Why Use a Travel Advisor?

Is doing all the research yourself really saving you time?

What a Travel Advisor Actually Does

A travel advisor doesn’t just book what you already found. Dave compares the right choices for your specific group, understands the tradeoffs between similar-looking options, organizes the moving pieces, and is available when plans change: not just at the moment of booking.

What Happens If Something Goes Wrong While You’re Traveling?

Flights get delayed. Resorts overbook. Itineraries change. When you book everything yourself, solving that mid-trip is on you. When you work with Dave, there’s a real person you can call: before, during, and after the trip.

Supplier & Destination Knowledge

Dave holds specialty certifications in ethical agent practices, Hawaii travel, and group travel, and works with an advisor network and on-the-ground partners: the kind of first-hand knowledge that catches problems before they become your problem.

The Goal Isn’t to Take Control

It’s to help you make the decision with more confidence: narrowing the right options instead of handing you hundreds more.

Travel agent vs booking it yourself: an honest comparison

Online booking sites are fast, and for a simple flight or one-night hotel they are often all you need. Complicated trips are different. A cruise with three kids, a Disney week with dining reservations, a reunion with twenty relatives or a multi-island Hawaii itinerary have many linked decisions. A mistake in one, like the wrong cabin location or park day order, can affect the whole trip.

When a travel advisor is most useful

• Trips with several moving parts, such as flights, hotels, cruise, tours and transfers.
• Group travel, where payments, room assignments and communication multiply.
• Destinations with strict booking windows, like Disney dining or in-park national park lodging.
• Travelers who want a second opinion on a booking they have already found.
• Anyone who values a real person to call when a flight is cancelled or a plan changes.

What a good advisor does that a booking site does not

• Compares options for your group instead of showing everything sorted by price.
• Explains tradeoffs between similar choices, such as ship size, resort style and cabin category.
• Manages deposits, final payments and deadlines.
• Monitors your reservation for eligible promotions after you book.
• Helps you when something goes wrong, before or during the trip.

Does a travel agent cost more?

Not necessarily. Many cruises, resorts and packages cost the same whether you book direct or through an advisor, because suppliers pay agent commissions. Some advisors also charge planning fees for complex custom trips. At 7220 Travel there is no up-front charge to start, and Dave explains how compensation works for your specific trip.

How to choose a travel advisor

• Ask what certifications and supplier relationships they have.
• Ask how they get paid and whether there are fees.
• Ask what happens if something goes wrong while you are traveling.
• Ask for examples of trips like yours.

Dave holds Certified Ethical Travel Agent, Certified Hawaii Travel Specialist and Certified Group Travel Specialist credentials, and is an independent affiliate of A.S.A.P. Cruises Inc. Read more about Dave, see why families choose 7220 Travel, or tell us about your trip.

Travel advisor questions we hear

Is a travel agent worth it?

For complex trips, groups and destinations with tight booking windows, many travelers find the planning, monitoring and support worth it. For a simple one-night stay, booking yourself is often fine.

Can a travel agent get better prices?

Sometimes. Advisors can access group rates, supplier promotions and perks, and can review your booking for better eligible offers. Prices are often the same as booking direct, with added service.

What if I already booked something?

Tell Dave what you booked. He can review it and see whether a better offer or a better fit is available.