With innumerable online tools for researching and booking travel at our fingertips, we often forget the importance of a travel advisor’s role in ensuring a seamless, worry free trip. Sure, we can research destinations for hours to sort out the best things to see and do. We can book hotels, vacation rentals and resorts with a click of the enter key. Then, we can spend more valuable hours seeking local tours and VIP experiences. And when our travel day arrives, we can show up ready to depart.
But what if something goes wrong? What if your seats on the flight have been reassigned? Even worse, what if the airline abruptly files for bankruptcy leaving you and other passengers stranded? Add COVID disruptions into this mix and you may decide never to leave home again without consulting a travel advisor.
These are just a few of the many nightmare scenarios travelers routinely face. Of course, travel advisors aren’t just problem solvers. Good travel advisors have connections in the industry and those contacts help transform a good trip into a spectacular journey. Here are five of the many reasons to use a travel advisor next time you’re planning a trip.
Industry Insider Tips
Now more than ever, the travel industry changes daily. Countries open and close borders based on the latest COVID headlines. Deciphering the quarantine and testing requirements around the world can defeat even the most determined researcher. Trust me, I’ve tried.
As eager travelers we desperately need insider intel to manage our expectations. Should we book that long anticipated African safari in 2021 or should we wait until 2022? Will cruises return to the seas and rivers this year or next? While your advisor cannot predict the future, the insider information he’s privy to aids significantly when it comes to planning and booking. Besides, who has time to keep up with all this craziness?
Personalized Experiences
A good travel advisor invests time in getting to know you. That investment yields a wealth of knowledge about your personal travel style and preferences. If indulging in the best local cuisine whets your appetite, your advisor will recommend restaurants and even secure reservations on your behalf. If adventure gets your blood pumping, your advisor will hook you up with all the adrenaline enhancing experiences your heart can handle. Your travel advisor also makes sure you get the seats you prefer on the flight, the type of lodging you desire and access to tours, shows or experiences that interest you.
Connections Bring Results
Typically, I myself spend a fair amount of time flying between New York and Scandinavia. Those overnight flights generally arrive about 7:00 AM which is 1:00 AM to me. All I want those first few hours is a hot shower and a nap. When I can secure early check-in upon arrival at my hotel, my trips gets off to a much better start. When I book my own hotel, there are no guarantees. Sometimes I’m lucky. Other times I’m not and am forced to abruptly start my sightseeing afflicted with fatigue.
Travel advisors book hundreds of rooms at properties all over the world. That repeat business puts them in the good graces of hotel and resort general managers. As a result, a request for early check-in coming from a travel advisor is more likely to be accommodated than one coming from an individual the GM doesn’t know. Those connections also come in handy for special requests like adjoining rooms and late departures.
Ever tried to book a last-minute luxury hotel room in Paris during Fashion Week? Unless you’re a designer or fashion influencer, it’s likely you weren’t successful. On the contrary, your travel advisor could have been able to work this out for you. Hotels typically keep emergency inventory for favorite clients. Chances are your travel advisor’s name is on that list. The same holds true for a coveted reservation at one of the best restaurants and premium seats at the most popular shows.
Problem Solving Skills
Sometimes weather events cannot be avoided. While you may be ready to take-off, Mother Nature has other ideas. Other problems pop up now and then too. From civil unrest to massive wildfires to labor strikes and volcanic eruptions, stuff happens and flights get cancelled. Let’s face it, no one wants to spend the night at the airport—even in the most luxurious of airline club rooms.
Hassles are inevitable when a flight (or a cruise) gets cancelled. But the people who get rebooked first are usually the ones using a travel advisor. Rather than becoming part of the masses scrambling to reschedule flights or make alternate transportation arrangements, kick back, order a drink and let your travel advisor take care of the rest.
VIP Experiences
In today’s environment, luxury travel means more than staying in a coveted 5-star resort; it’s all about one-of-a-kind experiences. A good travel advisor invests time in building relationships within the destinations they serve. As a result, your advisor provides access to people, places and adventures you’ve likely never considered. Additional perks obtainable through your advisor include upgrades, unexpected gifts, food and beverage credits.
One of the best ways to secure coveted bonuses is through the Virtuoso network. This group of top tier travel agencies specializing in the luxury realm includes TravelEdge. Through TravelEdge, independent agencies leverage the extensive partnerships of the Virtuoso brand to give you the access and VIP perks you deserve. Turn every trip into a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Affiliates of the TravelEdge network, TravelSquire Advisors are ready to help you plan your next big adventure. Visit www.travelsquireadvisors.com