Travel Tips & Trends

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Seven reasons to use a travel agent

Travel has become increasingly self-service, but there are still some very good reasons to seek the assistance of a professional travel agent. Here are seven of them:

1. Save time.
You don't need to spend what little free time you have trying to piece everything together—tickets, hotels, routes etc. A travel agent takes the time so you don't have to make planning your vacation a second job.

2. Customize travel for individual needs.
No two travelers are alike. What works for one may not work for another, and off-the-shelf travel packages do not always match up with what you want. A travel agent can provide a relevant needs assessment, including your schedule, interests, preferences, budget and any special needs—for example, if you're traveling with children or pets, or if you have medical or physical limitations.

3. Get the best value for money.
A travel agent can recommend relevant offerings and provide cost-saving strategies, to find the best value without the sacrifices of a "cheap trip." Changing a departure or arrival date, using a different hotel or tour company, and being open to different flight options can have a big impact on the overall cost of travel.

4. Get insider destination advice.
Many travel agents train to become specialists on a particular destination and can provide you with insider information and itinerary suggestions. Many also have areas of expertise—for example, cruises, luxury travel or escorted tours—and their insights can be invaluable.

6. Make it easier to organize a long, complex trip.
Considering a trip of three weeks or longer, covering multiple destinations, or involving a large group of people? Complex trips require all sorts of planning, reservations and information. Many travelers find it easier to leave a project like this to the experts.

7. Have help at hand in a pinch.
If something misfires on your trip, there's no substitute for having your travel agent working on a solution back home while everyone else is waiting in line to complain to the hotel clerk. Serious difficulties don't happen often, but if they do, a good travel agent swings into action as your best ally.