How a Travel Professional Plans Your Holiday (It’s Not Just About Price!)
When I book a holiday for clients, I treat it as if it were my own. My priority is to understand what’s most important to them - and that’s rarely price alone. Everyone has different priorities: time, comfort, convenience, experiences or making the most of precious annual leave. It’s the little things that can make or break a trip. If you or your family have specific dietary requirements, the wrong destination or hotel could turn what should be a wonderful escape into a daily struggle. The same goes for mobility needs, family room set-ups or making sure the kids’ club is suitable for your child’s age.
This is the kind of attention to detail you simply don’t get from an online agent. It’s all part of my service - and at no extra charge.
Here’s a little insight into how a travel professional thinks when planning your trip:
Flights
The cheapest flights? Very often a no from me!
For short haul (anything up to 5–6 hours with a minimal time difference), the timings are critical. Many of the cheapest options involve unsociable flight times. We’ve all seen tour operator holidays with a 4am departure back to the UK which means you miss a full night’s sleep, you’re out of your hotel at 11am but not leaving for the airport until midnight, you (and the kids, if travelling as a family) arrive home utterly exhausted.
For a short break, timings are even more important. Why waste a precious first day arriving late in the evening or cut the last day short by flying out at dawn? The goal is to maximise your time away.
Long-haul flights bring a whole new set of considerations:
• Route & connections – The key is to look at all the options so you can make an informed decision, weighing up cost against convenience and deciding what matters most for your trip. A 14-hour direct flight can look costly next to a 35-hour route with multiple stopovers but if time is limited, or the quickest and smoothest route is most important for your family, then the direct flight is often worth every penny.
• Connection times – Too tight and you risk missing your flight. Too long and you’re spending unnecessary hours (and money!) in an airport. Immigration and luggage rules need to be checked when considering connection times. In the US, Australia, India and elsewhere, you must clear immigration and collect luggage at your first point of entry, which takes time. If you miss a connection, are there alternative flights that day? If not it’s usually wiser to build in a more generous layover.
A word of caution: fare inclusions need to be reviewed carefully. Luggage, meals, seat selection and even a proper cabin bag can all be added costs. By the time you’ve added those on, the “cheaper” option can easily end up costing more.
Hotels
This is where understanding my clients really matters. Picking a hotel isn’t just about comparing star ratings and prices - it’s about the right fit.
A hotel in the wrong location could mean wasted time (and money) spent on taxis. For a city break, being central to the main attractions is usually worth every penny. For a beach holiday, it’s about the right resort vibe - whether that’s peaceful, family-friendly or a lively atmosphere with plenty of nightlife. For my foodie clients, being near great local restaurants is a must - they don’t want to be confined to eating in the hotel every night.
When I recommend a hotel, these are just some of the details I’ll be checking for you. • Are there any extra bed costs for children? • Is there a daily resort fee (particularly important for US bookings)? • How well does the hotel cater for important dietary needs? • Are any local taxes payable?
Another word of caution: a deal on-line that looks too good to be true often is. Hidden extras can change the price fast so always make sure that you’re comparing like-for-like.
Parking
This is one of those details that people often leave until the last minute. I always discuss parking requirements at the quote stage because prices only go up closer to departure. Securing short-term or valet parking in advance can make life so much easier when you land back tired, jet-lagged and desperate to get home quickly.
Ready to start planning your next holiday? A well-planned holiday is about balance: the right flights, the right hotel, the right extras, all tailored to you. That’s where a travel professional adds value.
Get in touch and I’ll make sure your trip is seamless, stress-free, and perfectly tailored to you - with concierge-level detail included as standard. That’s why many of my clients return to me time and again to plan their holidays.
