Why Use A Travel Agent (Especially a Northcutt Travel Agent)
The past month has been bittersweet for Northcutt Travel Agency. Fear not, we are not going anywhere!
How have travelers been affected by Covid-19?
There have been Family Vacations postponed, Weddings and Honeymoons postponed, so many business and personal trips rescheduled - but the one thing that has been constant is the communication with our clients to get the best service possible.
Why are travelers who used a travel agent coming out ahead?
While we are sad that so many people’s travel plans have been rescheduled, we are glad to see the positive light being shown on the travel agent industry and especially Northcutt Travel Agency.
So many people, especially younger people have joked about travel agencies existing are now seeing the value as much of the world is taking a travel hiatus. We have people calling us daily and asking for advice on how to get ahold of the airlines, or their hotel and we unfortunately cannot help them because they chose to book online or with an online travel operator that is just there to get the sale and move on. We don’t have access to their bookings to help.
Why should you book with a Travel Agent?
We are in the people business and love to see people travel and make their memories. We are not here to redo your vacation plans, we are here to give you any advice you seek or just to be a support system while booking. If you want to plan out your entire travel plans and come to us simply to book it - we will be here. If you want our help from the very first stages - we will be here.
We have seen online booking engines go out of business, take people’s money and not care about them past booking something. Online agencies like Expedia and booking.com are asking their customers not to call them or are leaving them stranded by disconnecting their phones. Some are even asking them to handle it with the properties direct.
They don’t care or have the capacity of workers to care. Instead, they are putting out policies that unless you are in the industry you will not be able to decipher the language and what you will actually need to do in order to salvage your trip. We have also seen this in VRBO’s and AirBnb’s where people are not willing to give refunds. This is why we avoid those suppliers at all cost.
If you don’t charge a fee, how do you get paid?
You book a cruise online - that cruise company keeps that commission to pay a call center to help if you have to call in.
You book that same cruise at the same price and perks with Northcutt Travel Agency, you have a personal concierge that is there to help you with the entire process. Even if you have done five cruises and come to us, you will see a different level of service. You can call, email or text your agent for answers without having to sit on hold and explain to someone who you are and when and where you are traveling. We know where you are going and we care about you! We get paid a commission from that cruise line to take care of you, but it is on a more personal level.
This is the case not only with cruises, but with destination weddings, Disney, international travel, tours, etc.
It is all about educating the people and letting them know we are here. I used to say there is no difference between booking online and booking with an agent, but that is not true. You get your vacation at the same price (or better with our price matching) and get a person that cares about you and your vacation.
So, we are here. Northcutt Travel Agency is not going anywhere. We will ride this through and come out stronger on the other side.