What are the benefits of using a travel agency?

The travel agent I've worked with throughout my life does NOT charge me a single penny. From what I understand, they make their money by referring you to their preferred hotels/cruises/etc. By doing this, you often get the perks like free room upgrades and discounts. Another way travel agents might money, though, is by selling your info (I get stuff all the time because we took a Carnival Cruise, not sure if it was Carnival that sold our info or the travel agent).

I recommend St Lucia, as FH and I have both been there and it is absolutely incredible! There are three Sandals there I think, different price ranges but there's a shuttle that takes you to the other Sandals locations on the island if you want to go in between.

You can book all that stuff yourself through Sandals, but talk to a travel agent if you want more advice or insight, since they usually travel to all the places they promote.

We used our agent because it was completely free, he had connections to try to get us a better room (same rate), he knew when to book to get the best rate (at the resort and flights) and the main reason was that for using him (and booking at least 6 nights) they do a honeymoon sendoff package!

So we got more (for free) then we would have doing it ourselves!

Hello!! I am a certified Sandals Specialist and do not charge a fee! I have been to all the Sandals properties in St Lucia and they are amazing for a honeymoon! The benefits of using a travel agent is knowing you have someone to call if there is a problem! Most agents have great relationships with the general managers and can make sure your honeymoon is the best it can be!! Any of the Sandals properties will fall in your category of all inclusive and no kids! Antigua Grande will be less than 4 hours flight and the hotel is about 20 mins from the airport! Feel free to email me with any questions, always happy to help!!

Thank you for all of the responses! Melissa, I am still a few months away from booking but I will absolutely keep you in mind when the time comes. Do you have a website?

Already found the site, thanks!

No Problem! Great!!! Reviews of the company are on my store front !! My email is also attached!!

I used a travel agent to book a cruise. She sent me the pricing & then I compared what she gave me to Costco's website and found it cheaper on Costco. When I told her I found it cheaper she beat the price.

I also recently tried a couple of travel agents when booking a trip to Vegas, but I found it cheaper on Expedia so I just booked it myself.

It never hurts to compare options when traveling. I'm a big fan of geting the best deal possible.

Me and you both, thanks for the advice

There are a lot of advantages to using an agent. But just like any other industry, there are good ones, and bad ones. Here's a few things to ask when deciding who to trust with your honeymoon plans:

1. How long have they been in business?

2. What certifications do they hold?

3. Have they personally visited the resort or destination that they are recommending within the last 3 years?

4. Are they able to explain all the ins and outs of the trip insurance?

5. Will they be available to you during travel should the need arise?

Here's a couple of red flags:

1. If they ask you to pay in cash-run!

2. If they will only recommend one resort chain no matter what you ask for, run!

A great agent really can make all the difference in your trip. While there's a lot to be learned online, each resort has a different vibe and attracts a different type of client. A good agent will take the time to get to know you and make sure it's the right fit.

Thank you!

Travel agents are nice bc they can have access to deals others won't. They also can suggest things to do and serve as a liaison between you and the actual booking process. Just make sure you find a sandels expert, or an expert in wherever you're going

I'm a travel advisor and would offer you encouragement in seeking out a good agent for planning your wedding. If you work with a good one, they won't charge you - in fact, they may even be able to save you money (not to mention time and stress!) as you plan your trip by handling all of the details and also acting as a single point of contact while you're away should anything go wrong. For example, if your bags decide to take a different trip than you do.

Here's an article that you might find encouraging. And if you have any other questions or want to talk through options, feel free to reach out to me - no obligation at all. I'm just happy to help in any way I can.

http://www.w2wmagazine.com/2013/05/15/what-comes-after-i-do-how-a-good-travel-advisor-can-make-your-honeymoon-exceptional/