If ever there were a time for travelers to avail themselves of the services of a travel advisor, that time is now. As travel becomes increasingly complex and fraught with complications, advisors are there to rescue their clients — dealing with everything from flight delays and cancellations to check-in issues and stolen or lost passports.
Travel agents also provide clients with a host of amenities that travelers would be hard-pressed to obtain on their own.
“The biggest benefit of working with a travel advisor is having someone who knows the entire travel landscape and is fully invested in your experience, not just your reservation,” said Ryan Doncsecz, groups manager for VIP Vacations.
Expert Guidance and Advocacy
Choosing a travel advisor also means choosing your own personal expert and advocate.
“We take the time to understand what matters most to each client and match them with the right destination, resort or experience, often adding VIP perks they wouldn’t even know to ask for,” Doncsecz said.
He also notes that advisors act as a safety net for their clients.
“Travel is one of the few industries where so many variables can impact your plans: weather, geopolitical events, airline delays, etc.,” Doncsecz said. “When these things happen, our clients aren’t calling a generic 800 number; they’re calling someone who already knows their trip inside and out, and who will do their best to modify in a timely manner.”
Advisors as One-Stop Support
Mark Hennigan, co-founder and senior travel advisor at Dreamers Travel, points out how travel advisors make life easier for clients.
“We do all the work while clients go about their daily lives,” he said. “Travel advisors serve as a 'one-stop shop,’ and with one phone call, agents deal with delayed or canceled flights, check-in issues and more.”
Not to mention, complications have become increasingly commonplace in today’s world, and travelers often have to scramble to roll with the punches. As the American Society of Travel Advisors puts it: Without a travel advisor, you’re on your own.
“Advisors truly show their value in problem-solving and advocacy,” said Mandee Migliaccio, CEO of Stepping Out Travel Services. “Travel is complex, and things do go wrong. In today’s landscape, where travel is both more accessible and more complicated than ever, having an advisor is not a luxury; it is a strategic advantage.”
Real-Life Examples of Advisor Advocacy
“I have had clients impacted by weather disruptions, operational issues and even geopolitical concerns — and they never have to navigate any of it alone,” Migliaccio said.
In one instance, Migliaccio had clients traveling through Italy, and their passports were stolen in the middle of their trip.
“I immediately stepped in to connect them with the appropriate embassy resources, coordinated with their travel insurance provider, and secured a hotel stay so they had a safe and comfortable place to regroup while emergency passports were being issued,” she said. “What could have been a trip-ending crisis became a manageable situation because they had someone advocating for them every step of the way.”
Similarly, Doncsecz of VIP Vacations has come to the aid of clients who have experienced everything from flight cancellations to last-minute resort closures.
“In those moments, we were able to step in immediately, rework their plans, and often turn a stressful situation into a seamless one,” he said. “This kind of real-time advocacy is incredibly difficult to replicate on your own. At the end of the day, we don’t just book travel: We elevate it, protect it and personalize it.”
Access to Exclusive Perks
One of the most valuable advantages of working with a travel advisor lies in something that isn’t always visible at first glance: connections, according to Isabel Perez, a luxury travel advisor at Forest Travel.
“Many advisors are part of prestigious consortia such as Serandipians and Virtuoso, which allow them to offer added benefits at the same publicly available rates,” she said. “These perks can include daily breakfast, resort credits, early check-in, late checkout and room upgrades based on availability.”
In some cases, advisors can unlock exclusive offers that simply aren’t available to the general public.
Perez cites an example of when a couple planning a stay at Four Seasons Resort Maldives came to her, having never worked with a travel advisor before.
“Through my network, I was able to secure a $600 resort credit, a welcome drink, a room amenity and an upgrade — all at no additional cost,” she said.“ Experiences like this highlight how much added value can be layered onto a trip without increasing the price.”
Advisors can also access preferred rates and enhanced inclusions.
“For a client traveling to Las Vegas for work, I arranged a stay at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas with a 15% discount and complimentary daily spa access valued at $75 per day, along with additional benefits like breakfast and resort credits,” Perez said. “Even when the base rate is the same, these thoughtful additions significantly elevate the overall experience.”
Peace of Mind
There is also a more intangible benefit to having a travel advisor: peace of mind:
"Clients know they have someone who understands the nuances of travel, from entry requirements and timing to logistics and even the softer details that elevate a trip from good to exceptional,” said Migliaccio of Stepping Out Travel Services. “Whether it is securing the right guide in a destination, advising on when to travel to avoid crowds, or knowing which room categories are truly worth the upgrade, those details make a meaningful difference.”
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
