Whether you and your family are looking for some relaxing winter sun this year or even planning ahead for next summer’s holiday – you may be considering the pros and cons of booking via a travel agency.
Holiday bookings via travel agencies have increased over the last couple of years with the uncertainty around pandemic restrictions. However, there are also a number of additional benefits of booking with a travel agent rather than doing it all yourself.
Read on to find out more!
What Is a Travel Agency?
A travel agency is a company that specialises in booking travel for customers.
A great travel agency such as TUI can help customers find the best deal on the travel dates and locations that the customer chooses and can provide recommendations.
What Are the Benefits of Booking A Trip via A Travel Agency?
Expertise & Knowledge
Travel agencies have a much greater wealth of knowledge and expertise when booking a trip than the average person. This is because they are trained to understand all the different types of travel and can help you plan the perfect holiday.
By booking via a travel agency, you can gain benefits from this expertise and knowledge. Some online travel agents such as Ebookers even have dedicated support sections on their website, offering advice and guides for your next trip.
They also have access to current research and can relay important details about your destination that you may not have known or considered.
Convenience
A travel agency can be a super convenient way to book a trip. They can provide fully researched and suggested destinations and accommodations, as well as all the necessary details for planning your trip.
They aim to save you time by providing all the information you need in one place. Online travel booking platforms such as the extremely popular Booking.com make organising trips online easy by providing a centralised platform for searching for flights, hotels, and hire cars. They also allow you to compare prices between different airlines and hotels, all in one place.
Access to Deals & Discounts
Travel agencies have access to deals and discounts because of their contracts with preferred partners.
By booking via a travel agency such as On The Beach, you can land great deals on package holidays, especially with our discount codes. Or you can even get discounts for things like hire cars or transfers.
If you check out or discount codes, then you may even be able to bag extra discount off your next holiday, too!
Personalised Service
When you book a trip through a travel agency, you, of course, benefit from the personalised service that they can provide which can often be priceless.
Well-established travel agencies such as Expendia can hand-pick details of the trip based on your preferences, saving you time and money. And they have connections which can help with accommodating special requests.
Travel agents are professionals who genuinely love travel and want you to have the best experience possible.
Stress-free Planning
Booking a holiday with a travel agency means they take care of all the details for you. This includes booking your flights, and hotels, and hiring cars. Even if you want a stress-free, last-minute long weekend away – the guys over at LastMinute.com will have you covered!
They can also help with any unexpected issues that come up during your trip so that you can sit back and relax. For example, if your flight is cancelled, they will work to find you a new one. This can save you a lot of time and stress.
Access to Exclusive Experiences
Travel agencies have access to exclusive experiences that can only be accessed through them.
For example, they often have a strong network of partnerships with hotels and other operators, so can often guarantee exclusive experiences in your resort. This could be anything from a discounted scuba diving or fishing trip to an all-inclusive bar crawl!
If exclusivity is your thing, be sure to check out our range of discount codes for Secret Escapes, where you can bag amazing deals on some of the most luxurious hotels.
Support During Travel
A travel agent can support you during your trip in many ways. They can provide more personal support than simply looking up information on the Internet.
They can help you with last-minute changes and problems that may arise during your trip. The customer service is top-notch, and there's always someone available to help in case of a crisis. Companies such as Opodo offer a live chat service directly in their app to provide support 24/7.
Travel agencies can provide support for customers during their trip by solving problems quickly and providing information about the destination, flight schedules, and more.
Fully Covered for Cancellations
When you book a flight and hotel through a travel agency, you are typically fully covered for cancellations as most travel agents such as Easy Jet are ATOL protected.
This means that if you need to cancel your trip for any reason, the travel agency will either refund your money or provide you with a credit that can be used for future travel.
Some travel agencies may charge additional fees for cancellations, so it's important to check with the agency before booking.
Loyalty Points
When booking via a travel agency, you often have the opportunity to gain access to exclusive discounts or build up loyalty points.
For example, by using our discount codes for Agoda, you could become a VIP member to gain extra discounts, free perks, and more.
