Top 5 Reasons NOT to Use a Travel Agent
5/24 | Carrie Fulton
- You have unlimited time
How I wish this were true of all of us.
I cannot even count the number of hours I've been on hold this year for clients. But while I'm waiting, I continue to work for other clients. When I get through, I'm able to address multiple client issues at once, saving them valuable time and often heading off issues before they are even aware there is one. With my agency, we also work as a team so we can address issues of our colleagues' clients as well as our own, saving everyone time!
- You enjoy stress
Who doesn't love additional things to worry about?
One of the things I've learned over my years of being a travel agent is that there are so many facets to address when planning a trip. Because this is what I do every single day, I can help you address those things very early in the planning stages.
My colleagues and I lean heavily on each other’s experiences, both with clients and personal travel. We work together to share best practices, preferred suppliers and real time experiences to ensure our current and future clients get the very best information.
- You love researching things you'll only use once
Learning is always fun, but sometimes it's overwhelming. I spend hours every day learning. Learning about destinations, protocols, new offerings, changes in policy, etc. I live in this space and share every piece of information I can with my clients to ensure they are educated consumers.
I also have extensive training to help narrow down destinations based on your interest and budget, thus saving you time searching for the perfect place to go...many times places or dates you may have never even considered. Likewise, I also know WHEN to avoid places.
When I have questions myself or my clients have questions that need further research, I'm thankful I have an entire network of fellow agents to ask for clarification as well as suppliers who offer insight, training and support.
- You love wasting money!
No one likes to get less value when purchasing any item or experience! While I can accept gratuity and may charge planning fees in certain situations, my services are generally complimentary to my clients as I am paid by the supplier AFTER you travel.
You are already paying for a travel agent whether you use one or not! The commission is built into your purchase and automatically included with your pricing. When we work together, I receive that commission as compensation for my services. You can either let that money go back to the corporation or support a small business.
- You don't care about customer service
We all know the internet doesn't call you back.
As your travel agent and advocate, I work hard to make sure things are set up for you to have a great trip. But if you book online, you are a number not a valued client. If you need to make a change, many times you never get the call back. When you are my client, you get information as soon as I get it, a personalized itinerary and someone who cares as much for your trip as you do.
If you're still skeptical, go ahead and email me at cfulton@wishesfamilytravel.com or give me a call at (513) 304-4103. I'd love to help make your next vacation magical!