Honeymoon Planning-- Working with a Travel Agent

Honeymoon Planning: Why you should work with a Travel Agent

Choosing a honeymoon is different from other vacations. For a honeymoon, you have in your mind's eye the idyllic start to your life together and is a fulfillment of a dream.

Working with a travel agent that is a honeymoon specialist is beneficial as they will take great care to ask a lot of questions and offer you the benefit of their experience, both as travel agents and real life experience in the destination, resort or cruise ship for your honeymoon.

Researching your trip online is easy and fun, but when it comes to booking your all-important honeymoon, the advantages of working with a travel agent are myriad. Agents can offer you the benefit of their globetrotting experiences; inside lines to discounts not widely advertised; package deals and a range of itinerary options; one-stop shopping for air, car, and hotel reservations; and, last but not least, peace of mind. They are your saviors and advocates when travel plans go awry.

Here are some points to help you find the honeymoon of your dreams while working with a travel agent:

DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Decide what type of trip you're interested in and approximately what you want to spend. The more specific your destination and activity wish list, the less time you'll waste on vacation dreams that are beyond your budget.

SPEAK WITH YOUR AGENT. Good agents are patient, they ask lots of questions, maintain rigorous quality standards, are forthright about a destination's drawbacks, and have a genuine interest in clients' feedback. Good agents will entertain your dreams with an open mind and present a range of options. Seek out someone who feels like a kindred spirit; their opinion will jive most closely with your likes and dislikes.

DON'T FREAK OUT ABOUT CONSULTATION FEES. When working with a travel agent, some will have fees for their services and expertise. If you trust and like the agent, consider it a small price to pay for their expert advice and a perfectly planned honeymoon.

EXPECT EXPERIENCE. What's one of the most important agent credentials? First-hand experience. An agent who has visited a specific destination or resort knows which room has the best view and for cruises, they would be able to recommend specific cruises and cabin types. Best of all, they may have an inside line and be able to make special requests on your behalf. Online travel agencies may have descriptions, however they don't offer you first hand experience.

When working with a travel agent, look for an agent that takes advantage of Familiarization Trips (FAMS) which provide in-depth training about destinations, resorts and cruises. Agents do extensive site inspections to better find the best honeymoon or vacation that fits what you want at the best price.

KNOW YOUR BUDGET. Be up front and honest about your air/hotel budget and stick to it. Don't be embarrassed or feel uncomfortable speaking about it. Telling your agent only helps them find the best honeymoon for you. When figuring the budget, know thyself: What are your priorities? For example, if being in the center of a city's action is more important to you than a super luxury room, tell the agent. Knowing what you can and can't live without will help them build a custom-fit itinerary within your budget.

STAY OPEN. You'll have greater access to discount fares and other promotions if your time frame is flexible, even by just a few days on either end.

TIME IS MONEY. How much is your time worth? Do you really have a lot of time to dedicate to planning a honeymoon in the midst of planning the wedding? When working with a travel agent, they can compare deals from all suppliers (tour companies, cruise lines, etc.) to find the lowest prices available so you don't have to!

BRING AMMUNITION. Tell your agent about all airline, hotel, car rental, travel award, and travel club programs you participate in so that you can earn more points while on your honeymoon. Also, some programs may have upgrades available for members only!

BE UP FRONT. Any medical, diet, exercise or lifestyle (i.e. same-sex couple) needs? Tell your agent. Also mention whether you prefer nonsmoking or smoking accommodations. Tell your agent any special requests that you would like to make and they will do their best to make them a reality for you. Please keep in mind that everything is a request and is not necessarily guaranteed.

ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS. No question is stupid, so don't be shy! Ask your agent about the nitty-gritty details of your trip, including airport connections, bus and taxi services, tipping, foreign currency conversion, and safety concerns such as government-issued travel advisories and warnings. Most important, get phone numbers that you can use for after-hours emergencies (at the airport early Sunday morning after your wedding, for instance) and on your trip.

Contact me today about working with a travel agent at lisa@traveldivalisa.com or call 330-329-9178!