If you are anything like me, you probably haven’t used a travel agent in a decade or so. It seems so archaic, am I right? I was definitely more of a click, book, print kind of gal, not wasting my time on the phone. Add on the fees associated with using an agent and I was pretty much convinced that I wouldn’t ever need one. But that was when I didn’t mind double connecting, spending months researching a new destination, or staying at somewhat questionable resorts. As a mom my travel habits have changed, so when I do take a vacation I want to make sure it is exactly what I want.
I recently sat down with our sponsor Rene Prasad of Grand Explorations to find out how she could help and why, in this digital age, I would want to use a travel agent. A local mom herself, Rene brings her passion for travel into the business by making trips personal again. As an avid traveler, it has been her personal commitment to create custom trips to suit any traveler’s needs. She is determined to break away from the “cookie cutter” type trips to bring her clients a fully customized experience from start to finish. Sounds pretty great to me!
It’s all in the details: Remember those months I mentioned researching locations for the perfect trip? Yeah, well I have a toddler so that’s not happening anymore. Having to analyze pages and pages of resort information, property amenities, and the like, make me nervous just thinking about it. For most parents combing through the thousands of advertised “family friendly” resorts, finding airfare that is reasonably priced, and coordinating on-site activities for a small army is no small feat. Getting a travel agent to sift through the features of each property cuts down on the time you will obsess over whether or not the hotel is suitable for your family. Agents not only find you a great destination, but it is their job to ensure that even the smallest details of the trip are organized for you. All you need is a general idea of what you want, a budget, and a list of “must-haves” for your trip. Rene even spends some time asking about hobbies or sports so that she can take the time to review property amenities for a great fit. Even seemingly insignificant things like which airport you depart from can make a world of difference in your travel experience. A travel professional can ensure that your connections are manageable, keep you informed about your airline’s travel policy regarding car seats and strollers, and to help manage any special documents or requirements for the country you visit.
You don’t have to pay: For the longest time, I rationalized not using an agent because I didn’t want to use my travel budget to pay someone for work I could do on my own. Long gone are the days of creating spreadsheets comparing the amenities of the top three resorts and subsequently ranking them (did I mention I’m a Type-A?) However, the traveler doesn’t actually have to pay the agent. Agents are compensated by the airlines, hotels, and tour companies they patronize, so no out of pocket expenses are required to use their services. Rene says to be cautioned if an agent seems to push certain suppliers on you, as they may be more motivated by the bottom line than the best interest of their client.
Flexibility: I will be the first to admit that some of the online travel booking services have some pretty great deals, but those deals often come at a high price in terms of convenience. If a 4am flight out of Newark or a triple connection doesn’t send a shiver up your spine, then please carry on. However, the most direct flights out of the closest airports are the ones most suitable for families, and those typically aren’t on the list of deeply discounted deals. With an agent, you can set specifications in advance so that the agent can book you on the most convenient flight for your family’s needs. An agent can even advise you the best time to book your vacation, since they are familiar with upcoming deals and promotions. Rene even notes that working with an agent can improve your on-property experience, as many hotels know that agents often book the same property for multiple clients when there is an excellent customer experience.
Ease of Booking: You can make a call if you’d like, but you can also send an email from your smartphone while you breastfeed and Rene promises a response by the end of the business day. Very often, the only quiet time I get is when my daughter is fake-napping, so I really don’t want to spend that time talking on the phone and arranging a trip. Rene assured me that she can connect through email and even recently planned an entire transaction including payment, electronically! It’s that simple. If a client prefers texting, she will even send you her personal cell phone. Not a bad deal for someone like me who uses texting as a primary form of communication! Rene even provides a full itinerary in a single email with e-documents that clients can use. Should they want a paper itinerary (my mom would TOTALLY need this) she can provide that as well.
Groups: Have a family reunion trip in mind? Want to get away for a special birthday or girls-only weekend (when can I book this one)? Rene has got you covered. One of her specialties is working with custom itineraries. That’s especially good to hear for families who have children of varying ages or with groups that have a wide range of interests and needs on a single trip. Rene spends the time to find out what the “must see” spots are for each individual group and spends her time working on itineraries that fit those requirements. It’s like having a vacation concierge at your fingertips. If you are like me and like most of the details of your trip planned before you even arrive, Rene can work with you. Maybe you are the type that likes only a few things planned and just some suggestions for when you arrive? Rene can handle that too. The key here is that there is no “one size fits all” in Rene’s approach and that was one of the things I loved about her philosophy. She even advised that many properties offer incentives for the organizer, which means that if you are the “point person” for a large group, you might even get some free drinks to help with the headache of coordinating it all! 
As the weather starts to warm up, we know you will be thinking about that next getaway (with or without the kids). Why not kick back and let someone else handle the planning? What does your next dream vacation look like? Contact Rene at Grand Explorations today!
This post was sponsored by Grand Explorations, but the opinions are my own. Please support our sponsors.
