How Travel Advisors Can Save You Money in 2020

From saving travelers time to going to bat for them when there's a problem, travel advisors exist to save their clients time and money while providing the best vacation experience possible.

One of the key advantages of using a travel agent is that they can save their clients a lot of time. For travelers who operate under a budget and want to find the most bang for their buck when it comes to vacation time, a travel advisor is a near necessity. All those hours of research, securing hotel bookings, finding the right activities, the right train times, the perfect flights-they will do all that while their clients kick back and watch their holiday take shape.

Want to avoid the crowds in Venice or the long lines at the Louvre? Want to avoid paying peak prices but still travel when the weather is perfect? These options do exist, and travel advisors are paid to know when to go to avoid the crowds and how to pay less and still visit at an ideal time.

It's not always about the money that you are saving. Sometimes, it's more about the money you are not spending to get perks and amenities. Travel agents often have access to group rates, advanced ticketing options and negotiated benefits at resorts and on tours that travelers won't be able to find on their own or from a standard vacation package they book online.

Want to know why the couple next door is sitting on their balcony enjoying a complimentary bottle of champagne-they have a travel advisor.

Have you ever taken a cab to the airport only to find that there was a direct train to where you needed to go for half the price? Or you've booked a hotel in the center of town only to find out the one across the street was better and less expensive? These are the aspects of trip planning that travel advisors can assist with that will save you time and money.

When it comes to multigenerational travelers or family reunions or similar situations, travel advisors can really find savings that aren't easily available for travelers who decide to go on their own. Travel advisors have access to special negotiated group rates that can save families money on room rates as well as activities and even flights.

Travelers who are familiar with traveling solo are well aware of the hidden costs. Single supplements for booking cruises or tours can cost those heading out on their own a pretty penny. Travel advisors have access to deals in which these pesky fees are reduced or even waived.

Finding the best way to protect your trip investment is another way travel advisors can help travelers save money. Especially these days when air travel is unpredictable and climate change causes weather regularities, it's important to have the right travel insurance. Travel advisors are trained to steer their clients in the right direction so that when something goes wrong, they aren't out the cost of their trip.

Traveling to a far-flung destination comes with a certain amount of unpredictability, but seeking the advice of a travel advisor can save travelers thousands on unnecessary expenses by planning ahead for hidden costs.

Those who want to stick to a budget will also be happy to know that working with a travel agent means they are able to put down a deposit and make payments on a trip before they depart.

Like travel insurance protects the vacation investment, so too do travel advisors. If something goes wrong, they are there to advocate for their clients. An airport shuts down due to weather and clients are stranded? Agents are ready to assist in finding hotel accommodations or even transportation to and flights from another airport, potentially saving thousands on rebooking fees, lost wages or other expenses.

Need help finding the right travel advisor? Turn to the American Society of Travel Advisors. Their TravelSense.org site provides more information about using and advisor and a directory of travel advisors.