Pros of using a travel agent
Travel agents—also known as travel advisors, travel consultants, or travel experts—have evolved beyond booking logistics. While they were once the key travel booking providers, today they offer a curated, hands-on service.A good travel agent can:- Connect you with trusted tour operators
- Find the right airfare, rental cars, and cruise lines to suit your itinerary
- Help you save money with exclusive upgrades, travel tips, discounts, and perks
- Offer personalized service and peace of mind
- Find the best travel insurance options
- Help you organize vacation packages and family or group trips that meet all traveler requirements
- Manage trip cancellations and last-minute changes
- Find flexible fares that suit your budget
Cons of using a travel agent
While agents provide many benefits, self-booking is on the rise for a reason; there are some limitations to using a travel agency. Here are a few drawbacks to consider when working with travel agents:- Less convenient: Many travel agents only offer services during limited office hours. When booking online, you can make travel plans whenever you want, with some booking sites offering 24/7 customer support.
- Biased advice: Travel agents have incentives to steer you towards booking certain flights and hotels; they earn commission from some hotel operators and airlines.
- Limited choice: Many travel agencies, especially small, consumer-facing agencies, have limited inventories. Online, there’s a wide variety of travel products and tour operators to choose from.
- More expensive: Travel agencies often charge booking fees for their services.
- Lack of flexible payment options: Some travel agencies, such as business travel management companies, ask clients to sign contracts with complicated fine print.
Travel management platforms: the best of both worlds
Using a travel agent has its perks, but there are also convincing reasons to book your own travel via consumer travel sites such as Booking.com, Expedia, or Airbnb. So, which option is best?It comes down to your travel needs and goals. Some travelers prefer having more control, while others don’t mind the service fees and prefer a trusted partner to take over. But why not get the best of both worlds?Travel management platforms are designed for frequent travelers who’ve “outgrown” consumer travel websites, but still want a modern, convenient solution. Many of these platforms are geared towards business travelers and travel managers working for companies.Travel managers are probably familiar with the challenges of booking business travel; handling expense reports, managing VAT refunds, and trying to meet corporate sustainability goals—all while staying within budget.Traveling employees might love the convenience of consumer booking sites, but they can be confusing since each booking is managed individually. Plus, there’s no way to ensure bookings are made within company policy.On the other hand, travel agencies can offer a more personal touch. But, they often rely on out-of-date technology, have hidden fees, and don’t offer 24/7 support.With a travel management platform like TravelPerk, you can enjoy the autonomy and fare options of consumer sites combined with the personalized service and cost-saving deals typical of travel agencies—all in one convenient place.Travelers also have access to a large, industry-leading travel booking inventory to book hotels, flights, and more, and can make all bookings themselves. They’ll only be able to book within policy, so there’s no need to worry about non-compliance. Your company will have access to exclusive deals and discounts, and travelers can access our 24/7 customer support, with a target response time of 15 seconds.Whether you’re traveling to New York, Hong Kong, or Australia, simplify your business travel—book, manage, and report all in one place. Find out how.?)
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