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When there’s a problem with a flight, dealing with an airline can feel like torture. “If there’s an error with a reservation booked online, you’ll spend hours on the phone or you’ll shell
out additional money,” says Lauren Cardinale, a luxury-travel adviser from Atlanta. Vacation planners work as your advocate to resolve problems quickly, which can be vital to those with
disabilities or language barriers. And most agencies offer 24/7 service, so don't leave without the number. Some advisers try to prevent problems from happening at all. In winter,
Lesley Egbert, owner of Live Longitude (an Avoya affiliate) in Helena, Mont., avoids booking flight connections at airports where snowstorms are likely. Most people aren’t thinking about
blizzards when they’re planning travel in June, but no grandparent wants to be stranded at Chicago O'Hare with multiple grandchildren for hours. Travel advisers think ahead about
scenarios like this. 3. SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE AND IDEAS A resort may look great on your iPad, but advisers can spot potential problems. “Hotel and destination photos are almost always
enhanced, and the reviews tend to be extreme in both directions,” Cardinale warns. If a price seems too good to be true, an experienced adviser may know why. “The hotel may be undergoing
renovations, or the ‘island view’ room category may actually mean a parking lot.” Travel consultants are travelers, too, and they share their information with colleagues. Wilson Wetty’s
agency compiles adviser info into a database that’s available to its planners nationwide. When she talks with a client about Rome, she can search the database and access hot new restaurants
or updates at hotels. “We spend lots of time, money and energy to get to know destinations, hotels, cruise lines, restaurants and tours,” says Daniela Harrison of Avenues of the World Travel
in Flagstaff, Ariz. “We know the general managers at hotels that we recommend, and we know the crew on most cruise ships.” Even if you enjoy the planning process, a travel adviser can
improve your selections. Wilson Wetty gives the example of her mother-in-law, who likes researching her trips but still works with a consultant. “We can say, ‘I know you’re thinking about
this hotel, but I think you'd be happier with this other one given your past experiences — and here is the value we can add, which you can't get if you book it direct.' ”