We ask for referrals for everything. Home improvements. Auto mechanics. Dentists. Heck, even churches. So I actually love seeing people on social media ask, “Does anyone have a travel advisor they trust?” As long as those recommendations are authentic and not some cleverly disguised marketing scheme…but I digress. 
The point is, you absolutely SHOULD vet the person helping you plan your vacation. Travel can be a huge financial investment, but it’s also an emotional one. Maybe you’ve saved for years, dreamed about this trip forever, or you’re finally taking your entire family somewhere special. Asking, “Who am I trusting with this?” is not only fair, it’s smart.
But here’s something else I want travelers to think about: Why do we automatically assume booking directly with the supplier means we’re getting the best deal? I watch travel suppliers advertise “LIMITED TIME OFFER!” “FREE AIRFARE!” “SPECIAL SAVINGS!” and “BOOK NOW!” constantly. One river cruise company in particular seems to have a new can’t-miss promotion every month. At some point, if there’s always a sale, is it really a sale? Remember when Disney movies went into “the vault,” and when they finally came back out you ran to buy that special edition before it disappeared again? Remember when Black Friday actually meant something? Urgency only works when something is actually scarce. Today, travelers need to look beyond the giant SALE banner and understand what they’re really buying.
That’s where an experienced travel advisor earns their seat at the table. Take “free airfare,” for example. Depending on the promotion, that airfare may be part of a supplier’s negotiated or contracted air program, with specific terms, routes, gateways, change rules or restrictions. “Free” on an advertisement doesn’t necessarily mean the airfare magically costs nothing. A knowledgeable advisor looks underneath the shiny wrapping. What are the terms? What would the trip cost without the promotion? Is there another offer that provides better overall value? Is supplier air actually the best option for this particular traveler? Our job isn’t to get hypnotized by the word FREE. Our job is to understand the offer, ask questions and determine whether it actually benefits our client. Sometimes the supplier promotion truly is fantastic, and we’ll tell you that too.
That is one of the reasons I’m so proud of the full-time advisors at Travel Advisors Unlimited. They continuously educate themselves, pay attention to the details and aren’t afraid to ask suppliers hard questions. I’ve built a reputation for asking those questions myself. Some people appreciate it, and some probably wish I’d stop asking. But I’m not here to make a supplier’s marketing department happy. I’m here to advocate for our travelers. And that advocacy becomes even more important when something goes sideways. When one of our clients has a problem halfway around the world, they aren’t just a confirmation number trying to figure out who to call. They have an advisor, and behind that advisor is an entire team ready to help. That’s the difference between simply buying a vacation and having someone in your corner. So yes, vet your travel advisor. Ask questions. Check experience. Get referrals. Find someone you trust. Because the right travel advisor isn’t there just to sell you the trip. We’re there to help make sure the trip being sold to you is actually the right one.
Thank you, as always, for supporting our small business and trusting Travel Advisors Unlimited with your adventures. 
