Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
U.S.A.
English
Canada
English
Canada Quebec
Français
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Luxury Travel Report

11 Ways to Become a Travel Agent’s Favorite Customer

by Cheryl Rosen  June 06, 2018
11 Ways to Become a Travel Agent’s Favorite Customer

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Sure, travel agents love their customers–but as in any loving relationship, little things can drive them crazy. Here are some tips to make you the perfect client that your travel agent wants to do business with over and over again.

1. Never make your travel agent do all the research for you and then book the trip yourself online. (And if you do, do not post pictures on Facebook showing your family at the resort your travel agent found for you.) Really, you know that’s not fair. And it’s not smart, either. Travel agents often can get you extra perks. And if things go wrong, they will have your back.

2. If you ask a travel agent for a quote, get back to him or her even if the answer is no. It’s always better to know what happened rather than to just be left hanging.

3. Don’t say you are “flexible” about dates when you really are not. Be specific about when you can go and when you cannot.

4. Be mindful of the fact that the package you find for $50 cheaper likely is not the same package your travel agent found. Does it include transfers and direct flights, for example?

5. Give your travel agent a realistic budget up front. A reputable travel agent will find you a great vacation within your price range, not try to sell you more.

6. Don’t expect to just “pick their brain” for free advice. Like doctors or lawyers, travel agents are professionals, and their advice is reserved for customers.

7. Be realistic about what your travel agent can do for you. They do not work for the State Department; if you lose your passport, they can tell you what to do, but they cannot get you another one. And if you do not take trip insurance, they cannot get your money back if you have to cancel.

8. Don’t ask for advice and then not follow it because you think you know better. You are asking for professional advice from people who have spent years educating themselves about the ins and outs of travel. Odds are they really do know what they are talking about. (And if not, pick another travel agent!)

9. Remember that planning a trip takes time, and that travel agents have lives. And other customers. Don’t call at midnight and expect to get a complete itinerary by 9 a.m.

10. Understand that airline prices only go up. If you don’t book it today, it will cost more tomorrow. There is nothing your travel agent can do about it.

11. Read the paperwork. Especially if you are traveling out of the country.

  
  
Related Articles
The Best Places to Cruise in 2019 According to Travel Advisors
Oceania Insignia, Newly ‘Reinspired,’ Sets Sail on 180-Day World Cruise
Border Security Expert and Air Force Vet Turned Agent is Making Travel Accessible
Four Travel Agents Shake Up Their Business Models for 2019
Harley Davidson’s Ken Schmidt Offers Advice for Travel Agents
Travel Agents Saved the Day as Hurricane Lane Approached Hawaii
Seven Tips for Traveling During Hurricane Season
Experts Say MGM’s New Resort Fee Might Be Good for Travel Agents
What We Did for Love: Tales of Travel Agents Who Went the Extra Mile
Two Tour Operators Disappear, Leaving Travel Advisors and Customers in the Lurch

MOST VIEWED

  1. Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels 40+ Cruises on Two Ships
  2. U.S. Issues Worldwide Travel Warning for All Americans Traveling Abroad
  3. Here Are All the New Cruise Ships Coming in 2026, 2027, and Beyond
  4. Travel Leaders Network President John Lovell to Depart for Cruise Role
  5. Hilton Rewards Reservations Canceled Amid Transition of Playa Hotels to Hyatt
  6. Ask-an-Advisor: How Do I Know When It’s Time to Fire a Client?


  1. U.S. and International Airlines Halt Dubai, Mideast Flights Due to Iran-Israel Conflict
  2. Overtourism Backlash Heats Up in Europe as Summer Season Kicks Off
  3. New Greece Cruise Passenger Tax Coming this July
  4. What Does Success Look Like for a Travel Advisor?
  5. Two Wins and Two Losses for Travel in the New U.S. Budget Bill
  6. New U.S. Travel Bans Would Hinder Tourism, Industry Leaders Say
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth luxury coverage, analysis of luxury news, luxury trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Collette Promotes Vice President of U.S. Sales
Collette Promotes Vice President of U.S. Sales

David Cook is Collette’s new VP of U.S. sales, effective immediately. 

TMR TV: Apple Leisure Group Vacations Executive Roundtable Discussion from Cancun

Travel Market Report hosted an exclusive ALGV Executive Roundtable Discussion from Cancun Mexico on Wednesday, February 24th.

Someday Getaway – Aruba | Apple Vacations®

NULL

When You’re Ready, We’re Ready

Here’s to traveling at your own speed. When you’re ready, we’re ready with clean, sanitized vehicles and a low-touch rental process.

ALG Vacations | Ready. Set. Go.

NULL

Valerie Wilson Travel Adds Vagabond Travel as New Affiliate Agency
Valerie Wilson Travel Adds Vagabond Travel as New Affiliate Agency

The New Jersey-based Virtuoso agency is the latest to become affiliates of Valerie Wilson Travel. 

TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
View All
Advertiser's Voice
AmaWaterways’ Unrivaled Christmas Onboard Experience
About Travel Market Report Mission Meet the Team Advisory Board Advertise Syndication Guidelines
TMR Resources Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
© 2005 - 2025 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Manage cookie preferences