travel agents will provide some form of "gift" or amenities to clients for booking with them, but keep in mind that most of those items cost the travel agent money which comes from their own pockets. These gifts or amenities are nice to receive but they should not be expected (would you expect your doctor to give you a gift whenever you go see him?) and they are not the real value that a travel agent provides.
The real value that a travel agent provides is in his or her knowledge and expertise about your destination and the best way to get you there. Your travel agent makes his or her commission from your travel bookings, so he or she has a vested interest in making sure that your travel plans go smoothly. Your travel agent can advise you on where to go and what to see, which accommodations are best for you and your family, and can make arrangements for you so that you have more time to enjoy things while you are traveling.
Another value is the relationship that your travel agent builds with you so that he or she knows what your likes and dislikes are so you get the best vacation for your money. Booking directly with a vendor, like Walt Disney World Vacations, won't get you that relationship. I pride myself on the personal service that I provide to my clients, and when they call me on the phone, I know who they are and what plans I have booked for them. They don't have to give me a booking number so I can look them up in my computer system. I care about my clients and work very hard to make sure that they have a great time when they travel, and that is why they come back to me every time they take a vacation.
You may feel comfortable booking your next vacation on your own, but wouldn't it be nice to know that if there were a problem there would be someone there to try and correct it for you, instead of having to deal with it yourself? Your travel agent may not always be able to rectify a situation in your favor, but it can be very reassuring knowing that someone is working on your behalf to make things right.
So the next time you are thinking about taking a vacation, I think you should strongly consider using a travel agent. We all want to save money but there are some things that are worth more than money, like peace of mind. I hope this has helped clear up any misconceptions about travel agents and what we do for you.
