Travel agents making a comeback among travel bookers

More millennials are starting to use travel agents instead of booking their vacations online.

“I like the personal service and attention,” said Angel Wall, who has used Saskatoon-based travel agent Kelly Klassen four times in the last few years.

“If you have problems with your travel they take care of it, but online you have an unknown person.”

Wall won’t use online travel sites because of the horror stories she’s heard from friends.

“I had friends stranded in Burma,” she said. “That’s why I don’t feel comfortable booking online.”

Jason Rolfes is another one who takes advantage of Klassen’s expertise.

“When I traveled the first time I didn’t know what I was doing, so it gave me the piece of mind,” he said. 

Wall said a big misconception is it costs more to use a travel agent, which isn’t the case.

“I’ve saved money because they find better deals,” she said. “Sometimes she can find perks like a better resort, upgraded room or free shows.”

Klassen also hooked Rolfes up with some perks.

“She got us free shows that we wouldn’t have been able to find because of the fine print online,” he said.

Klassen said some of the perks she recently offered her travelers was a $100 spa certificate and she sends out Tim Horton’s cards for the airport with every booking.