Use a Travel Agent? Know what they DO NOT Do!

Travel agents are great and I use one every time I book a cruise. However, there are several things a Travel Agent will not or does not do! If you are looking to use a travel agent or gain some good travel agent tips, know what they will do and what they will not do before booking your next cruise vacation!

DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission.

[judis]

Lots of great advice Brandon. I agree it is important to find a travel agent you feel comfortable with. I had 2 agents that were not helpful before I found the perfect one for me.

[LukeofAllTrades.]

My travel agent checks the prices, we got several notifications over the course of about 18 months on a large group booking. Hasn't happened in a long time, prices don't seem to be dropping much these days, and Royal doesn't give you any credit for drops after final payment date.

[margoanchorage]

Thank you Brandon for giving some love to us TAs.

[cmunch]

You probably have a great travel agent but all of those things that you mentioned TA’s NOT doing… if you find a competent agent that has taken plenty of cruises herself to get that first hand experience… and also if that travel agent does not yet have hundreds of clients that they’re working with, they will absolutely prioritize you and any of your unforeseen issues. That’s exactly what we’re here for. A

If you haven’t guessed yet, I am speaking of myself 😄

I have been serving clients (through customer service) since I was 16 and although I’m very good at what I do, travel - more specifically cruises- are my true passion. I live for them.

I would love to be considered if you ever find yourself in a pinch and are needing to try someone new - give me a chance. I will give you top tier service because, well, I can.

Enjoyed watching your video!

My name is Carissa Meek

[yemisi]

This is why I handle my own trips and love doing it. I don’t have time to wait on others and call them for every issue or to make my payments, etc. I’m a control freak.

[seemoreseascruises]

Great advice Brandon! As a TA I really appreciate the expectation setting!

[chrismartin]

I can with Dream Vacations, we have the technology in place to monitor for changes in fares for cruises.

[juliereed]

Great info Brandon! I focus mainly on groups and special needs clients, so I don't run into as many of these things. Thank you for providing clarification on things I see misrepresented a lot.

[martinejoseph]

Great info Brandon. I use TA all the time to book my cruises

[dianeschroeder]

Haha Brandon, yes Real Estate agents such as myself, can and do fire their clients as do travel agents❤️✈️🛳️

[brenttuckertravel]

Hey Brandon, hope all is well. Thank you for this informative video.

[carolinevallance]

I monitor all my clients' bookings constantly for price drops, and get them changed.
And if my clients have an urgent need I do drop everything to help them. 7 days a week!!

[lindamixon]

Brandon, have you done a tour of Allure of the Seas? Will be going on it in Feb 24. We are getting a O/V balcony and I am thinking it is same basic layout as on the other ot Seas ships. What do you think?

[brobinson]

There are TA’s who do charge a planning fee. Being a TA is a 24/7 lifestyle and most of us work 6 or 7 days a week and take only couple days off per year.

[jensz]

Is it worth buying an existing travel agency (Actual physical office) or is the model dying out and on its last leg?

[WJH]

So my question is how do we find a good travel agent? What are signs to look for that they will be good?

[DelosFive]

I had a TA share a link with me and did NOTHING to help me whatsoever with my requests, questions and needs. They ghosted me completely. I guess they just wanted to get the nice percentage cut from my booking. Thankfully I called them out and another TA stepped in, took over and fixed everything.

[djkv]

Do travel agents book things outside of cruises?

[lauriedavis]

At 5:00 into the video, I just got swayed to not use an agent. You made it sound not wonderful😞

[rachaelbrusseau]

Hi TA here that found your channel. I see some others have already told you about monitoring fares but I was not sure if you knew that many consortiums now use a tool to monitor all price changes and also promotional changes with the bookings and the TA gets an email to notify us to advise our clients. It’s great 😄