I was recently asked about coping strategies for couples hit with vacation disasters, and it got me thinking.
One of the most important factors is attitude. Keep your sense of humor. Don’t blame each other for the unforeseen. And most important, make the best of every moment, keeping in mind that often the most interesting travel experiences grow out of challenges.
That said, there are definitely ways to prevent, or mitigate against the hiccoughs and disasters that inevitably happen when traveling. For couples, planning together means no finger pointing when things go awry. And for all travelers, booking with a savvy travel agent means never having to worry about logistics.
When flights are grounded. The Halloween Storm of 2011 was a perfect illustration. Flights were grounded across the country and many travelers were stranded for several days even after flights starting operating again, because they couldn’t find seats.
The experience of my New York friends Steve and Ellen illustrates what a good travel agent can do for a trip. They were stranded in San Francisco by the storm. Their travel agent was able to rebook them on a nonstop flight the day flights were back in the air. Knowing that the logistics were in capable hands and there was nothing more they could do, Steve and Ellen enjoyed their extended stay in San Francisco.
On the other hand, our friend Allen, a small businessman who always books his own travel, spent hours on the phone trying to get a seat—and finally flew on two connecting flights to Philadelphia instead of Newark airport, and got home a day later than Steven and Ellen.
When you want the best for less. Travel agents who are members of powerful agency groups, Virtuoso and American Express to name just a few, have leverage and access to suppliers that individuals don’t. That often means being able to get free upgrades on cruises, free breakfasts and other amenities in hotels, and often, access to experiences that other people just don’t have, such as access to a museum outside of regular hours, a private showing of haute couture, or dinner with at the home of a local VIP.
Fees usually pay for themselves. Like lawyers and other professionals, travel agents are increasingly charging fees for access to their expertise, but these usually more than pay for themselves. Can you get better rates on your own? Possibly, although with all the hidden fees and complicated pricing, travel agents can usually more than pay for themselves in cost savings. For example, the cost of renting a car in Europe for a multi-country trip varies greatly depending on where the rental originates.
When you don’t know what you don’t know. The biggest advantage to working with a travel agent is the probability that your travel investment will buy the experience you are hoping for. A good travel agent should take the time to know exactly what you are looking for. They can tell you about experiences that you would probably never discover on your own—perhaps that perfect gourmet-focused bike tour in Tuscany, or that inexpensive but so quaint three star boutique hotel in Paris.
Geri Bain's Blog 