What Should I Ask a Travel Agent Before Booking a Family Vacation (And Why You Shouldn’t Use One)?
As a mom of four (yes, four!), I get it—planning a family vacation can be as overwhelming as herding cats. Between the endless activities, the kids’ preferences, and the unpredictable schedules, it can feel like a full-time job. And when you add in trying to get the best deal, ensuring everything goes smoothly, and making sure the vacation is memorable for everyone (yes, even the little one who doesn’t like to sleep), the stress can quickly add up.
You may be thinking about hiring a travel agent to save you time and energy. After all, that’s their job, right? To make things easier for you? So, what should you ask a travel agent before booking your family vacation? Good question. But before you rush off to find one, let me throw in a little twist: You don’t actually need one.
I’m not here to rain on your parade—well, okay, maybe a little—but I’m going to show you why booking that trip yourself is probably the better option. And don’t worry—I’m not leaving you high and dry. I’ve got all the details on what you should ask (if you’re really considering using one) and how to easily plan your trip without the middleman. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Why You Don’t Need a Travel Agent to Plan Your Family Vacation
Before we get to the questions, let’s take a moment to talk about why you might not need a travel agent at all. You’re probably thinking, “But travel agents are experts, right?” True. But did you know that you can access that same expertise for free, and often get a better deal, by planning the trip yourself?
Here’s the truth: Travel agents may seem like they’re offering you some magical insider deals, but these deals aren’t always the best. You can often find better prices and more flexible options by booking your trip directly on websites like Expedia, Booking.com, or Airbnb. These platforms give you total control over your trip—without paying a travel agent commission fee.
Plus, with family vacations, flexibility is key. You may need to change things last minute (let’s be honest, it happens), and booking directly with airlines or hotels gives you the freedom to make those changes without waiting for a third party to make them for you.
Now, I know what you’re thinking—“But what about those crazy travel deals?” Well, we’ll talk about that in just a second.
What You Should Ask a Travel Agent Before Booking Your Family Vacation
If you are still leaning toward hiring a travel agent for your family vacation, then you need to ask the right questions before you book. It’s like a job interview, but for your family’s fun, so let’s make sure they’re a good fit. Here’s what you need to ask them:
1. What Are Your Fees?
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Travel agents can charge all sorts of fees. There’s a service fee, an administration fee, and sometimes even a booking fee. You might think you’re getting a sweet deal, but then the price ends up being more expensive than booking directly.
What to do instead: Many booking sites like Kayak, Google Flights, and Skyscanner don’t charge fees for making a booking, and you get to pick exactly what you want without worrying about hidden costs. Plus, you can compare prices across multiple platforms and get the best deal yourself.
2. How Will You Personalize My Family Vacation?
A travel agent should know your preferences and customize your vacation accordingly. If they’re just sending you generic packages that don’t suit your family’s unique needs, that’s a red flag. Ask them, “How will you tailor this trip to my family?”
Do they know about family-friendly hotels, resorts with kid-friendly activities, or places that have great family discounts?
What to do instead: Check out resources like Family Travel Forum or Lonely Planet for family vacation ideas. Sites like TripAdvisor have real reviews from other families, and you can filter them by things like kid-friendly amenities, affordability, or destination. With a little research, you’ll be able to find exactly what you want without paying someone else for it.
3. What Happens If I Need to Cancel or Change My Plans?
Family vacations are notorious for having last-minute changes. Kids get sick. Flights get delayed. Someone forgot to pack their favorite stuffed animal and now the whole trip is ruined (I speak from experience).
What to do instead: Look for travel options that have flexible cancellation policies. Many airlines, hotels, and even tour companies have adapted to more flexible terms in light of the pandemic, so you can book with more peace of mind. Booking directly also gives you the power to make changes yourself, without having to rely on a travel agent to do it for you.
4. Do You Offer Special Discounts for Families?
It’s always worth asking if a travel agent has access to special deals or discounts for families. Sometimes, agents have access to group rates, family packages, or exclusive deals. But honestly, this is hit or miss. They might not be able to offer anything better than what you could find yourself.
What to do instead: Check out sites like Groupon, Travelzoo, or Hotwire for last-minute deals, or subscribe to email newsletters from travel companies and booking platforms that specialize in family vacations. Many times, you can find discounts on family packages and group rates, and you won’t have to pay the agent’s fee.
5. How Can You Help Me with Trip Insurance?
Travel insurance is important (especially with kids), but you don’t need a travel agent to help you with this. Many travel agents may upsell insurance policies that cover things like trip cancellations or medical emergencies, but you can easily get the same coverage (or better) on your own.
What to do instead: Shop around for travel insurance policies yourself through comparison sites like InsureMyTrip or TravelInsurance.com. You can tailor the coverage to fit your family’s needs and avoid paying a middleman’s fee.
6. Can You Help Me Book Activities for the Family?
Family vacations often require extra planning, especially when it comes to activities. From amusement parks to guided tours, you want to know if a travel agent can help you book these extra excursions.
What to do instead: Use platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide to book family-friendly activities on your own. These sites allow you to read reviews, compare prices, and even cancel or reschedule activities if necessary. Plus, you get to pick what works for your family’s schedule, not someone else’s.
7. What’s Your Level of Expertise in Family Travel?
Some travel agents specialize in certain destinations or types of trips, like luxury vacations, honeymoon packages, or cruises. You need to know if the travel agent is experienced with family vacations or if you’re going to be handed off to someone who doesn’t know the first thing about traveling with kids.
What to do instead: Do your own research on family-friendly destinations and activities. Websites like FamilyVacationCritic and Travel Channel have curated lists of the best family vacation spots, activities, and accommodations. You can find expert advice without paying a travel agent commission.
Why You Can (And Should) Plan Your Family Vacation Without a Travel Agent
Okay, so now you know what to ask a travel agent before booking a family vacation. But let me just take a moment to say it again: you don’t need a travel agent. Here’s why:
1. You Have More Flexibility
One of the best things about booking your family vacation on your own is the flexibility it offers. You don’t have to wait for a travel agent to book your tickets, hotel, or excursions. You can make changes whenever you want. If the kids suddenly have a meltdown and you need to change the itinerary, it’s easy to do on your own.
2. It’s More Affordable
As mentioned earlier, travel agents often charge fees for their services, and their packages aren’t necessarily the best deal. When you book directly, you cut out the middleman and keep that extra cash in your pocket. Plus, you get the benefit of comparison shopping, which means you can find the best deal for your family’s budget.
3. You Can Find Exactly What You Want
When you’re booking a family vacation, the last thing you want is to be stuck with a generic package that doesn’t fit your family’s needs. By planning your trip yourself, you can choose exactly what works for your crew. Want a family-friendly hotel with a lazy river pool? No problem. Looking for a destination that offers tons of outdoor activities? You’ve got it.
4. You Get Better Control Over Your Trip
Booking your vacation means you have total control over the itinerary, the accommodations, and the activities. You get to choose when to leave, where to stay, and what to do. And if something changes last minute (like one of your kids decides they hate the beach), you can switch things up without having to go through a third party.
5. Online Tools Make It Easy
Booking websites like Expedia, **Booking
.com**, and Airbnb make it incredibly easy to plan your family trip. They allow you to compare prices, read reviews, and find exactly what you’re looking for—without the hassle of working with a travel agent.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!
Planning a family vacation doesn’t have to be stressful, and you certainly don’t need a travel agent to make it happen. With a little research, the right online tools, and a bit of patience, you can create an amazing trip for your family—on your own terms and within your budget.
So, next time someone asks you, “Why don’t you just use a travel agent?”, you can confidently say, “Because I can do it myself, and it’s way better that way!”
Happy family vacation planning!