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Top 7 best travel agency software in 2024

What is travel agency software and who is it useful for, what benefits does travel agent software offer.

• Simplified booking processes: Customers can compare and book flights, accommodation, and services from various suppliers via a user-friendly travel booking system.
• Automation of back-office tasks: Automated itinerary creation, invoicing, and payments help businesses save time and boost productivity.
• Real-time inventory management: Centralized inventory data enables businesses to make customized recommendations and prevent overbooking.
• Built-in Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Businesses can better manage customer relationships by tracking interactions and preferences.
• Immediate cost savings: Businesses can access negotiated rates and discounts to provide competitive pricing.
• Enhanced decision-making: Businesses can easily access insights into sales, revenue, and other key metrics to help inform future business strategies.

What features and functionality to look for in travel agency software

The best travel agency software in 2024, 1. travelperk.

Core strengths:

How customers rate travelperk, travelperk pricing.

• Starter: This plan is completely free to use, with no monthly subscription fee. The first 5 bookings each month are completely free too (with a 5% booking fee thereafter). You’ll have access to consolidated invoicing, unlimited cost centers, one policy and approval workflow, and travel restriction information and alerts.
• Premium: For $99/month and a 3% booking fee, you’ll have access to concierge services and savings of up to 25% with VAT-ready invoices.
• Pro: For $299/month and a 3% booking fee, you'll unlock unlimited policy and approval workflows, unlimited budgets by cost center, custom reports and insights, and access to corporate rates.
• Enterprise: This option is designed for enterprise businesses that want to customize their requirements. To find out more about this plan, get in touch with an expert .

Discover today how to give your execs a top-notch travel experience that will have them smiling every step of the way.

• A centralized booking platform provides travel agents with access to a range of travel options, including flights, accommodations, car rentals, and more.
• Sabre’s GDS allows travel agents to search, compare, and book travel services for their clients.
• A mobile app enables travel management companies (TMCs), corporate travel managers, and travelers to access, manage and organize their business trips and itineraries.
• CRM tools help travel agencies manage customer information, preferences, and communication history.
• Reporting and analytics features provide insights into booking patterns, sales performance, and other key metrics to help travel agencies make informed business decisions.

How customers rate Sabre

Sabre pricing.

• Businesses can publish mini websites for each project to help their clients visualize the whole trip in one go.
• Businesses can consolidate suppliers within a personal catalog for easy management.
• Budgets can be adjusted flexibly using dynamic pricing to align with each client's requirements.
• Ezus automates trip costing to help agencies stay within each client's budget.
• Travel proposal documents and quotes can be customized and tailored to an agency’s unique branding.

How customers rate Ezus

Pricing information.

• Starter: $139 per month.
• Professional: $399 per month.
• Premium: $849 per month.
• Enterprise: Customized subscription prices are available for larger enterprises.

4. Dolphin Dynamics

• Tools to help manage and book travel services, including flights, accommodations, tours, car rentals, and cruises.
• A travel CRM helps agencies manage customer information, preferences, communication history, and interactions to boost targeted marketing efforts.
• Integrations with suppliers, including airlines, hotels, and car rental companies help agents access real-time product availability and accurate pricing information.
• Reporting and analytics features enable travel agencies to gain insights into sales, revenue, booking trends, and other key performance metrics.
• Each platform and its workflows and processes are customizable to meet the unique needs of each business.

How customers rate Dolphin Dynamics

Learn more about travelperk, 5. travelport.

• Travel agents can access booking platforms where they can search, compare, and book flights, accommodation, car rentals, and other travel services from multiple suppliers.
• Travelport provides APIs that enable travel agencies to integrate Travelport's data and booking capabilities into their own systems and websites.
• The platform’s “Productivity Automator” feature streamlines workflows and reduces the number of manual back-office tasks.
• Businesses can process payments, manage commissions, and handle financial transactions within the platform.
• Travel agencies can access reporting and analytics tools to gain insights into sales, revenue, booking trends, and other important performance metrics.

How customers rate Travelport

Travelport pricing.

• Businesses can improve efficiency and reduce costs with completely automated sales workflows.
• A reporting engine helps businesses access accurate profitability reports for each tour and package product.
• Reports on supplier performance help companies understand the revenue generated for each supplier, aiding in renegotiations for better commissions.
• Businesses can access multilingual quotes, invoices, and travel itineraries.
• Automated payment reminders enable quicker reconciliation.

How customers rate Lemax

Lemax pricing.

• Juniper’s booking engine enables businesses to create personalized vacation packages for their customers.
• Businesses can access yield management tools and adjust prices and offers according to market conditions.
• A flexible booking system enables customers, travel agencies, and affiliates to offer products at discounted or commission-based rates.
• Wholesale tour operators can easily offer a wide range of products from a single platform to reach thousands of clients.
• Businesses can manage their product portfolios and update availability, change prices, and sell complementary products directly from the platform.

How customers rate Juniper

Juniper pricing.

Make business travel simpler. Forever.

• See our platform in action . Trusted by thousands of companies worldwide, TravelPerk makes business travel simpler to manage with more flexibility, full control of spending with easy reporting, and options to offset your carbon footprint.
• Find hundreds of resources on all things business travel, from tips on traveling more sustainably, to advice on setting up a business travel policy, and managing your expenses. Our latest e-books and blog posts have you covered.
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7 best travel agency software to boost revenue in 2024

• 11 min read

What is travel agency software?

What should you look for in software to manage your travel agency.

• best software for travel agencies in 2024 

Your client's experience with your travel agency starts well before they set off on their trip. Instead, their journey begins the moment they go to your website to see what your agency has to offer. From there, communication, itinerary planning, payment options, and timely updates are all important components of the overall package that make up a great travel booking experience.

The best travel agency software helps you provide the service you need to foster strong relationships, retain clients, and drive revenue.

Read our list of the 7 best travel agency software tools in 2024 to transform your agency into a premier destination of its own.

Travel agency software covers any tools that can help your travel agency operate more efficiently, delight your customers, and find and book hotels, air travel, trains, and car rentals.

Some tools help book flights and hotels, while others are focused on marketing, client communication, or building a website that converts visitors.

The best travel agency software should help you streamline your workflows and give your clients the service they need. Here’s what to look out for when evaluating tools for your travel agency.

• Travel options: Good booking software should give you access to a wide range of flights, hotels, car rentals, and tours.
• Cost reduction: Travel is expensive. Good travel agency software ensures that you can get prices that are acceptable to your clients while leaving you with enough profit.
• Customer experience: The best software for travel agencies gives your clients an excellent customer experience. Branded client portals are effective ways to centralize client communication and provide excellent transparency.
• Efficiency: Travel arrangements require complex and often disparate workflows. Any travel agency software you choose should be able to streamline your workflows so your service is fast and efficient.

Now that we know what to look out for, let’s get into our list of our favorite tools to run your travel agency.

10 best software for travel agencies in 2024 

Here are our top picks for the best travel agency software available on the market today:

Alright, let’s take a look at what each tool does, how much it costs, and what real customers have to say about them.

1. TravelPerk

• Best for: Booking trips for your clients
• Pricing: Starts at $99 per month, plus 3% of each booking

TravelPerk is an all-in-one tool for booking and managing everything your client needs for a trip. The tool gives travel agencies access to a wide range of flights, hotels, trains, and cars, so they can put together superb inventories at great prices. While it’s a great choice for travel agencies, it’s also a good option for large teams who need business travel management solutions.

The TravelPerk interface is clean and modern. It acts as a portal to an incredible travel inventory that is capable of meeting all your clients' needs. The search filters are solid and remove a lot of time-consuming tasks. The mobile app is another great feature that allows agents to work on the go.

Other interesting features of the app include carbon footprint tracking, which is a good tool for environmentally conscious clients. What’s more, if you have a lot of business travel clients, you can take advantage of VAT recovery and even integrate individual travel policies into the platform to track travel expenses.

Overall, TravelPerk saves you time on bookings while giving you access to a wide range of inventory. What’s not to like?

TravelPerk notable features

• A centralized platform to help streamline the booking process
• Access to a huge inventory of flights, hotels, and transport options
• Carbon footprint tracking

TravelPerk reviews

Here is what real TravelPerk customers have to say about the solution.

• G2: 4.6/5 ⭐
• Capterra: 4.8/5 ⭐
• GetApp:   4.7/5 ⭐

• Best for: Client management and communication
• Pricing: Starts at $29 per month per user

Copilot is the platform service businesses are built on. It allows firms and agencies of all sizes to bring their entire tech stack under one roof. From communication, contracts, payments, intake forms, and more, Copilot is a one-stop shop for running a service business. And because running a travel agency is very customer-focused work, Copilot focuses mainly on the client experience and the customer-facing side of your business. The goal is to create such a great, personalized customer experience that your clients keep coming back to you to plan their trips.

Some Copilot features that work well for travel agencies include customizable intake forms so you can better understand your client’s travel needs. These forms help you collect pertinent information that you can easily transfer into an integrated CRM tool. What’s more, you can build beautiful branded client portals to centralize itinerary planning and other requirement discussions.

A client portal also offers secure file-sharing, which you can use for travel documents, visas, and information about flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. Having all these documents available on the cloud and in one centralized place is a huge benefit for your clients.

Another great Copilot feature that will help your travel agency is the in-built payment management. You can create invoices, subscriptions, and offer secure checkout — which means your clients have flexible and easy ways to pay for their travel.

Overall, Copilot is an indispensable tool for travel agencies who want to demonstrate their professionalism and trust by providing a user-friendly client portal that your customers will love.

Copilot notable features

• Automated onboarding workflows that help you collect important client details and cut down on your admin work.
• Integrated payment portals that offer clients different payment options, including subscription payments.
• White-label client portals that centralize communications share important travel documents and keep everyone up to date about how travel plans are progressing.

Copilot reviews

Here is what real Copilot customers have to say about the solution:

• G2: 4.8/5 ⭐
• Capterra: 4.9/5 ⭐
• Software Advice: 4.9/5 ⭐

3. WeTravel

• Best for: Payments for group travel
• Pricing: Starts at $79 per month, with custom plans for travel agents

WeTravel started out life as a platform to help simplify payments for group tour operators. However, it has expanded over the years and now it is used by travel agents to solve the complexity of group travel.

The big idea with WeTravel is that you can easily generate a slick, professional page for group trips. Your page means you can centralize everything you need for the trip and include photos, itinerary descriptions, and traveler information.

However, perhaps the best feature is the secure payment portal that solves the messy problem of taking payment from a wide array of travelers. Clients can pay by card or electronic transfers, and you can even offer payment plans.

WeTravel’s easy-to-use interface and superb drag-and-drop inventory creation are excellent features for small travel agencies who want to provide high-quality and polished customer experiences. Their processing fees are just 1%, which is very competitive.

You can also integrate WeTravel with marketing tools to help you capture leads and send out promotional materials for various trips. However, WeTravel might not work for very complex itineraries. Additionally, it’s mobile-friendliness does need a little work. But don’t let that put you off, because WeTravel is a great tool to have in your arsenal.

WeTravel notable features

Wetravel reviews.

Here is what real WeTravel customers have to say about the solution.

• G2: 4.1/5 ⭐
• GetApp:   4.8/5 ⭐

4. Avochato

• Best for: Text message notifications
• Pricing: Starts at $19 per month, with custom plans for busier agencies

Keeping clients up to date on travel information is a big challenge these days. One of the best ways to ensure that clients have the information they need is by SMS because the technology has incredible open rates of around 98% .

Avochato is an SMS business communication platform. While it’s not solely focused on travel agencies, it’s used widely across the industry to provide the swift and personalized communication that clients treasure.

Conversational customer support is a big advantage in relationship businesses like travel. Avochato helps teams deal with booking inquiries, trip updates, promotional messages, and even gathering feedback. It’s very intuitive, and if you’re a growing agency, it’s more than capable of scaling with you.

However, WeTravel is not perfect. For starters, it’s very US-focused, which might not work for every travel agency. What’s more, it’s a little pricer than some other SMS solutions out there. Finally, while it does provide support for video and images via MMS, the communications might lack the immersion of a client portal or email communication. That said, it’s a great tool for communicating critical information that won’t get lost in your client’s inbox.

Avochato notable features

• Shared team inbox that allows multiple agency staff to communicate with clients
• Excellent integration with CRM tools
• Broadcast or schedule SMS messages for announcements, reminders, offers, and trip details

Avochato reviews

Here is what real Avochato customers have to say about the solution.

• G2: 4.4/5 ⭐
• Capterra: 4.7/5 ⭐

• Best for: Business travel bookings
• Pricing: Starts at $4 per booking

BizAway launched in Stockholm, Sweden, almost a decade ago with the goal of streamlining the travel process for businesses and agencies. Since then, it has expanded internationally, but it is still primarily focused on the European market.

Some of the problems that BizAway solves include fragmented, time-consuming, and frustrating booking experiences across multiple platforms. It’s also adept at expense management and compliance with business travel policies, with a particular focus on approvals and policy control.

While BizAway is the best tool for European travel, that’s not to say that it won’t work for different regions. Indeed, they have a huge inventory for worldwide travel thanks to widespread access to various travel suppliers.

The booking interface is gorgeous and makes it simple to find and secure hotels, car rentals, trains, and more from inside the platform. It also integrates well with CRM, HR, and accounting software, making it a good choice for both travel agencies and corporations.

Overall, BizAway makes our list of the best travel agency software because it can save you money on travel packages. For travel agencies, any tool that helps you achieve better margins is worth having in your software stack. Sure, it might lack some of the deep customization options of its competitors, but make no mistake, this is a solid solution that makes travel and booking management far easier.

BizAway notable features

• Superb user interface booking system
• Excellent and in-depth reporting tools
• Superb expense management and policy control tools for corporate travel clients

BizAway reviews

Here is what real BizAway customers have to say about the solution:

• Software Advice: 4.7/5 ⭐
• GetApp: 4.7/5 ⭐

• Best for: Building a travel agency website
• Pricing: Starts at $14 per month, but busy agencies will need higher-tier plans

Webflow is a visual website building site with CMS and hosting capabilities. It allows businesses of every type to build professional-looking custom websites that are ready for the modern age.

While there are many solid template-based website builders out there, Webflow is a winning choice for travel agencies for a number of reasons. Firstly, travel marketing is heavily reliant on images. Webflow helps you sell experiences because it handles visuals superbly. Additionally, it offers great responsive design, which is essential for clients who browse for trips via mobile. Finally, Webflow integrates well with third-party custom booking systems.

Weflow is flexible enough to suit a wide variety of travel agencies, from small operators to luxury travel websites. It’s very easy to build a site that will totally wow your clients without knowing any code. This feature will save you money on maintenance and getting your site built. When you add in Webflow’s hosting, these advantages alone are enough to justify its monthly price.

Another thing to consider is that Webflow builds fast-loading websites. Website loading speed is important to clients, and it’s also an SEO ranking factor. But that’s not the only way that Webflow will help with SEO. It also comes with SEO tools that help you structure your site so that you maximize visibility and promote organic site visits.

Overall, Webflow is a powerful web design tool that lets you build superb, visually appealing websites. A well-designed, secure, and fast-loading website is the first step on the path towards building trust and credibility, which are essential in the travel industry.

Webflow notable features

• Customizable design that helps you create a unique and visually striking website without coding
• Build in CMS to manage your destinations, tours, packages, blog content, and more
• Easy integration with booking and payment tools

Webflow reviews

Here is what real Webflow customers have to say about the solution.

• Capterra: 4.6/5 ⭐
• GetApp:   4.6/5 ⭐

• Best for: Customer operations
• Pricing: Starts at $59 per month

Since Front was launched in 2013, it has become widely adopted by travel agencies and other businesses as a way to enhance collaboration and customer communication via shared email inboxes.

Travel planning involves a lot of communication with hotels, car rentals, tour operators, trains and buses, and so on. Front helps you centralize these communications so that nothing is missed or forgotten.

The front really comes into its own for travel agencies, thanks to a few core features. Firstly, it’s a great way to collaborate on travel inventories because members can leave notes, assign tasks, and trash out the finer details, all in one place. What’s more, the booking tools are great for group planning.

If you’re a very small travel agency, some of the features might feel excessive. However, for busy teams, you can customize Front around your workflows, benefit from data & analytics tools, and get real-time visibility into which tasks your agents are handling, and which have fallen through the cracks.

Overall, Front ensures that your back office is streamlined, efficient, and on top of everything.

Front notable features

• Shared inboxes are a great way to provide much-needed visibility and oversight into disparate travel communications
• Superb templates for providing travel updates
• Excellent integration with CRM and booking tools

Front reviews

Here is what real BizAway customers have to say about the solution.

• G2: 4.7/5 ⭐
• GetApp: 4.6/5 ⭐

The best travel agency software makes life easy for you and your clients. Whether it’s by giving you access to a wider range of hotels and flights, ensuring your communication is timely, and that you can offer flexible ways for your client to pay.

Copilot’s super client portals help you streamline your onboarding, client communication, progress, document sharing, and payments. Sign up for a free Copilot trial today and take a holiday away from disorganized communication, inefficiency, and slow payments.

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We make it easy for you to list and manage your direct self-operated products and those provided from a 3rd party via our Inventory module and API connections to travel suppliers:

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XpenseCo is a travel and expense management software designed to help businesses of all sizes manage corporate bookings and claim reimbursements. Administrators can view upcoming or canceled reservations and track expenditures for... Read more about XpenseCo

4.0 ( 1 reviews )

Routespring

**MAKE WORK TRIPS, WITHOUT PAYING FOR IT** Routespring empowers your company with realtime visibility and controls that helps your team #GoFurther. FliudTravel: Manage all your company’s travel one place - configure travel poli... Read more about Routespring

4.7 ( 50 reviews )

Fairjungle is a mobile travel companion for business travelers. It provides tailored recommendations, a door-to-door route optimizer, one-click approval, and many other features designed to change the travel experience. This uniq... Read more about Fairjungle

5.0 ( 17 reviews )

Lanes & Planes

Lanes & Planes provides an online portal for booking and managing all aspects of business travel. Users can book flights, trains, buses, and choose from over 900,000 hotels within the platform, where all bookings and travel expens... Read more about Lanes & Planes

4.5 ( 217 reviews )

Zoho Expense

BILL Spend & Expense (Formerly Divvy)

Travel expenses might not be the largest cost component in your company’s accounting books, but it’s definitely a difficult one to track and control. Even after laying down a clear set of travel policies, ensuring that every corporate traveler follows the best practices is not certain.

To ensure that corporate travelers are following travel policy guidelines, managers need visibility into their spending patterns and purchase decisions. The management needs to set up approval workflows to verify that travelers are purchasing from the preferred carriers and suppliers. Finally, spending limits need to be defined and expenses tracked for compliance reporting.

Managing all of these tasks manually can be a huge administrative burden for managers. To drive efficiency, they should use travel management software that comes with functionalities such as approval workflows, booking, and expense reporting.

In this buyers guide, we’ll take a closer look at the features and benefits of travel management software to help you find the right one for your business.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

What is travel management software?

Common features of travel management software, what type of buyer are you.

Benefits and potential issues

Key considerations when selecting travel management software

Travel management software is a tool used to manage business travel requests and expenses. Corporate travelers can use the tool to self-book flights, cars, and hotels from approved providers via their profile dashboards, while management can use it to check employee compliance with travel policies, analyze expense trends, and identify cost improvement areas.

User profile dashboard in Concur ( Source )

Travel management software comes with functionalities that reduce the administrative burden that arises out of messy paperwork. Let’s look at some of the common features:

Travel management software can be used by small and midsize businesses (SMBs) as well as large enterprises. Let’s look at the chief concerns of these two buyer groups:

Small and midsize businesses: Since travel expenses of SMBs are not the largest cost component in their account books, these buyers shouldn’t select a travel management solution simply because it's rated highly by other companies. They can start out with a cloud-based tool that offers the basic features and are available on lower monthly subscription plans. Correspondingly, integrations are something these buyers can overlook at the initial stages, until they are confident that a dedicated tool for this function is useful.

Large businesses: Typically, these buyers already have software tools to handle core functions such as human resources (HR), accounting, and customer relationship management (CRM). Travel management as a function needs to be closely tied to these core processes to ensure transparency and consolidation of processes. Thus, extensive integrations with other business applications become a key requirement for this buyer group.

Benefits of using travel management software

Travel management software helps in automating the management of corporate travel booking, allowing your finance department and team manager to focus on more strategic tasks rather than manually tracking expenses and compliance issues for every employee.

Improves travel policy compliance: The tool offers reporting dashboards that allow managers to track and trace the causes of non-compliance with their company’s travel policies. Managers can quickly identify areas where most users find it challenging to follow compliance, and suggest appropriate remedial actions.

Lessens administrative burden: By allowing users to self-book, raise approval requests, and upload expense receipts, the tool relieves the finance team from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on analyzing expense trends and suggesting cost improvement strategies.

Besides analyzing the features and understanding the benefits, businesses should keep a few additional factors in mind when purchasing travel management solutions.

Let’s look at some of them:

Mobile access: Does your business need to allow users to book and manage travels while on the go? If yes, then you should check whether the software is accessible from iOS and Android mobile devices. Using the mobile dashboards, travelers will be able to book flights and accommodation, capture and upload travel expense receipts, and receive booking status alerts directly on their phones. One caveat is that you should check whether the features of the mobile version are at par with that of the web version.

Integrations: Integrations become important when you’re managing large user groups. For instance, with a travel management software that integrates with your company’s HR solution, you’ll be able to seamlessly share details of employees between the two systems. Likewise, integration with accounting solutions allows you to update your company's account books with travel expense data imported automatically from the travel management solution.

Note: The applications selected in this article are examples to show a feature in context and are not intended as endorsements or recommendations. They were obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the time of publication.

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Book business travel your way with travel booking software 

The age of centralized travel booking is here. And it's not just about getting from point A to B – it's about embracing tech that's as ambitious as your business. ​​Whether you're the mastermind behind the scenes or the jetsetter on the move, online booking travel solutions are the hidden weapon in your arsenal. 

Get ready to unleash efficiency, save precious money, and own the travel arena like a true boss. 

What is corporate travel booking software? 

Let’s start with the basics. 

At its core, corporate travel booking software is used to book business trips, manage upcoming trips, and track and report on previous trips. It’s a one-stop solution for the entire corporate travel process – from booking flights and arranging itineraries to recording expenses and tracking travellers on the move. 

To sum it up, travel booking software brings all your corporate travel needs and tools under one digital roof, making the booking journey more efficient, organized, and cost-effective. 

How do businesses benefit from travel booking software? 

Think of it this way: if Batman were a travel manager, an online booking tool (OBT) would be his virtual Alfred.  

Businesses mainly use online booking tools to simplify purchasing decisions, centralize records of travel spend, and control corporate travel budgets. There are a lot of other reasons, but those are the big three. 

The old way of booking: Employees may read your company travel policy on a PDF or some internal drive before using any booking engines to plan their trip. Then, once they’ve paid out of their own pocket, they go through a long, arduous process to get reimbursed for who-knows-what rate. That’s not just tedious; it's a full-blown time sink. And when it comes to your business, time is a precious commodity. 

The modern way to book: Employees book for themselves using a corporate travel booking platform that is already integrated with your corporate travel policy. This means the platform blocks out-of-policy trips or flags them for your approval. The best part: this platform can have company payment built-in, reducing the need for a reimbursement process. 

So, what do companies actually use to book travel?  

When booking travel, there are three routes a business can take: 

• Travel Management Company (TMC): These wizards behind the curtain orchestrate your entire travel experience. They're like the behind-the-scenes heroes ensuring every detail is in place. 
• Online Booking Tool (OBT): For the modern road warrior, OBTs are like the compass that guides your journey. They let you take charge of your bookings, offering a wide range of options. 
• A little bit of both: Usually, businesses prefer the best of both worlds. They harness the power of TMCs (or travel agent booking systems) for complex trips and use OBTs for more straightforward bookings. 

Corporate travel booking made better

Brace yourself because a travel booking platform is about to redefine your booking game. Here’s how: 

Travel isn’t one-size-fits-all, so stop treating it that way! With a travel booking platform like Melon, employees can access a wide range of flight options from multiple airlines all on one digital playground. 

And more choice means bigger savings. This "mix and match" approach allows travellers to curate their journey by finding cost-efficient flight options that meet their individual needs and preferences. That’s not just booking – it's business brilliance soaring sky-high. 

Accommodation 

Travel booking systems don't just stop at flights. It’s here to revolutionize your hotel game, too. Your company's got its favorites, and guess what? Your travellers are rewarded for choosing them. 

Companies can leverage booking software to incentivize employees to use preferred partner hotels by offering loyalty points and perks they can use toward personal travel. This helps drive hotel adoption and ensures that employees stay in accommodations that align with company standards. 

Touchdown in a new city? An OBT won’t leave you stranded. 

Say goodbye to airport shuttle nightmares. Employees can choose from preferred partners and corporate car hire sites, making the rental process efficient and compliant with company travel policies . 

No more waiting in long queues at the counter only to find out they’re sold out. Your chariot awaits, pre-booked and ready for business. 

Beyond Booking: 5 ways an OBT can boost your travel programme 

A travel management platform can (and will) completely change the way you book – but that’s not all it can do. Here are five ways your organization’s corporate travel programme will benefit from travel management software:   

1. Secure, centralized data

Say goodbye to paper trails and stacks of receipts, and hello to streamlined expense management. One of the main benefits of utilizing a travel booking platform for business? It gathers all records and organizes all of your employees' expenses while travelling. 

Think of it this way: by storing your travel data in one centralized location, you can swiftly and easily identify patterns in employee spending habits. So if something strays from the norm (for instance, a traveller getting double-charged for a hotel room), it sticks out like a sore thumb. This allows you to immediately fix the issue and save your overall budget for travel and expenses. 

2. More savings, easier workflows

Most companies have complicated approval processes with ambiguous touchpoints. And if an employee needs to travel internationally? That’s an even longer process that requires even more approvals. 

But with business travel booking software, you can set up a multi-layered approval system based on employee position, domestic or international trip type, and duration. After you set the approval system, all the trip requests will automatically move to the chosen approvers. Plus, travel platforms keep everyone in the loop in real time, so approvals don't hit snags. 

3. Reporting made easy

Your business is unique, and it deserves reports that resonate with its rhythm. With a travel booking platform like Melon, reporting isn’t one-size-fits-all. Use Melon as a tool for real-time decision-making based on booking behaviour and travel data.  

You want insights that dance to your business's melody, right? Well, Melon delivers. 

With a robust selection of pre-built and customizable travel reports, you can respond swiftly to the ever-changing landscape. So when it's time to shine before stakeholders, you're armed with insights that truly matter. 

4. Ease of use for travellers 

Imagine this: your employees have the power to steer their own travel ship, charting their course whenever they please. Corporate travel booking tools make this fantasy a reality by offering various policy-compliant options for booking trips. And by picking an OBT with a functional travel app, it's a seamless transition from desktop to pocket. 

Plans change. That's just life. With a user-friendly online travel tool, changing your travel arrangements is simple. Use the Melon live chat that connects you to an expert in minutes.  

It's about seizing control and making travel work for you while keeping your travel documents and details in one spot.  

Say goodbye to scattered bookings and hello to streamlined empowerment. 

5. Keep traveller safety at the forefront 

In the world of business travel, safety isn't just a checkbox; it's a commitment. 

This new generation of road warriors employees prioritizes safety. They seek better travel risk management and updates in real-time during all the stages of their business trip. As an employer, you have to go above and beyond the duty of care to make sure your travellers are safe. 

A technologically forward travel booking system can help you take traveller safety to the next level. Look for features like real-time risk alerts to employees and live-tracking traveller locations to offer immediate emergency support. 

You like it? We got it 

At Corporate Traveller, we’re all about making business travel easier. That’s why we made Melon. 

Melon gives you all your travel needs on one simple corporate travel platform . That’s one sign-in, one dashboard, and one place to book travel.  

Want to see reports? Done.  

Manage your spend? Easy.  

Our corporate travel technology keeps track of every traveller’s preferences for a seamless experience every time you book. 

Want to see Melon in action? Book a demo today.  

• The comprehensive guide to travel management software
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Online Travel And Reservation Management Solution (OTRAMS)

OTRAMS is a world leading Travel Technology Platform . It is a complete travel ERP system built to drive seamless operations for destination management companies, Online travel agents, travel agencies and wholesalers. With over 190 supplier integrations and 600+ features, OTRAMS is one of the most powerful Tour Operator Software.

Services : OTRAMS can drive your agency operations with Booking Engines for Hotels, Flights, Transfers and Car Rentals. It adds layer or services like Activities booking, Group Booking, Dynamic Packages for your agency to deliver a complete travel experience.

Additional services like Visa booking, Local Contracting, Extranet, Travel Insurance booking provides you the opportunity to create a well-rounded services portfolio for your business.

Global Presence : OTRAMS is the flagship travel ERP system of Qtech Software used by over 50 travel companies in over 36 countries. It delivers a travel booking engine par excellence, features travel inventory management with multiple API integrations and back-office software.

Security & Reliability : Its security systems and comprehensive set of features make it the trusted choice of global B2B and B2C players. With strong security protocols and business intelligence features you can drive your travel business with 100% confidence. OTRAMS is the preferred travel booking software for agencies all around the world!

Industry Leading Customer Support : Our travel booking systems include access to our dedicated customer support structure. All our clients get a dedicated key account manager with 24×7 support. OTRAMS also has an inbuilt CMS for customer communication and multilingual support.

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We’ve been in the travel and expense (T&E) industry for decades. In that time, we’ve seen the tremendous value that every organization sees when they automate their travel program. The entire travel process becomes easier, more efficient, and more accurate. There’s also a significant increase in policy compliance, and employees love being able to use a consumer-like mobile app.

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Create a travel and expense “super system” for your business

On its own, Concur Travel is an industry-leading travel platform and an investment you’ll never regret. When you combine it with Concur Expense, you create a total spending solution that includes a consolidated view of spending data, travel bookings that automatically populate expense reports, and the ability to reimburse employees faster.

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Investing in Concur Travel isn’t just our software. You also get immediate access to our extensive network of travel suppliers, which can give your employees freedom to book the travel experiences they want on their own.

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Mount Fuji adds reservation system as it battles litter and human traffic jams

Many travelers hoping to experience one of Japan’s top attractions will soon need to make online reservations in advance to do so.

The tallest mountain in Japan and a place of cultural significance, Mount Fuji , announced on Monday a reservation system with a daily limit of 3,000 slots for its most popular trail, the Yoshida Trail. The new system, which will start taking reservations at 10 p.m. on May 20 for hikes between July 1 and Sept. 10, aims to crack down on overtourism and make the trek safer. 

The trail already has a cap of 4,000 climbers per day, and under the new system, 3,000 of those hikers will be able to pay the 2,000 yen (about $13) non-refundable fee at least a day before their trek. Groups of up to 100 people can make a reservation. To access the trail, climbers will show their QR code. 

The other 1,000 can pay on the day of their hike before setting off, if they get there before the limit is reached.

The climbing season for the UNESCO World Heritage Site is only for a few months during the summer, and around 300,000 people make the trek each season. There are four trails that ascend the mountain, but the Yoshida trail is the easiest and most accessible from Tokyo, making it the busiest. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Destinations behind a paywall? What to know about the increasing tourist fees worldwide.

Many travelers not making the actual climb visit the Yoshida Trail’s fifth station , which is easily accessible by public transportation from Tokyo, to witness the majesty of the mountain. 

The mountain and its surrounding areas have been struggling with human traffic jams and large amounts of litter. A local nonprofit organization named Fujisan Club collected 850 tons of trash between 2004 and 2018 just from the foothills of the peak. 

“Overtourism – and all the subsequent consequences like rubbish, rising CO2 emissions and reckless hikers – is the biggest problem facing Mount Fuji,” Masatake Izumi, a government official of the area that's the gateway to Mount Fuji and expert on the famed peak, told CNN last year.

Along with the new reservation system, Mount Fuji will install a new gate at the entrance of the fifth station. The gates to the mountain will be closed from 4 p.m. until 3 a.m. in a further effort to reduce crowding. “Many climbers ascending Mt. Fuji want to witness the sunrise at the summit, meaning many will make the climb during the night, resulting in overcrowding and climbers descending the mountain without rest,” Mount Fuji’s official website stated. 

The new reservation system is only for admission through the trail gates and not for the mountain huts, which are dorm-style accommodations originally built as emergency shelters along the trail. Travelers without mountain hut reservations will not be allowed to hike between 4 p.m. and 3 a.m.

Local communities have also been strained by the influx of tourists to the mountain. The resort town Kawaguchiko , which offers a stunningly famous view of the 3,776-meter mountain, said last month it will install a large mesh net to block the view . Tourists have been illegally parking and climbing on the roofs of local businesses in attempts to get the perfect picture of the mountain.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

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Travel System Quick Reference

This guide will help get you started using the University of Arizona Travel System . Or refer to the Travel System Training in EDGE Learning for a complete walkthrough.

Important! Have the following information ready prior to starting:

• Get initial approval from your manager
• Know the fund account to charge the travel to
• Decide if you need a Delegate/Arranger
• Update/confirm your Travel Profile
• Know your Business Purpose
• Be prepared to provide estimates for travel expenses

Confirming Your Travel Profile

EDGE Learning : Getting Started with the Travel System

All University employees have a Travel Profile based on information in UAccess Employee. Non-Employees (students/DCCs) must request a profile . There are key pieces of information that must be provided before using the Travel Request and Booking Tool:

• Confirm your Legal Name, including your middle name if you have one. Employees: contact Human Resources if you need to update your name on record.
• Verify your Email address.
• Enter your Mobile phone number (use for Home/Office phone as well).
• Confirm your Gender and Date of Birth.

Travelers are welcome to fill out additional fields such as frequent flyer program information and travel preferences.

Note : The Work Address under Personal Information cannot be changed and will remain as the University Services Building (Tucson, AZ) as this is the University's business address.

Assigning/Deleting Delegates and Travel Arrangers

Assigning delegates.

The Travel Authorization Request form is a self-service tool for travelers to request approval to conduct business travel. Many travelers have assistants or shared service units that request arrange travel on their behalf, and the Travel System accommodates this by allowing delegates or travel arrangers to be assigned to specific travelers. It is recommended that all travelers assign a delegate. Delegates can expedite reimbursement by having access to the digital receipts provided by the traveler through the mobile app during travel.

Business offices may request for a group of travelers to be assigned delegates in bulk (for 10 or more travelers). To request bulk delegate assignment:

• Please only include travelers that will be traveling within the next 6-month period.
• Do not use this template for more than 100 travelers. Contact Accounts Payable for assistance.
• There is a system limit of no more than 200 delegates per individual.
• Students on Group Travel do not require bulk delegate assignment. Do not use this for Group Travel with students.
• Enter the Traveler Name, Traveler EMPLID, Delegate Name, and Delegate EMPLID for each row.
• Email the completed document to [email protected] .
• Delegates will receive a confirmation email. Please allow up to two business days for delegates to be assigned.

New hires should assign their delegate upon first travel experience.

Deleting Delegates

There is no bulk process to remove delegates. Delegates must be deleted individually. Please keep this in mind when requesting bulk delegate assignments. The responsibility for delegate maintenance in the Travel System will be on the business offices and/or individual travelers.

To delete a delegate:

• From the Delegate screen, click the checkbox to the left of the delegate to be removed
• Click Delete

Assigning Travel Arrangers

Travel Arrangers are individuals that are granted the ability to book travel on behalf of the traveler and take appropriate action within the Booking Tool. Once the delegate has been granted access the traveler or delegate can assign a Travel Arranger by following these steps:

• Navigate to Profile settings
• Click on Setup Travel Assistants
• Click Add an Assistant
• Search by last name of individual (must have an existing Travel Profile)
• Select user
• Click "Can book travel for me" checkbox
• Click "Is my primary assistant for travel" if applicable
• Click Save 

Completing a Travel Authorization Request

EDGE Learning : Complete a Travel Authorization Request

NOTE : The traveler's name MUST match their official state issued identification utilized for traveling, such as a driver’s license, passport, state identification, Arizona Travel ID, etc.

Business offices should provide travelers with their assigned Org Code and the Account Number that is typically used for funding. NOTE: Expenditures reside in UAccess Financials regardless of what is entered in the Travel System.

Important information required before initiating a Travel Request:

• Org Code: UAccess Financials organization code where the employee receives funding. Can be found in UAccess Financials by searching: Chart of Accounts > Organization Lookup > Chart Code > search by code, name, type, etc.
• Account Number: UAccess Financials account number where travel is primarily funded. Choices are populated based on the selected Org Code.
• Business Purpose for travel
• Vehicle rental
• Any other expenses (e.g., conference registration, rideshares, parking, etc.)

Please defer to your business office if any additional details should be included.

Travel Allowance

Completion of the Travel Allowance section provides the traveler with the estimated amount they will be reimbursed for meals while on travel status. The traveler must identify meals that are provided during conferences, retreats, workshops, etc., as these meals will not be reimbursed. Please remember the University does not reimburse dollar amounts for meals, but instead allows per diem for meals and incidentals based on rates established by the State of Arizona.

Approving a Travel Request

Supervisor Approval: Approval is required when the employee is to be away from their duty post. Supervisor role is determined by UAccess Employee based on the employee’s time approver.

• The Supervisor should ensure that the timesheet reflects business days only, and that personal days are included correctly within UAccess Employee time reporting tool.
• When disapproving/denying a travel request, it is recommended the approver return the request back to the employee for additional information or justification, or the approver should provide details on why the travel should be reconsidered or cancelled. Conversations with the traveler are encouraged and the traveler can cancel the Travel Authorization Request if needed.

Fiscal Officer: Officer is responsible for ensuring that funding is available for the designated trip regardless of if the trip is funded by another entity.

• The Fiscal Officer should ensure that an encumbrance is documented if travel exceeds $5,000 and that the Travel Advance (if requested) is initiated within UAccess Employee.

Ad Hoc Routing: Business offices may require additional routing based on the department/unit requirements. Please see your business office.

• Travelers and Delegates may ad hoc route to any UAccess Employee representative accordingly. Ad hoc routing cannot be to a Designated Campus Colleagues or Student unless a Travel Profile has been established and they are assigned as an approver.

Booking Travel

Using the Booking Tool, travelers and delegates can book airfare, hotel/lodging, and car rental services directly within the travel system. Users can also obtain Anthony Travel agent-assisted support. NOTE : You must have a valid Travel Authorization Request number in order to book travel within the travel system.

Tip: Be sure to review all of your selections before purchasing and confirm by clicking PURCHASE. Users will receive a ticketed itinerary via email once purchase is complete.

Additional tips and resources for using the Booking Tool are available in the Travel System Training.

Using the Travel Mobile App

EDGE Learning: Using the Travel Mobile App

The SAP Concur Mobile App is available for iOS and Android devices. Users gain the ability to initiate a Travel Authorization Request, review and approve requests, and upload receipts for reimbursement from their mobile device. This app is not required for University business travel and is completely voluntary. Users are responsible for all data charges associated with its use.

Note: Users must verify their email address before they may begin using the mobile app.

While in travel status, or upon returning from travel, users can track their business expense receipts/statements by uploading them to the mobile app. Delegates with access can then download and attach them to the Disbursement Voucher in UAccess Financials to begin the reimbursement process. It is highly recommended that users delete their receipts from the app once they have been reimbursed.

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5 Of The Best Websites For Booking Travel Accommodations

I f you have travel plans coming up, you'll want to reserve your stay well before your departure dates are nearing. In fact, you'll want to do it not too long after you've booked your flight . Delaying this could leave you with limited accommodation options to choose from and have you dealing with steep prices.

The good news is that whether you're looking for a cozy bed and breakfast experience or a stay at a high-end all-inclusive hotel, there are a plethora of travel websites that make it easy to reserve accommodation in a place that suits your exact preferences. While you could always make the booking directly through a hotel's website, using a travel booking website helps you compare your options and check out reviews left by previous customers.

To help you get started, we've put together a list of some of the most preferred accommodation booking websites based on personal experience, user reviews, and the general user-friendliness of the platforms. You'll find a more detailed methodology explaining how we evaluated and selected the websites listed below toward the end of this list.

Read more: How To Speed Up The Internet Connection On Your Android Phone

No stranger to the accommodation booking scene, Airbnb has been offering unique boarding experiences since 2007. What makes Airbnb stand out from other similar platforms is that it allows you to live like a local by booking a room or an entire property in a residential neighborhood. This makes Airbnb accommodations appealing to people who want to experience a destination more authentically.

Searching for a property on Airbnb is fairly straightforward. All you need to do is enter your destination of choice, travel dates, and the number of guests checking in. After you do this, you'll be able to view the relevant listings.

The platform does a good job of showcasing its listings, including a detailed description of the property, pictures to help you understand what the space looks like, and reviews from past guests. While Airbnb, which has listings in around 100,000 cities and towns across the world, is a popular choice for many, a notable downside of using the platform is that guests may sometimes find themselves paying more than they initially expected, thanks to additional charges, like the cleaning fee. 

Still, if you're looking for a unique accommodation experience or have specific needs (for instance, if you'd like access to a full kitchen), an Airbnb listing might be just what you're looking for. The best part is that many Airbnb offers free Wi-Fi like traditional hotels, making them great for workstation purposes.

Hostelworld

Many travelers choose to stay in hostels, and it's no surprise why. Hostels present an affordable alternative to traditional hotels, making them ideal for backpackers and budget-conscious travelers. Beyond the cost savings (which is a major benefit for many), hostels also offer people who like to travel a social environment conducive to meeting and sharing experiences with like-minded folk.

Unlike in the past, hostels today offer relatively flexible accommodation solutions. For instance, if you're traveling with a friend or partner, you could look into reserving a private room. That said, if you're looking for a traditional hostel experience where you bunk with strangers, you'll want to reserve a spot at a reputable hostel. This, fortunately, becomes easy to do when you make the booking through Hostelworld .

When you're on Hostelworld's website, all you need to do is enter the details of your trip to view the hostels in the location. Before you complete your booking, check the property details, the house rules, and the reviews — if everything seems in order, you can proceed with making the payment.

Once you make the payment, Hostelworld offers a 100% booking guarantee. In the event that something goes wrong with your booking, the company will credit your account with the entire deposit you paid and an additional $50 that you can use toward future bookings.

Whether you want to book a traditional hotel accommodation, a private stay, or even long-term boarding, Agoda is a good bet. With a whole host of filters that allow you to specify your preferences in terms of the property type, distance from the city center, and more, Agoda helps you zero in on a property/hotel that works for you.

What's more, the website also allows you to specifically view hotels that are pet-friendly (which is great if you want to travel with your pet ), workstation-friendly, and ideal for groups. This way, you won't have to deal with any unpleasant surprises when you visit the property since you'll have a pretty good idea of what you're getting.

To help you make an informed decision, the platform lists the reviews left by past customers. Agoda's entire mission has been to make travel affordable for its customers. In line with this, the website runs a loyalty program called AgodaCash.

If you book a room at a hotel or property that participates in this program, you get awarded AgodaCash, which you can put toward future bookings to make your next stay more affordable. The only thing to note here is that you won't be able to use your AgodaCash in combination with other offers and rewards. Given this, you'll have to review the promotions available and choose one that offers the most savings.

Booking.com

Booking.com, which was founded almost 30 years ago in 1996, is one of the oldest and most popular online travel booking companies. Like in the case of Agoda, Booking.com makes it easy for you to look up hotel and property listings with its user-friendly interface.

One of the standout features of Booking.com is its trip planner, which is ideal for people who are uncertain about their travel plans. Additionally, the platform is pretty flexible in terms of offering you numerous room types and pricing tiers to choose from. This lets you view and take into consideration the upfront charges for different accommodation types, helping you make a well-thought-out decision.

Booking.com, like the other websites on this list, displays reviews left by previous travelers, so you get an unbiased idea of what the property has to offer. If you still have any specific questions that you would like answered before you complete the booking, you can use the "Ask a question" button that you'll find on the listing page for each property and post your questions.

Operational in over 70 countries with over three million listings, Expedia is a great choice for comparing your options before booking. If you decide to use Expedia as your travel booking partner, it's a good idea to sign up for OneKey, which is Expedia's rewards program.

With this program, you get to earn OneKeyCash for every dollar spent, which you can then use to book eligible hotels, car rentals , flights, and even activities in the future. You also get to save 10% or more with the Member Prices you'll have access to once you sign up for this program. So, if you're a budget-savvy traveler, there's no reason for you not to sign up for OneKey. 

Expedia's website itself is fairly user-friendly. The interface works similar to that of Agoda and Booking.com. Once you enter your details, the listings come up — you can further filter these by the accommodation type, price per night, guest rating, star rating, cancellation options, and more. You also get to view the most frequently asked questions and verified reviews and ratings on the listing page, which ensures complete transparency.

Why These Accommodation Booking Websites Made It To This List

While there are numerous accommodation booking platforms, the ones listed above were chosen primarily based on personal positive experiences with them. Each of these booking partners boasts a user-friendly interface with complete transparency in terms of listing negative and positive reviews. This allows the average traveler to make an informed decision before spending hundreds of dollars or more on a stay.

Additionally, these platforms had favorable ratings and reviews from customers on the mobile-based App Store and Play Store, which is also an indication of how popular they are. Remember that while these platforms are reliable and popular, it's important to do your due diligence regarding the amenities and quality of stay at individual hotels to avoid any unwanted surprises during your trip.

Read the original article on SlashGear .

10 Tips to Maximize Booking.com For Seamless Travel Planning

From budget-friendly hostels to luxurious resorts, booking.com caters to diverse preferences and budgets..

Booking.com has revolutionized how we book accommodation, offering a vast array of options tailored to every traveler’s needs. From budget-friendly hostels to luxurious resorts, the platform caters to diverse preferences and budgets. However, maximizing its potential requires strategic planning and insider knowledge.

These are 10 essential tips to help you navigate Booking.com ensuring a seamless booking experience and unforgettable adventures.

Create an account

Signing up for a free Booking.com account unlocks a world of benefits. You’ll gain access to exclusive deals, discounts, and last-minute offers that non-registered users miss. Additionally, an account allows you to save your preferences, manage bookings, and track past stays, streamlining the entire booking process.

Filter your way to the perfect stay 

Booking.com boasts a powerful search engine with a wide range of filters to refine your search. Utilize these filters to narrow down your options based on your specific needs and preferences.

Specify your desired price range, location, amenities (like Wi-Fi, pool, or parking), room type, guest rating, and even property type (hotel, hostel, apartment, etc). This focused approach saves you time and ensures you only see options that truly suit your needs.

Read the reviews

Don’t underestimate the power of guest reviews. Reading through reviews and ratings of hotels provides invaluable insights into the actual experiences of previous guests.

Look for recurring themes in the reviews, both positive and negative, to get a realistic picture of the property’s cleanliness, service, amenities, and overall atmosphere. This information can significantly influence your decision and prevent unpleasant surprises.

Compare prices

While Booking.com offers competitive prices, it’s always wise to compare before booking. Use online travel aggregators or visit the hotel’s website directly to see if they offer better deals or packages. Additionally, consider alternative booking platforms like Airbnb or Hostelworld, especially for budget-conscious travelers.

Promotions and deals

Booking.com frequently runs promotions and offers special discounts throughout the year. Keep an eye out for seasonal sales, flash deals, and loyalty program offers to potentially save a significant amount on your booking. Additionally, subscribe to Booking.com’s email alerts to stay informed about the latest promotions and discounts.

Book in advance

Booking your accommodation well in advance, especially during peak season or for popular destinations, offers several advantages. You’ll have a wider selection of rooms and properties to choose from, potentially securing a more desirable location or room type. Additionally, early booking often leads to better rates as hotels tend to increase prices closer to the travel date.

ALSO READ: 6 TECH GADGETS TO CARRY ONBOARD A FLIGHT WHILE TRAVELING

Explore the “Flexible Dates” feature 

If your travel dates are flexible, utilize the “Flexible Dates” feature on Booking.com. This tool allows you to see the price variations for a specific destination within a chosen time frame. By adjusting your travel dates slightly, you might discover significantly cheaper options, making your trip more budget-friendly.

Unlock perks with the Genius Loyalty Program

For frequent travelers, Booking.com’s Genius loyalty program offers additional benefits. Once you reach a certain number of stays or cumulative booking value, you unlock exclusive discounts, free room upgrades, and early check-in/late check-out options at participating properties. Look for the Genius logo when browsing hotels to identify properties offering these perks.

“Continue on Booking”

Booking.com’s “Continue on Booking” feature is a hidden gem for frequent users. After browsing the platform and checking out at least three hotels, this section on your start page displays your most recently viewed properties. This convenient feature saves you time and effort, allowing you to quickly revisit potential accommodations without having to search again.

Leave reviews

Once you’ve completed your stay, take a few minutes to leave a review on Booking.com. Sharing your honest feedback helps other travelers make informed decisions and contributes to the overall platform’s transparency. Additionally, leaving reviews can further boost your Genius program benefits, potentially unlocking even more perks for your future travels.

ALSO READ: TECHNOLOGY’S ROLE IN ADVANCING TRAVEL AND SETTLEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Joan Banura

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Should I Use a Travel Agent? Our Travel Expert Says It Makes All the Difference.

The new age of travel agents know how to find deals, book off-the-beaten path adventures, and get you out of any jam. Especially if you know who to use.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

I’ve always thought that planning my own trips was the most cost-effective way, but I’ve been hearing more about travel agents making a comeback and saving their clients a lot of money. What kinds of outdoor trips should I turn to a travel agent for, and are there any who specialize in working with adventurers like me?

Technically, I’m a professional traveler. As a journalist, it’s my job to research and connect with locals to get beneath the surface of a destination. So I have never really used travel agents. What could they plan better than I could?

A lot, it turns out. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know many travel specialists, and I consider them magicians. My big aha moment happened two winters ago on a trip to Iceland . A massive storm shut down internal flights for a day, causing me to miss my return flight to the U.S. Normally, I would have spent frustrating hours on hold with the airline. But because I’d paid $65 to have Ana Gloria Garcia, an air-support specialist at the travel agency EmbarkBeyond, find and book the most affordable and convenient flight option for me, she handled the rebookings while I soaked in the Blue Lagoon.

During the pandemic, agents became advocates helping travelers get refunds on canceled flights and trips. As travel has come roaring back, an agent’s superpower is now their access to the best hotel rooms, most in-the-know guides, free amenities, and more, says Cory Hagopian, senior vice president of sales and partnerships for Virtuoso , a global network of travel agencies.

And they’re attracting a young clientele. According to a recent industry survey , 38 percent of millennials and Gen Zers are opting to use travel agents as opposed to booking on their own trips. That number is far greater than Gen Xers and baby boomers, of whom only 12 and 2 percent respectively use agents.

What Do I Gain from Using a Travel Agent?

I recently had a friend tell me she spent close to 40 hours researching a family trip online. She probably could have gleaned the same intel from an hourlong conversation with a travel adviser. Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks for things you might not have considered, says Erika Richter, a spokesperson for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). Their firsthand knowledge, vast network, and on-the-ground connections all combine to provide a unique perspective for crafting the perfect itinerary for you.

Most travel advisers specialize in certain regions and countries and travel to them frequently, so they have up-to-date intel on not only the best safari camps but the perfect tent to book for the most incredible views and the best local restaurants you won’t find on Tripadvisor. They want their client’s trips to go well to keep them coming back, so it’s in their interest to have sussed out hotels and itineraries before they send you out into the world.

Nicole Forster, 29, considers herself a savvy traveler. She’s been to 20-plus countries and enjoys destination research. But when it came to planning her honeymoon in Africa, she felt overwhelmed, so she reached out to Danielle Meyer at Coastline Travel Advisors , which specializes in bespoke itineraries. “Originally, I wanted to go to South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Madagascar,” Forster recalls. “Danielle convinced me that if we wanted to relax, we should stay in South Africa and save the other countries for separate trips.”

Over five phone conversations and multiple emails, they crafted a 15-night itinerary that included Cape Town, the winelands, the Cape Peninsula, and a safari at the Thornybush Game Reserve. Forster established her budget early in the process, and Meyer sent her a variety of lodge options to choose from.

“I initially wanted to start with the safari, but she pointed out that we’d be jet-lagged and would need to wake at sunrise for game drives,” says Forster. “The safari was our highlight, so it was a perfect way to end the trip.”

Not only did Meyer book all of the flights, hotels, and transfers, but she created a detailed, day-by-day trip app for the couple that included useful information like check-in times at hotels and how much to tip guides .

Agents also act as advocates. If something goes wrong during your travels, they’re on call 24/7 to handle it. When Forster left the battery and charger for her camera at a hotel, Meyer arranged for an on-the-ground contact to go to a camera store and buy new ones that would be delivered to her hotel the next day.

The cost for the honeymoon planning: $150 per person. “I wouldn’t use a planner for a trip to Hawaii ,” Forster says, “but if I ever took a big trip like this again, I’d 100 percent work with an expert.”  

When to Consider Using a Travel Agent

For savvy trip planners, the best time to use a travel agent is for complicated international travel. It can save you hours of planning and peace of mind that if anything goes wrong in your chosen far-flung destination, there’s someone a What’sApp message away to handle it.

Domestically, I’d consider using a travel agent when planning a multi-week national park trip or multi-island trip in Hawaii. They will save you time, guarantee you get the best guides, and help you land reservations at always-booked lodges and hotels.

Dream Trips Delivered

Jessica Cook and her husband both work in the travel industry. Decision fatigued, they handed their honeymoon logistics over to the team at Askari Travel , an agency that specializes in South Africa. Their original plan was also an African safari, but just as they were about to put a deposit down, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus made headlines. Worried about getting stuck abroad, they reached out to Askari’s founder, Muriel Truter, who is from Zimbabwe, and upon her advice, changed their focus to South America.

Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks of things you might not even have considered.

Truter suggested they stick to Colombia rather than country-hop. Cook supplied a budget and a wish list: 12 days, no more than three destinations, a barefoot-luxe feel, and adventures like horseback riding and mountain biking. The rest was a surprise that Askari pretty much nailed, with the exception of one hotel.

“Everything felt so authentic, but this one hotel on Barú island felt really fabricated and was full of American tourists,” recalls Cook. She immediately messaged the Askari team, saying, “Hey, this place really isn’t our vibe,” and within an hour they were on a water taxi headed to Blue Apple, a B Corp hotel—and an Outside pick for tropical adventures —on Tierra Bomba island. “It was honestly the best trip we’ve ever taken,” she says.

Are Travel Agents Expensive?

It depends. Cost varies. Some travel agencies won’t charge any fee, as they receive a commission from the bookings, while some high-end agencies will charge pricey annual membership fees for their services. Still others charge nominal “professional” fees starting at $150. Fees often fluctuate based on the length and intricacy of a trip and how far out you do the planning (6 to 12 months is recommended). You may occasionally come across agents who charge a percentage of the total trip price or hourly rates.

Basic travel enquiries are generally free. In 2016, Leah Smith, founder of Tafari Travel , opened an old-school brick-and-mortar location in Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood so her services would feel less intimidating to first-time users. “With our retail-office location, we’ve become part of the community, and both clients and non-clients are welcome to pop in and ask whatever questions they may have, no charge,” she says.

Matt Lindsay, founder of the surf-guiding and travel company LuxSurf Travel , builds relationships with resorts and property owners to get discounted rates that he can then pass on to guests.

Dominic Allan, the founder of Real Latin America , specializes in travel to Belize and Nicaragua and caters to independent travelers who are happy to book their own flights and hotels but are seeking his local intel. Allan’s three-tier pricing structure starts at $300 for up to three hours of phone calls, during which he might weigh in on where to eat (or not to), the best room to request in a certain lodge, or whether you really need a guide to hike.

Value Versus Savings

If you’re just looking for deals and steals, you might not be ready to work with a travel adviser, says Richter of the ASTA. “Anything you invest in with a travel adviser comes back to you in the form of amenities, customer service, peace of mind, better access to unique experiences, and handcrafted itineraries,” she says. “You could save money by cutting your own hair, too, but most people go to someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Agents work with preferred partners who can guarantee perks for clients, such as free upgrades, early check-in or late check-out, and resort credits. Those add-ons often translate into savings, says Justin Huxter, cofounder of the UK-based Cartology Travel . “We had a client go to Maui for a week, and because of our partnership with the resort, breakfast was included,” he says. When breakfast costs $120 for two, that’s a savings of $840.”

Some of the Best Travel Agents in the Adventure World

Some of my go-to resources for finding a person to work with include travel expert Wendy Perrin’s annual Wow List of tried and trusted agents, the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s adviser network , and the ASTA’s advisor directory .

In addition to the agents mentioned throughout this story, others I highly recommend for adventurous travelers include:

• Dan Achber of Trufflepig , for Africa and the Middle East
• Miguel Cunant of Sri Lanka in Style
• Javier Echecopar of Journey Costa Rica
• Daniel Fraser of Smiling Albino , for Southeast Asia
• Elizabeth Gordon of Extraordinary Journeys , for Africa
• Kleon Howe of the Art of Travel , for French Polynesia
• Jay Johnson of Coastline Travel , for Hawaii and California
• Antonello Losito of Southern Visions Travel , for Puglia, Italy
• Rabia Malik of Fora Travel , for general worldwide travel
• Robyn Mark of Mayamaya Travel , for Africa, the Alps, Patagonia, and Japan
• Marisol Mosquera of Aracari , for Peru and Bolivia
• Zach Rabinor of Journey Mexico
• Raluca Spiac of Beyond Dracula , for Romania

Travel-advice columnist Jen Murphy is now a believer in using a travel agent. Thanks to their expertise and connections, she’s avoided dozens of trip catastrophes. 

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