Rossen Reports: You vs. travel agents; who will get the better deal?
Updated: 3:28 PM CDT Aug 20, 2024
Travel agents were *** thing of the past. Think again, they say they can save you hundreds on every trip, Rosson reports. Now putting them to the test, I'm going to book several trips and this travel agent Shelby Fornet is going to book the same exact trips who will get the better deal. Ok. I'm on the Delta website. I'm gonna book *** set of flights. Let's go from West Palm Beach to Boston leaving on Friday, September 27th. We'll take that 7:40 p.m. flight and we'll return on September 30th on that 310 pm flight, two passengers and it comes up as $393.90. This is if I book it direct, just sitting in my kitchen as I am uh straight through Delta. Now, let's see what the travel agent. So what were you able to get on that flight? So, on flights, I got exactly the same as you got. So you're saying on flights going with *** travel agent or booking it ourselves, it's basically the same. It is unless you want to do groups, *** group of 10 or more generally, we can get you *** really good deal. Ok. What about *** cruise? Ok. I'm on the north, no region cruise line website. I'm gonna book this 10 day cruise across the Greek Isles. Looks amazing. It's $1393 per person. This is, if I go direct on the Norwegian website, 1393 *** person, travel agent. Can you do better? Yes. On that cruise we got the same rate, but we could have also gotten you up to $500 in onboard credit. So, same price, but I'm getting 500 bucks for what drinks, anything you want, drinks, shore excursions, anything on board that you'd like to buy 500 buckaroos. But the biggest savings we found hotels. Ok. I'm on the website for the Fountain Blue Hotel in Miami Beach. Really nice. Checking in on Monday, August 26th, checking out on Thursday, August 29th. We'll book this, uh, Bayview room with king bed, this deluxe bayview room for those three nights. The price is $1190.16. If I book myself. What were you able to get? So for Fountain Blue, we were able to $650 650 dollars, same room, same room, same dates, same date, same hotel, same hotel and it's 500 something dollars cheaper. Yeah, and that's the savings going through me. Right. How are you getting paid? So the way we get paid is really by the cruise line or the resort or the hotel. So they basically pay us to give you the same deal as what you would get or better in order to hopefully get more marketing out of us. I'm not paying you. They are. That's right. But I'm reaping the benefit. That's correct. You know what you also get, which people don't think about *** lot. But when things go wrong you can call me. I'm *** real human. You don't have to dial the number two and get like *** robot. Like I'm better than *** bott now. Ultimately, every travel agent is different. Do your research? Ask about their fees and costs upfront? I also want you to make sure that your travel agent is certified. Look for this logo on the website. *** ST ***, it's the American Society of Travel Advisors. It's *** good sign. They know their stuff, more tips in my Rawson reports newsletter, plus exclusive bonus content and deals. You can only get there. It comes straight to your inbox and the best part it's free. Nice and easy sign up right now. No reason not to Rawson reports.com. Back to you.
Rossen Reports: You vs. travel agents; who will get the better deal?
Updated: 3:28 PM CDT Aug 20, 2024
Travel agents are making a comeback, with more young people prioritizing travel.They can save you time and stress when planning a vacation but can travel agents save you money?Rossen Reports decided to find out, working with Shelby Frenette, the owner of South Florida host travel agency TravelFun.Biz, to see how much money can be saved when booking with a travel agent instead of booking directly.Watch the video above to see Jeff compare prices on flights, cruises, and hotels.Here are some things to consider when working with a travel agent:CostEvery travel agent is different. Some only earn a commission off the trips they book. Others may charge service fees, either in the form of a flat rate, percentage, or hourly rate. Make sure to do your research and ask about any potential fees upfront so you know what works for your budget.ConvenienceTravel agents offer you personalized service and are particularly valuable when any challenges arrive. If you experience flight delays or cancelations, a travel agent can work on your behalf, so you aren’t the one jumping through hoops to adjust your plans.CertificationsCheck if any industry groups have certified the travel agency you are working with. The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) for example has its own code of ethics and offers training and resources to its members. If you see the ASTA logo on the travel agency’s website, this is a promising sign.Have a question for Jeff Rossen? He’s answering your consumer questions every Friday in the new segment "Rossen Responds." Email your questions to him at RossenResponds@hearst.com. Want bonus content and exclusive deals? Make sure to sign up for our free newsletter at RossenReports.com.
Travel agents are making a comeback, with more young people prioritizing travel.
They can save you time and stress when planning a vacation but can travel agents save you money?
Rossen Reports decided to find out, working with Shelby Frenette, the owner of South Florida host travel agency TravelFun.Biz, to see how much money can be saved when booking with a travel agent instead of booking directly.
Watch the video above to see Jeff compare prices on flights, cruises, and hotels.
Here are some things to consider when working with a travel agent:
Cost
Every travel agent is different. Some only earn a commission off the trips they book. Others may charge service fees, either in the form of a flat rate, percentage, or hourly rate. Make sure to do your research and ask about any potential fees upfront so you know what works for your budget.
Convenience
Travel agents offer you personalized service and are particularly valuable when any challenges arrive. If you experience flight delays or cancelations, a travel agent can work on your behalf, so you aren’t the one jumping through hoops to adjust your plans.
Certifications
Check if any industry groups have certified the travel agency you are working with. The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) for example has its own code of ethics and offers training and resources to its members. If you see the ASTA logo on the travel agency’s website, this is a promising sign.
Have a question for Jeff Rossen? He’s answering your consumer questions every Friday in the new segment "Rossen Responds." Email your questions to him at RossenResponds@hearst.com.
Want bonus content and exclusive deals? Make sure to sign up for our free newsletter at RossenReports.com.