Why Use a Travel Agent? Your Top 5 Questions Answered!

​You are getting ready to start planning that big family vacation and your friend recommends a great travel agent she used last summer.  This gets you wondering, is using a travel agent really worth it?  What could they offer that makes booking with them such a wonderful experience?  Hopefully, I will be able to answer some of those questions for you.  Here are the top five questions that people often have before booking with a travel advisor.

​Why should I book with a travel advisor instead of just booking directly through the vendor?
 
This is probably the most common question and it is a very valid one.  By booking with a travel advisor, like one from Whitney World Travel, you will experience customer service that is not possible by booking directly through the vendor.  Vendors are dealing with thousands of clients booking vacations through them.  A travel advisor has only a few clients they are working with at any given time.  You and your travel advisor will develop a relationship.  He or she will learn your tastes and preferences that not only help them plan your current vacation, but will be valuable for recommending future vacations for you and your family.  In short, you are not just a name to us, but part of our family.  Your vacation becomes just as important to us as our family vacations.  We want the planning process to be just as fun and stress free as the vacation itself!
 
There are so many free planning sites out there to help me.  Why can’t I just use those and plan my vacation by myself?
 
            Yes, there are some great planning sites out there.  They can have valuable information as well.  But, wouldn’t it be great to have one resource you can rely on instead of searching all over the internet?  Travel advisors go must go through trainings and complete continuing education on any destination they sell.  That means they are a wealth of knowledge about any destination they are booking for you.  Plus, a lot of the time, we have been there and done that.  Also, we only pass on information that comes directly from the vendor.  No rumors here, only facts!   It also goes back to the personal relationship.  You can read a review on a restaurant or excursion, but your travel advisor will be able to make recommendations based on the unique needs of you and your family.  He or she has learned your personalities, likes or dislikes, and what gets you excited.  That is much more valuable in making recommendations than a stranger’s review.  There is also the consideration of membership to some of these sites.  In most cases our services are complimentary (more on that later!), so why would you want to waste money on a membership when you can get more personalized attention without a hefty fee from us?
 
Do you book anything other than Disney Destination vacations?
 
Yes!  Though Disney Destinations are the most common type of vacation we plan for families, they are certainly not the only ones!  Each travel advisor for our agency completes trainings in different areas of travel. 

Disney Specialists—we’ve got lots of those. We also have agents who are certified specialists for places like Hawaii, Universal Studios, and Sandals and Beaches Resorts. We’ve been on training trips to some of the world’s top destinations. On top of certifications by our travel advisors with all major cruise lines, our agency owner is an Accredited Cruise Counselor for all 62 cruise lines represented by Cruise Line International Association—a designation that takes two years to achieve!
 
What does all of this mean? Our travel advisors know the products we sell inside and out, so we can help you plan the perfect family vacation for you, not the perfect vacation found on someone else’s blog.  By filling out a quote request on our website, you will be placed with the perfect travel advisor for your needs!
 
Why would I use a travel agent instead of going through a discount service?
 
First, let me end one myth right now… Most “discount” sites actually charge the same rates, if not more, than our agency can find for you! With so many discount sites the market has actually become over saturated and true exclusive deals are few and far between.       
 
But let’s say you find that diamond in the rought. While going through a discount service might seem appealing at the beginning, you have to remember that the discount you are getting is coming with an even bigger price tag – your time.  Think Ikea.  Great prices on the product, but the assembly!!! 
 
Once you have booked your basic vacation package with them, it is now up to you to book all the details yourself.  This can include airport transfers, rental cars, dining, excursions, special events, itinerary planning, and many other vacation specific details. 
 
By booking with a travel advisor, you have someone to do that for you!  Stress free vacation planning is our goal!  We are here to help you any time you need it!  We are only a phone call, email, or text away!  Even when you are on vacation, we are on call for you!  Should a problem arise, you can rest assured that we will be back home busy doing our best to fix that problem quickly so you can get on with your vacation!
 
What does it cost me to use a travel agent?
 
This is probably the number one reason why people opt to not use a travel advisor- they think it will cost them too much extra money!  Guess what, the majority of our services are complimentary!  That is right – complimentary! 
 
When you use a travel advisor from Whitney World Travel and book through one of our vendors our services will not cost you a dime!  Our vendors pay us to plan your vacation.  Since we are already being compensated by them, there is no reason you should have to pay us as well.  This may not be the case for all travel agents, but at Whitney World Travel we believe in providing you the best service without nickel and diming you. 
 
Some of services include quoting and booking your vacation, itinerary planning, making dining reservations, sending email reminders of important dates, answering any questions you may have along the way, scheduling transfers and transportation, arranging the rentals of any equipment you may need, and being someone else as excited as you are about your vacation! Plus, probably one of our most valuable services is discount watching.  This means that if you book with us and a discount is announced after you book, we will be busy modifying your reservation to apply that discount and save you some money!
 
All of this means you pay the same price, and sometimes less, as you would booking the trip on your own AND get access to all of our planning services. This is a no-brainer!
 
So when would we charge fees? Should you choose to not book your vacation through Whitney World Travel you can still take advantage of our travel planning services for a fee.  For example, if you choose to stay off property at Walt Disney World, a fee for the time spent itinerary planning, making dining reservations, and providing tips and tricks can be charged. This fee varies based on destination and trip details, so contact us if you are interested in learning more.
           
I hope this has helped to answer some of the questions and ease some of the concerns you may be having about booking with a travel advisor.  We, here at Whitney World Travel, take pleasure in helping you and your family plan that magical vacation!  Our goal is to provide top-notch service so you can have a stress free vacation!  Now, let’s get planning!

Contact Our Team Today

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About the Author

Morgan Scully, Travel Advisor
Morgan is passionate about all things Disney. From an early age she loved taking in the magic of Disney World, but its when she became a mom and she saw life through her daughter's eyes that she truly understood how amazing a Disney vacation can be for a family. Morgan is well versed in all things Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line. She also serves as Whitney World Travel's Military Vacation Specialist-- helping the brave men and women who serve our country and their families get the most out of their vacations. Morgan is a graduate of Texas A&M University.