10 Reasons Travelers Still Need a Travel Agent

by Anna Gleksman / November 23, 2015

In the age of technology, booking trips online is an easy choice for travelers. And yet the business of travel agents in the United States soared last year—ASTA reported that more of half of all agents saw an increase in clients, transactions, and revenue in 2014 over 2013, and their profits are expected to grow 12% in 2015

Here are 10 reasons that help explain why that is, from a customer’s perspective.

1. Accountability.

A travel agent’s job is on the line with every trip. Travel agents have a boss to answer to—or they are the boss—and they are a real person clients can speak with to work things out.

2. Knowledge.

Travel agents have been doing the job for years and know all the ins and outs. Traveling to Europe for the first time? Instead of deciding where to go based on anonymous comments on a website, speak to someone who does this for a living and knows what they’re talking about.  

3. More for your money.

When booking an expensive trip, travelers want to see everything and experience the best a city has to offer. A travel agent can ensure travelers dollars go a long way—and make sure they don’t miss that amazing restaurant down the street, or the special event going on the day their in town.  A travel agent knows where to go and when.

4. Setting an Itinerary.

While some people enjoy “just winging it,” a travel agent can give a clear-cut schedule of what will be happening on a day-to-day basis, and keep clear records of everything that is included in the trip.

5. Budgeting.  

A travel agent can help map out exactly how much a trip will cost, so there are no surprises. Does that excursion on Monday include lunch, for example, or do you have to buy your own? Does it pay to take the drinks package on the cruise ship, or pay for the excursions in advance? A travel agent can guide you and save you money.

6. Insurance.

Things happen. A travel agent can offer insurance in a number of ways, from guaranteeing that the hotel is safe and the company running the excursion won’t rob a traveler, to actually advising on which insurance policies are needed, from trip cancellation to medical emergencies. They also insure that travelers will have the correct travel documents, so they don’t end up missing their plane or cruise. And when things do go wrong, travel agents have the resources and the contacts to get travelers to the head of the line.

7. Resources.

At the touch of travel agents’ fingertips they have resources a traveler simply does not. Yes, we have the internet, but there is so much still left unknown, especially in places that are undiscovered.

8. Exclusivity.

Let’s face it, we all want to be a little bit different. A travel agent knows the new destinations and the new places in them —and often they can get their client in. Through their partners, they also often get freebies for their customers that range from a free drink to an exclusive admission to a hot event.

9.  Time savings. 

Spending hours and weeks researching the perfect trip can take up a ton of time during a busy work week. A travel agent will spend a little time getting to know their client and what their are looking for, and then put together an entire vacation customized for them.

10.  Leverage.

Can’t book a room at a place you really want? Had a last minute addition to a trip but all the rooms are booked? No problem. Travel agents spend years developing long-term relationships, and travel companies understand how important their repeat business is. Travel agents have leverage with most hotel companies and resorts, and they are more likely to get what they want than a single consumer.

In short, if you have never visited a travel agent, you are missing out on a chance to save time and hassles and aggravation—and often, money as well.

Canadians no longer need to pay $132 fee to enter Chile

OTTAWA — Canadian citizens no longer require a visitor visa to enter Chile.  Canadian visitors and business people can now stay for up to six months visa free, which is consistent with all other visa-exempt travellers. The old ‘reciprocity fee’ of $132 the Canadian and Chilean visitors had to pay at each other’s incoming airport was also cancelled.
The new policy could save a Canadian family of four nearly $600 when travelling to South America.  In 2013, 10,500 Chilean citizens were issued a visa to visit Canada and approximately 31,000 Canadians visited Chile during the same period.  The change came about when a recent visa policy review found that while meets Canada’s criteria for a visa exemption.

BE PREPARED FOR HURRICANES

The federal government is urging Canadians to be well prepared when travelling to hurricane-prone areas during the Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts until late November. Canadians travelling to a hurricane-prone destination are encouraged to visit travel.gc.ca and read up on the Government of Canada’s travel advice and advisories pages before leaving for up-to-date information on their destination; register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service so that the Government of Canada can contact and assist them if necessary; and know how to contact the Canadian government office nearest their destination. The Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa is also available 24/7 for emergency consular services and can be reached by e-mail at sos@international.gc.ca.
▶www.travel.gc.ca

Infants not allowed in Pod Seats in Air Canada Executive Class

Just heard of a very unusual case with an infant not being allowed in Air Canada International Business Class – Pod Seat. Want to pass along the info for your information as even AC help desk was not aware of this ruling.  I am sure other airlines have a similar policy when it comes to Pod Seats in their business class.

Please review the attached info for Infants in Business Class on Air Canada.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/before/youngtravellers/infant-child.html

TRAVELLERS WANT FREE WIFI & BREAKFAST

Hotels.com Survey WiFi is a must in-room, breakfast is the most sought after hotel amenity. Staying connected remains top priority for global travellers when it comes to choosing their ideal hotel amenities. Hotels.com reveals that free WiFi has been voted as the most important in-room amenity and third most desired when choosing a hotel.
The latest survey asked travellers to rank 33 different amenities and although the demand for WiFi was strong, complimentary breakfast was first choice amongst travellers as an overall hotel amenity, followed by hotel restaurant.
The top 10 amenities chosen for the ideal hotel also included parking, smoke-free areas and coffee and tea available in the hotel lobby upon arrival.  At the other end of the scale were amenities voted least important, including child-friendly amenities, pet-friendly services and hair salons.
Conference centres and meeting rooms were also seen to be the least important amenities, even though over a third of respondents were business travellers. When asked for the most important amenity found inside the hotel room, although free WiFi came out on top, a bathroom with a shower and overall room size came in at second and third places, respectively.  Childcare in the room was voted least important.

Aer Lingus Toronto to Dublin Year Round Service Started

The launch of their inaugural flight from Toronto to Dublin and the first operation to Dublin of the Boeing B757 aircraft recently added to their transatlantic fleet. The new service will operate year-round with a daily service between Toronto and Dublin during the summer season and up to four weekly services operating during the winter. This is fourth transatlantic route launch in recent months and forms part of Aer Lingus’ significant transatlantic growth plan in 2014.

The 2014 growth plan includes:
• New routes from Toronto to Dublin
• The addition of three Boeing 757 aircraft to the long haul fleet

Aer Lingus customers will have the option to connect via Toronto from eight key cities within Canada including Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary to Dublin as well as onwards connections to over twenty cities
in UK and Europe. To support the operation of the new routes from Toronto and from New York and Boston to Shannon, Aer Lingus has wet leased three Boeing 757 aircraft from ASL Aviation Group. The aircraft are configured with an economy and business class cabin. Business travellers will continue to enjoy the same great level of service; with gourmet meals, sleeper seats and an extensive in-flight entertainment selection

Swiss Air becomes the world’s first certificated “allergy-friendly” airline

Swiss International Air Lines will be introducing a number of ground and inflight products from May onwards that are specifically designed to enhance the air travel experience for allergy sufferers. These innovations will include new alternative (lactose- and gluten-free) food and drinks, along with changes to the cabin interior. SWISS has teamed up with the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation1 (ECARF) to offer its guests an even more individualized service product that is particularly geared to travellers with allergies. The new product, which will be introduced from the beginning of May onwards, will see lactose and gluten- free food and beverage alternatives (such as lactose-free coffee cream and a lactose-free version of the popular SWISS chocolate bar) offered as standard on all SWISS flights.
Depending on the length of the flight, SWISS guests with allergies or other intolerances may further request special snacks (candy bars, yoghurt or cakes) that pay due and full regard to their condition. Alternative dairy and bread products will also be available in all SWISS Lounges in Switzerland. And, as at present, allergy sufferers will be able to order special meals tailored to their needs in all seating classes on long-haul services and in Business Class within Europe up to 24 hours before their scheduled departure.
SWISS is making allergy-friendly modifications to its cabins, too. First and Business Class passengers will now be offered pillows stuffed with synthetic materials as an alternative to the down-filled version. SWISS is also ceasing its use in the cabin of decorative flowers and air fresheners that might cause nose and throat irritations; and the on-board toilets will now feature soaps that are particularly gentle on the skin.
SWISS is the first airline in the world to meet the ECARF criteria for ‘allergy-friendly’ airlines. As a result, SWISS can now place the ECARF seal of approval on its service product range.