I called Ezon in May and told him what I was hoping to dovisit Greece, Croatia, Italy, France, and maybe Norway. Youll only hear about these offers if you have a top agent who sells cruises on the lines you love. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. When I was planning my European adventure, I asked a travel editor friend if she could recommend someone to help me plan my trip. The men and women on the WOW List are the real deal with expertise in their subject areas. We can be the middle man. Cost versus time versus experience all need to be in balance.. Both clients were in a high-risk health category and needed to get home immediately. Sometimes consumers dont realize there is something really important for them to include or arrange. Each of these networks provides a suite of benefits to travelers who book with them. And then, cut to the chase by recommending a vendor that would be a good fit for them. "Through our relationships and our experience, we are able to get clients out of a bad situation.". 2022 THE POINTS GUY, LLC. Back to the Hvar situation. Remember that travel agents often have access to room rates and cruise fares that arent available to the general public. If she were only booking hotels (which compensate travel agencies through commissions), there would be no charge, but since she would be booking flights, trains, and cars, a fee would apply. Travel agents act as the travelers advocate in the event something goes wrong, helping navigate the challenge of making any necessary itinerary changes. Members enjoy the advantages of membership including exclusive benefits, map routing, savings with the, 7 Reasons Why You Should Use a Travel Agent to Book Your Next Trip. If youre familiar with the perks of the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program or the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, youll know what we mean. This past summer, I took one of the longest and most complicated trips of my life. Their knowledge and experience also gives them the foresight to prevent potential problems. While the fee seemed high to me when I first learned of it, I'm now happy to have paid it because of the value I got out of using a travel agent for my trip. Related:Why now might be the cheapest time to plan a cruise. If its a beach villa on a Caribbean island, find a travel adviser who knows about villa rentals in the Caribbean. Pyman, who specializes in both destinations, recommended Costa Rica since I could do a combination of adventure activities (like ziplining and whitewater rafting) and beach excursions. Travel planning can be overwhelming when there are so many choices online. Keeping up with the details of planning a trip is challenging enough. Add to that the new and ever-changing travel restrictions related to the pandemic and suddenly your vacation can go from dream to dread! Avoid a complex or elaborate request on the first go-round. For example, say you want to explore Africa but you dont know where to begin. Its also possible to stack benefits. Travel agents can take the guesswork out of researching and evaluating the many options available to travelers, saving you time and the hassles that often come with vacation planning. Well, this time I really needed her, Reilley said. My clients were so happy and raved about my friend and all that I was able to do to get them back on track, Reilley said. This is especially true of agents who specialize in certain cruise lines. She told me her go-to resource for travel was Jack Ezon, a founder and managing partner of Embark Beyond. I worked my travel agent magic and got that penalty converted into a credit for future use.. Related:Making sense of three new luxury and premium vacation rental brands. If you love to travel, dreaming of your next trip and planning it can be almost as much fun as the trip itself. This can range from which restaurants are open to the tourist attractions that now require reservations when they did not previously.. And they got to Hawaii four hours earlier to start their honeymoon.. Its my job to listen, listen, listen to what my clients want. Banning explained that for a trip of this magnitude, Embark Beyond would charge a fee of $1,000 (the company offered me a discount on the fee as a journalistI paid $500). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Whether youre booking a weekend getaway in a U.S. city or planning a round-the-world trip that includes an African safari, Antarctica cruise or a stay in an igloo hotel, a travel agent can help. And, if you book a trip hosted by the agencys owners, youll get a bump in the amount of your reward for booking with them. I didnt stop there. Related:Unusual safaris you can try around the world. I looked up the flight schedules for that particular airline and saw that they actually had three other flights, all of which left earlier than 5 p.m., Landay said. A good travel agent can be a game-changer your conduit to VIP treatment at your destination. Featured image by Vichien Petchmai/Getty Images. Nomadic Matts Travel Site, Where to Stay in Chicago: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit, the number of freelance travel agents went from 124,030 in 2000 to 66,670 in 2019, 43% of travelers still prefer to use an agent when booking flights, How to Get a Cheap Cruise for as Little as $30 Per Day, Cheap Holiday Ideas: 8 Budget Vacation Deals. Let us know in the comments below. All the required equipment is supplied at the destination. I was sitting in the breakfast room of my hotel looking out at the street at 8 a.m., watching moms holding their childrens hands on the way to school, watching people carrying their dry cleaning over their shoulders, buying coffee, commuting to work. If someone comes in and wants to go to three countries in Europe in seven days, I will generally go over travel days, amount of physical time one would be in each city, to show them that itinerary may be too ambitious, and then we can create an itinerary that will work in their time frame and will be more manageable. The world of travel has changed and we are out there getting current information to give to our travelers. I found out that there was a transportation strike going on and I needed to get my clients to their hotel somehow.. An agent can often get you the best room in a hotel or the top cabin on a cruise ship. She did. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. For my most recent trip, Banning knew that the flight I needed to take from Dubrovnik to Athens only operated certain days of the week. Youll want to see how the agent operates, communicates and arranges extra perks and deals. There are advisers who can create custom safaris in East, Central and South Africa as well as destinations like Madagascar. He kindly explained that my plan was too ambitious, not only because I was trying to visit too many countries in too short a period of time, but also because Norway and France were not open to Americans (France did later open to American travelers, but Norway's borders remain closed). Spotting another unpleasant surprise, she called a friend in Italy, where she has traveled numerous times. While Scully was not able to match the rate, she was able to do even better by leveraging her connection with the cruise line to secure an upgrade to a cabin that was 200 square feet larger than the client had booked. The agents, advisers and destination specialists on Perrins list arent booking budget cruises and all-inclusive vacations for people as a side hustle. Which TikTok airport travel hacks work and which ones will just get you into trouble? I figured I was out of luck, but then I e-mailed Banning to fill her in on what had happened. The options come to my mind quickly as we speak about their trip vision, said Allison Walker, a AAA Travel Agent in San Clemente, California. You dont know what you dont know, Walker said. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). You can work with a travel agency that fits your style one located in a major city with dozens of agents or a more boutique option like the family-owned and operated Ourisman Travel, a travel consultancy affiliated with Brownell Travel, one of the oldest travel agencies in the U.S., and also a member of the Virtuoso network. A RED VENTURES COMPANY. "A good travel advisor holds a client's hands and takes care of them." Its easy to get lost in the details with travel planning, but travel agents can help keep you on track to have experiences youll remember for a lifetime. Thankfully, experience has taught me most of these things and when Im not certain, I know where to check and who to ask., We take care of all the details those little things that are not fun to plan like transfers, checking in, etc., said Melanie Manzi, a AAA Travel Agent in Providence, Rhode Island. The human connection and relationships change the way people travel.". Now travelers face pandemic-related restrictions that change frequently and vary across borders, as well as hassles with refunds and penalties for cancellations. Between weather delays, natural disasters, flight cancellations, lost luggage and much more, a lot can happen on vacation. It is not the bank advertisers responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. With years of experience and knowledge about destinations, transportation options and vendors, an agent can eliminate hours of online research time. Otherwise, you might not be able to pull off the travel arrangements on your own. We will make sure you have all the resources, links and the phone numbers you need so that you are able to enjoy your experience knowing that we have you covered., We get updates from vendors and destinations about the necessary protocols that are constantly changing, Platero said. An excellent travel agent can be the difference between an OK experience and the trip of a lifetime. Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Instead, have the agent book your airport transfers and hotel arrangements. She adds that travel advisors really show their value when things go wrong. I was able to quickly handle a hotel closure, rebooking and flight schedule change for my clients upcoming trip to Palm Springs while they continued on with their day, said Ashley Andrews, a Travel Agent with AAA Oregon/Idaho. Sometimes they only know about the vendors that have the most prolific marketing. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. When youre ready to build a relationship with a travel adviser, test the waters by collaborating on a simple trip. And, you can use your American Express Membership Rewards points to book a villa through the agency. .css-1du65oy{color:#323232;display:block;font-family:NewParis,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-font-smoothing:auto;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1du65oy:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.3125rem;line-height:1.2;}}T&C's Paris Travel Guide: Bennifer Edition, Inside Louis Vuitton's 200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries, The British Royal Family's Favorite Vacations, Buckingham Palace Opens Its Doors for the Summer, Central Park Boathouse Restaurant Has Closed, The Best Room at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, Meet the Couple Upending Parisian Hospitality, The Best Things to Do in Newport, Rhode Island, Unfurl Your Sails! With KLT Rewards, youll get cash back on every sailing, about 10 days before you set sail. We can talk to the airlines, resorts, etc., to make sure you are fully taken care of in the best way possible. When I checked in the day after my expected arrival date, the front desk manager at the Adriana told me that the hotel would not be able to refund that first night. When a group of clients on their way to Rome had their flight canceled, they were so discouraged they were ready to cancel their trip, but Teri Reilly, a AAA Travel Agent in Northfield, New Jersey, was able to get their trip back on track using her travel experience and contacts. You can also use the Virtuoso Booking Tool to make quick-and-easy reservations. I may suggest to take a train for a certain portion where I know the driving is too difficult or it takes too long and their vacation time is not being best spent, Walker said. Your travel adviser can offer advice on which properties are best suited to your needs, whats available and how to book the villa. Travel can truly change the way you see the world. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. I always tell my clients the story of when I was in Hong Kong, Landay said. We work, provide for our children, worry about the same things, take joy in the same things. Black Tomato travelers can choose to be surprised by where they're going at the airport if they opt for the tour operator's tailor-made Get Lost service. Embark Beyond provided clear and detailed pre-departure information about the online documents I would need to complete to enter the countries I was visiting. "Leave it with me," she replied. The agent can secure a complimentary upgrade, offer a breakfast benefit or food and beverage credit or throw in a free spa treatment during your stay. That meant that she needed to plan an itinerary that would involve traveling between Croatia and Greece on a Thursday or Saturdaysomething that would have taken me quite a while to figure on my own. Here at AAA Northeast we are all SmartDepart Certified, said Jeanne Miller, a AAA Travel Agent in North Andover, Massachusetts. Or because the sights en route are so amazing, they will want to watch the view and not the road. For example, you can book a hosted trip to get the usual 5% KLT booking reward, plus an enhanced reward for booking a group trip and then you could also receive onboard credit thats a Signature Travel Network perk. Sam Dangremond is a Contributing Digital Editor at Town & Country, where he covers men's style, cocktails, travel, and the social scene. I have had clients put off ships into the hospital and I have coordinated a hotel for the loved one and flights home when needed. Ezon referred me to one of his travel advisors, Julie Banning. I told her that I could see two seats on their 1 p.m. flight in our live air system, Landay said, and I expected her to honor their tickets on that earlier flight instead. The card is a bank benefit. At AAA Northeast we like to say, We know because we go and you are not limited to only the destinations I have ever traveled to, said Mindy Hardaker, a AAA Travel Agent in Salem, New Hampshire. You will be recognized on arrival, not the card.' A travel advisor has quick access to pricing a package with airfare, hotels, tours, transfers, rail tickets if necessary in one visit., A travel agent can also take the stress out of planning for large groups, said Felicia Troy, a AAA Travel Agent in Westwood, Massachusetts. We are here to do the work so you dont have to!. The trip went off nearly without a hitch, except for the evening that my flight from Rome to Split, Croatia was delayed by 90 minutes, resulting in my missing the last ferry of the night from Split to the island of Hvar. Ive had clients come home to say, We knew exactly what to do because you taught us before we left, or the European hotel room was small, but you told us what it would be like there, so we were happy with it.. She has clients who are in wheelchairs or mobility challenged, so when traveling she always checks to make sure hotels, attractions and restaurants are truly accessible before recommending them. The WOW List gives you a synopsis of the agents expertise, links to reviews and insider guides that Perrin and her team have written. I explained that it would have been physically impossible for me to check in on time because I missed the last ferry to Hvar due to my flight delay. When they reached the front of the line, they gave the agent their cell phone to speak to Landay. It was a 26-day tour of Italy, Croatia, and Greece that included planes, trains, cars, and ferries, all of which needed to be coordinated to make sure I adhered to Covid-prompted entry requirements for each country. It took several months, but Guy was also able to secure full refunds for her clients unused return air ticket and rental car. When a cruise line needs to fill a sailing, it may reach out to its top agents to extend special fares for their clients. "I said, "'Ill make you known on arrival. The Amalfi Coast in Italy, one of the countries open to American travelers this summer, T&C's Paris Travel Guide: Bennifer Edition. When clients of Landays on their honeymoon had their flight to Hawaii canceled, they were told the next flight wouldnt leave until that evening, so they wouldnt arrive until 10 p.m. Distraught, they called Landay. Agents dont just save time researching and making decisions. This way, they dont end up wasting time and money on a bunch of trial and error experiences.. Start with an agent who is part of a major travel consortium such as Virtuoso, Travel Leaders Network, Ensemble Travel Group or Signature Travel Network. I want my clients to have that experience, too., AAA Travel provides peace of mind when you travel before, during and after your vacation! "We're advocates," explains Anne Scully, a partner at Embark Beyond who has worked in the travel industry for 40 years. That experience made me passionate about travel. Now more than ever, these travel pros can work their magic to help you plan your trip and keep everything running smoothly. (As a vaccinated American, I did not need to take a Covid test to enter Italy, Croatia, or Greece, but I did have to show my vaccination card.). This is an excellent resource for learning about the best sights, cutting-edge travel trends or finding out-of-the-ordinary experiences. While Im not sure Id be up for that level of uncertainty, you can bet Ill be enlisting the help of a travel agent next time I go to another new destination. It turns out I didn't have to worrybecause I booked the trip with a travel agent. I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. As each traveler returns, we get up-to-date info on that particular destination, resort or cruise, Troy said. But, there are times that warrant consulting an expert. We can handle each persons needs while still coordinating with the group, and for those honeymoons, we take the stress out of the trip planning so that the couple can focus on the wedding., Grand Canyon Railway/Grand Canyon Railway. A knowledgeable travel agent will make personalized recommendations and offer tips on destinations, what to see and do while on vacation, the best and worst times to travel, and much more. She told me that the best they could do would be to add an additional night to the end of my stay, but that would not work because I needed to get to Athens for my return flight to New York. The best part about working with specialty agents like Keene Luxury Travel is you can stack deals. Elizabeth Guy, a Travel Agent with AAA Oregon/Idaho, had clients vacationing in Hawaii when the state shut down early in the pandemic. Agents specializing in villa rentals usually have strong networks on the ground and can assist with stocking the villa with groceries, booking a chef to cook while youre on vacation or securing the best masseuse on the island for poolside treatments. The reservation agent was simply pushing all passengers to later flights indiscriminately.. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Banning and I spoke by phone, and she put together a stellar itinerary that included stops in Florence, Forte dei Marmi, Portofino, Rome, Positano, Capri, Hvar, Dubrovnik, Mykonos, Sifnos, and Athens. He put together a comprehensive itinerary that included visits to the Arenal Volcano area, Tortuguero on the Caribbean Coast, and Santa Theresa on the Pacific Coast, all without charging a planning fee. We are all the same on some very basic human levels. Travel agents are often well-traveled, having visited the destinations and experienced the vacations they recommend to travelers. Consult the WOW List and youll see she recommends individuals with encyclopedic knowledge of the continent. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Here are four scenarios when you may want to use a travel agent: Your travel agent can become a trusted friend over time. I enlisted the help of Tom Pyman at Black Tomato, a luxury and adventure tour operator. Sure enough, an e-mail Banning sent to the hotel reservations department did the trick. Black Tomato arranged for a local guide to take me to a lab in San Jos for the rapid test I needed to return to the United States; it was one of only a few labs that was open on that Sunday and would not have been easy to find on my own. See, Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts stays are now bookable with points, Making sense of three new luxury and premium vacation rental brands, Unusual safaris you can try around the world, Why now might be the cheapest time to plan a cruise. (I) also helped clients cancel tours and hotels when they have been injured in the middle of their trip so they wont be penalized.. Reillys friend picked the clients up at the airport and even called their tour conductor at the hotel to say they would be late and find out when and where they would meet for their Vatican tour the following morning. Extra benefits for booking can include space-available upgrades, free breakfast and other amenities like an additional food and beverage credit or a free spa treatment or round of golf. Their knowledge of destinations is also constantly updated by their clients. We will find the best possible solution for the given situation whether it means changing dates of the trip completely or just rebooking them on the next available flight., My clients have my cellphone number and at times I have gotten a call in the middle of the night, said Ashley Knebelsberger, a AAA Travel Agent in Dayton, Ohio. As miles-and-points-wielding travelers, we may not immediately think of using a travel agent to book our getaways. Landay told her clients to get in line to speak to the reservation agent. Here, AAA Travel Agents share some of their top reasons to consider working with an agent. A travel advisor can be a great resource for a new destinationand your best advocate when things go wrong. The agency also has its own KLT Rewards program that is similar to the Costco Travel perk of sending out a Costco Cash Card after the voyage. While the traveler may have never had to deal with a weather delay, we have. I found myself an inexpensive hotel for the night near the port in Split on Booking.com, but more important to me was that I would be forfeiting the approximately $325 I had already paid for that non-refundable night at the .css-gegin5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#9a0500;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-gegin5:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Adriana Hvar Spa Hotelone of the most expensive hotels on my month-long itinerary. The Points Guy will not sell your email. Whats It Like to Actually Work on a Cruise Ship. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). While the internet has made researching destinations and booking a trip easier and more accessible than ever, the many options for flights, cruises, hotels and tours can overwhelm even the savviest of travelers. We can give them current information, and if the situation changes like it seems to daily we inform them of the new rules and make sure they understand and can do the correct forms, documents or whatever is necessary to be able to go on their vacation., When my client was uncomfortable going on their trip to Croatia in September 2020, they were faced with a penalty since it was a voluntary cancellation, Andrews said. View the current offershere. We know the details and the best way to handle the situation. Related:Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts stays are now bookable with points. They can also handle changes and other issues that may pop up before or during your trip. Another reason to use a travel agent is to get intel on a new destination. If you book your trip with The Platinum Card from American Express, your agent can secure your Amex FHR benefits, and you may also be entitled to additional perks from the agency, its travel consortium or the hotel, cruise line or tour company. First-hand experiences from trusted sources are crucial to planning the best vacation. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. After a few hours of online research, I realized I was out of my element since I was attempting to visit a foreign country I had never been to during the middle of a pandemic. We have a large community of advisors that willingly share their expertise, feedback and recommendations with each other so that we are all providing the highest level of service for our members., When I can give them details about everything from currency to adapter plugs to local transportation, it makes their trip more enjoyable and less of a struggle, Walker said. They can also ensure you make the right decisions about when to travel, what sights to see and which guides to hire. Every year, Wendy Perrin puts together a WOW List, that features experts in the travel-booking field. "I had a fellow come to me with his Centurion Card and say, 'Anne, I dont see what you can do,'" Scully says (American Express's most exclusive credit card, the Centurion Card reportedly offers a number of hotel benefits). And, if theres ever a problem during a vacation, its great to have a problem-solver who is just one phone call or email away. Rely on a savvy travel agent to step in and plan your vacation when your time is crunched. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. As travel agents, we have seen it all, Troy said. I explained that I had about 10 days to travel and was trying to decide between Costa Rica and Egypttwo of just a few countries open to American travelers at the time. She quickly found her clients a hotel near the airport with a free shuttle, then turned her attention to their Rome itinerary. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. This is especially true right now. She is a tour guide in Rome and had always offered to help me and my clients if I ever needed her.
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