With all the available travel sites online offering do-it-yourself, customized trips why would someone still use a travel agency? For one thing cheaper isn’t always better — you wouldn’t buy a car because it’s merely cheap, you would weigh its cost versus its safety. A reputable travel agency offers that safe feeling of safety. These agents are trained to develop wonderful experiences for their clients leaving you free from that stress.
With that said, how are you going to find an agency that is right for you? Much depends on find the right agent and a good agency will have highly trained professionals.
Some key things to look for:
Do They Ask You Detailed Questions?
Say you describe to him or her that you wish to fly from Chicago, IL to Anchorage, AL then take a day trip to see the ocean. They should ask you not only for potential travel dates but if you want a nonstop flight, if you get seasick easily, if you have any dietary needs that the airline should be aware of, etc.
Do You Feel Comfortable Talking With Them About Money?
A good agent will make a client feel at east discussing their budget. He or she should also look up the currency exchange rate and ask if you know the best way to exchange your money if you are traveling out of the country. Remember not to feel strangely if you have what you deem a very limited budget — your agent’s job is to help and not judge you.
How Much Training Do The Agents Have?
The United States is one of the only countries in which travel agents are not tightly regulated. Really anyone can act as an agent once they are hired by an agency so to protect you it is best to go in with a list of questions for the agency. Ask to speak to the agent who has the most seniority. Ask them what sort of training they have and this isn’t considered rude, it’s considered smart.
Does This Agent Seem Comfortable And Proficient Answering Detailed Questions?
Your agent should have thorough knowledge of not just your destination but of product. Do they know the best hotels in Anchorage? What have they heard? It doesn’t necessarily matter if they have been there as long as they have worked with enough people, both customers and at vacation destinations, to give you a satisfactory answer.
What Is This Agency’s Cancellation Policy?
Do they offer 100% refund up until so many days before? How much do you lose if you cancel one whole month before? This is an issue and dateline set by the agency and your agent should know it backward and forward.
Shop Around
You don’t have to settle with the first travel agent you speak to at all. Make appointments with a few and see who feels the most right.
Above all, feel comfortable sitting down and chatting with your travel agent. Their job is to make you comfortable and if they make you feel at ease and met the above criteria then let them.