It depends. You used to be able to hire travel agents and pay them i believe. But, then I think most of them were commission based on the trip they booked so you don't pay them directly.
Before the internet, travelers used to go to agents to
find flights, hotels, cruises, vacations, etc. The agents
got a commission from the airlines/hotels etc. When
my boss used to travel extensively, all I had to do was
call our agent, tell her what city my boss needed to be
in on which date, and she'd handle all the rest. She
knew which airlines to avoid, which hotels had the best
services, and exactly which gate a flight would leave
from (especially helpful if you are making a connection).
Boss's tickets would be hand delivered at least a day
before the flight, so he never had to worry about a
lost ticket.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I used to use them. My MIL was one-had her own business. They receive commission from the airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, etc. Used to be that agents were "wined and dined" by sending them places and having them stay places to "try them out" so they would be recommended to their clients. It was somewhat glamorous, back in the day.
My MIL made all our travel plans to Italy, Greece & Alaska. Maybe set up our Tauck Tour to Tetons & Yellowstone as well, I do not recall. I do remember receiving a call from someone while in Italy (some goodwill person) asking if everything was going well. Customer service was achieved by providing good personal service and reputation was via word of mouth, not social media.
With the exception of the trips my MIL planned for us, once the internet came about (and after the passing of my MIL) I started booking my own trips.
We went to one while planning our Scotland trip, but when she pulled out the same brochures we already had we decided to do it ourselves. I think they charged $40 a person- I don't know if they also got a commission from the airlines and hotels or not.
I use online booking when travelling locally, but my family uses a travel agent for international travel. They organize flights, hotels, events, etc., and you can contact them if something goes wrong. Expedia doesn't have the same service.
I use a travel agent to book my Disney trips. I don't have to - I could do it myself, but it doesn't cost me anything, and she's very prompt and good with handling everything.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
We are planning a Disney World trip for next year. This is what happens when granddaughter is into Disney princesses and as grandpa if we can go😀. Most likely will use a travel agent.
We use a travel agent when we travel out of the country. She knows us and the kinds of places we like to stay (close to the action but not in the center of it, near public transit, no American chains, breakfast if available). She typically puts us in places she has stayed and can vouch for. She knows all the little secrets too - won't book us in a room next to the kitchen, or next to the elevator for example. The flights are where she really comes in handy. She has the ability to "hold" flights until she checks with us. So she will say "I have a non stop flight leaving at 8 am and one leaving at 10am with one connection which do you prefer?" But she can hold those flights for a few days while we decide with no worry that they will sell out. She also books us drivers for transportation from the airport and we did a day trip that she booked a driver for. Without her I would have been more concerned about who the driver was. She had experience with that company though and trusted them. That means a lot for us and our peace of mind.
For complex vacations like a Disney vaca or international I would use one for sure.
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Out of all the lies I have told, "just kidding" is my favorite !
We use a travel agent when we travel out of the country. She knows us and the kinds of places we like to stay (close to the action but not in the center of it, near public transit, no American chains, breakfast if available). She typically puts us in places she has stayed and can vouch for. She knows all the little secrets too - won't book us in a room next to the kitchen, or next to the elevator for example. The flights are where she really comes in handy. She has the ability to "hold" flights until she checks with us. So she will say "I have a non stop flight leaving at 8 am and one leaving at 10am with one connection which do you prefer?" But she can hold those flights for a few days while we decide with no worry that they will sell out. She also books us drivers for transportation from the airport and we did a day trip that she booked a driver for. Without her I would have been more concerned about who the driver was. She had experience with that company though and trusted them. That means a lot for us and our peace of mind.
For complex vacations like a Disney vaca or international I would use one for sure.
Yeah, if I travel out of the country for pleasure I would prefer a travel agent to create the agenda.
Disney had their own agents that I hear are wonderful.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
We are planning a Disney World trip for next year. This is what happens when granddaughter is into Disney princesses and as grandpa if we can go😀. Most likely will use a travel agent.
I recommend Tina at The Mouse for Less. Tell her I sent you!
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
The Mouse for Less.....I had never heard of them...checking them out now...LL did you find they were able to get you good prices? I booked DisneyWorld on my own a few years ago and it was outrageous.
We are planning a Disney World trip for next year. This is what happens when granddaughter is into Disney princesses and as grandpa if we can go😀. Most likely will use a travel agent.
I recommend Tina at The Mouse for Less. Tell her I sent you!
The Mouse for Less.....I had never heard of them...checking them out now...LL did you find they were able to get you good prices? I booked DisneyWorld on my own a few years ago and it was outrageous.
They stay abreast of all the specials, and if you book now and another special comes out that is better before your trip, they will change it for you. I have found that I can usually figure out what it should be with the advertised specials, but they do the work for me. They will even book your dinner reservations (although I tend to do that myself).
My favorite info and planning website for Disney is www.easywdw.com. I love their crowd calendar - it helps me choose which park to go to each day and the reviews of the restaurants are great.
-- Edited by Lawyerlady on Thursday 16th of February 2017 10:38:00 AM
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
When is the best time of the year to go? I am interested in just doing a long weekend, preferably off-season. I might even consider taking the boys out of school for a day or two. We went in August last time and it was so hot and miserable we spent more time in the hotel pool than at the parks.
Looks like the school schedule will be different next school year since they are returning earlier. So the long weekend will be November 6th & 7th. Going to use The Mouse for Less. Disney resorts are so overwhelming to me. I want a nice place, either moderate or deluxe, convenient to the parks, with a pool (indoor might be necessary that time of the year), preferably a suite or separate bedroom for the boys, view of fireworks. Any tips?
Looks like the school schedule will be different next school year since they are returning earlier. So the long weekend will be November 6th & 7th. Going to use The Mouse for Less. Disney resorts are so overwhelming to me. I want a nice place, either moderate or deluxe, convenient to the parks, with a pool (indoor might be necessary that time of the year), preferably a suite or separate bedroom for the boys, view of fireworks. Any tips?
I don't know that any of the Disney resorts have indoor pools. The Polynesian, Contemporary and Grand Floridian are Deluxe resorts on the lake next to Magic Kingdom and on the monorail and have a view of the fireworks, but a suite there will be crazy expensive. Animal Kingdom Lodge has a bunk bed room - comes with a queen bed and bunk beds. this would be really nice - it's further away, but the animal kingdom lodge is a world of it's own. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/animal-kingdom-lodge/rates-rooms/
Art of Animation has family suites with a separate bedroom and bath for Mom and Dad. It's technically considered a value hotel, but nicer. This is where I would stay if I wanted a suite with a separate bedroom. It has a dedicated bus line to the parks (meaning it doesn't stop at other hotels). And it is THEMED. Like THEMED. You can get Finding Nemo, Cars or Lion King suites.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
The Wilderness Lodge is a nice option, too, and has its own activities, like camp fires with Chip and Dale, and things like that. It has a bunk bed room, too.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
