Pros and Cons Of Using A Honeymoon Travel Agent

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

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The thrill of planning your dream honeymoon or the dread of organising another piece in the wedding puzzle? Whatever way you’re feeling, you might wonder ‘should I use a honeymoon travel agent‘?!

Will sifting through endless options feel like a chore? Maybe you’re planning something big that neither of you have ever done before?

Or, maybe you absolutely love planning travel and wondering why you should even hire a honeymoon travel agent to plan your trip?

As a former honeymoon travel agent specialist AND also someone who loves to spend time planning every travel detail (and is even the travel organiser of the friend group), the Honeymoon Guide understands the conundrum of whether to use a honeymoon travel agent for your honeymoon travel planning.

Let’s weigh up what is the right choice for you. Keep reading to discover the pros and cons of using a honeymoon travel agent!

Pros of using a Honeymoon Travel Agent

Expertise

Engaging a honeymoon travel agent or honeymoon travel company means you can lean on their wealth of expertise and insider knowledge.

A great honeymoon travel agent will know all the best honeymoon destinations, including places you might not have thought of before.

They have a global network of reputable connections, including access to in-destination specialists. They can excel in planning an incredible trip, based on industry knowledge and local expertise, especially beneficial if you’re planning to venture into unfamiliar territory!

They will have established relationships with airlines with a thorough understanding of flight routes and tickets.

With these kinds of connections, you’ve more chance of getting upgrades and added extras, too!

A honeymoon travel expert can recommend not only places to visit but where to dine, often having firsthand experience (or will have some colleagues who do!).

This can be a reliable alternative to the hit-and-miss nature of internet research or outdated guidebooks.

They will know about visa requirements and can even give you some general advice on what vaccinations might be needed (although ultimately you need to confirm with a medical professional).

A good honeymoon travel agent will tailor your itinerary to your personal preferences and help ensure you have everything you need to embark on your dream trip!

Saves you time 

Amidst the whirlwind of wedding planning, the prospect of organising a honeymoon on top can seem like a daunting task.

Working with a honeymoon travel agent can significantly lighten this load, offering you the luxury of time, a commodity most precious in the run-up to your big day!

You can offload the burden of research, booking, and coordination to a professional. You don’t need to spend scouring the internet for deals or sifting through endless reviews.

Instead, a honeymoon travel agent can present you with a curated list of options, meticulously tailored to your preferences.

A great honeymoon travel agent will save you time and reduce any planning stress!

Can save money 

Contrary to common assumptions, engaging a honeymoon travel agent can actually save you money.

A honeymoon travel agent, with industry acumen and an extensive network, will be adept at carving out honeymoon packages to suit your needs.

They have the inside track on exclusive deals, sales and upgrades. They’ll know all the tips and tricks to save you money!

Though some (but certainly not all) honeymoon travel agents may charge a nominal fee for their initial planning services (they have to earn a living after all!), the long-term savings you could make will often outweigh the initial outlay.

Plus if you are planning a honeymoon on a specific budget (and look, most couples are!), a travel agent will work with you to find the perfect honeymoon that doesn’t break the bank and suits your budget, while still meeting your expectations.

Plus, a reputable honeymoon travel agent will know about any surprise fees on accommodations and activities post-booking, providing a transparent breakdown of payments you may need to pay locally.

Personalised service

Personalised service is at the heart of what sets a good honeymoon travel agent apart.

Speaking to a human, forming a rapport, and having someone cares about your trip (and is excited for you) is worth its weight in gold.

Unlike impersonal interactions with online book companies, a honeymoon travel agent will treat your honeymoon as if it was their own!

The human touch, understanding, and personal attention will help alleviate any planning stress and enhance your honeymoon, making every moment feel specially curated just for you two.

Ultimately their aspiration to earn your repeat business and maybe even referrals by you to your friends, family and colleagues who are getting married or planning a holiday / vacation so they are invested in getting this right for you. 

Problem solving

A honeymoon travel agent morphs into your personal concierge when the unpredictable strikes.

Flight cancellations, delays, missed connections that can send ripples through your meticulously planned itinerary, can be swiftly managed by your honeymoon travel agent.

They are often among the first to be notified, enabling them to rebook flights or rearrange accommodations promptly.

The unexpected is an inherent aspect of travel; however, having a travel agent to troubleshoot issues can be a godsend, turning potential hiccups into minor blips on the radar.

They ensure your honeymoon doesn’t morph into a logistical nightmare but remains a dreamy escapade.

Whether it’s a last-minute re-booking, securing upgrades, or addressing any unforeseen issues, the support of a travel agent is invaluable.

Their assistance instils a sense of peace and assurance, allowing you to immerse fully in the joy of your honeymoon, with the comforting knowledge that you have a professional ally ready to iron out any wrinkles along the way!

Supporting a local businesses

Engaging a local honeymoon travel agent is a conscious choice to support businesses in your community.

In a digital era where online bookings are the norm, the allure of personal interaction and tailored service that local travel agents provide is still irreplaceable for many.

Contrary to the narrative of travel agents being a dying breed, they continue to thrive as they offer a human touch, understanding, and local insights that digital platforms often lack.

By choosing a local honeymoon travel agent, you’re not just securing a personalised service for your honeymoon planning, but also contributing to the livelihood of local professionals and, by extension, supporting the broader community in which they operate.

Cons of using a Honeymoon Travel Agent

Cost

While a honeymoon travel agent can save you money with insider expertise, they can sometimes come with a higher price tag.

One reason could be the absence of established relationships with service providers and vendors, which otherwise could have led to discounted rates or special deals. Or, that the individual elements of your itinerary don’t pay a travel agent commission so they have to add on their service fees.

Additionally, any amendments to your itinerary post-booking can incur extra charges, potentially escalating the cost. Travel agents may charge for the additional time and effort required to re-arrange your travel plans.

Value-added services like personalised advice, tailored itineraries, and troubleshooting support in times of unexpected hitches, can be priceless for some couples. These services aim at enhancing your travel experience, ensuring a seamless and stress-free journey.

However, occasionally a travel agent may not be able to beat the cost of a DIY honeymoon.

It’s essential to weigh this against the comprehensive, personalised service and peace of mind that come with having a professional honeymoon travel agent handle your arrangements.

Less control & flexibility

For some couples (or at least one half of a couple!), honeymoon planning can be almost as fun as the trip itself!

Relinquishing control to a honeymoon travel agent might be disconcerting to those who thrive on the meticulous research, planning, and booking that is involved in travel.

The thrill of reading travel blogs, pinning beautiful destinations to Pinterest boards, and sifting through travel guide books is an adventure in its own right. If you’re that kind of couple, the idea of someone else planning is inconceivable.

The autonomy of DIY honeymoon planning allows for a spontaneity and freedom that is cherished by many. The flexibility to delve into the details, tweak plans, and book at your own pace, anytime, anywhere can be a significant draw. 

A honeymoon travel agent itinerary, while meticulously crafted, might not always leave room for last-minute changes or spontaneity.

For instance, discovering a local festival or a newly opened restaurant you’d love to try might clash with pre-booked activities, making alterations a tad challenging.

The process of coordinating changes with a travel agent can be time-consuming. It may involve back-and-forth communications, re-booking, and possibly incurring additional costs, which could be a deterrent for some couples

For couples who have a good grasp on how to book trips, have ample time for research, and a clear vision of what they desire and find joy in the nuts and bolts of travel planning, a honeymoon travel agent might not be the right choice.

Standardised packages

There’s a difference between a tailor-made itinerary and an off-the-shelf honeymoon package.

Plus, traditional scope of services offered by a honeymoon travel agent might not encompass non-traditional accommodations like AirBnB.

This could potentially lead to a more generic travel experience if a honeymoon travel agent is less adept at personalisation and hasn’t got the contacts needed to plan something truly tailor-made.

Inexperienced or biased

When looking out for a perfect honeymoon travel agent, you want someone who has a lot of experience.

Whether it’s that they specialise in your dream destination or a type of travel, be it beach honeymoons, cruise honeymoon, or adventure honeymoons.

There is the possibility of encountering inexperienced or even a biased travel agent.

It’s important to find a travel company or professional who resonates with your vision and comes with an array of excellent reviews, or even better, a word-of-mouth recommendation from a trusted friend, family member or colleague.

A honeymoon travel agent may have affiliations with specific providers, a factor that could tint their recommendations. It’s important to find a honeymoon travel agent who is experienced and ultimately, you trust.

Unregulated Travel Agents

It’s incredibly important to find the right honeymoon travel company or professional.

If you’re in the EU or UK, you are lucky as you have safety nets with regulations like the EU Package Travel Directive and ATOL which ensure a level of financial protection when engaging with a honeymoon travel agent or honeymoon travel tour operator.

However, in other regions including the USA, the landscape of consumer or financial protection is less robust. Although certain states like California have ‘Seller of Travel’ licensing requirements, these do not necessarily vouch for the reputability of a travel agent.

You can check if a potential honeymoon travel agent has accreditations from reputable bodies like the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA), or the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) are good indicators of a higher level of professionalism and adherence to industry standards.

Engaging with unregulated travel agent can be a gamble, potentially leading to financial losses or subpar service, tarnishing the joy of your honeymoon.

Choosing honeymoon travel experts with recognized accreditations or asking around, to find someone with a good reputation within your trusted network, is the best place to start.

As you can see there are many pros for using a honeymoon travel agent to plan this trip of a lifetime. Ultimately a great travel agent will mean a hassle free planning and booking honeymoon experience.

Although, if you’re the kind of couple who loves to plan travel or are on a tighter budget, doing a DIY honeymoon is common, too. The main thing is to ensure you use a reputable company or professional honeymoon travel agent!

Whether you’re planning to use a travel agent or planning a DIY honeymoon, check out some of our top articles to help you plan your dream trip:

How to start planning your dream honeymoon
Average cost of a honeymoon with our honeymoon calculator
Easy ways to honeymoon on a budget

Let us know in the comments, will you use a travel agent to book your honeymoon?