MYTH #1: “Agents are expensive!”
Actually, many consultations are free. If there
are any charges, your agent will tell you up
front. And if the agent charges a consultation
fee to organize a complicated itinerary,
that fee may be credited back to you if
you make a booking.
MYTH #2: “Agents want to book you
only into their favorite properties.”
When agents find a property they like, they’re naturally
eager to share their discovery with their clients. While
they do have strong relationships with travel suppliers,
their strongest relationships are with their clients.
After all, when you trust them, you may come back
for years. So it doesn’t do them any good to insist
on sending you to a tropical resort when you’d
rather be skiing. Don’t be shy about expressing your
preferences. Your agent truly wants to know.
MYTH #3: “Agents are just middlemen.”Agents do much more than just sell you a plane ticket
or book you a room. For instance, they have access to
consolidator discounts not available to the general public.
Also, they can connect you with suppliers who work only
with agents—companies such as Travel Bound, which
provides unique experiences such as a cooking class in
Tokyo or a picnic by seaplane in Sydney. And if you need
help during your trip, your agent is only a phone call away.