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What Do Travel Agents Do For You – Do travel agents save you money? Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a commission (at no cost to you) if you click through and make a purchase. Please read our affiliate disclosure for more information.
With all the current options for booking hotels, flights and activities while on holiday, it is a common belief that travel agents only add costs to the final price of a trip. It’s only natural to avoid using a travel agent if you’re already spending your hard-earned money on the vacation itself. So, to help you better understand their role, I’ll answer the burning question: Do travel agents save you money?
What Do Travel Agents Do For You
In short, yes, travel agents can save you money. In fact, most travel agents have access to exclusive deals that you can’t find otherwise when you book your trip online. Pair that with their extensive knowledge, and you’ll find that using a travel agent is one of the best ways to stay on budget.
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So, what exactly can they do to save you money? Well, that’s exactly what we’re about to cover.
Before we get into the financial side of things, it’s useful to understand what a travel agent’s day in the office looks like – especially since their responsibilities are often misunderstood.
The main role of a travel agent is to provide clients with transportation and accommodations for their trip. However, they do not shy away from advice on the best tourist locations and activities, either.
They help decide on a reasonable budget, note all hopes and dreams, and then proceed to plan the perfect vacation for everyone involved.
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Although it may seem like a luxury, hiring a travel agent is more affordable than you might think. In many cases, you don’t pay them at all.
Yes, some travel agents include a small fee for their time in your total budget, while others may ask for a deposit upfront. But a service fee should not scare you – it is only understandable that a travel agent is paid what they deserve for their knowledge and expertise. However, it is rarely costly.
However, a service fee is not always what you should expect when you hire an agent. To make sure you only pay for what you can afford, simply ask your travel agent about any fees during your initial consultation.
Realistically, in most cases, you set your budget for your vacation. And, instead of paying hotels or airlines directly, you usually pay your agent with what you plan to spend on the vacation, and they use your money to do all the work behind the scenes for you. Which ensures a simple payment situation on your end.
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If travel agents do not make the greater part of their money directly from clients, it is natural to ask how they themselves make everything. But, to give you an idea, their income comes from few alternative sources, apart from the travelers who need them the most.
When it comes to income, it is best to see a travel agent in the light of a salesperson. Agents do most of their work alongside specific companies by “selling” their products to travelers. For example, they can sell clients on staying in a certain hotel from which the agent will eventually receive a commission for sending travelers in their direction.
The travel industry has certainly changed over the last few decades. But, back in the day, agents made most of their money through airline commissions. Airlines soon began to cut commissions due to their newfound partnerships with the Internet, and especially travel websites, such as Expedia and Travelocity, which made booking trips as simple as a few clicks. Since then, travel agents have had to rely more heavily on other hospitality sources for a commission, including hotels, cruises, and vacation packages.
Well, I know what you might be thinking. If I go with a travel agent, they will only sell me on the most expensive option to get the highest commission for themselves. And in all reality you may very well be right. However, this generally only happens when you are dealing with a truly unethical agent, and thankfully that is not the dominant attitude in the industry.
Using A Travel Agent & Airbnb
If you know your way around the world and trust yourself with all the planning of a vacation, consider yourself lucky. Many of us struggle to plan a vacation, spending hours upon hours in the world of online reviews and discouraging prices. Think about it, how many times have you booked your own airport ticket, only to be left with a $ 50 one-way that rises at the same time as your connecting flight? Well, good news: you’re certainly not the only one.
That’s why travel agents exist. A travel agent will be your right hand when it comes to vacation; they will book your reservations, handle deposits and payments, plan itineraries, and even solve any problems that may arise while you enjoy yourself in Cabo.
They know their way around the hospitality industry and do their research to ensure you get the best deal in all areas.
In addition to travel agents being an absolute convenience, to give you a clear idea of how they can easily save you money, I will list some money-saving benefits of using a travel agent to book your next vacation.
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You may think that Kayak provides you with the lowest price on all hotel and car rental services. But think again. Travel agents find a lot of information from sites like Kayak, but they also have additional access to exclusive deals that are not easily available on the Internet.
Travel agents have connections with various airlines, resorts, tour companies and many other companies for your travel needs. Being so up close and personal gives travel agents the upper hand. In fact, most agents have contracted rates with companies that are less than what you can find on your own. Not to mention, their relationship with companies gives agents the opportunity to negotiate costs if necessary.
Customers are much more likely to get special offers – including upgrades where possible – when they rely on a travel agent who uses personal communication and connections.
Travel agents understand—and generally respect—the amount of money you’re about to spend on your vacation. After all, they are the ones who set it all up. They have curated the ultimate trip for you and your loved ones and definitely don’t want to see you disappointed. Because of this, they take steps to ensure that everything goes smoothly; this includes protecting your finances.
Reasons Why You Absolutely Need A Travel Agent
The travel industry is full of surprising fees, and travel agents fully recognize them. To prevent you from paying outrageous fees for stupid services, your agent will professionally take care of all your payment needs. Instead of picking up the bill by booking everything yourself online, just sit back, relax and let your agent take care of you. They will find you exactly what you need while sticking to your budget.
Besides, it’s always a bummer to see your flight delayed or cancelled. But as we discussed earlier, travel agents have their connections. Your agent will stick with you through thick and thin, even stepping in to help you through all the rebooking processes.
Travel agents are experts in guiding their clients through travel insurance, which will ultimately protect you and your money if something goes wrong.
To get back to the original question, do travel agents save you money? In short, yes, they can.
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Whether it’s negotiating with cruise lines to find you the best deal or helping you avoid those inevitable hidden fees, booking your next vacation through a travel agent might just be one of the best ways to save some money on travel
Plus, if you’re like me, and scared of the idea of researching, planning, and booking a vacation, it’s hard to go wrong by hiring a travel agent.
About the Author Zach Buchenau is a self-proclaimed personal finance nerd. When he’s not writing about budgeting, getting out of debt, making extra money, and living a frugal life, you can find him building furniture, fly fishing, or developing websites. He is the co-founder of , and the most loyal customer of Chipotle.2 Why use a travel agent? Planning a trip today can be confusing and time-consuming. A travel agent not only arranges the various modes of transportation, but a travel agent can also save you money with early booking discounts, special rates, hotel deals and travel advice.
3 What do experts say? Visit this website to see what an expert says about using a travel agent
Do We Still Need Travel Agents?
Save money! Strong working relationships with travel suppliers and the latest computer reservation technology allow travel agents to access the most up-to-date information on how to get the best value.
Traveler Advocates Your best interests are the priority. ASTA (The American Society of Travel Agents) has a long-standing record of fighting for consumer rights and ASTA member travel agents are required to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics.
At ease.
Service ASTA member travel agents are expert and active in the industry.
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