Benefits of a Travel Agent

hvansaders

Has anyone booked their honeymoon by using a travel agent?  Did you find that they were able to get you any special deals, promotions or upgrades that you couldn't find online?

We met with a TA over the weekend and the only thing I found useful was her personal experience of where we want to go.  Otherwise the promotional package and prices for flights, hotel and transportation was EXACTLY the same that I found online.  Honestly, not one penny difference.  My FI thinks we should still book the honeymoon through her but I don't see the advantage in doing that. 

Personally I think it will be just one more person I have to call to follow up with things.  I would rather get and keep track of confirmations myself.

What do you ladies think?    Is it worth it to book through a TA?

TIA!

37 Butter Knives

From what I've seen here, TAs are good if you're doing something like a cruise or Sandals, as they often have "ins" with booking and discounts.

We went to a travel agent to get ideas about Europe, but she kept trying to sell us on package tours. We did end up doing a multi-city trip to Europe, but we booked everything ourselves.

maddie7

I went to 2 travel agents, one private and one through my AAA membership. I went home on Expedia and ran both trips. Expedia saved me close to $1k... there was no comparison. If you want to go and have them look for you, but book it yourself and it will save you the bucks in the end.

DoubleAS

It really depends on where you're going and how long you're going for.  We NEVER use a travel agent- my fiance is extremely into research and perfecting things on his own so he usually does it all for us.  Since our honeymoon is going to be a little longer then our typical vaca, we're using one.  It would be nice to have someone to call if God forbid something goes wrong. <---huge perk.

hvansaders

Thanks Double AS, I really didnt even think of that and I agree that would be nice if something went wrong (God forbid). 

We are going to Anguilla, staying at CusineArt, probably for 8 nights.  I just dont see the benefit, but FI is really pushing to use her.  I guess if we are getting the same prices, then I should stop being a control freak and let the TA book it haha

Thanks for the input ladies!

DoubleAS

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_benefits-of-travel-agent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:1033c480-5e3f-40e5-9e03-c3749315d8eePost:13942143-6c82-4a5c-bab4-fcf295e63bec">Re: Benefits of a Travel Agent</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks Double AS, I really didnt even think of that and I agree that would be nice if something went wrong (God forbid).  We are going to Anguilla, staying at CusineArt, probably for 8 nights.  I just dont see the benefit, but FI is really pushing to use her.  I guess if we are getting the same prices, then I should stop being a control freak and let the TA book it haha Thanks for the input ladies!
Posted by hvansaders[/QUOTE]

Nice spot!  I would use the TA this time around ... Things typicaly don't go wrong but that is a time that you don't want to deal with it one on one if they do.  Enjoy :)

kristen8040

Don't be afraid to price them out compared to online deals.  I had one and it ended up being $600 more than online, so once we complained she was able to have us upgraded.  I found cheaper prices on my phone for our flight while sitting in their office.We also had issues with our flight and at 6:30 in the morning, even though they said "if there is a problem you can call us" that phrase didn't help much. Then again, these were issues I had, and it's not the same situation for every agent.  I think it comes down to what type of vacation you're taking.  If it's all -inclusive and you're staying in one place, I don't think you need one, otherwise, it might be a good idea.

LJN414

My FI are going to CuisinArt in Anguilla for our honeymoon, too! (April 2012) Great choice. : ) We used a travel agent. Like DoubleAS said, it's nice to have a point person if something (hopefully not!) goes wrong or you have questions or whatever. Our agent has been to Anguilla before so she's been super helpful on what to do/where to eat/how the ferry system works to St. Maarten and St. Barts etc.

BeachLover2885

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_benefits-of-travel-agent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:1033c480-5e3f-40e5-9e03-c3749315d8eePost:ad40dec8-0eaf-4272-ab07-d3d0a82d0c9f">Re: Benefits of a Travel Agent</a>:
[QUOTE]I went to 2 travel agents, one private and one through my AAA membership. I went home on Expedia and ran both trips. Expedia saved me close to $1k... there was no comparison. If you want to go and have them look for you, but book it yourself and it will save you the bucks in the end.
Posted by maddie7[/QUOTE]

This is my feeling exactly.  I've traveled to many places and never used a TA.  My FI used travel agents to plan our trip to Hawaii, but ended up booking everything through expedia b/c it was much cheaper.   Depending on where you're going, I think TAs can be helpful, but if you're going to let's say the Caribbean for a week to an AI, I think you are fine booking it on your own.  We did order some brochures from some TAs to start browsing through and to get ideas, but I usually plan my own trips by using expedia and reading reviews on TripAdvisor.  GL!

Giaspo

We used a travel agent and thank god we did. We also planned on Anguilla staying at Cap Juluca. Tropical storms Maria and Nate ended those plans. We priced it ourselves and the cost was the same, so we had an agent book it. On the morning after our wedding, she called DH after tracking the storms for us for two days. She advised we should postpone, had already called the hotel and airline, and had alternate plans ready in case we wanted to go somewhere else. We decided to postpone until next week, but today got cold feet. We called her and she had a bunch of different options again. Like PP said, it was nice to have someone to call. But if you are traveling during a non rainy season, you should be ok.

StefaniBel

We used a travel agent.  She saved us some money finding us a different flight.  But it is so nice not have to worry.  We just told her what we wanted in a conversation and then everything was done for us.  No stress, some savings... I recommend using a travel agent.

rlavach

We're not using a TA for our honeymoon, but my FSIL has been a TA for about 10 years. She says the biggest perk is travellers insurance. She gets so many calls from stranded guests who went on HM or vaca & get rained out. With the insurance, you don't have to pay the flight cancellation fees & all the other fees associated with rescheduling. Now, whether this can be obtained without a TA, I have no idea. 

LADY324

We used a travel agent for the same reasons as the other ladies.  I feel more comfortable knowing that we had someone to call.  Also from a financial standpoint we just put down $200 for our hotel rooms and paid for the airfare in full.  We are going to pay off the HM over the next couple of months.  Also sometimes they are able to pull strings for you and get you free upgrades etc.  It does not cost anything so why not.  Just do your research online first to make sure you are getting the same price if not a better price if you were to book it yourself online.

maddie7

Can you call your travel agent on a weekend or evening and get them? I had a situation once when I was in JFK flying out with wrong documents from the TA and I couldnt get in touch with anyone... once they have your money they could care less.  You can buy wonderful travel insurance through Expedia or Travelocity or any online company.  This summer we did our first anniversary trip to Hawaii, all islands and I save so much money by doing it online.  As far as cheaper flights, like someone said you can go on your phone and see the flights for yourself.  GL to all!

kristen8040

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_benefits-of-travel-agent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:1033c480-5e3f-40e5-9e03-c3749315d8eePost:20692f09-12d7-4d55-81c5-64300ec6b181">Re: Benefits of a Travel Agent</a>:
[QUOTE]We used a travel agent for the same reasons as the other ladies.  I feel more comfortable knowing that we had someone to call.  Also from a financial standpoint we just put down $200 for our hotel rooms and paid for the airfare in full.  We are going to pay off the HM over the next couple of months.  Also sometimes they are able to pull strings for you and get you free upgrades etc.  It does not cost anything so why not.  Just do your research online first to make sure you are getting the same price if not a better price if you were to book it yourself online.
Posted by LADY324[/QUOTE]

<div>Good point.  Just putting down a deposit to start was better than paying on full like expedia.  I'm pretty sure some websites now have payment plans though.</div>

k8888

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_benefits-of-travel-agent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:1033c480-5e3f-40e5-9e03-c3749315d8eePost:98e3e2c5-b0dc-4b38-a37b-a4fc88314a72">Re: Benefits of a Travel Agent</a>:
[QUOTE]We're not using a TA for our honeymoon, but my FSIL has been a TA for about 10 years. <strong>She says the biggest perk is travellers insurance</strong>. She gets so many calls from stranded guests who went on HM or vaca & get rained out. With the insurance, you don't have to pay the flight cancellation fees & all the other fees associated with rescheduling. Now, whether this can be obtained without a TA, I have no idea. 
Posted by rlavach[/QUOTE]

This was the main reason we have been working with a travel agent for our honeymoon. 

We actually just put our deposit down this morning and it included airfare and about $300 towards the hotels/excursions/etc.  We're doing 14 nights in Hawaii and felt very overwhelmed when first researching.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE our travel agent... she's efficient, accomodating, and found us the best deals.  (It also is nice that she's local!)  It was no cheaper than booking it ourselves through Expedia, but it would have taken us months to put it together, while it took her about a week (we changed it a million times, too).  The best part is that we don't have to pay the balance until next May, so the extra time to put the money aside is beyond helpful.  She also has great connections and has traveled to the places she recommends herself, which is nice to have a first-hand experience.  Just my opinion!