Should Travelers Who Book Direct Get Fairer Fare Prices?

A travel website that does not sell travel but enables travelers to save money on travel as long as they do their own bookings is now offering services to internet travelers. This service is a unique addition to travel options for all travelers comfortable with direct bookings using a new type of travel document called aTopTravelVoucher.

The operators of this service are addressing the issue of travel pricing which often includes a 10 to 25% mark-up to allow for the payment of travel agent commission to either wholesalers or retailers but when travelers buy directly from the provider (accommodations, tours or transportation) they can still pay the price inclusive of commission. To overcome the travel providers’ problems of showing multiple prices for the same products and services on their websites, they can now offer ‘fair fare prices’ by issuing top travel vouchers.

Travel Providers are given marketing and promotion in exchange for their own travel vouchers, equivalent to or more than, the commission that would be payable upon sale of their various travel packages and services, so they still incurr the commission cost on sales but do not have to alienate their distribution chain of wholesalers and retailers by offering a retail, wholesale or ‘direct’ price on their website. This is done by the voucher operator who sells their vouchers to travelers at deep discounts to their redemption values to be used when making direct bookings, hence a travel agent who does not sell travel, only travel vouchers and therefore is not a travel agent.

According to the website information of the voucher operator, they are able to offer the ‘Fair Fare Price’ option because they do not have the normal operating costs of travel agencies such as shops, reservation systems, brochures, advertising and high staffing levels, but can still offer the traveler and the travel provider a service that is fair to all users.

Before purchasing top travel vouchers, travelers are advised to check for quality and availability directly with the website of their travel selection and when satisfied, make a direct booking mentioning the voucher, then purchase the voucher. All vouchers come with a 100% money-back guarantee and in the event that the traveler is not happy with their travel purchase upon completion, the cost of the vouchers will be reimbursed and the matter taken up with the provider.

There are three levels of vouchers, $30, $50 and $100usd achieving various levels of savings but to give an example, at the time of this article there was a voucher valued at 1,500 euros (around $2,000usd) on sale for $100usd. If the vouchers are purchased outside of the USA the price is shown in the relevant currency. All vouchers are issued online and the provider is also sent a duplicate with the traveler details to encourage assistance in any travel itinerary planning of the traveler.

So as not to deter expert travel agents and agencies from participation in this service the site invites them to identify any destination and activity expertise and to also offer vouchers to encourage travelers to seek out expert professional agents. Many retail agents offer their own travel packages and tours and many are comfortable in dealing with new clients from anywhere in the world over the internet, telephone or skype. The site cautions travelers to be careful when selecting ’specialist’ agents who are not necessarily experts and who may have just taken a simple test operated by a tourism office or tour operator promoting their own destination or products.

The travel selections with TopTravelVouchers are limited at present but the site operators are confident in the growth potential, but if you want to see what is available, you can find them at http://www.toptravelsites.com

Top Reasons for Choosing an Online Travel Agency

When you are looking to plan a vacation, there are going to be several things that you want to look at so that you know your vacation is going to be as smooth as possible. One of the most important aspects is going to be deciding on how to plan your trip. Choosing an online travel agency is something that you have probably considered, and when you are planning a vacation it can be a time saver, a money saver, and a lifesaver. Choosing an online travel agency saves time. When you are planning a vacation and attempting to do all of the planning on your own, you are constantly going from site to site scoping out the deals, and figuring out how to fit those deals into your planning. When you use an online travel agency, your time is at least cut in half. You have many tools right at your fingertips, and you should have access to the best deals under the sun.In most cases, you do not have to worry about waiting around to find the right deals either, or looking through all of the various sites to make sure that you are getting the best savings. By booking your flight arrangements, your hotel packages and your entire travel itinerary with an online travel agency, you can avoid unnecessary stress and save valuable time and energy that would have been otherwise wasted hunting around for similar deals an online travel agency offers.You might not be aware of it, but booking all of the parts of your vacation on your own, no matter where you are going, is going to cost some extra money. If you book it on your own, there are booking fees and taxes that you will have to pay on all of the parts of your trip. You can save on these expenses by working with an online travel agency. Also, you will not have to worry about hunting for the best deals. It is going to be almost impossible for you to find the best deals for everything when you are booking a trip on your own. This is just one example why an online travel agency might be the best option when planning a vacation. You should rest assured knowing that you have found the best deals, as the travel agency will search for them and will keep you informed. This means that you never have to worry about wondering if you have made the right choice. Worrying causes stress and you do not want to be stressed out on your vacation. Going through an online travel agency can really be a lifesaver. When you are planning a trip, even one to a country you have been to many times, it is often hard to figure out all of the right rules, traditions, and regulations that might govern your travel. There are news alerts to worry about, and it is always important to know where you should go and maybe where you might want to potentially avoid. An online travel agency can help you find a place to stay which meets your financial needs and expectations. Also, an online travel agency will assist you in planning an itinerary so that you can see everything you wish, and stay as safe as possible. When you are going through an online travel agency they will make you aware of aspects such as these. You will have access to travel safety alerts, and the newest information about where and when it is safe for you to travel. Booking a vacation on your own is not going to give you all of this information. If you research it yourself you may not be too sure if you are receiving the proper information. You can always go back and double check, but the travel agency does this every day, it is their job to keep you out of harm’s way. Therefore, booking through an online travel agency can really be a lifesaver in the end. Please remember your own sanity. Booking a vacation yourself is going to be a lot of work and can become very stressful. With an online travel agency, everything is taken care of for you and it can save you a great deal of time and money. When you are booking a vacation, you have several choices. You can book on your own and take your chances, or you can use an online travel agency and save time, money, and perhaps your sanity as well as your safety. Online travel agencies are easy to find, easy to use, and great for any type of travel, whether your trip is for business or pleasure. When your trip ends up being the travel experience of a lifetime, you will be glad you booked it using an online travel agency.

Benefits of Consulting a Travel Agency for an International Vacation

You might think you are going to need some help with your vacation planning, and if you are taking an international trip, you might not realize how important a travel agency can be. When you are traveling internationally, a travel agency is going to be a major help to you. You’ll be able to plan the perfect trip by using a travel agency, there are certain things that a travel agency can do for you that you just can’t do on your own.Finding Package DealsWhen you are traveling on an international vacation, a package deal can be even more important for you to find because you might be able to save money on things like airfare, hotels, and car rentals. When you travel internationally, you are going to need everything that a package deal has to offer. You are going to need to have some form of transportation, and a car rental or some kind of shuttle pass may be your only option. Therefore, for an international vacation, package deals are probably the best thing for you to do, and the best place to find package deals is by going to a travel agency that you can trust. Dealing with Language BarriersAs you travel internationally, you will most likely be traveling to places where your native language is not that country’s native language. This means that items are going to be called by different names, and you might not be able to just open up a phone book and find a place to rent a car. Travel agencies deal with different languages all the time, and they can do all of the pre-booking for you. They can also gather information about things like your hotel, your car rental, and the attractions you will be going to see. You won’t have to worry about tracking down the translations because your travel agency will have taken care of this already. Dealing with Cultural BarriersTraveling internationally might take you into cultures that are extremely foreign to you. If you are booking these trips on your own, you may not know what appropriate attire is to wear in certain situations, or how you are supposed to act in a different country. Your travel agency can help you with all of these things, and will prepare you for being in a different culture. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable on your vacation, and your travel agency can help you with this as well. They should tell you everything you need to know in order to have a relaxing vacation. Having Support if There Are ProblemsThere’s a good chance you won’t run into any problems while you are traveling internationally, but the thing is that you really never know when problems will come up. If you have a travel agency that has booked your trip, and a ticket gets canceled, or a flight gets missed, your travel agent can help you fix those problems even from back home. Therefore, it is always a good idea to go with a travel agency when you are booking international trips. You never know when you are going to have to get into a different hotel, find a different flight, or completely change the country you are traveling to, and your travel agent can help you with this. Having Refunds Available When things do go wrong, and there are problems with the booking, your travel agent is going to be responsible for that. If you’ve booked on your own, and you make a mistake, you are out of luck. There is really nothing that you can do about it. However, if something goes wrong and your travel agent has booked it for you, you’ll get new travel plans and any refunds that you are entitled to. This means that you have a type of insurance that you can take along with you when you travel. You know that you have the support of the travel agency behind you, and you also do not have to worry about refunds if something does go wrong. Lower Costs and Less HassleWhen you travel internationally, there is always a lot of cost and a lot of hassle associated with your trip. Vacations are expensive, especially international vacations, and making sure that you plan your vacation right can really cause headaches. Therefore, booking an international trip with a travel agency is something that you can do to make sure that you have less cost and less hassle. While you are spending less money, and not stressing about the hassle, you will be able to enjoy the trip even more, and your international vacation will be a greater success for you. By using a travel agency you will be spending money wisely, in all the right places. No unnecessary payments or headaches.

What is Travel Insurance and why is it Necessary?

Just like health and life insurance, travel insurance is one of those products that nobody wants to pay for, but everybody feels that they should have. The chances are high that you will not even need insurance while traveling. However, a good travel insurance policy can make all the difference in case of any unforeseen circumstances and is worth having for the peace of mind alone. Travel insurance covers you in the event of such things as a delayed or canceled trip, death or illness, emergency medical assistance and lost baggage. If you buy an airline ticket, the airline already includes liability for lost or damaged luggage; the amount is usually adequate but it will not cover any irreplaceable or particularly valuable items. If you do not have any type of travel insurance and need to change your travel plans, the cost of changing an airline ticket or cruise itinerary can be substantial, especially on short notice. Also, the costs of emergency medical assistance while traveling overseas are beyond the budget of many individuals and families.Most people take out a policy known as trip cancellation insurance; and as the name suggests, this type of insurance specifically covers the cancellation of your trip, either by yourself or by your airline, cruise line or tour company. The most common reasons for a trip being cancelled are an airline or cruise company going bankrupt, natural disasters or weather delays, strikes or labor disputes. Trip cancellation insurance is easy to get; it can generally be purchased directly from your airline, travel agent or cruise line. It is a good idea to have travel insurance that protects you in the event of your airline going bankrupt. Several of the major airlines have declared bankruptcy recently, and many people are understandably concerned about booking a trip several months ahead on an airline that may not be in business. An airline that declares bankruptcy and ceases operations is required by law to refund your ticket or protect you on another airline that provides a similar flight schedule. However, it is still reassuring to have the additional peace of mind that a travel insurance policy provides.As far as trip protection for cruises is concerned, it is usually a good idea to have the extra coverage. In fact, many cruise lines require you to have adequate travel insurance and may want to see evidence of your coverage, such as a copy of the policy. Many people purchase travel insurance or trip protection insurance if they have a particularly expensive or a once in a lifetime trip, such as a honeymoon. People also tend to take out more travel insurance the further away from home they are traveling to, especially if it is somewhere remote, dangerous or primitive.The cost of travel insurance can vary greatly, depending on the amount of coverage you need, the length of your trip and even whether you plan to participate in what the travel industry describes as hazardous sports, such as diving, skiing and skydiving for example. If you travel frequently throughout the year, you can generally take out a policy that will cover multiple trips; and if you are traveling as part of a group or as a family, some travel insurance policies will cover groups specifically – taking out group coverage can often be significantly less expensive.In general, most comprehensive travel insurance packages that cover everything that a traveler might realistically need tend to cost between 4% and 8% of the overall cost of the trip itself. If you need insurance to cover extras such as emergency medical evacuation, hazardous sports coverage, or emergency reunion services (which covers the costs of flying family members to you if you are hospitalized) your travel insurance will almost certainly cost quite a lot more. If you do not want these extras, then do not feel that you have to pay for them. In most cases, it is entirely up to you.Pre-existing medical conditions can often be an issue when purchasing your travel insurance. Some policies may include pre-existing medical conditions while others may not; it just depends on the policy. Having a pre existing condition generally means you may be paying more for the coverage, but it will not necessarily prevent you from being insured. Make sure you accurately inform your insurance company of any pre-existing conditions, otherwise your insurance company has the right to revoke your policy at a later date. Do not forego travel insurance just to save money. You probably will not need it, but you may just be glad that you took it out.

A Beginners Guide To Purchasing Travel Insurance

If you are planning on traveling overseas, it is a good idea to acquire travel insurance before your departure. In fact, this should be near the top of your list of things to do. Travel insurance, similar to other forms of insurance, will probably not be needed. However, travel insurance, similar to other forms of insurance, can come in handy in the event of anything unforeseen happening while you are traveling.Most travel insurance policies are designed to reimburse you in the event of the most likely scenarios that you might encounter while traveling, such as a delayed or canceled trip, death or illness, as well as the death of a relative at home. Travel insurance also covers the high cost of emergency medical assistance in a foreign country, as well as reimbursement for lost baggage.You can also purchase various extras, including coverage in the event of an accident while participating in extreme sports, such as diving, skiing and skydiving; and coverage that will reimburse you for the cost of any emergency air transportation home, sometimes known as air ambulance. Travel insurance policies do not cover absolutely everything; they generally do not include coverage for expenses due to riots, wars and natural disasters.It can be confusing determining how much travel insurance you need, or even if you actually need any at all. Most credit cards do include some kind of basic travel or trip cancellation insurance, which is usually adequate. If you are buying a plane ticket, your ticket comes with basic liability coverage for lost or delayed baggage, although it does not really cover expensive items. Also, if you are worried about your airline declaring bankruptcy, which is not so out of the question in today’s economic climate, an airline that ceases operations is required by law to protect you on another carrier or refund your ticket.There are also policies designed for families and groups as well as so-called “multi trip insurance”. If you travel regularly throughout the year, it is almost certainly less expensive to purchase a policy that covers multiple trips. Family plans provide coverage for families traveling together and are also nearly always less expensive than buying an individual insurance policy for everyone. In this case, the definition of family may extend to various in-laws, cousins and grandparents.The cost of your travel insurance policy can vary greatly, depending on the length of your trip and just how much coverage you want as well as your destination. Typically, you should expect to pay between 4% and 8% of the overall cost of the trip itself to have adequate travel insurance. If you are traveling to a remote or dangerous country, or to somewhere not recommended by the US department of state, expect to pay more for your travel insurance. Not surprisingly, many people like to have the security of travel insurance or trip protection insurance if they are going on a particularly expensive or a once in a lifetime trip, such as a honeymoon or a vacation to a far away, exotic location such as Fiji or Africa.Travel insurance policies also offer different levels of coverage, known as primary coverage and secondary coverage. If you take out primary coverage, your insurance company will pay you before any other insurance you have takes effect; if you have secondary insurance they will only pay you when you have collected from any other insurance options that are available to you. You also may find that your policy is more expensive if you have what the insurance companies regard as a pre-existing medical condition. Always declare any pre-existing condition when you take out travel insurance, otherwise your policy may be void. This can lead to a very unfortunate experience, of needing insurance and not being able to purchase it at an affordable rate.Once you have decided what kind of travel insurance you might need, purchasing it is simple. The internet has made it easy and convenient to shop around and compare prices and services offered. Most airlines, travel agents and cruise lines will only be too happy to sell you a policy, as they are probably getting a commission from the insurance company. You are not obligated to get your insurance through them – although it is often just as easy to do so.If you are buying travel insurance for the first time and are confused, the best option is probably to purchase a basic policy along with your vacation, cruise or plane ticket. You should not be persuaded into taking out much more insurance than you will realistically need. Make sure that you understand exactly what is included and is not included in your policy; and that you take all the paperwork with you when you travel.

Benefits of Booking First Class through Your Travel Agent

When you travel, you always want to have the best trip possible. Whether you are taking a vacation or you are traveling for business, it is important for you to make sure that you have a great trip. Booking first class through your travel agent can make or break your entire vacation, so be sure that you book your trip properly.First of all, remember that first class includes many things. It includes plane tickets, upgrades on car rentals, even train and ferry tickets if necessary. Each time you travel first class, you allow yourself the pleasure of traveling in style. Bigger seats, more comfort, and great amenities await you when you are traveling first class. Be sure that when booking first class travel arrangements your trip includes all of the above. When booking first class travel arrangements, you should always have greater comfort and satisfaction, as well as a greater selection. However, booking first class tickets on your own is something that can be difficult because there are many facets to a first class ticket. You need to be sure that you have gotten the right type of first class ticket, and you also need to be sure that you are not paying too much for first class when first class might not necessarily mean anything different. For instance, buying first class tickets for some types of passenger trains can mean only that you ride in a slightly different train car. The money that you spend on first class might not be worth it, depending on what first class means according to your particular form of travel.A travel agent is going to be your best bet when it comes to traveling first class. The agent is going to be able to explain to you exactly what first class means for the planes, trains, or car rentals that you may require. Your travel agent has more information about first class travel than anyone else. This means that you are going to have the benefit of really understanding what first class is all about for this particular trip. Another reason that it might be important for you to go through a travel agent when you are booking first class is that often you are not going to be able to book first class travel arrangements entirely on your own. Some airlines, for example, are going to have a limited number of first class seats, and only your travel agent will have access to purchasing those seats for you. If you want those first class tickets, it is important to let the travel agent do the work for you. There are certain perks that your travel agent can get for you that you would never be able to get on your own. Travel agents also have the best rates for first class tickets. When you attempt to buy first class tickets on your own, or when you attempt to upgrade to first class, you will find that you are paying top dollar. There are not too many deals on first class tickets that you will be able to get on your own, because many people who are buying first class tickets are not concerned with deals and low pricing. The airlines know that people will buy first class tickets no matter what, so they don’t bother to cater to you when you are buying these tickets on your own. However, a travel agent has access to deals that you personally don’t have access to. A travel agency knows which airlines will give them a better price for first class tickets, and they know how to get those great deals that will allow you to fly first class at a much cheaper price. The same can be said for other types of first class tickets, like train tickets or car upgrades. Let your travel agent try to work a deal to get you that luxury sedan instead of that little coupe with not much room. No matter what type of first class traveling you wish to do, a travel agent is going to be your best bet for tickets. They’ll help you figure out what you are looking for when it comes to the tickets, and they will certainly give you the best possible pricing on those tickets. If you are interested in traveling first class – travel agencies are the best place for you to go. Travel agents are there for you, let them do their job and they will help you make sure that you get the best deal. Their job is to make sure you have the most comfortable, memorable trip you have ever had. With the travel agencies on your side, you will always have the satisfaction of traveling first class in all of your adventures.

How Purchasing Travel Insurance Can Help You Save Money

Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, purchasing travel insurance can help save you money. It is the same principle that applies when you buy something of value like a car or a classic piece of jewelery. Should anything happen, you do not want to lose your investment in one day. Most likely, you would want that car or ring replaced at full purchase value. If you have purchased air tickets, you would want to protect that investment as well. Who wants to lose money especially in these dire economic times? Ways that Travel Insurance Can Help You Save MoneyThere are at least three situations where purchasing travel insurance can help you save money:• Cancellation of flights – If you or the airline decides to cancel the flights you are booked in, your airfare will be partially covered by travel insurance. Say if you spent $4,500.00 worth of air tickets for you and your family, and suddenly the airline closes down for business or cancels a flight for any reason, you do not lose all of the $4,500.00 because travel insurance will reimburse that amount. Of course the airline will probably refund you the money if it is their fault, but having travel insurance will compensate you for the inconvenience and trouble. Also, if you cancel the flight yourself, travel insurance will get you back your money.• Loss of luggage – When you purchase travel insurance, make sure it covers lost luggage as well. Imagine landing in some foreign country with none of your luggage! While most airlines are efficient about recovering lost luggage and delivering them to your door, don’t rely on that efficiency. There have been instances where luggage was never recovered.• Medical problems – You may be in perfect health when you leave for vacation but you increase the likelihood of getting exposed to viruses or bacteria either in the plane or in your country of destination. There’s also the chance that you could accidentally drink the local drinking water or eat contaminated food. Medical visits in some foreign countries can cost an arm and a leg so you wouldn’t want to spend all your vacation money on doctor’s visits! If you have travel insurance that covers expenses for brief hospitalizations, medicine and emergency situations, think about how much all these could add up if you didn’t have travel insurance.Tips for Purchasing Travel Insurance• Ask your insurance provider – If you have an insurance company that insures your car, house and other property, they may also offer travel insurance or they may work with a partner or affiliate who does. Because you are an established customer, they may offer you travel insurance at lower rates. It doesn’t hurt to ask. In fact, in some instances, you may be better off going with your existing insurer than purchase separate insurance from the travel agent who books your flight.• Go for the whole nine yards – What this means is if you are traveling with the family, you might be better off buying family travel insurance instead of separate insurance policies. It also means that because traveling with children entails more risk than traveling alone, you may want to consider travel insurance that offers comprehensive coverage; that is, plane fares, luggage, and health and medical visits.• Multi-trip travel insurance – If you make more than one trip every year, you might be better off purchasing an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy. This would save you the hassle of purchasing travel insurance several times during the year. Some travel insurance companies will usually sell you a 12-month package that is renewable yearly and this is a huge convenience if you travel a lot during any given 12-month period. The single biggest advantage of buying an annual policy is that you don’t need to worry about arranging for emergency medical coverage.• Compare packages and prices – As for most major ticket items, it pays to shop around for insurance. If you know you will be travelling six months from now, don’t wait until the month before your travel date to do some bargain hunting. Start now so that you are not rushed about reading the fine print and you can make a more informed decision about the kind of travel insurance that is ideal for your situation.Remember to do the cost analysis if you are ever tempted to skip travel insurance. Even if your ticket is discounted, say you paid $600.00 to go to the Caribbean. Travel insurance will cost about $85.00 to $100.00. If you are forced to cancel your trip, you lose $600.00 (restricted and discounted tickets are usually non-refundable or non-transferrable) versus the $100.00 you paid if you had purchased travel insurance. If you want to save money, put travel insurance on the top of your list.

Reasons to Utilize a Travel Agent when Planning a Vacation

Utilizing the services of a travel agent to plan your next vacation is something that you might want to consider. It is usually a good idea to proceed with caution when dealing with money. However, when planning out a vacation, which has many different variables which can impact the amount you spend, you do not want to leave anything to chance. Here are some reasons why working with a travel agent to plan your vacation is a good idea.Reason #1: Your travel agent has extensive knowledge about trip planningWhen you’re planning a vacation, the process can become pretty stressful. In many cases, you are not sure what the weather conditions will be like when you arrive at your destination, and it can be difficult to find your way around if you are not familiar with your surroundings. Also, in many cases, once you have finally settled, you are not sure which activities and sights to experience! A travel agent can help you navigate through all of these obstacles.If you’re the type of person who enjoys simply choosing a destination, getting there, and letting the rest take care of itself, then planning your trip isn’t necessarily difficult. But if you prefer to have your itinerary carefully laid out before you head off, then a good travel agent can really save you some time and unnecessary frustration. Your travel agent can help you choose when to fly, find a comfortable hotel within your budget, plan your itinerary for you, and provide you with up-to-date information about travel documents, vaccinations, and anything else you might need to travel to your chosen destination. With the help of your travel agent, planning your trip should be much easier and less stressful, leaving you free to enjoy yourself that much more.Reason #2: Your travel agent can help you save moneyTypically, working with a travel agent won’t cost you any more than if you had planned the trip yourself. In fact, you are more likely to save money than to spend more money. Typically, travel agents have access to cheaper flights, lower hotel prices, and more, because they deal in bulk, rather than just booking one trip (as you would do if you booked the trip yourself). They have access to bulk discounts, which means that even with their commission added on you will rarely pay any more than if you had booked the trip yourself. You will also save yourself the hassle of planning and booking the trip alone.A good travel agent can help you save money. They know when the cheapest times to fly are, when hotel off-peak seasons start, how to get bulk flight deals, and other tricks of the trade that can help you get more for your money. Reason #3: Your travel agent is familiar with your destinationIf you are traveling to an exotic or obscure location which you have never visited before, then working with a knowledgeable and experienced travel agent is a must. Your travel agent can help you find accommodations, events and activities, and provide you with tips on traveling safely. If you manage to hit the jackpot and find a travel agent who has actually visited your destination, they might also be able to tell you about those little bonuses that most people won’t know about. Places such as the weekend markets, where to find authentic souvenirs, and the best restaurants, all the things that will make your trip even more enjoyable.Reason #4: Your travel agent can help you get the vacation you really wantFrom rock-climbing in the Swiss Alps to a relaxing beach vacation in Spain, there are vacations to suit every requirement and personality type. With so many choices available in terms of destinations and activities, it’s not always easy to know what you want.What do you want out of your vacation, and do you know how to achieve it? Your travel agent definitely does, and can use his or her experience and knowledge to make sure you get the trip you really want. A good travel agent will quickly find out exactly what you want out of your trip, and will go the extra mile to make sure everything, from flights, hotels, and activities, meets your needs.Reason #5: It just makes senseWorking with a travel agent won’t cost you any more than booking the trip yourself, and you may even save money. Also, a travel agent can save you a lot of time and headaches, and you may even find that a knowledgeable agent will be able to help you access some of the best and most exclusive events and activities at your destination, which you might not have known about without the help of your travel agent.Really, it just makes good sense to plan your vacation with the help of a travel agent. With all of these important factors coming into play when you book your next trip, there’s definitely no good reason not to use a travel agent!

Top 5 Reasons an Online Travel Agency can Save You Money

There are more than five reasons an online travel agency can save you money but the top five is a great start. Global statistics are pointing to the trend that online shopping for travel deals is way ahead of online shopping for books, electronics and clothing. For example, in Canada, about 45% of Canadians in 2007 looked for an online travel agency to book their travel, that’s a 9% increase from 2005 reports.

Here are the top five reasons why an online travel agency can save you money:

1. No overhead – many online travel agencies don’t have a physical location where they have to purchase furniture, supplies, and hire staff. In fact, many online travel agents operate from the comfort of their homes. All they need is a high speed Internet connection and access to global reservations systems. So the money they save on rent, utilities, personnel and other logistics constitute savings they can pass on to their customers. By booking online, you also save on trips to and from a travel agency in your area. You not only save money, you save precious time and gas.

2. Comparison shopping – by searching for travel deals online, you have the luxury of comparing prices provided by various online travel agencies. The idea is to read the fine print. You can compare them on the basis of:

· Actual fares and discounts

· Package deals

· Coupons and freebies

· Travel insurance

· Group discounts

· Last minute bookings

· Variety of travel deals (do they specialize in a particular country or to a particular age group?)

· Senior citizens’ deals

· Hotels and meals and transportation

· Tour guides

· Penalties for cancellations

That’s the beauty of online shopping. You’re not scampering from one travel office to another just to get an idea on prices. You can compare online deals and then narrow down your choices to three, ten or fifteen. If you have time on your hands, you can really save yourself some money by doing diligent research.

3. Ticket consolidation – many online travel agencies have access to a database of discounted tickets. Sometimes when they have excess inventory, they are forced to get rid of as many tickets to make way for the next travel season where they can purchase in bulk. Travel agents usually share information on discount tickets that are still available for sale, and prices are reduced on these tickets for “selloff.”

Air travel consolidators allow customers to compare airfares from as many airlines as possible for a specific route and for a specific time period. Not only can you save money on your ticket, but you can also find the best flight that suits your schedule best.

4. Wide network of travel-related services – online travel agents, through frequent bookings and constant research have a wealth of information that some travel agents with no online presence don’t have. Because of their ability to network rapidly with various people who work in hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, railway and restaurants, online travel agents are able to find the best deals for you.

The name of the game is called “relationship building.” Through frequent contact, online travel agents can squeeze out more discounts and free coupons from tour operators and hospitality establishments like hotels and restaurants. Instead of spending $10.00 for your lunch while travelling, your agent can offer you a meal ticket in exchange for your business, not to mention the fare discounts they are also able to offer.

5. One-stop shopping – travel writers know about the “clout” of travel agents. When it comes to flight arrangements, rental cars, tour excursions, cruise information and accommodation, and hotels, travel agents have a lot of clout. They can provide a complete travel package, including shuttle service to and from the airport and even the services of a personal tour guide if requested. By doing all your travel and travel-related shopping with a reputable online travel agency, there is no telling how much you can get done within a short amount of time.

Note that your online travel agent has more buying power than individual passengers when it comes to airline seats, hotel accommodation or cabin space in the yacht.

Advantages of Working With a Travel Agency

If you are interested in booking a vacation, you have two main choices. You can do the work yourself, or you can choose to work with a travel agent. Although many people think they will save time and money by doing the work themselves, it is the opposite that is usually true. The next time you plan a vacation, you should consider the following benefits to working with a travel agent.

Travel agents know the best days to travel.

When working with a travel agent, you are dealing with someone who not only books dozens (or even hundreds) of vacations every year, but also someone who probably travels often him or herself. Travel agents understand the best days to travel from a budget perspective, as well as from a time perspective. If your dates are flexible, a travel agent can help you find the cheapest, most hassle-free options.

Save money on flights, hotels, and other types of reservations.

Almost all travel companies offer group rates. The problem is, when you travel with your family, you likely will not have enough people to get that group discount, even if you travel with a big family. With a travel agent, you will get the discount because they buy tickets in bulk. You may also get a discount simply because travel professionals get special discounts through professional affiliations.

It takes virtually no work when you let a travel agent plan your vacation for you.

Although you should still do a little research in order to know what questions to ask your travel agent and to make wise decisions on your travel options, you should have to spend little or no time dealing with the details of final booking and other preparations. You will save hours and hours of time!

Travel agents can answer travel document questions.

Laws regarding visas and passports are constantly changing. Although you typically still have to go through the application process yourself, your travel agent can make sure that you understand important deadlines and answer your logistical questions.

You might get insider perks with travel agents.

Some vacation options and travel perks might only be available for people who book with a travel agent. In short, travel agents know the right questions to ask. For example, if you are a newlywed and book through a travel agent, they might be able to get you a honeymoon suite for the same price as a regular room. Travel agents know how to reap the most benefits when booking vacations.

Travel agents can answer questions about your destination.

Chances are that your travel agent (or someone in his or her office) has been to most of the common travel destinations. That means that they should be able to answer your questions about the vacation. From the best restaurants to what to expect when traveling around town on public transportation, travel agents know how to answer your vacation questions.

Travel agents can recommend travel options that are more affordable.

One of the most common reasons for people not traveling more often is that travel is expensive. You might want to travel to a foreign tropical island paradise, for example, on a shoestring budget. Your travel agent can suggest a domestic sunny location, which gives you longer vacation options on your budget.

Kid-friendly travel is much easier with using a travel agent.

There are many challenges to traveling with children, especially young children. Travel agents can help you to deal with these problems. Remember, they book trips for families all of the time. Along the same lines, they can also help solve problems traveling with pets, senior citizens, or disabled individuals.

When your travel plans change, a travel agent can help you deal with these problems.

Things do not always go as planned. When this happens and you have reserved the various portions of your trip by yourself, you have dozens of calls to make, changing dates and trying to save as much money as possible. When working with a travel agent, you only have one call to make. Better yet, the travel agent might be able to get your dates of travel changed or get you a partial refund whereas alone, you might have simply lost the money.

You have a single bill to pay with a travel agent.

Instead of making a ton of small purchases with multiple receipts, confirmation and reservation numbers, you will have one big bill to pay. Better yet, most travel agents have payment plans, in which you pay a certain amount each month until your date of travel. They might even have financing plans to make things easier. With a travel agent, vacations can be stress-free from a financial perspective, on top of all of the planning perks.

Using a travel agent, online or in-person, to plan and reserve your next vacation has many advantages over doing it yourself. You do not have to go it alone to save time and money. In fact, not using a travel agent can cost you more dollars and headache than you would have had you chosen the services of an experienced travel agent.