Free Tips: Travel Secrets No One Talks About
No one asked me this but I figured I’d let you in on some travel info that could really help you out. As a travel agent, I’ve seen how not doing these things REALLY makes life harder for you (and me lol. Let’s be honest here). Here’s some free tips:
1. Deposits. If you are interested in any trip that you know you’re definitely going on or are even considering “I might go…” pay the deposit! When you pay the deposit then at that day and time, you lock in the rate. Prices will go up, rooms will sell out so paying the deposit keeps your room and keeps that special rate. So many times I see people upset that prices went up by the time they are ready to pay and they are frustrated at the travel agency because of it. We are seriously awesome, but we are not that awesome that we control every supplier’s travel rate, although that would be pretty amazing. Even if you are considering a trip, it is better to pay a small fee cancel (if following tip number 2… than paying two or three times more for a trip you already knew you were going on).
2. Refundable/nonrefundable (deposits). Typically, nonrefundable deposits are a little bit cheaper. However, unless you know for a fact that you’re planning on going on a trip (with no uncertainty) and preferably not too far in advance, you should get the refundable deposit option. Again, it’s better to pay the deposit and back out getting your money back instead of wishing you paid the deposit months ago when rates were lower. If you're unsure it's worth paying a little more for flexibility.
Unless you know for a fact that you’re planning on going on a trip (with no uncertainty) and preferably not too far in advance, you should get the refundable deposit option.
3. Travel insurance. LISTEN, travel insurance is one of the best things they’ve made. It can be slightly hypocritical to the second tip I mentioned but that further shows why you need it! Let’s say you follow my number 1 and 2 advice before about paying your deposit but you pay off your trip early and for some extreme reason, you absolutely cannot go (like a pandemic…). Travel insurance can get your money back, even if the supplier says the money is nonrefundable (make sure you’re choosing the right option though). None of us know what the future holds but travel insurance can help make sure you’re prepared. If nothing else, COVID taught us literally anything can happen so let’s be prepared. Even if you are able to go on the trip, travel insurance can cover various things like illnesses, death (for you or a significant family member, depending on the plan chosen) and even delays! I had a client that had to wait an extra day to get back home. Thankfully she had travel insurance. Though travel insurance cannot force things from happening, a little compensation can make the inconvenience a little bit easier to take on.
4. Know what you’re booking. This is one of the values of going with a travel agent but even if you don’t, do your due diligence to know what you’re booking! I’ve heard so many times people got scammed or thought they booked one thing but they didn’t understand and had to pay significantly more money to fix the issue. If you’re ever in doubt or going to a new territory you’re unfamiliar with, you may want to consider going through a travel agency, paying a consultation fee to know what you’re booking or spending the necessary time to personally familiarize yourself with the area.
I have many more tips but I’ll stop here for now. Follow and let me know if you’d like more!
