What are the advantages of using a travel agent?

The Pros of Using a Travel Agent
  • Travel agents can save you money – and get you other perks. ...
  • Travel agents handle all the details. ...
  • Travel agents can provide local expertise. ...
  • You'll avoid surprise fees. ...
  • You'll have someone to troubleshoot unexpected travel issues. ...
  • It might not be your cheapest option.




People Also Ask

With close connections to airlines, hotels, and tour guides, travel agents often have access to special deals and preferential pricing you won't find on your own. They know about seasonal deals, low-cost specials, and unique experiences that would be hard for you to find building your trip online yourself.

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Travel Agents Can Save You Time Booking a trip, with all its working parts, can take hours, especially if you're researching and comparing the best deals, said Avery Harris of Viking Travel. A travel agent will take much less time to help you find what you're looking for, Harris said.

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Travel agents don't cost more than self-organizing a trip. They save you time and money with their expertise, and can even help you get free amenities. Travel agents offer payment plans that allow you to pay for your trip gradually and avoid financial strain.

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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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When you book directly on an airline's website you have more leverage when it comes to delays, booking changes, and cancellations. If you call the airline after having booked through an OTA, there's a chance you'll be directed back to the OTA when service can be subpar and confusing.

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Booking directly with the resort itself is one of the best ways to ensure you travel and relax on the days you desire. Travel Agents are often paid on commission, and may not have your best interest in mind. They may push a certain resort or package deal on you which benefits them, but not you.

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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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Some agents charge fees by percentage, ranging from 5 percent to 15 percent of the trip's cost. Others may charge a flat rate, anywhere from $100-$500 on average. You may have to pay an hourly rate for travel agents to research, plan or arrange your trip.

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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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“Fees allow us to do a few things: to take on fewer clients and provide a personalized and seamless travel experience, to provide fair compensation for our time and expertise, and to allow us to truly work for a client to provide the best price and value — even if it means we need to book a noncommissionable experience ...

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National Geographic looks into whether or not people still use travel advisors, and the answer is a resounding yes!

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People who utilize a traditional travel agency expect to work with knowledgeable agents who can take the details of their travel plans, prepare a customized itinerary and quickly forward the details to the client's smartphone or computer.

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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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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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Travel agents are paid in commissions by partner agencies, which means there is no charge to consumers to use a travel agent for planning their business trips and holidays. It is wise to use a travel agent to help plan all the intricate details of exotic holidays, cruises and business travel.

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How do commissions vary? While the average commission range for many of the big online travel agents is 15-25%, some smaller and more niche OTAs offer lower rates – sometimes as low as 4%. It's very common for commission rates for properties on the same OTA to vary based on their region and property type.

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