The benefits of working with a personal travel consultant

• Save time and money
  

As we all know, planning an excellent and successful vacation and getting the best value at the same time can be confusing and time consuming.  Using a good travel agent is like one-stop shopping.

Travel consultants are knowledgeable about the travel that they sell, and strong working relationships with travel suppliers and the latest in computer technology means that they usually receive the earliest notifications of special fares, hotel deals, promotions, and travel advisories, and can access the most up-to-date info on how to get you the best value out there.  Although major online sites such as Travelocity do tend to get great package prices, a travel agent can usually beat or at least match it if they search hard enough. 

Saving money isn't necessarily about finding the best price, but rather about finding the best value.  A travel consultant will work with you personally to customize the best package for you based on your specific travel needs and budget.  Although Expedia might offer a 4-night package to Hawaii for $599/person, you may not necessarily want to stay in a smoking room in a budget hotel, 45 minutes from the closest beach.

• Receive honest information and personalized service

Travel consultants are real, breathing people, who want to talk with you and genuinely care about making your trip memorable.  There's something to say, even today, about working one-on-one with a real person.

The internet also has the ability to make every hotel look like a 5-star.  The beautiful pictures on the website may not accurately represent the property at all. 

A travel consultant will give honest feedback and recommendations.  They will work with you to explore and compare what options exist so you can make an informed decision based on your needs.  This pertains to not only finding the best hotel or cruise, but also to choosing the best value flights, transportation, and activities.

Your travel agent will also make sure that you're aware of any "hidden costs" that are not specifically mentioned.  For example, the resort may charge a daily resort fee or parking.  Rental car taxes may be additional, collected directly from the car rental agency.   The list goes on an on.

• If there's a problem, you have someone to call

Travel agents don't stop working for you once you've booked your trip - they're there for you from the time you start planning until after you arrive back home.  If you experience any problems before, during, or even after your vacation, your agent will act on your behalf and make sure that everything is taken care of.

• You'll have a better chance of free upgrades and special amenities

Planning the most memorable vacation is what keeps travel agents in business, and they will work for you and do everything they can to meet your travel needs and make sure your trip is unforgettable.  And since travel agents have the capability of bringing in a large volume of business to hotels, the hotels and agents have close relationships as well.   A good travel agent will go the extra mile for you - this includes calling the hotel directly to request a free room upgrade if it's available, making sure that the hotel knows of any special occasions like an anniversary or honeymoon, stressing special requests, leaving welcome amenities for you when you arrive, and so on.  Your best interests are the priority and they sincerely want you to have the best trip of your life.

• These services are FREE!

Travel agents are paid by the suppliers that they book with - the hotels, car rental agencies, tour companies, cruise lines, wholesalers, and so on.  If you book with them, they get paid directly and there's no charge to you at all.  Although some travel agents do charge minimal service fees for their work, today you can find many that simply make all of their income directly from the suppliers.

So, with all of the benefits mentioned above, the question should really be "why NOT contact your personal travel consultant?"