Travel agents are disappearing fast. With the advent of the Internet, airlines no longer paying commission, and more and more people booking their own travel online, there are less than half as many travel agents as there were 20 years ago. But that doesn’t mean that a travel agent is obsolete. In fact, in some cases, using a travel agent may be the right decision for you. Here are 5 times you should use a travel agent

You’ve Never Been to Your Destination Before

Many people think they can find out everything they need to know about a destination by doing a little research on the web. That’s simply not true. Even if you could read every website about Aruba (and who could?), you’re going to miss some things. A good agent will tell you what you won’t find on most websites: where to stay, what to do when it rains (if it does), which restaurants are overpriced for what you get and which ones are great values, whether your hotel has comfortable beds or hard beds, and much more. And if something goes wrong with your trip — for example, your hotel closes down unexpectedly or your flight gets canceled — having a good agent on your side can make all the difference in getting it resolved quickly and painlessly.

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Are you planning a vacation? If so, you might consider hiring a travel agent. Travel agents have access to information and deals that aren’t available to the public. Here are five reasons why using a travel agent may be the right decision for you.

1)The Internet is great for many things, but when it comes to vacations, too much information can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of travel sites, each one promising unbelievable prices and great deals. Unfortunately some websites are not what they seem. A travel agent will make sure you get the vacation you want within your budget, while saving you time and money along the way.

2)Travel agents can filter through thousands of vacation options and present you with the best choices that fit your needs. They’ll help coordinate every aspect of your trip including flights, hotels, ground transportation and activities. You’ll know exactly what to expect, and if something goes wrong along the way, they’ll fix it for you!

3)Travel agents often have access to discounts that aren’t available to the public. Many times they can save you money or get extra perks like upgrades or free breakfasts that are normally not offered by booking online. In addition their services will cost you nothing since most travel agents receive commission from resorts and tour

Travel agents, who have mostly embraced the Internet, are still alive and well. Here are five reasons why you should use one for your next vacation.

* The Travel Agent is there for you 24/7

When you book online, you may be able to find some help through email or chat feature. But if your flight gets delayed on an overseas trip and your connecting flight leaves without you (and without your luggage), what do you do? You won’t be able to get through to the airline because their phone lines will be jammed with other stranded travelers. Your travel agent will know exactly what to do and how to get you home safely.

* Travel Agents know how to plan a trip, not just book it

The difference between booking a trip online and planning a trip with an agent is huge. If all you want is the lowest fare from city A to city B, then by all means go ahead and book away. But if you want a great vacation that fits your personality and budget, then your travel agent can put together an itinerary that will take care of all the details – from the best places to stay, eat and shop at each destination, to which attractions are worthy of your time and money. While anyone can book a vacation package online these days

A travel agent is often the first person a customer comes into contact with when planning a trip. A good travel agent can make all the difference between an ordinary vacation and an extraordinary one.

A travel agent must be well organized and able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. They must be people oriented and have excellent listening skills. In addition, they must have a strong interest in geography and other cultures.

People come to a travel agent for their expertise and experience; that’s what we are selling. We offer advice on destinations, make travel arrangements, and identify options that best meet the needs of our customers.

Here are five reasons why you should consider dealing with a travel agent when buying your next airline ticket:

A travel agent is a professional who specializes in making travel arrangements on behalf of other people. The travel agent takes care of all aspects of the trip-from making reservations to arranging for transportation to offering advice on where to stay, what to do and where to eat.

Travel agents can be very helpful in arranging complicated itineraries, especially if you are going somewhere off the beaten path. If you’re planning a trip with multiple destinations, multiple modes of transit or a combination of different activities, a travel agent can help you create an itinerary that will save you time and money. A good travel agent will also offer you options that you might not find online.

A travel agent can offer advice, answer questions and help you plan the perfect trip based on your specific wants and needs. They are also able to quickly compare prices for different dates and routes for your flight, hotel and car rental options.

If something goes wrong, it’s usually the responsibility of the travel agent to fix it. Most reputable agencies have 24-hour emergency hotlines that you can call with any questions or concerns while traveling. If your hotel reservations get lost or your flight gets canceled, your travel agent will be able to negotiate with airlines and hotels on your behalf to get things back on track as quickly

When you book a flight, hotel or rental car through an online travel agent, you’re usually paying more than if you’d gone directly to the airline, hotel or car rental company.

Fees have been around for years. Airlines and hotels pay travel agents commissions on the business they bring them, and some agents (though fewer and fewer) add a fee for their services. But OTAs charge fees upfront — so there’s no mystery about what it costs to use their services.

And that can be a good thing. Fees are one way you know what you’re paying for. You might pay a little more to get help with your trip, or to save yourself some time and hassle.

Still, while they vary by service, these types of charges can add up — fast! So it pays to know what you’re getting into before you book.

Picking the right hotel or cruise line can be a nightmare. Trying to figure out if the reviews you are reading are fake or not, and if they are, what is the truth? Travel agents have the opportunity to visit many of these hotels and cruises on a yearly basis. They can share their experiences with you so you feel more confident about booking an amazing vacation.

Travel agents can save you time & money. Do you know how much commission your friends and family get when they recommend a hotel or cruise line to you? Nothing! As an independent travel agent, I do receive commissions from my partners (cruise lines, hotels, tour companies, etc). I use those commissions to save my clients money and/or add value to their vacation package.

The travel industry is always changing. There are so many new destinations opening up all the time, it would be impossible for any one person to keep up with it all. That is why it is so important to work with someone who has access to industry professionals and can keep you informed of any new changes (like Cuba opening up) that may impact your trip.

You don’t know what you don’t know until it’s too late! Years ago while I was traveling in Europe, I had arranged an overnight