• Travel Agents are Real People 

Unlike booking engines, travel agents can actually respond directly to individual questions and requests, no matter how small or unique. And unlike booking engines, agents can get to know their clients and build trust. Travel agents remove the stress and confusion of vacation planning. Because we work with you to plan a vacation that meets YOUR needs. 

With Best Life Travels you will get a one-on-one consultation. You will work with one primary agent who is here to check all the boxes on your check list. Communication is timely and easy, just let us know what method of communication works best for you.

• Itinerary Planning

Let us take care of the details. Whether we are making dining and experience reservations at Disney or booking an amazing tour package in Napa Valley, you can be assured that we are taking the time to get to know you as a client so we can make recommendations tailored to your specific needs. Customized itineraries that you can check at a glance help to give you the peace of mind that all those little details have been handled.

• Personalized Attention

Travel advisors tailor their services to their clients’ individual needs. Have concerns? They’ll talk you through them. Need a hotel that can cater to your allergies? A travel advisor can speak to hotel managers to make sure it’s taken care of. Travel planners know the best times to visit certain destinations, which rooms at a resort are the most desirable, and which cruise cabin offer that extra square foot or two.

On the other hand, OTAs, (or online travel agents such as Priceline, Travelocity, and others) provide a one-size-fits-all service, however they do not take into account the numerous variables that are in play. Rarely will you find the customer service needed should something go wrong during your trip.

• They Provide Insurance 

From guaranteeing your hotel is available to knowing if the excursion company is legitimate, booking through a travel agent ensures travelers will not get duped. And they can provide insurance for medical emergencies and trip cancellations. 

• They're There 24/7

Travel agents are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They’re there with you throughout the booking process and follow up afterward. On the other hand, contacting an OTA’s customer service line often means wading through a chain of people. 

•  They Don't Charge Hidden Fees

In a column for Business Insider, Avery Hartmans described her experience using the Hotels Tonight app for a staycation in New York City – and noted that the prices listed did not include taxes and fees. Hartmans said she was charged an additional $121 in fees for the weekend, an expense she wasn’t expecting; “the extra fees were a bad surprise, and they put us well over budget for the trip,” she said.

Finally, travel agents save time and money. In fact, a study by the American Society for Travel Agents (ASTA) found that travelers using a travel agent reported saving an average of $452 and four hours of planning time per trip. 

• Travel agents are fueled by their passion for helping others.

At the end of the day, travel is about making memories. For agents, helping to create those special moments is what drives them to go the extra mile for their clients. The same can definitely not be said for online booking engines.

As your travel specialist, my goal is to fulfill all your travel needs while staying within your budget. Through my experience and partnerships with top travel suppliers, I will be able to secure the best value, quality, and service for your trip.

I would be happy to answer more questions about the value of working with a travel agent, or about planning your next vacation!