Is it more expensive to book a vacation through a travel agent?

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.



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A good travel agent can: Connect you with trusted tour operators they've worked with before. Find the perfect airfares, rental cars, and cruise ships/cruise lines to fit your itinerary. Help you save money with exclusive upgrades, discounts, and perks that aren't available to the general public.

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  • You're Not The One Planning Your Travel. While not planning your travel is a pro to some, for other travelers, it's a major con. ...
  • You Add Another Person To The Equation. ...
  • You Actually Have To Find The Agent. ...
  • They're Not Great For Spur-Of-The-Moment Changes.


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A Travel Agent Can Handle the Unexpected. Between weather delays, natural disasters, flight cancellations, lost luggage and much more, a lot can happen on vacation. Travel agents act as the traveler's advocate in the event something goes wrong, helping navigate the challenge of making any necessary itinerary changes.

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Because travel agents are often working with airlines, hotels, cruises, tour companies, and more on multiple clients over multiple years, they're able to negotiate better deals and access better discounts than you'd be able to on your own. Think of it as bulk buying.

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The internet has opened up the questions that you used to need a travel agent for. Flights, hotels etc. can be researched and booked easily yourself without paying for the travel agent. Additionally, some people enjoy planning and finding out what to do, where to go etc.

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Travel agents can be helpful in making and changing reservations, French says, but sometimes they can end up being an unnecessary middleman. “If you need to change your hotel reservation, often it's easier to just call the hotel yourself, rather than wait for the travel agent to do it,” she acknowledges.

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Take advice from friends and business associates who use an agent they trust and always check business profiles on BBB.org. Visit or call several agencies to find the one that best suits your needs. Consider everything from the appearance of the office to the agent's willingness to listen and answer questions.

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It is completely reasonable to ask Travel Agents to price match. That is part of their job to find you the best deal available. As long as you are upfront with them and ask from the start that should be fine.

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I have booked my flight through a travel agent. Can I still do Web Check-in? Yes. Web Check-in is available to individual whom purchased ticket online or via travel agent.

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How much does a travel agent cost? 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.

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Are travel agents cheaper than booking online? Travel agents are typically cheaper than booking online for a flight, hotel, or car because travel agents can often negotiate better rates. Travel agents also provide more service, such as helping find the cheapest time of day to fly.

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But travel agencies also typically fall under “high risk.” One reason for that is the higher-than-average chargeback rates that can come from bookings for a future trip that a client later wants to cancel.

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Whilst over three quarters of all travelers said that they typically use a travel agent/advisor to help manage their itinerary in real time, when broken down by generation a staggering 87% of Gen Z and Millennial travelers say this compared to just 50% of Boomers+ travelers.

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People still choose a travel agent to help them book their travel experience, whether it is for business or pleasure. A travel agent helps travelers navigate any issues that may arise. They can even help save travelers money because they know what kinds of discounts and packages are out there.

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Does not follow up: A bad agent promises trip options and rates, but fails to deliver in a timely manner to the client, who then moves on to another agent. A bad agent also fails to follow up with the client after a trip that has been booked to see how it went.

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The short answer is, yes. 22% of U.S. travelers used a travel advisor 1. This percentage will grow, with 50% of travelers reporting they're more likely to use a travel advisor post-pandemic (a 14% increase from 2022!) 2.

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Generally, leisure travel agencies' main revenue is from commissions vendors pay on vacation packages, cruises, air, and other add-ons. However, consultation fees and service fees are becoming more common as agencies try to diversify income sources to become less dependent on supplier commissions.

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The main difference between travel consultants and agents is that travel consultants plan trips, while travel agents book them. Travel agents may be better skilled at locating the best prices for flights and hotels.

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Booking a flight through a travel agency can be more expensive because the agency needs to make money for their services. They may charge an additional fee or markup on top of the cost of the ticket, which is why it's often cheaper to book directly online.

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