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Travel Agents: The Pros and Cons

It's that time of year when many people are making vacation plans. Going through an online travel company, or dealing directly with airlines and hotels are options. But there's another alternative—a travel agent. Depending on your situation, it may be a worthwhile consideration. Let's weigh the pros and cons:

Pros

Simplicity. Forget hours searching online for the best prices. Travel agents have access to better deals than what most consumers can find on their own. Plus, they'll help you with everything from required documentation to booking an excursion.

You know what you're getting. As specialists, travel agents are aware of the quality of various accommodations, as well as the atmosphere. Things like cleanliness, noise level, and the kind of clientele a hotel attracts can significantly affect your vacation—and you're not likely to get that information online.

There's help if something goes wrong. There's nothing worse than being on vacation and you lose your wallet or passport, or miss your flight. Your travel agent will be available to help when there's no one else to call.

Cons

There's often a fee. Agents receive commission from all travel providers, except airlines, so they may try and add a booking fee for your flights, as well as a fee for their time planning your trip.

You're putting your trust in someone else. Although you determine the kind of trip you want, the agent is the real gatekeeper to all your options. Are they telling you about all the packages available, or only the ones where they have established relationships with the vendor, and thereby make more commission? It may be hard to tell.

It isn't necessary. If you're well-traveled, a good researcher and know exactly what you want, you may not need a travel agent. Sometimes, planning is half the fun!

If you decide to go with a travel agent, interview several, and ask friends for recommendations. Happy travels!