What are the perks 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

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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  • 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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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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It's a myth that working with a travel agent will automatically cost you more; most get paid via commissions from the hotel or outfitter. Sure, some travel agents do charge a fee for putting together an itinerary, but most will credit you that fee if you end up booking the trip through them.

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Travel agents save clients money, but the benefits of booking with a travel agent go way beyond. Travel agents also create high-value travel over OTAs because (the living, breathing, talented humans that they are) are able to advocate for clients when things go awry.

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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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The Top 20 Most Powerful Travel Agencies in 2023
  1. Booking Holdings. (photo courtesy of Booking Holdings) ...
  2. Expedia Group. ...
  3. American Express Global Business Travel. ...
  4. BCD Travel. ...
  5. CWT. ...
  6. Flight Centre. ...
  7. American Express Travel. ...
  8. Chase Travel Group.


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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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To identify a travel agent scam, look for red flags such as prices that are too good to be true, pressure to book immediately, limited contact information, negative online reviews, or vague contract terms.

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Whether you're booking a weekend getaway in a U.S. city or planning an around-the-world extravaganza that includes an African safari, Antarctica cruise and a stay in an igloo hotel, consider using a travel agent. An agent can help get you on the right trip, at the right time for the right price.

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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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What's the difference between a Travel Broker and a Travel Agent? Anyone can become a travel agent with very little industy or travel experience. Travel Brokers have both years of industry experience and have had plenty of trips overseas. Brokers work in much the same way as travel agencies.

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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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“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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Don't tip your travel agent. “An adviser's job is to create memorable trips for you and they get compensated for their service, so they don't expect more money on top of that,” she said.

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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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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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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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