17 Apr Never Worked With A Travel Agent? Here’s What to Expect.
If you’re planning a honeymoon or destination wedding, chances are you may have considered using a travel agent. But if you’ve never used a travel agent before, you may not have any idea what to expect. You may have heard that travel agents charge higher prices than online sites, charge a lot of service fees, or that we’re on the list of endangered species right under bald eagles and white rhinos. While I can’t speak for all agencies, I can tell you a little bit about what to expect when working with us.
How does the planning process work? It all starts with a free consultation. This allows us to get a handle on what you like, what you don’t like, and which of our agents would best be of service to you. We match you with the agent who has the most experience with the destinations on your wish list. Once the consultation has been completed, then we will start putting together options.
Why can’t you just give me a price? Because there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all honeymoon. And just because something is the right price, doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you! So in order to save you a lot of time and frustration, we start with the consultation before we start digging into options and pricing.
How much do your packages cost? Each of our packages is individually created based on your wish list and budget. Our package rates are typically the same or better than what you see online.
How do you get paid? There a dozens of different business models in our industry. Some agents charge a flat fee. Some agents charge a fee based on the complexity of the trip. Some agents mark up the overall price. Our agency is compensated by the hotels after our clients have completed their trip. It’s not unusual for an agency like ours to ask for a “plan to go” fee from you before starting the work, which protects their time. Plan to go fees are typically applied to your final payment. And if the agent doesn’t believe their services are valuable enough to charge for, do you really want them working for you?
Do you really have a mini-bar in your office? Yes, and it’s full of fancy imported beer and wine that doesn’t come out of a box. Stop by!