- Introduction to DIY travel vs. travel agent
- Advantages of DIY Travel
- Benefits of Using a Travel Agent
- Disadvantages of Each Approach
- Conclusion: Choosing the Right Option for You
- A Note About Independent Travel Agents
Introduction to DIY travel vs. travel agent
Explore the pros and cons of DIY travel versus using a travel agent to help you make informed travel decisions. In this article I discuss the advantages and disadvantages of self-planned and travel agent planned holidays. Take a look and decide which method you are drawn to most.
Advantages of DIY Travel
The main reasons that people like to arrange their own travel are usually down to affordability and control.
Cost Savings
Travel Agents like to make out that there is no extra cost by using their services because they usually receive commission directly from wholesales and partners. However, even though this is true, more often than not, if you book a similar trip yourself, you will save money.
Someone is always creaming off the top – up to 20 percent commission and more. So, whether that is the wholesaler, agent or booking site, ultimately the consumer pays the price.
Although agents get wholesale prices, you can usually get flights and hotels at similar prices or less. Agents have preferred partners, which makes it less flexible. DIY booking means you can compare prices with far more providers, which often means a lower price.
You might not get exactly the same holiday but you can get one almost the same for less.
Time to Save
Although DIY travellers have to pay for their flight costs upfront, they can usually pay for their accommodation and trips much closer to the start of their trip (sometimes the day before) giving them time to save.
Flexibility and Control
Arranging your own trip means that you can create a bespoke, tailored itinerary. You can communicate directly with providers and not rely on third party agents.
More Choice
You have more choice because you are not beholden to partner companies. Self-planners can literally choose any hotel, airline, tour or experience that they wish. You can mix things up and book expensive hotels as well as budget accommodations, and be as flexible as you like. See my Guide to Planning a DIY Itinerary
Benefits of Using a Travel Agent
The main reason people choose to book through a travel agent is convenience and perceived cheaper cost.
Payment Plans
Most travel agencies allow customers to pay a low initial deposit and pay in instalments; making it easier to spread the cost.
Expertise and Support
Depending on which travel agent you choose, some agents have created their itineraries using expert travel advisors. Many agencies try and test out all their products so they can give you informed advice.
Travel agents will give you support and help before and during your trip. They will be on hand if any problems occur. It is their responsibility if anything should go wrong.
ATOL Protection
Package deals are ATOL protected so if any of the providers should go bust, you are guaranteed your money back. You can read more about ATOL protection here.
Time Efficiency
Using an agent saves you time. Although it is advisable to research which agent is best for you and check their reviews, they will do all the booking process for you.
Disadvantages of Each Approach
Challenges of DIY Travel
Researching and booking your DIY trip is time consuming and you need to be organised. Everything is your responsibility and you will need to sort out any problems that occur.
DIY travel is not ATOL protected so it is essential that you take out sufficient travel insurance, in case anything goes wrong. See my Guide to Protecting Your DIY Holiday
Limitations of Travel Agents
Bespoke travel itineraries can be extremely expensive. Companies that specialise in tailormade travel usually charge premium prices because bespoke travel takes longer to plan and is not booked en masse.
Cheap packages often lack imagination (one size fits all) and hotels can be generic.
Travel agents have preferred partners so there is often a lack of flexibility.
You have to trust that they will solve any problems that occur because all contracts are with them (the third party agent) and airlines, etc will only communicate with the agent responsible.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Option for You
After reading the advantages and disadvantages of DIY travel vs. travel agent holidays, hopefully you have decided which is best for you. Only you know yourself and can decide which method suits your personality.
If you prefer the ease, hassle free and time saving advantages of using a travel agent then this option is for you.
If you are like me (a bit of a control freak) and enjoy planning, researching and booking trips, then arranging your own DIY travels is for you.
Whichever you decide my Destination Guides provide ideas and inspiration to help you decide where to go next!
My DIY Travel Guide is here to help and answer any questions you have about DIY travel planning from finding cheaper flights to ensuring your trip is protected. See all my articles in the carousel below:
A Note About Independent Travel Agents
Before I started this blog I wasn’t really very aware of the amount of independent travel agents that are out there. I get approached all the time asking if I would like to become one.
Having looked into it, I have decided it is not for me because of the following reasons:
- I don’t want to be responsible for other people’s holidays.
- I don’t travel enough to make it worth the monthly fee.
- I don’t like approaching people and selling.
I do not wish to be disparaging to independent travel agents and have friends and family that enjoy this role. I say it is worth looking into if you think it could be for you.
Do you book all your travels yourself or a bit of both? Let me know in the comments.
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