Although there are many online services that allow you to book flight tickets with ease, many people still rely on their travel agents to get the bookings. Read on to know more about the pros and cons of using a travel agent.
Travelling is as much fun as it was before, but travel bookings have become much easier. Unlike a few years ago, when you relied on a travel agent to make the necessary arrangements, today, you can do everything on your own online with ease.
So, why do people still avail the services of a travel agent. The truth is that there are many pros and cons of booking cheap domestic flights in India through travel age. Let us look at the advantages and drawbacks.
Pros
The travel agents generally have the best knowledge about the best days and time to travel to a specific location. They provide the best guidance to the customers on when to travel and how to go about the ticket bookings. This will help you get the best deals on the flight and hotel bookings. Also, owing to their years of experience, the travel agents may give you valuable advice on what to expect and things that you must be careful about while you reach the destination, which you may not know otherwise.
Today, many travel agents have tie up with the booking sites and accommodation facilities so you need not have to pay a hefty fee for their services. Typically, the travel agents get a referral fee or commission for booking your trip.
Another significant reason why many people rely on their travel agents for their travel bookings is because they have the knowledge and access to plenty of travel deals and offers. Some of these offers may be exclusive to the agents. So, if you are booking your holiday with the agent, you may save a lot of money. Also, agents have a good working relationship with the airlines’ staff and they can provide updates on the flight status by keeping a track on the live flight tracking portal.
Finding the best deal on flight tickets, hotels, etc. can be daunting and time consuming. But, when you book a holiday through a travel agent, you need not have to worry about anything; they will do all the hard work for you and help you get the best offer.
When you travel, plenty of things can go wrong. You may miss a connecting flight, lose an important travel-related document, or you may not like the room at your hotel. And, in such circumstances the travel agent can come to your rescue. They may provide you immediate assistance so that you can enjoy your holiday.
Cons
The travel agents work on a commission basis and although they have access to various deals and offers, they often tend to promote a certain hotel or a booking where they get maximum commission. This means you may lose out getting deals and offers that are better suited for your specific needs. Whereas, when you do the booking online, you can compare the various deals and offers and make a more informed booking decision.
When you book a flight ticket through a travel agent, the airlines never pay any commission to them. So, you must pay a service fee to them. This can increase your ticket cost, which you can easily save otherwise by booking your ticket online.
If you are an experienced traveller, you would know that booking a holiday is not as complicated it may seem. A simple online search for the best deals will help you find a plethora of offers, which you can pick and choose to suit your needs. Also, when you rely on a travel agent you would have to wait for the business, which may be time-consuming. Whereas, when you book online, you can complete the transaction at any time and from anywhere as per your convenience.
Most of the online ticketing booking portals have a simple booking process and it is self-explanatory. So, even if you are a first-time traveler, you can easily get through the process. Also, most of these portals have an online helpline number, you can easily contact them and they will guide through the difficulties you may have.
Bottom Line
Considering the pros and cons of booking a holiday through a travel agent, it all boils down to your personal choice and preference. Weigh the pros and cons in the context of your trip and make a wise choice.
