How To Choose The Best Travel Agency in Vancouver
The world of travel agencies can be akin to hell if you do not select the right one for you from the get-go. Thankfully, choosing the right travel agency Vancouver is not all that difficult if you know what to look for.
There are a few indicators that can help you with finding the right travel agency Vancouver and in that capacity, a good travel agent.
- If an agency is certified by an organization such as the American Society of Travel Agents or a similar outfit, or maybe even a government seal of approval, it is more likely that your voice will be heard and your needs met. Many travelers can attest to this. Disclaimer: While it is evidence of professionalism, an approval sign by a competent authority is in no way a guarantee that the agency will meet your expectations, but it is a good start.
- Note whether your travel agent Vancouver responds swiftly to your likes and dislikes. If you have a preferred time for flying in an airplane and inform your agent of it, observe their reaction, i.e. whether they insist on there being nothing else for you or if they look for alternatives to suit your needs better. If your agent is enthusiastic about getting you what you want and jumps to accommodate your requests and demands while maintaining a professional relationship and catering to your travel needs, it is best to stick with them now and for the future.
- Do a cost-benefit analysis into fares of your agent and their travel agencies and online booking services, to see if the agent is worth it. The more you know about your options, the more informed you are to make a decision.
As with everything, there is a right time to use a travel agent Vancouver. Most experienced travelers would recommend that you use a travel agency in the following instances:
- Group Trips — Where there many people involved, it is challenging to coordinate flights and find affordable accommodation, so it is better to hand the task over to a Vancouver travel agency. Make sure to provide your budgetary restrictions, dates and times etc. and be clear and precise in doing so.
- Family trips — Family trips are necessarily group trips, albeit the group may be a bit smaller in size. Travel agents can book flights with seats close together, with few transits and find child-friendly transport and accommodation for you.
- Package Deals — If you are in the market for finding an exciting hotel deal that will not break your bank, you are much better off asking a travel agent to find one for you. This is because your agent can find hotels that you’ve never even heard of, for a great price.
- Frequent Flyers — If you are somebody that has to travel around the work continuously, it is best to contact a trusted travel agency to help you out. This will cut down your personal research time and have everything ready for you in no time.
- New Places — When travelling to a new destination, mainly an advertised exotic venture, it is best to get your Vancouver travel agent to check the place out for you. Sometimes, hotels that claim to be the newest fascinating experience could be scamming you or just not up to standard, and a travel agency would be better at figuring that out.
- When Time Is Of The Essence — When you have no time to plan your trip, it is a great idea to have a Vancouver travel agency handle everything for you.
- When Your Travel Agent Is Your Friend — If you have a relationship with your travel agent, then it almost goes without saying that you utilize their services when you need to travel.
There are a few things that you should ask your travel agent, and their quick and unrestrained response to the following is indicative of their professionalism.
- Whether they apply a surcharge to your purchase and the size of that surcharge is something to keep an eye out for — anything too extravagant is a red flag.
- Whether the price they’re quoting you is inclusive of taxes and other necessary charges should be known — frequently, the price quoted and charged do not match owing to the agent’s neglect in mentioning such fees to you.
- Whether the hotel has incentivized them they’ve recommended to you, in any way — this will alert you to possible ulterior motives or bias.
- Whether there are airlines that do not appear in their booking systems — some affordable airlines may not be visible for general reservations, and good agents will know when to look into these where appropriate.
- Whether they routinely work with vacation package companies — this could mean that they could broker you a vacation deal that would end up costing less than your flight in total.
As with any service, there are conflicts of interest that may direct you to your misfortune. When it comes to travel agencies, you may find that incentive programs by certain airlines may be dictating how you go — agents may be stirring those airlines your way, even if they are not the most affordable. This will become a problem if your agents sell you out for a buck. Similarly, what are called “familiarization trips” for agents, where they are taken to resorts on the tab of the travel agency, could result in agents pandering to their own interests as opposed to your own, and your travel agent friend may be boasting about a cheap trip to the Bahamas that will definitely cost you more. The “override” system of agents getting a commission increase or other incentive for a minimum dollar amount of reservations for an airline, rental car company. Could also mean that you get the more expensive deal out of the bargain.
While these things are part and parcel of a travel agent’s life and therefore, must be policed by you, the pros of a travel agent method of booking a trip seem far outweigh the cons. That being said, you do not always have to use a travel agent; when you’re travelling somewhere routinely, where you’re going somewhere based on word of mouth etc. you can trust your skills. You just have to know where to draw the line, where to cut ties and where to ask questions.
A travel agent can save you a ton of money on your trip, so using one is advisable, provided you put them through a thorough vetting process first.
