Even when travel plans proceed without a hitch, engaging a travel advisor elevates your trips. However, in today’s climate of frequent travel disruptions, the expertise of a travel agent is indispensable.
My nephew recently decided to honeymoon in Venice and Greece. While these destinations are idyllic, they are also among the most sought-after in Europe, often fully booked months in advance. My immediate advice was clear: “You need to use a travel agent.” I recommended a top professional, Anne Scully from Embark Beyond, a renowned figure in the industry. Fortunately, he heeded my advice. Seeking recommendations from trusted friends or colleagues remains the optimal way to find the Best Travel Agents, especially as demand surges and some advisors are limiting new clients.
It’s worth noting that many in the industry prefer the term “travel advisor” over “travel agent,” as their role extends beyond booking to encompass comprehensive consultation. While “travel agent” remains widely recognized, seeking a “travel advisor” is a key indicator of a higher level of service.
A decade ago, Forbes published my two-part feature detailing the compelling reasons to utilize a travel agent for all travel types – business, leisure, luxury, and ultra-luxury. The advice resonated deeply with readers, and I continue to receive acknowledgments from those who benefited from it.
The resurgence of travel, particularly bucket-list and aspirational trips fueled by pent-up demand, coincides with significant disruptions within the travel sector. Airlines, airports, and rental car services are strained, and staffing shortages affect hotels, restaurants, and various service providers.
Beth Washington, founder of Getaway Guild, a Virtuoso-affiliated agency in Washington, D.C., emphasizes the increased stakes: “Pre-pandemic, navigating Paris with only a hotel reservation might have been manageable. Now, lacking comprehensive plans can leave you stranded. Advance dining reservations are crucial, and altered capacities and protocols necessitate meticulous planning. Engaging the best travel agents alleviates these burdens, ensuring no detail is overlooked.”
My nephew’s honeymoon experience perfectly illustrates several critical advantages of using travel agents or advisors.
Key Benefits of Using the Best Travel Agents
1. Superior Rooms and Access to Sold-Out Hotels
While the internet offers convenience, many top-tier hotels do not publicly list their premier rooms and suites online, reserving them for valued travel advisors. The best travel agents generate substantial repeat business for these hotels, fostering strong relationships with hotel management. Individual travelers, even those seeking luxury accommodations, typically book infrequently. Hotels prioritize advisors who consistently deliver bookings. These established connections enable top travel agents to secure rooms, even at fully booked properties, and often obtain upgrades for their clients. In the case of my nephew, his advisor secured rooms at a highly sought-after Venice hotel during peak season.
Anthony Goldman, of the Goldman Group, a leading Australian agency, notes a rise in clients transitioning from DIY travel planning: “These travelers realize that direct bookings, even at considerable expense, often result in less desirable rooms because they lack personal connections at the hotel.”
Seeking VIP treatment while traveling? Utilize a travel advisor.
While celebrities and CEOs routinely employ advisors, you too can experience VIP treatment through a skilled advisor. As evidenced by a client testimonial shared by Anne Scully, “The General Manager and staff at the 5-Star property greeted us by name upon arrival and consistently treated us like VIPs… the upgrade and room amenities were exceptional!”
2. Invaluable Expertise, Local Insight, and Connections
Greece emerged early as a popular post-lockdown destination. However, many travelers are only familiar with international hotel chains and a few well-known locations like Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos. My recommended advisor directed my nephew to Crete, the largest Greek island, where they secured accommodations at a top-tier, less-known resort and enjoyed exceptional dining experiences.
Washington from Getaway Guild highlights the growing desire for less crowded destinations: “We identify alternatives that align with our clients’ preferences, such as Malta instead of Italy, or Guatemala instead of Costa Rica. Trust is paramount. Our clients rely on our established trust, which extends to our relationships with global suppliers. Many suppliers faced pandemic-related challenges, and new companies have emerged. Vetting these options independently is difficult. We have nurtured long-term partnerships and understand who maintained their standards throughout the pandemic. This direct experience allows us to confidently recommend reliable and high-quality services.”
A travel advisor shared that the inability to personally assess new hotels during lockdowns posed a significant challenge. Booking unvetted hotels for clients was not an option. This underscores the importance of firsthand local knowledge and research.
Consider villa rentals in Tuscany. A simple online search yields millions of results, making it nearly impossible to discern quality and legitimacy. The best travel agents offer curated selections based on personal vetting and client preferences, saving you countless hours of fruitless searching.
3. Effective Problem Solving and Real-Time Support
On their departure day, the honeymooners’ initial flight was canceled – a common occurrence in today’s travel environment. Contacting airlines directly often results in lengthy wait times and limited assistance. In contrast, proactive travel advisors monitor client itineraries in real-time, often anticipating disruptions and implementing solutions before clients are even aware. In this instance, the advisor swiftly rebooked the flights, ensuring the couple arrived in Venice without delay. Another client noted, “While others queued in long lines due to flight cancellations, our advisor had us rebooked before we even deplaned.”
This immediate support is a compelling reason to utilize a travel agent.
Furthermore, reputable agencies have dedicated air travel departments and support staff. This infrastructure enables them to track flights, secure better fares, and manage upgrades more effectively than individuals, even experienced travelers. Michael Holtz, founder of SmartFlyer, a leading agency, has demonstrated remarkable ticketing expertise, often achieving “miracles” in air travel arrangements.
Pre-pandemic, SmartFlyer secured a Business Class flight to Tokyo and a First Class return for a Japan ski trip for significantly fewer miles than quoted directly by the airline. On another occasion, they found Premium Economy to Hong Kong and Business Class to Bali on Cathay Pacific for less than the airline’s Premium Economy fare for the entire journey.
Holtz emphasizes, “In today’s climate, seasoned travel advisors are crucial. Our relationships enable flexibility when it seems impossible. For instance, if flight delays cause a missed hotel night, we advocate to adjust reservations and find solutions. This is just one example of how we navigate travel unpredictability on your behalf.”
Goldman adds that the current airline chaos is driving former DIY travelers to seek advisors: “Airline hold times can be excessive, while we can often make changes in minutes due to direct access to the Global Distribution System (GDS).”
4. Adaptable Plans and Personalized Service
Towards the end of their honeymoon, my nephew and his wife decided to visit friends on another Greek island. Their advisor seamlessly arranged ferry transport and adjusted their return flights. Managing such changes independently while on vacation is highly inconvenient.
Washington recounts assisting a new client who had partially booked through a credit card program: “While credit card programs offer amenities, they lack the destination expertise of experienced advisors. The client’s feedback highlighted the difference: ‘The guides and drivers were exceptional, a clear improvement over our self-arranged tours. Their assistance with last-minute changes was invaluable.‘ On-the-go adjustments are common now, making a travel advisor’s advocacy a significant asset.”
Holtz notes the surprise of clients transitioning from credit card travel desks: “They are amazed by the personalization offered by luxury travel advisors. Instead of call center agents, SmartFlyer clients work with a dedicated advisor who provides tailored recommendations based on a long-term understanding of their preferences. Furthermore, client reservations are often prioritized for upgrades and amenities.” Switching to a travel agent transforms the travel experience for those seeking premium service.
Personalized attention is key. A client of Scully noted, “With nine of us traveling, each felt the trip was designed specifically for them. We will always use your services!”
Additional Advantages: Saving Money and Exclusive Perks
Contrary to the perception of added expense, travel agents can often save you money. While some may charge fees, they frequently access cheaper fares, particularly for premium travel, and secure valuable extras like room upgrades and amenities.
Virtuoso, a global consortium of leading luxury travel agencies, including SmartFlyer, Embark Beyond, Goldman Group, and Getaway Guild, exemplifies this. Virtuoso agencies are independent but affiliated with a network of top travel suppliers. This collective buying power allows Virtuoso agencies to offer clients exclusive perks at hotels within their network, such as Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, and Ritz-Carlton. These benefits, contractually obligated for Virtuoso bookings, include complimentary daily breakfast, upgrades, early check-in/late check-out, and spa credits, averaging over $500 in value per stay – at the same price or less than booking directly.
Cruise benefits can be even more substantial. Booking cruises without an advisor is often disadvantageous. The cruise industry, characterized by fluctuating inventory and strong loyalty programs, rewards repeat passengers and agencies. Upgrades to suites and other perks like shore excursions and onboard credits are frequently offered to clients booking through travel agents, often at no additional cost.
Travel agents can also secure significant savings on flights, sometimes exceeding thousands of dollars per trip. Receiving more for the same price is a consistent benefit of using travel advisors.
Finding the best travel agents often starts with recommendations. Virtuoso also provides an online “matchmaker” engine to connect travelers with compatible advisors based on travel preferences. Begin with an interview to ensure a good fit. Geographic location is no longer a barrier; advisors can effectively serve clients globally. Prioritize advisors who prioritize understanding your travel style and preferences.
Effective communication and collaboration are crucial. The best travel advisors are proactive, suggesting relevant opportunities based on your interests, such as golf, food, or skiing. For example, if you are a cycling and bourbon enthusiast, an advisor might recommend a new “Cycling the Kentucky Bourbon Trail” trip – opportunities you might otherwise miss.
In conclusion, the benefits of using a travel advisor are numerous, especially in today’s unpredictable travel landscape. Ultimately, the best reason to use a travel agent is to enhance your overall travel experience, ensuring a smoother, more personalized, and more rewarding trip.
As I wrote previously, “They possess superior knowledge and connections, access exclusive benefits, and can match or beat online prices. They plan exceptional trips and provide invaluable support. A top travel agent elevates your status to VIP, saves time and hassle, and potentially even money.”
