The Value of a Travel Advisor

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Price is price is price…or not? We are always getting asked “why should we book with you rather than direct or online”? Well besides the obvious which is support a small business, one that gives back to the local community, personalized service, speaking with an actual person, and having your own personal advocate, there is the added value in using an agent. Sometimes our rates may be a bit more, sometimes not. But I can guarantee you that the level of service you receive from booking through a travel advisor, is 100 times more than you will get from any online travel site. And many times the value added into our prices are enough to make booking with an agent worthwhile regardless of the service.

Here is a recent situation we had with a prospective client and a current client. Prospective client is accustomed to booking travel through big box stores, online and timeshare companies:

10 months ago we booked a family on a cruise. Another family, whom they were traveling with called for a quote. I gave them the current rate and promotion, but also let them know that as an agent, working for them, not the cruise line, I monitor rates and promotions and will always make the price adjustment when it is in their favor. This prospective client felt that the price they had gotten through their means was too good to pass up and booked their cruise with this alternate supplier. Both clients had a balcony cabin with 3 passengers. The cost this prospective client paid was $3650.00. After two price drops, my clients paid $4342.53 for exact same cabin. So, by the looks of things, the prospective client ended up with the “better deal”, right??

Included in prospective clients fare:

        Cruise fare

Taxes

Well, besides the cruise fare and taxes, this was also included in my clients fare:

2 Drink Packages: $892

1 Soda Package: $57.41

Dinner for 3 at a specialty restaurant: $105

Gratuities for the week for the 3 passengers: $271.95

Total added value: $1326.36

If perspective client added all of these inclusions to their trip, the total price to them would be $4976.36. That is $633.83 more than my clients spent. That is over $200 per person more than what my clients paid.

So what do you think? Is the good deal still a “good deal”?