Discover the value of using a travel agent to plan your trip ⚖️ We analyze the pros, cons, and cost to help you decide whether to book with a travel agent
Travel agents used to be more common decades ago when the internet and online booking sites were not as ubiquitous. But with the rise of sites like Expedia, Travelocity and more, travelers started booking their own trips instead of going through agents. However, travel agents can still provide value with their insider knowledge, relationships and expertise, especially for more complex trips. So how much do they cost nowadays?
What Does a Travel Agent Do?
A travel agent is a travel expert who handles all aspects of trip planning and logistics for you. This includes:
- Booking flights, hotels, rental cars, tours and more
- Suggesting destinations and planning custom itineraries
- Providing information on documents needed (like visas)
- Arranging transportation once you arrive
- Offering local destination tips and tricks
- Acting as an advocate if any issues arise during the trip
Essentially, they take care of all the logistics and details so you can simply focus on having an enjoyable vacation.
Travel Agent Cost, Fees and Commissions
In the past, most travel agents did not charge service fees and instead earned commissions from airlines, hotels and tour operators. Things have changed in the internet age, so now there are several pricing models:
No Fees: Some travel agents still do not charge customers. They earn commissions from travel industry vendors. However, this is becoming less common.
Flat Rate Fee: Many agents now charge a one-time flat fee that can range from $100-$500+ depending on the complexity of the itinerary.
Percentage Fee: Some agents charge a percentage of the total trip cost, usually 5-15%.
Hourly Rate: Agents working on extensive research or a customized high-end itinerary may bill an hourly rate.
These fees typically either go towards a deposit for booking the trip or are refunded back as a credit if you end up booking through that agent. In some cases, fees may be waived altogether if the trip booking is complicated enough.
Besides potential service fees, understand that the base rates and flight/hotel prices should generally be the same whether you book yourself or go through an agent. Some agents have access to unpublished discounts or special rates not available to the general public. But a hotel room or airline ticket cannot legally be marked up in price if booked via an agent.
Benefits of Using a Travel Agent
Some key advantages of using a travel agent include:
Insider Knowledge – Agents are destination experts, with first-hand experience and training on locations worldwide. This allows them to plan more unique, interesting trips beyond generic tourist attractions and hotels.
Relationships & Perks – Travel agents develop close ties with hotels, tour guides and more over the years. This translates into room upgrades, special amenities, VIP access and other exclusive perks passed onto their clients.
Time Savings – Planning complex, multi-destination trips with transfers, tours and variable dates across different cities takes an incredible amount of research and logistical coordination. Agents handle all of this grunt work for you.
Problem Solving – When unforeseen circumstances inevitably occur during trips, an agent acts as your advocate. They work quickly to solve issues like cancellations, lost luggage, medical emergencies, natural disasters and more.
Customization – Agents tailor every detail of a vacation to match personal tastes, budgets and special requirements. Doing this yourself via travel sites takes vastly more effort and comparison shopping across individual vendors.
In essence, travel agents allow you to outsource the headache of travel planning. In exchange for service fees, you gain their expertise plus leverage relationships and perks not accessible otherwise. For certain complex, overseas adventures this can prove invaluable.
Cons of Using a Travel Agent
While travel agents can provide many benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to consider as well:
Loss of Flexibility
Booking an itinerary through an agent means you need to plan specifics and dates farther in advance versus leaving things open-ended. This reduces spontaneity and flexibility to make last-minute changes.
Potential Bias
Some agents may push you towards certain hotels, tours or packages because they receive higher commissions or incentives from those vendors. This could result in recommendations not fully aligned with your needs or budget.
Time Investment
Finding the right travel agent match can take hours of research, interviews and coordination upfront before reaping the rewards. For simple trips you can book yourself in minutes, this legwork may not make sense.
Rewards Dilution
If chasing travel rewards points through a specific airline or hotel loyalty program excites you, using an agent could dilute points earned if they book you with various mixed vendors.
These are tradeoffs to weigh given your specific trip plans and travel style preferences. While agents solve tricky logistics, you sacrifice some freedom and control in customizing each detail.
Pros of Booking Your Own Travel
On the flip side, being your own travel agent through online booking websites and apps has some advantages too:
Total Control
You choose every hotel, destination, mode of transportation, travel insurance options and activity based on your personal tastes without bias from an agent’s recommendations.
Rewards Maximization
Booking directly through a favorite airline or hotel site allows you to rack up points and status in their loyalty program much faster.
Last Minute Adaptability
With all reservations in your own name, you can more easily make changes and cancelations as needed up until the last minute.
Budget Accountability
Seeing pricing and comparisons laid out across various travel sites when booking yourself makes it easier to stay on budget without hidden costs.
When Not to Use a Travel Agent
Here are some cases when doing your own booking may save you money:
Simple Trips – If you are just purchasing airfare and hotel for a straightforward domestic trip, self-service likely works fine.
Using Points & Loyalty Programs – Trying to redeem airline miles or hotel points often requires you book directly. Some agents can utilize points, but it involves extra coordination.
Budget Travel – Agents providing a customized, high-touch service may not focus on ultra low-cost trips. Doing your own budget digging online could yield better deals.
Enjoy Trip Planning – If researching, price comparing and piecing together the moving parts of an adventure excites you, opt for self-booking.
Spontaneous Travel Style – Booking via an agent means setting an itinerary farther in advance. This reduces flexibility for last-minute changes and in-the-moment detours.
How to Find and Choose a Travel Agent
With the basics on travel agent costs and pricing models understood, here is how to go about finding and selecting a reputable agent:
Get Referrals – Personal recommendations from family or friends who have used an agent before works best. This provides first-hand feedback on their quality.
Search Travel Advisory Networks – Large consortiums like Virtuoso, Travel Leaders Network and Signature Travel Group have search tools to find agents in your area or destination experts.
Interview Multiple Candidates – Ask about specialties, destinations served, pricing and fees. Get a feel for their experience, knowledge and travel philosophy. The relationship should feel like a good personal fit.
Ask About Memberships – Many of the best agents belong to the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) or other professional groups denoting credibility.
Do a Background Check – Verify any IATA or CLIA numbers that reputable agencies should have. Check reviews on Google, Yelp and social channels. Ensure no major complaints or lawsuits filed against them.
By finding the right travel agent match and understanding exactly how you will be charged, your next adventure is sure to be smooth sailing. Safe travels!