Twelve Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting a Travel Agency for Flights

Booking flights with a travel agency can save you the headache of looking for deals as well as get access to professional advice. However, they may also lead to a lot of stress, cause you to incur inflated prices, and lead to a lacklustre experience when traveling. Here are 12 tips to avoid such inconveniences when booking your flight through a travel agency.

Not Researching

The most common and unfortunate mistake is people not conducting enough research to narrow down their selections for the best travel agency for flights. People tend to pick the first travel company they come across without looking it up. This often leads to a range of problems if an agency doesn’t deliver the promised services. Before jumping in, always check for reviews, previous customer accounts, and how the agency handles its clients.

Lacking Accreditation

As previously mentioned, not all travel agencies are created equal. Many gap year travellers disregard checking if an agency has the relevant accreditation from a legitimate body. But as a traveller, you should know that accreditation means that the agency complies with minimum industry requirements and ethical practices. This should put at ease so many potential travellers.

Cutting Costs at the Expense of Quality

Understandably, many people get tempted to hire the cheapest agency that is around, no matter what the costs are at the end. Even if the tickets are cheap, they usually come with extra and often unattractive costs, more restrictions, and no customer care. This is why it is better to think about quality as well, which in this case includes value for money, customer care, service, the flights available, and so on.

Not Asking What Is Missing or Included

If you have booked an airplane ticket in the past and did not understand the purchasing add-ons that came with it, then you might incur extra costs that you did not expect. Many, if not all, agencies boast of “low fares, " meaning they do not include things such as luggage, seats, or any other fees involved in the process. It is good practice to always seek out how the bill is arrived at.

Failing To Take Into Consideration The Years The Agency Has Been In Business

When it comes to making travel arrangements, it pays to have experience. An old agency will most likely have good connections with the airlines, which means they will get better deals and recommend good tips. It is very common for people to go for younger and new airline business agencies, which is a big mistake as they might lack the experience to manage such arrangements.

Falling for Unrealistic Promises

It’s better not to fall for ‘too good to be true’ offers which travel agencies offer. Claims like ‘50% OFF on all flights’ or ‘luxury accommodation at a price of economy class’ are potential red flags. They indicate scam tickets or undisclosed fees. You should always check the agency’s credibility to verify their claims and avoid scams.

Ignoring Customer Support

The travellers fail to try and check how responsive and successful an agency’s customer service is. If it is last-minute changes, cancellations or an emergency, good customer support is needed and one must ensure that the agency offers other communication channels such as phone, email and chat around the clock.

Not Comparing Agencies

The desperation of finding a good travel agency and ending up at the first one you see can be very costly. Not all travel agencies have the same prices, services or policies; one should at least compare with three travel agencies to ensure they have the best deals and services.

Ignoring Cancellation Policies And Refunds

Life is unpredictable, and so are travel plans. Due to this reason it is very necessary to keep in mind the cancellation policies of the agency, as well as the refunds they issue. This is a detail most travellers ignore and end up with losses when they wish to reschedule or cancel their bookings. Make sure to get all the information concerning cancellation charges, refund period, and modification of bookings before you make a commitment.

Ignoring Specialised Travel Support

Some travel agencies have specialisation boundaries like family vacations, business travel, and group travel bookings. Opting for a specialised agency that provides various services can lead to an ordeal that is less customised and as a progression, wouldn’t serve you as well. Look for an agency that has the same specialisation as your travel requirements.

Making Hasty Decisions

Flying is fun, but the whole flying process, from booking to packing is a hassle. This leads to hasty decisions, like poor choices about travel bookings. Agencies are notorious for pressuring their clients with time-sensitive offers. If you find yourself in such a situation, take a moment, evaluate the available options, and even go through the terms and conditions.

Ignoring Technology and Tools

A reputable travel agency has the capabilities and tools to help you plan your trip in the modern world and some of them include mobile apps, online bookings, and flight monitors. Some agencies do not keep up with the times, making booking with them a bit of a hassle. Choose an agency with the latest technology that makes planning a trip easy and straightforward.

Conclusion

After avoiding these 12 mistakes, you should be able to pick an airline and enjoy a peaceful, stress-free trip. We normally do not think that flights can be fun, but it can be with the right travel agency. Travel agencies are there to help you every step of the way and planning to fly should be the least of your worries.