If youre familiar with the perks of the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program or the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, youll know what we mean. This is an excellent resource for learning about the best sights, cutting-edge travel trends or finding out-of-the-ordinary experiences. 
The agent can secure a complimentary upgrade, offer a breakfast benefit or food and beverage credit or throw in a free spa treatment during your stay. Sure enough, an e-mail Banning sent to the hotel reservations department did the trick. He put together a comprehensive itinerary that included visits to the Arenal Volcano area, Tortuguero on the Caribbean Coast, and Santa Theresa on the Pacific Coast, all without charging a planning fee. Its my job to listen, listen, listen to what my clients want. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Embark Beyond provided clear and detailed pre-departure information about the online documents I would need to complete to enter the countries I was visiting. When they reached the front of the line, they gave the agent their cell phone to speak to Landay. If someone comes in and wants to go to three countries in Europe in seven days, I will generally go over travel days, amount of physical time one would be in each city, to show them that itinerary may be too ambitious, and then we can create an itinerary that will work in their time frame and will be more manageable. Scully says that she has also gotten clients rebooked when their flights have been canceledlong before their fellow passengers have gotten through to the airline customer service phone line or found their way to a representative at the airport. We know the details and the best way to handle the situation. Sometimes consumers dont realize there is something really important for them to include or arrange.
Another reason to use a travel agent is to get intel on a new destination. I was sitting in the breakfast room of my hotel looking out at the street at 8 a.m., watching moms holding their childrens hands on the way to school, watching people carrying their dry cleaning over their shoulders, buying coffee, commuting to work.
When I was planning my European adventure, I asked a travel editor friend if she could recommend someone to help me plan my trip. Agents help clients with all types of situations and are immersed in travel full-time, so theyre aware of details you might not think of when planning on your own. Featured image by Vichien Petchmai/Getty Images. Sometimes they only know about the vendors that have the most prolific marketing. Now travelers face pandemic-related restrictions that change frequently and vary across borders, as well as hassles with refunds and penalties for cancellations. It is not the bank advertisers responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. You will be recognized on arrival, not the card.' Agents dont just save time researching and making decisions. The options come to my mind quickly as we speak about their trip vision, said Allison Walker, a AAA Travel Agent in San Clemente, California. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The trip went off nearly without a hitch, except for the evening that my flight from Rome to Split, Croatia was delayed by 90 minutes, resulting in my missing the last ferry of the night from Split to the island of Hvar. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Once your reservation is in the system, your agent swings into action to let the hotel know a VIP is on the way and arrange for those extras: whether its a Virtuoso perk or one from a credit card program like American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR). Instead, have the agent book your airport transfers and hotel arrangements. Scully says she had another client for whom she had booked a cruise, and the client called to say she was able to get a better rate from another agent. Here at AAA Northeast we are all SmartDepart Certified, said Jeanne Miller, a AAA Travel Agent in North Andover, Massachusetts. Like many 30-somethings, I figured I could plan a trip on my own. I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. We work, provide for our children, worry about the same things, take joy in the same things. Nomadic Matts Travel Site, Where to Stay in Chicago: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit, the number of freelance travel agents went from 124,030 in 2000 to 66,670 in 2019, 43% of travelers still prefer to use an agent when booking flights, How to Get a Cheap Cruise for as Little as $30 Per Day, Cheap Holiday Ideas: 8 Budget Vacation Deals. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. We will make sure you have all the resources, links and the phone numbers you need so that you are able to enjoy your experience knowing that we have you covered., We get updates from vendors and destinations about the necessary protocols that are constantly changing, Platero said. At AAA Northeast we like to say, We know because we go and you are not limited to only the destinations I have ever traveled to, said Mindy Hardaker, a AAA Travel Agent in Salem, New Hampshire. "We're advocates," explains Anne Scully, a partner at Embark Beyond who has worked in the travel industry for 40 years. While the traveler may have never had to deal with a weather delay, we have. Keeping up with the details of planning a trip is challenging enough. We can handle each persons needs while still coordinating with the group, and for those honeymoons, we take the stress out of the trip planning so that the couple can focus on the wedding., Grand Canyon Railway/Grand Canyon Railway. They can also ensure you make the right decisions about when to travel, what sights to see and which guides to hire. As each traveler returns, we get up-to-date info on that particular destination, resort or cruise, Troy said. It took several months, but Guy was also able to secure full refunds for her clients unused return air ticket and rental car. A good travel agent can be a game-changer your conduit to VIP treatment at your destination. Youll only hear about these offers if you have a top agent who sells cruises on the lines you love. Now more than ever, these travel pros can work their magic to help you plan your trip and keep everything running smoothly. Youll want to see how the agent operates, communicates and arranges extra perks and deals. Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. A week later, the hotel refunded the cost of the first night's stay to my American Express card. And, if you book a trip hosted by the agencys owners, youll get a bump in the amount of your reward for booking with them. Here, AAA Travel Agents share some of their top reasons to consider working with an agent. Banning explained that for a trip of this magnitude, Embark Beyond would charge a fee of $1,000 (the company offered me a discount on the fee as a journalistI paid $500). Elizabeth Guy, a Travel Agent with AAA Oregon/Idaho, had clients vacationing in Hawaii when the state shut down early in the pandemic. As miles-and-points-wielding travelers, we may not immediately think of using a travel agent to book our getaways. I called Ezon in May and told him what I was hoping to dovisit Greece, Croatia, Italy, France, and maybe Norway. If your plans include traveling in the near future, you may want to consider working with a travel agent. Ezon referred me to one of his travel advisors, Julie Banning. I told her that I could see two seats on their 1 p.m. flight in our live air system, Landay said, and I expected her to honor their tickets on that earlier flight instead. During the pandemic, Black Tomato launched a policy called State of Flex that offers travelers full refunds and fee-free postponements on bookings if Covid complications arise between booking and travel, up to 30 days before departure. Cost versus time versus experience all need to be in balance.. Reillys friend picked the clients up at the airport and even called their tour conductor at the hotel to say they would be late and find out when and where they would meet for their Vatican tour the following morning. Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. It turns out I didn't have to worrybecause I booked the trip with a travel agent. Black Tomato arranged for a local guide to take me to a lab in San Jos for the rapid test I needed to return to the United States; it was one of only a few labs that was open on that Sunday and would not have been easy to find on my own. And then, cut to the chase by recommending a vendor that would be a good fit for them. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. I want my clients to have that experience, too., AAA Travel provides peace of mind when you travel before, during and after your vacation! Otherwise, you might not be able to pull off the travel arrangements on your own. If she were only booking hotels (which compensate travel agencies through commissions), there would be no charge, but since she would be booking flights, trains, and cars, a fee would apply. I have had clients put off ships into the hospital and I have coordinated a hotel for the loved one and flights home when needed.
The reservation agent was simply pushing all passengers to later flights indiscriminately.. The human connection and relationships change the way people travel.". Members enjoy the advantages of membership including exclusive benefits, map routing, savings with the, 7 Reasons Why You Should Use a Travel Agent to Book Your Next Trip. First-hand experience is immeasurable and extremely important depending on the needs of the client, Platero said. The world of travel has changed and we are out there getting current information to give to our travelers. When youre ready to build a relationship with a travel adviser, test the waters by collaborating on a simple trip. I found out that there was a transportation strike going on and I needed to get my clients to their hotel somehow.. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. Travel agents are often well-traveled, having visited the destinations and experienced the vacations they recommend to travelers. Between weather delays, natural disasters, flight cancellations, lost luggage and much more, a lot can happen on vacation. That experience made me passionate about travel. Well, this time I really needed her, Reilley said. Agents dont just gain knowledge from their own travel.
Related:Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts stays are now bookable with points. Remember that travel agents often have access to room rates and cruise fares that arent available to the general public.
They can also handle changes and other issues that may pop up before or during your trip. The agency also has its own KLT Rewards program that is similar to the Costco Travel perk of sending out a Costco Cash Card after the voyage. Do you ever use a travel agent? And, you can use your American Express Membership Rewards points to book a villa through the agency. My clients were so happy and raved about my friend and all that I was able to do to get them back on track, Reilley said. Whats It Like to Actually Work on a Cruise Ship. "I had a fellow come to me with his Centurion Card and say, 'Anne, I dont see what you can do,'" Scully says (American Express's most exclusive credit card, the Centurion Card reportedly offers a number of hotel benefits). Your agent can offer shipboard credits, special fares for solo travelers, deals for families traveling with children and more. When a couple was accidentally left behind while a tour bus went from Prague to Berlin, I was able to recommend train transfers to Berlin and secured a taxi ride to the appropriate hotel to rejoin the group., If their flight is cancelled, I get them another flight out and secure it while there are 50 people waiting in line to talk to the customer service person, Platero said. If you love to travel, dreaming of your next trip and planning it can be almost as much fun as the trip itself. Travel agents act as the travelers advocate in the event something goes wrong, helping navigate the challenge of making any necessary itinerary changes. We will find the best possible solution for the given situation whether it means changing dates of the trip completely or just rebooking them on the next available flight., My clients have my cellphone number and at times I have gotten a call in the middle of the night, said Ashley Knebelsberger, a AAA Travel Agent in Dayton, Ohio. I found myself an inexpensive hotel for the night near the port in Split on Booking.com, but more important to me was that I would be forfeiting the approximately $325 I had already paid for that non-refundable night at the .css-gegin5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#9a0500;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-gegin5:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Adriana Hvar Spa Hotelone of the most expensive hotels on my month-long itinerary. A travel advisor has quick access to pricing a package with airfare, hotels, tours, transfers, rail tickets if necessary in one visit., A travel agent can also take the stress out of planning for large groups, said Felicia Troy, a AAA Travel Agent in Westwood, Massachusetts. While the internet has made researching destinations and booking a trip easier and more accessible than ever, the many options for flights, cruises, hotels and tours can overwhelm even the savviest of travelers. I can create a short list that only includes reputable, quality options that are appropriate to their trip destination objectives., Travel is my job, but for my clients its a passion or a hobby, said Lisa Landay, also a AAA Travel Agent in San Clemente, California. First-hand experiences from trusted sources are crucial to planning the best vacation. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products.
And, if theres ever a problem during a vacation, its great to have a problem-solver who is just one phone call or email away. Sam Dangremond is a Contributing Digital Editor at Town & Country, where he covers men's style, cocktails, travel, and the social scene. Whats nice about Ourisman and any Virtuoso agency is that you can have your travel agent do all the work. What that means is we have been trained to navigate the changing protocols and resources to take the stress out of travel planning. Their knowledge of destinations is also constantly updated by their clients. Its also possible to stack benefits. Related:Unusual safaris you can try around the world. .css-1du65oy{color:#323232;display:block;font-family:NewParis,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-font-smoothing:auto;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1du65oy:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.3125rem;line-height:1.2;}}T&C's Paris Travel Guide: Bennifer Edition, Inside Louis Vuitton's 200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries, The British Royal Family's Favorite Vacations, Buckingham Palace Opens Its Doors for the Summer, Central Park Boathouse Restaurant Has Closed, The Best Room at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, Meet the Couple Upending Parisian Hospitality, The Best Things to Do in Newport, Rhode Island, Unfurl Your Sails! For example, you can book a hosted trip to get the usual 5% KLT booking reward, plus an enhanced reward for booking a group trip and then you could also receive onboard credit thats a Signature Travel Network perk. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. She told me that the best they could do would be to add an additional night to the end of my stay, but that would not work because I needed to get to Athens for my return flight to New York. The T&C Guide to Cruising Now. "I said, "'Ill make you known on arrival. Scully talked to her contact at the cruise line, and as she suspected, the other agent was giving the client a rebate to win her business. I didnt stop there. With years of experience and knowledge about destinations, transportation options and vendors, an agent can eliminate hours of online research time. With KLT Rewards, youll get cash back on every sailing, about 10 days before you set sail. For my most recent trip, Banning knew that the flight I needed to take from Dubrovnik to Athens only operated certain days of the week. We can talk to the airlines, resorts, etc., to make sure you are fully taken care of in the best way possible. I explained that it would have been physically impossible for me to check in on time because I missed the last ferry to Hvar due to my flight delay. I explained that I had about 10 days to travel and was trying to decide between Costa Rica and Egypttwo of just a few countries open to American travelers at the time. While Im not sure Id be up for that level of uncertainty, you can bet Ill be enlisting the help of a travel agent next time I go to another new destination. This past summer, I took one of the longest and most complicated trips of my life. Add to that the new and ever-changing travel restrictions related to the pandemic and suddenly your vacation can go from dream to dread! This way, they dont end up wasting time and money on a bunch of trial and error experiences.. While Scully was not able to match the rate, she was able to do even better by leveraging her connection with the cruise line to secure an upgrade to a cabin that was 200 square feet larger than the client had booked. I enlisted the help of Tom Pyman at Black Tomato, a luxury and adventure tour operator. Thankfully, experience has taught me most of these things and when Im not certain, I know where to check and who to ask., We take care of all the details those little things that are not fun to plan like transfers, checking in, etc., said Melanie Manzi, a AAA Travel Agent in Providence, Rhode Island. For example, Keene Luxury Travel, a member of the Signature Travel Network, has relationships with all the top luxury cruise lines especially Regent Seven Seas. Travel agents can take the guesswork out of researching and evaluating the many options available to travelers, saving you time and the hassles that often come with vacation planning. We have a large community of advisors that willingly share their expertise, feedback and recommendations with each other so that we are all providing the highest level of service for our members., When I can give them details about everything from currency to adapter plugs to local transportation, it makes their trip more enjoyable and less of a struggle, Walker said.
The agent can secure a complimentary upgrade, offer a breakfast benefit or food and beverage credit or throw in a free spa treatment during your stay. Sure enough, an e-mail Banning sent to the hotel reservations department did the trick. He put together a comprehensive itinerary that included visits to the Arenal Volcano area, Tortuguero on the Caribbean Coast, and Santa Theresa on the Pacific Coast, all without charging a planning fee. Its my job to listen, listen, listen to what my clients want. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Embark Beyond provided clear and detailed pre-departure information about the online documents I would need to complete to enter the countries I was visiting. When they reached the front of the line, they gave the agent their cell phone to speak to Landay. If someone comes in and wants to go to three countries in Europe in seven days, I will generally go over travel days, amount of physical time one would be in each city, to show them that itinerary may be too ambitious, and then we can create an itinerary that will work in their time frame and will be more manageable. Scully says that she has also gotten clients rebooked when their flights have been canceledlong before their fellow passengers have gotten through to the airline customer service phone line or found their way to a representative at the airport. We know the details and the best way to handle the situation. Sometimes consumers dont realize there is something really important for them to include or arrange. Another reason to use a travel agent is to get intel on a new destination. I was sitting in the breakfast room of my hotel looking out at the street at 8 a.m., watching moms holding their childrens hands on the way to school, watching people carrying their dry cleaning over their shoulders, buying coffee, commuting to work.
When I was planning my European adventure, I asked a travel editor friend if she could recommend someone to help me plan my trip. Agents help clients with all types of situations and are immersed in travel full-time, so theyre aware of details you might not think of when planning on your own. Featured image by Vichien Petchmai/Getty Images. Sometimes they only know about the vendors that have the most prolific marketing. Now travelers face pandemic-related restrictions that change frequently and vary across borders, as well as hassles with refunds and penalties for cancellations. It is not the bank advertisers responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. You will be recognized on arrival, not the card.' Agents dont just save time researching and making decisions. The options come to my mind quickly as we speak about their trip vision, said Allison Walker, a AAA Travel Agent in San Clemente, California. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The trip went off nearly without a hitch, except for the evening that my flight from Rome to Split, Croatia was delayed by 90 minutes, resulting in my missing the last ferry of the night from Split to the island of Hvar. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Once your reservation is in the system, your agent swings into action to let the hotel know a VIP is on the way and arrange for those extras: whether its a Virtuoso perk or one from a credit card program like American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR). Instead, have the agent book your airport transfers and hotel arrangements. Scully says she had another client for whom she had booked a cruise, and the client called to say she was able to get a better rate from another agent. Here at AAA Northeast we are all SmartDepart Certified, said Jeanne Miller, a AAA Travel Agent in North Andover, Massachusetts. Like many 30-somethings, I figured I could plan a trip on my own. I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. We work, provide for our children, worry about the same things, take joy in the same things. Nomadic Matts Travel Site, Where to Stay in Chicago: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit, the number of freelance travel agents went from 124,030 in 2000 to 66,670 in 2019, 43% of travelers still prefer to use an agent when booking flights, How to Get a Cheap Cruise for as Little as $30 Per Day, Cheap Holiday Ideas: 8 Budget Vacation Deals. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. We will make sure you have all the resources, links and the phone numbers you need so that you are able to enjoy your experience knowing that we have you covered., We get updates from vendors and destinations about the necessary protocols that are constantly changing, Platero said. At AAA Northeast we like to say, We know because we go and you are not limited to only the destinations I have ever traveled to, said Mindy Hardaker, a AAA Travel Agent in Salem, New Hampshire. "We're advocates," explains Anne Scully, a partner at Embark Beyond who has worked in the travel industry for 40 years. While the traveler may have never had to deal with a weather delay, we have. Keeping up with the details of planning a trip is challenging enough. We can handle each persons needs while still coordinating with the group, and for those honeymoons, we take the stress out of the trip planning so that the couple can focus on the wedding., Grand Canyon Railway/Grand Canyon Railway. They can also ensure you make the right decisions about when to travel, what sights to see and which guides to hire. As each traveler returns, we get up-to-date info on that particular destination, resort or cruise, Troy said. It took several months, but Guy was also able to secure full refunds for her clients unused return air ticket and rental car. A good travel agent can be a game-changer your conduit to VIP treatment at your destination. Youll only hear about these offers if you have a top agent who sells cruises on the lines you love. Now more than ever, these travel pros can work their magic to help you plan your trip and keep everything running smoothly. Youll want to see how the agent operates, communicates and arranges extra perks and deals. Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. A week later, the hotel refunded the cost of the first night's stay to my American Express card. And, if you book a trip hosted by the agencys owners, youll get a bump in the amount of your reward for booking with them. Here, AAA Travel Agents share some of their top reasons to consider working with an agent. Banning explained that for a trip of this magnitude, Embark Beyond would charge a fee of $1,000 (the company offered me a discount on the fee as a journalistI paid $500). Elizabeth Guy, a Travel Agent with AAA Oregon/Idaho, had clients vacationing in Hawaii when the state shut down early in the pandemic. As miles-and-points-wielding travelers, we may not immediately think of using a travel agent to book our getaways. I called Ezon in May and told him what I was hoping to dovisit Greece, Croatia, Italy, France, and maybe Norway. If your plans include traveling in the near future, you may want to consider working with a travel agent. Ezon referred me to one of his travel advisors, Julie Banning. I told her that I could see two seats on their 1 p.m. flight in our live air system, Landay said, and I expected her to honor their tickets on that earlier flight instead. During the pandemic, Black Tomato launched a policy called State of Flex that offers travelers full refunds and fee-free postponements on bookings if Covid complications arise between booking and travel, up to 30 days before departure. Cost versus time versus experience all need to be in balance.. Reillys friend picked the clients up at the airport and even called their tour conductor at the hotel to say they would be late and find out when and where they would meet for their Vatican tour the following morning. Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. It turns out I didn't have to worrybecause I booked the trip with a travel agent. Black Tomato arranged for a local guide to take me to a lab in San Jos for the rapid test I needed to return to the United States; it was one of only a few labs that was open on that Sunday and would not have been easy to find on my own. And then, cut to the chase by recommending a vendor that would be a good fit for them. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. I want my clients to have that experience, too., AAA Travel provides peace of mind when you travel before, during and after your vacation! Otherwise, you might not be able to pull off the travel arrangements on your own. If she were only booking hotels (which compensate travel agencies through commissions), there would be no charge, but since she would be booking flights, trains, and cars, a fee would apply. I have had clients put off ships into the hospital and I have coordinated a hotel for the loved one and flights home when needed.
The reservation agent was simply pushing all passengers to later flights indiscriminately.. The human connection and relationships change the way people travel.". Members enjoy the advantages of membership including exclusive benefits, map routing, savings with the, 7 Reasons Why You Should Use a Travel Agent to Book Your Next Trip. First-hand experience is immeasurable and extremely important depending on the needs of the client, Platero said. The world of travel has changed and we are out there getting current information to give to our travelers. When youre ready to build a relationship with a travel adviser, test the waters by collaborating on a simple trip. I found out that there was a transportation strike going on and I needed to get my clients to their hotel somehow.. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. Travel agents are often well-traveled, having visited the destinations and experienced the vacations they recommend to travelers. Between weather delays, natural disasters, flight cancellations, lost luggage and much more, a lot can happen on vacation. That experience made me passionate about travel. Well, this time I really needed her, Reilley said. Agents dont just gain knowledge from their own travel.
Related:Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts stays are now bookable with points. Remember that travel agents often have access to room rates and cruise fares that arent available to the general public.
They can also handle changes and other issues that may pop up before or during your trip. The agency also has its own KLT Rewards program that is similar to the Costco Travel perk of sending out a Costco Cash Card after the voyage. Do you ever use a travel agent? And, you can use your American Express Membership Rewards points to book a villa through the agency. My clients were so happy and raved about my friend and all that I was able to do to get them back on track, Reilley said. Whats It Like to Actually Work on a Cruise Ship. "I had a fellow come to me with his Centurion Card and say, 'Anne, I dont see what you can do,'" Scully says (American Express's most exclusive credit card, the Centurion Card reportedly offers a number of hotel benefits). Your agent can offer shipboard credits, special fares for solo travelers, deals for families traveling with children and more. When a couple was accidentally left behind while a tour bus went from Prague to Berlin, I was able to recommend train transfers to Berlin and secured a taxi ride to the appropriate hotel to rejoin the group., If their flight is cancelled, I get them another flight out and secure it while there are 50 people waiting in line to talk to the customer service person, Platero said. If you love to travel, dreaming of your next trip and planning it can be almost as much fun as the trip itself. Travel agents act as the travelers advocate in the event something goes wrong, helping navigate the challenge of making any necessary itinerary changes. We will find the best possible solution for the given situation whether it means changing dates of the trip completely or just rebooking them on the next available flight., My clients have my cellphone number and at times I have gotten a call in the middle of the night, said Ashley Knebelsberger, a AAA Travel Agent in Dayton, Ohio. I found myself an inexpensive hotel for the night near the port in Split on Booking.com, but more important to me was that I would be forfeiting the approximately $325 I had already paid for that non-refundable night at the .css-gegin5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#9a0500;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-gegin5:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Adriana Hvar Spa Hotelone of the most expensive hotels on my month-long itinerary. A travel advisor has quick access to pricing a package with airfare, hotels, tours, transfers, rail tickets if necessary in one visit., A travel agent can also take the stress out of planning for large groups, said Felicia Troy, a AAA Travel Agent in Westwood, Massachusetts. While the internet has made researching destinations and booking a trip easier and more accessible than ever, the many options for flights, cruises, hotels and tours can overwhelm even the savviest of travelers. I can create a short list that only includes reputable, quality options that are appropriate to their trip destination objectives., Travel is my job, but for my clients its a passion or a hobby, said Lisa Landay, also a AAA Travel Agent in San Clemente, California. First-hand experiences from trusted sources are crucial to planning the best vacation. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products.
And, if theres ever a problem during a vacation, its great to have a problem-solver who is just one phone call or email away. Sam Dangremond is a Contributing Digital Editor at Town & Country, where he covers men's style, cocktails, travel, and the social scene. Whats nice about Ourisman and any Virtuoso agency is that you can have your travel agent do all the work. What that means is we have been trained to navigate the changing protocols and resources to take the stress out of travel planning. Their knowledge of destinations is also constantly updated by their clients. Its also possible to stack benefits. Related:Unusual safaris you can try around the world. .css-1du65oy{color:#323232;display:block;font-family:NewParis,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-font-smoothing:auto;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1du65oy:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.3125rem;line-height:1.2;}}T&C's Paris Travel Guide: Bennifer Edition, Inside Louis Vuitton's 200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries, The British Royal Family's Favorite Vacations, Buckingham Palace Opens Its Doors for the Summer, Central Park Boathouse Restaurant Has Closed, The Best Room at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, Meet the Couple Upending Parisian Hospitality, The Best Things to Do in Newport, Rhode Island, Unfurl Your Sails! For example, you can book a hosted trip to get the usual 5% KLT booking reward, plus an enhanced reward for booking a group trip and then you could also receive onboard credit thats a Signature Travel Network perk. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. She told me that the best they could do would be to add an additional night to the end of my stay, but that would not work because I needed to get to Athens for my return flight to New York. The T&C Guide to Cruising Now. "I said, "'Ill make you known on arrival. Scully talked to her contact at the cruise line, and as she suspected, the other agent was giving the client a rebate to win her business. I didnt stop there. With years of experience and knowledge about destinations, transportation options and vendors, an agent can eliminate hours of online research time. With KLT Rewards, youll get cash back on every sailing, about 10 days before you set sail. For my most recent trip, Banning knew that the flight I needed to take from Dubrovnik to Athens only operated certain days of the week. We can talk to the airlines, resorts, etc., to make sure you are fully taken care of in the best way possible. I explained that it would have been physically impossible for me to check in on time because I missed the last ferry to Hvar due to my flight delay. I explained that I had about 10 days to travel and was trying to decide between Costa Rica and Egypttwo of just a few countries open to American travelers at the time. While Im not sure Id be up for that level of uncertainty, you can bet Ill be enlisting the help of a travel agent next time I go to another new destination. This past summer, I took one of the longest and most complicated trips of my life. Add to that the new and ever-changing travel restrictions related to the pandemic and suddenly your vacation can go from dream to dread! This way, they dont end up wasting time and money on a bunch of trial and error experiences.. While Scully was not able to match the rate, she was able to do even better by leveraging her connection with the cruise line to secure an upgrade to a cabin that was 200 square feet larger than the client had booked. I enlisted the help of Tom Pyman at Black Tomato, a luxury and adventure tour operator. Thankfully, experience has taught me most of these things and when Im not certain, I know where to check and who to ask., We take care of all the details those little things that are not fun to plan like transfers, checking in, etc., said Melanie Manzi, a AAA Travel Agent in Providence, Rhode Island. For example, Keene Luxury Travel, a member of the Signature Travel Network, has relationships with all the top luxury cruise lines especially Regent Seven Seas. Travel agents can take the guesswork out of researching and evaluating the many options available to travelers, saving you time and the hassles that often come with vacation planning. We have a large community of advisors that willingly share their expertise, feedback and recommendations with each other so that we are all providing the highest level of service for our members., When I can give them details about everything from currency to adapter plugs to local transportation, it makes their trip more enjoyable and less of a struggle, Walker said.