It is that time of year again, Black Friday season, which means incredible travel deals are everywhere. Resorts, airlines, cruises, and tour companies are rolling out some of their best offers of the entire year. The big question is, how do you sort through it all and book something reputable, something that has your back if plans change or something goes wrong?

As a travel advisor, I always recommend working directly with someone who can help you plan, answer your questions, and send options that fit your family perfectly. That is me, Angela, your Travel Fairy Godmother. But I also know that some people genuinely love to do their own searches and their own bookings, and that is totally okay.

So today, I am sharing a little secret with you.

You can do all your own searching and booking, and still have the support of a travel advisor (ME!), when you need us the most. Yes, really.

Why Having a Travel Advisor Matters

Let me give you a real example. I recently had clients booked for a Jamaican holiday. Their resort was hit hard by the hurricane and completely closed. They suddenly needed a new place to stay, and they needed it fast.

I spent four hours on hold with a supplier to make sure they were moved to a new hotel so they could still enjoy their vacation. They didn’t spend those four hours dealing with cancellation policies or trying to reach someone. I did that part for them.

That is what travel advisors do. We step in when plans change. We troubleshoot. We advocate for you. We save you from long hold times, complicated policies, and stressful unknowns.

And here is something most people don’t realize: When you book directly with a supplier, you are often already paying the built-in cost of using an advisor; you are just not taking advantage of that support.

We also know the destinations, what prices usually look like, and what is actually a great deal you should take advantage of! 

The Tools I Use, Now Available to YOU

If you love searching for deals yourself, comparing prices, scrolling through photos, and building your own package, you can still do all of that while having me in your corner.

All you need to do is use my agency’s official search link. It shows you every major supplier in one spot, compares pricing, and helps you see real, apples-to-apples options. You can filter Air, Air plus Hotel plus Car, or Ocean Cruises.

Make sure you see my name and photo on the left side (as seen below), Angela van Tijn, and the green search bubbles on the right side. This is the most important part, ensuring you have the right link and you are booking it through that link, not any other place on the main website.

This is the right link to start your search.

Make sure you do your booking starting from here to ensure you are linking your reservation to my services for free: 

https://travelbestbets.com/ca/angela-van-tijn

From there, click on the right hand side, under BOOK NOW and all the green icons: (Air, Air+Hotel+Car+Ocean+RiverCruise+ Vacation Packages)

If you see this when you are doing your search, that means you are in the correct place.

How To Get the Best Travel Deals Right Now, Without the Stress

From there, you have two choices:

Option 1: Let me handle the booking.
Send me a quick message with what you found, and I will take care of everything from that point on.

Option 2: Book it yourself.
If you prefer to process the booking on your own, go ahead. Then just send me a short note letting me know you booked, and I will add your file to my calendar, send my pre-travel tips, monitor your trip before and during travel for any schedule changes or cancellations, and be there for you if anything comes up.

Either way, you get full support for the same price you would pay if you booked directly with the supplier yourself.

A Quick Word About Third-Party Sites

RedTag, Expedia, and Costco can look tempting, but those “great prices” usually come with catches like red-eye flights, different fare classes, no carry-on or checked bags, no airport transfers, or downgraded room categories.

Always compare apples to apples. A package that seems cheaper upfront can easily cost more once you add luggage, transfers, and the room category you actually want. Those websites also are known for having terrible customer care and support when something goes wrong. They won’t be easy to reach when you need to cancel something, move something, or when things go wrong, you’ll be on your own. 

A Tip about Black Friday Deals and Other Sales

During big sale periods like Black Friday, it is easy to hope for huge discounts on the most popular travel dates, but the reality is that peak seasons like December, March Break, and summer rarely see those “crazy” deals. These are high-demand times; they sell out quickly, and resorts and airlines simply do not need to discount them deeply. You may see small promos, but the best pricing almost always appears during off-season travel. If your schedule is flexible, choosing quieter months is where you will find the real savings.

Best of Both Worlds

If you love doing your own research, now you can do it with the same professional tools I use, and still enjoy the service and support of a real human who has your back when things go sideways.

If you don’t want to search at all, that is okay too. I am always happy to do the comparing, recommending, and planning for you.

Either way, you are supporting a small Canadian business, rather than leaving that service fee unused with a large supplier or third-party website.

So go ahead and dive into those Black Friday deals. And if you have questions or want help choosing the right destination, I am only a message or a phone call away. 

Reach out HERE.

I am here to help make your vacation dreams a reality!

Angela