Traveling can be one of the most exciting times when everything goes smoothly, and your trip is full of beautiful memories. However, that isn't always how life plays out, and knowing how to maximize how often those trips occur is essential to enjoying life and having a great time. Because flying doesn't come cheap, we've compiled a list of areas where travel agents can help you save considerably. We've also included a few reasons you will be thankful you went with an agent instead of dealing directly with specific vendors. Remember these tips the next time you decide to take a trip outside your usual staycation.
1. Kickbacks
When searching online, we came across the idea of kickbacks. Anyone familiar with U.S. politics will be well-versed in this idea. An ex-agent said that the best way for airlines to profit is by taking advantage of a kickback. They get a target number to hit, discount their seats to make the target number, and boom, it's payday. It's one of the best ways to score a great discount on your next flight.
2. Specialty Markets
Everyone who's trying to sell something has a niche market. That group of people is most likely to purchase your product because it meets multiple needs or desires. The service industry is no different, and airlines, in particular, cater to niche groups. For instance, if an airline is pleased with how a specific travel agency comes through with customers and provides exceptional customer service, they may pile on discounts and other savings that the agency can then pass on to their customer base.
3. Something Goes Wrong
While traveling is often fun, it can go wrong if you encounter problems. In this scenario, a travel agent can save your trip and possibly your life. Directly contacting an airline may not get you a flight out of a dangerous country, but being able to call your agent, who has access to multiple flights on multiple airlines, can. Either way, an agent is a nice ace up your sleeve.
4. Bulk Ticket Sales
Anyone who's bought in bulk knows that prices go down the more of something you purchase. Tickets are no different. If an agent can sell 200 seats on a plane at one time, they will get a bump to fill the airplane fast, especially if it's a last-minute flight. The quicker they fill the seats, the better for the airline and the agent.
5. Hotel Discounts
Now and then, hotels will offer bundle discounts, and third-party apps pass on those savings. Imagine a hotel has some repairs to do, and those rooms will be pretty noisy during the day. Because of the inconvenience, the hotel might give you a steep discount to get those rooms filled. The hotel receives filled rooms without losing the revenue altogether, and travelers get cheap rooms with the possibility of noise interference. Get some tremendous noise-cancelling headphones, or snap up these rooms if you plan to be out of them during work hours.
6. Buy With Us
Sometimes, a credit card company, like Chase, or a wholesale seller, like Costco, will get you some great travel perks for booking with them. You might earn serious miles or a steep discount rate. If you have a mileage credit card or own a Sam's or Costco card, it is worth checking to see what deals they can get you the next time you travel.
7. Post-Covid Travel
When the pandemic hit, every industry struggled to figure out how to survive in a post-pandemic world. Traveling was chaotic as everyone tried to figure out how to travel safely. This situation has led to a boom in the use of travel agents and agencies as people are looking for extra support as the world continues to “get back to normal.”
8. After Service Support
Customer service is the bread and butter of a good travel agency. They'll do whatever is necessary to ensure you walk away from your trip happier than when you started. This fact goes beyond an excellent flight discount. It might mean booking a hotel in advance, getting discounts on attractions or activities, or bundling your trip with a hefty dent in your overall bill. Whatever you need, they'll be there to offer the support you need. This support happens when you book with a travel agent with an excellent reputation.
9. Off-site Advertising
Sometimes, airlines will have discounts to pass on or last-minute seats they want to fill that they don't want to advertise on their site. They'll often pass this information on to travel agencies who use that information to get those discounts and deals out to their customer base.
10. Personalized Experience
Whether an exclusive tour or agency-specific amenities, getting personalized service from a travel agency can be a big bonus if you consider working with a travel agent. This experience can include help with country-specific needs, the convenience of help planning your trip, assistance with currency exchange and travel checks, and saving money on part or all of your journey.
Thank You, Come Again
Whether you've had a troubling trip or are considering using a travel agency for the first time, there are definite benefits to choosing one that can help you with your next trip.
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Source: Reddit.
