The cost of using a travel agent is generally marginal, and often, they won't charge you at all. Much of their money comes from commissions the hotels and wholesalers pay them. Before you decide to book with a travel agent, inquire whether or not they charge fees.

Contrary to popular belief, travel agents do not always charge "more" for flights; in fact, they often have access to "consolidator fares" or bulk-purchased tickets that are not available to the general public on sites like Expedia or Google Flights. While some agents may charge a nominal service fee (typically $25 to $50) for their time and expertise, this cost is often offset by the value they provide. For example, if a flight is cancelled or delayed in 2026, a travel agent acts as your personal advocate, handling the rebooking process so you don't have to wait on hold for hours with the airline. For complex international itineraries with multiple stops or "mixed-cabin" bookings, agents can often find creative routing that ends up being cheaper than what an algorithm would suggest. Essentially, while you might pay a small fee for the service, the protection against travel disruptions and the potential for "hidden" deals often makes the total cost of the trip equal to or even less than booking it yourself.