the travel agency is arranging for us

Protect Your Trip »

Is a travel agent worth it the pros and cons.

Travel experts agree there are several advantages to hiring a vacation planner.

The Pros & Cons of Using a Travel Agent

Getty Images

Need to pivot your trip plans but don't want to deal with the extra time, money and hassle of rebooking flights and accommodations on your own? That's just one area where a knowledgeable travel agent (also commonly known as a travel advisor) can help.

Read on to discover the other benefits – as well as the downsides – of using a travel agent, so you can confidently decide whether or not a travel agent is worth it for your next trip.

The Pros of Using a Travel Agent

Travel agents can save you money – and get you other perks.

"In some cases, you'll actually get a better  deal by working with a travel agent," says Jackie Steele, travel expert at MagicGuides . "This could be in the form of a cruise onboard credit (free spending money to use on the ship), access to special agency/group rates, or even just learning about a discount you qualify for but weren't aware of." The best agents will even keep an eye on new discounts as they're announced and apply them to your trip even after you've booked, he notes.

Travel agents handle all the details

Hotel room? Booked. Dinner reservations? Made. Tour tickets? Ready to go. A travel agent handles every detail of your vacation itinerary. "The traveler still gets to be involved in the fun part of dreaming up ideas and providing their travel wishes, while we take and perfect them," says Jessica Parker, founder of Trip Whisperer .

Molly McShea, owner and travel advisor at McShea Travel , points out that travel agents can also help with timing logistics. "Travel agents know how many days should be spent in each destination, which tours go together, and how many things you should do in a day," she says, adding that crafting an itinerary can be challenging if it's not something you regularly do. Additionally, travel agents can help you choose the best time to visit your preferred destination(s) based on seasonality and your budget, and sift through travel insurance policies to find the best option for your needs.

Travel agents can provide local expertise

"A travel advisor's industry connections and relationships provide added value to their clients," says Valerie Edman, a luxury travel advisor and agency owner at Cultured Travel LLC. She says when working with a travel agent, travelers gain access to a global network of connections including:

• In-destination specialists who work exclusively with travel advisors and can connect travelers with unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences they wouldn't otherwise know about
• Exclusive experiences not available to the general public

You'll avoid surprise fees

When deciding if a travel agent is worth it for you, remember this: A reputable agent can guarantee you won't encounter any surprise fees on accommodations and activities once your trip is booked.

You'll have someone to troubleshoot unexpected travel issues

A travel advisor is essentially your personal vacation concierge. "Because they've been around for so long, agents really know what to look for," says Christopher Elliott , a consumer advocate and journalist. "Travel agents are among the first to know about flight cancellations and delays , making it easy for them to rebook itineraries right away." 

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

The Cons of Using a Travel Agent

It might not be your cheapest option.

There are some instances when it makes more sense to plan your own trip. "If you're planning a quick flight from New York City to Los Angeles, it's easy enough to book it yourself online directly or through a third-party booking site," says Elliott. "If you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip or bucket list honeymoon , that's when you call the experts."

You'll have less flexibility in your itinerary

The upside of working with a travel agent is having someone plan an epic vacation for you based on industry knowledge and local expertise. But this can also be a downside in the event you discover an activity you'd like to do or a restaurant you'd like to try that isn't on your pre-planned itinerary. If you alter your plans, you risk losing money; plus, the time it takes for you and your travel agent to coordinate your change of plans may not be worth the hassle.

You still have to do some research

It's important to find an agent you can trust, which means you still have to do some of the vacation planning. For this part, Parker recommends picking up the phone. "Lots of people avoid or don't pick up the phone as much anymore," she says. "That's where you get the high-touch service, tone of voice, excitement or concerns to manage." She advises to look for the following red flags:

• No fees: " Travel advisors are charging planning fees more now or increasing them, so the client knows more confidently than ever, we work for them, not the suppliers with the best commissions," Parker explains. "There are a lot of things that are non-commissionable and the advisor's time and expertise shouldn't be given away for free, either. That's the best way to show an advisor takes their business seriously."
• Limited options: If you work with someone who is inexperienced or has an incentive to book you with a certain supplier, they may not be prioritizing your best interests. "It's important to check if they are with a larger consortia, accreditations and network, typically listed on their website and signatures," says Parker. "That level of mindshare doesn't come with a lone advisor unless they have many, many years of experience."
• Slow response times: If communication is delayed, that's a sign they may be too busy to plan your trip – but again, this is something you can avoid by having the right conversations early on.

Edman suggestes starting your search with the American Society of Travel Advisors . "ASTA-verified travel advisors are committed to the highest industry standards and have verifiable industry knowledge so consumers can feel confident in working with them," she says.

You might also be interested in:

• Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
• How to Renew Your Passport Online
• TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry: Which One Is Right for You?

Tags: Travel , Travel Tips

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

Fun things to do in minnesota.

Rachael Hood Sept. 27, 2024

The 8 Best Hollywood Tours

Gwen Pratesi and Ann Henson Sept. 26, 2024

The 10 Best Snowmobile Tours in Colorado

John Rodwan Sept. 26, 2024

What Is Allowed in a Carry-on Bag?

Erin Vasta and Timothy J. Forster Sept. 26, 2024

The Top Everglades Airboat Swamp Tours

Holly Johnson and Ann Henson Sept. 26, 2024

The Best Road to Hana Tours in Maui

Ashley Probst Sept. 25, 2024

The Best Solo Cruises

Gwen Pratesi Sept. 25, 2024

The Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Teens

Holly Johnson Sept. 23, 2024

All-Inclusive Family Resorts in Mexico

Sharael Kolberg Sept. 20, 2024

The Best Pearl Harbor Tours

Amanda Norcross Sept. 19, 2024

FIND A SHOW NEAR YOU

Tickets for Warren Miller’s 75 are now on sale.

Breaking Down the Pros and Cons of Using a Travel Agent

You're convinced that having a travel expert by your side will be useful. But how do you go about knowing when and how to book with them?

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Reddit

New perk: Easily find new routes and hidden gems, upcoming running events, and more near you. Your weekly Local Running Newsletter has everything you need to lace up! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Subscribe today → .

Confession: I’m a big fan of travel agents (whoops, sorry, travel advisers ), even though I could technically book all my trips through websites and apps. And despite the fact that many of us might consider this industry old-fashioned and out-of-date, research shows that travelers, and millennials in particular, are once again turning to these specialists to help plow through TripAdvisor detritus. If you’re wondering: how much does a travel agent cost, and why would I book with one anyway? Read on.

How to Know If You Need a Travel Agent

Once you’ve come around to the idea of hiring a travel agent, ask these three questions before booking:

• Is this a domestic trip or one that involves traveling to a part of the world you’ve never been? If it’s the former you don’t need a travel agent.
• Can I get a better deal by using a travel agent? (This question requires you pricing out your trip with and without one.)
• Is this a big-budget, special-event kind of trip? If the answer is yes, go with a travel agent.

The Pros of Using a Travel Agent

They can find crazy deals..

This is literally their job. If they have been in the travel business for many years, they likely have supplier relationships in place that can help leverage better deals for you. Many travel agents specialize in locations (i.e., cruise vacations in Europe). Some travel agents offer package deals, with more savings passed on to you then booking the trip on your own—that is good news to your wallet.

They will be your advocate.

One of the best ways to utilize a travel agent is as an advocate should something derail on your trip. They can help you with lost luggage, in the case of natural disasters, if you get stuck in a location before your trip, etc. They are there to help you get your trip back on track.

They’ll take care of the little things.

I love my travel agent, and I love all the extras she provides when we use her services for a trip. For instance, when we traveled to the Bahamas, she made sure there was a nice bottle of champagne and strawberries in our room on our arrival, and she also upgraded our room free of charge. While this certainly is not a guarantee when you use a travel agent, there are a lot of added-value extras you can expect when you use a travel agent. Why? Because travel agents know you don’t have to use them to book your trip, and they want to say thank you.

They’re true experts.

Most travel agents have been working in the industry for years now, and it’s their job to stay on top of travel trends and upcoming hot destinations. When I spoke with my travel agent about a trip to Europe recently, she offered a few alternate destinations. I was not thinking about the destinations she suggested, but the alternatives offered great activities, culture, food, interesting boutique hotels, and more options for less money than my original destination.

They don’t usually cost extra.

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. Make sure you know all the potential fees before you use a travel agent, and do not hesitate to negotiate away.

The Cons of Using a Travel Agent

They’re not going to help with cheaper airfare..

Back in the day, you would use a travel agent to book every aspect of your trip. However, with so many options to find low-cost airfare, like Google Flights , Scott’s Cheap Flights , and  Skyscanner , booking your own flights is easy and cost-effective. Most travel agents cannot score discounted flights, and many travel agents will not even bother. Follow these tips on how to find the cheapest flights possible , instead.

They’re not you.

This may seem obvious, although it’s still important to consider. A travel agent not only finds you the best deals, but they also offer suggestions for activities, restaurants, and more. This is great if you’re someone who doesn’t like to research these things, but you run the risk of working with someone who doesn’t get your personal preferences (maybe they lean toward road tours rather than technical singletrack). Do your own research first, and come up with a list of activities that you want to do. Once you have that list, pass it along to your travel agent to see if they can rustle up any deals as they book.

How to Find a Great One

One of the best ways to find a reputable travel agent is to get referrals from your friends and family. Anyone that has used that travel agent for a previous trip and enjoyed their service is someone worth checking out. As with anything, I always suggest talking to at least two different travel agents to see who you feel most comfortable with. Remember, they are there to work for you.

Know your travel budget before you reach out to a travel agent. Likely, this will be the first question they ask you and will help steer them toward the best destinations for that budget. If you are traveling somewhere that’s specialized, like going on that once-in-a-lifetime African safari , find a specialist that knows that region inside and out. They will usually have the best deals and relationships with hotels and activity companies in that area.

How Much Does a Travel Agent Cost?

Usually, the cost of hiring a travel agent to organize a trip for you is fairly minimal. Many agencies charge a flat fee of around $100, and others may charge a certain small percentage of your trip. Most of their take-home profits come from the hotels, wholesalers, resorts, and businesses they work with, but be sure to as your travel agent about fees upfront and before you start working with them to plan your next dream vacation. (No one likes hidden fees and surprises.)

• Adventure Adviser
• Budget Trips

Popular on Outside Online

Enjoy coverage of racing, history, food, culture, travel, and tech with access to unlimited digital content from Outside Network's iconic brands.

© 2024 Outside Interactive, Inc

7 Reasons Why You Should Use a Travel Agent to Book Your Next Trip

Published : February 22, 2024

AAA Travel Editor, Laurie Sterbens

For those who love traveling, the excitement of envisioning future escapades and vacation planning can be just as delightful as the actual journey. Researching destinations and making reservations has become increasingly effortless with modern technology. Yet, the sheer multitude of options for flights, accommodations and activities can easily overwhelm even the most experienced travelers. Whether you are traveling internationally , traveling solo or even planning a cruise, you may want to consider working with a travel agent.

Now more than ever, these travel pros can work their magic to help you plan your trip and keep everything running smoothly. Here, AAA Travel Agents share some of their top reasons on why to use a travel agent .

1. Travel Agents Save You Time

Travel agents can take the guesswork out of researching and evaluating the many options of top destinations to travelers, saving you time and the hassles that often come with vacation planning. With years of experience and knowledge about destinations, transportation options and vendors, an agent can eliminate hours of online research time.

“The options come to my mind quickly as we speak about their trip vision,” said Allison Walker, a AAA Travel Agent in San Clemente, California. “I can create a short list that only includes reputable, quality options that are appropriate to their trip destination objectives.”

“Travel is my job, but for my clients it’s a passion or a hobby,” said Lisa Landay, also a AAA Travel Agent in San Clemente, California. “Sometimes they only know about the vendors that have the most prolific marketing. It’s my job to listen, listen, listen to what my clients want. And then, cut to the chase by recommending a vendor that would be a good fit for them. This way, they don’t end up wasting time and money on a bunch of ‘trial and error’ experiences.”

Agents don’t just save time researching and making decisions. They can also handle changes and other issues that may pop up before or during your trip.

“I was able to quickly handle a hotel closure, rebooking and flight schedule change for my client’s upcoming trip to Palm Springs while they continued on with their day,” said Ashley Andrews, a Travel Agent with AAA Oregon/Idaho. “We are here to do the work so you don’t have to!”

2. Travel Agents Take the Stress Out of Planning

Travel agents help clients with all types of situations and are immersed in travel full-time, so they’re aware of details you might not think of when planning on your own. Their knowledge and experience also gives them the foresight to prevent potential problems.

“‘You don’t know what you don’t know,’” Walker said. “Sometimes consumers don’t realize there is something really important for them to include or arrange. Thankfully, experience has taught me most of these things and when I’m not certain, I know where to check and who to ask.”

“We take care of all the details — those little things that are not fun to plan like transfers, checking in, etc.,” said Melanie Manzi, a AAA Travel Agent in Providence, Rhode Island. “We’ve got you covered from A to Z — reminders about what to pack, temperature, side trips, adventures, where to get the best coffee, or that Instagrammable spot to make your friends jealous they are missing out!”

“My job is to make my clients’ travel vacation seamless,” said Melinda Sue Platero, a AAA Travel Agent in Newport Beach, California. “If someone comes in and wants to go to three countries in Europe in seven days, I will generally go over travel days, amount of physical time one would be in each city, to show them that itinerary may be too ambitious, and then we can create an itinerary that will work in their time frame and will be more manageable. Travel planning can be overwhelming when there are so many choices online. A travel advisor has quick access to pricing a package with airfare, hotels, tours, transfers, rail tickets if necessary — in one visit.”

A travel agent can also take the stress out of planning for large groups, said Felicia Troy, a AAA Travel Agent in Westwood, Massachusetts. “We can be the middle man. We can handle each person’s needs while still coordinating with the group, and for those honeymoons, we take the stress out of the trip planning so that the couple can focus on the wedding.”

3. Travel Agents Offer Expert Recommendations

One of the top reason to use a travel agent is that they will make personalized recommendations and offer tips on destinations, what to see and do while on vacation, the best and worst times to travel, and much more.

“I may suggest to take a train for a certain portion where I know the driving is too difficult or it takes too long and their vacation time is not being best spent,” Walker said. “Or because the sights en route are so amazing, they will want to watch the view and not the road. Cost versus time versus experience — all need to be in balance.”

Agents don’t just gain knowledge from their own travel. Their knowledge of destinations is also constantly updated by their clients.

“As each traveler returns, we get up-to-date info on that particular destination, resort or cruise,” Troy said. “First-hand experiences from trusted sources are crucial to planning the best vacation. This is especially true right now. The world of travel has changed and we are out there getting current information to give to our travelers. This can range from which restaurants are open to the tourist attractions that now require reservations when they did not previously.”

4. Travel Agents Have Been There, Done That

Travel agents are often well-traveled, having visited the destinations and experienced the vacations they recommend to travelers.

“First-hand experience is immeasurable — and extremely important depending on the needs of the client,” Platero said. She has clients who are in wheelchairs or mobility challenged, so when traveling she always checks to make sure hotels, attractions and restaurants are truly accessible before recommending them.

“At AAA Northeast we like to say, ‘We know because we go’ — and you are not limited to only the destinations I have ever traveled to,” said Mindy Hardaker, a AAA Travel Agent in Salem, New Hampshire. “We have a large community of advisors that willingly share their expertise, feedback and recommendations with each other so that we are all providing the highest level of service for our members.”

“When I can give them details about everything from currency to adapter plugs to local transportation, it makes their trip more enjoyable and less of a struggle,” Walker said. “I’ve had clients come home to say, ‘We knew exactly what to do because you taught us before we left,’ or ‘the European hotel room was small, but you told us what it would be like there, so we were happy with it.’”

5. 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.

“As travel agents, we have seen it all,” Troy said. “While the traveler may have never had to deal with a weather delay, we have. We know the details and the best way to handle the situation. We can talk to the airlines, resorts, etc., to make sure you are fully taken care of in the best way possible. We will find the best possible solution for the given situation whether it means changing dates of the trip completely or just rebooking them on the next available flight.”

“My clients have my cellphone number and at times I have gotten a call in the middle of the night,” said Ashley Knebelsberger, a AAA Travel Agent in Dayton, Ohio. “When a couple was accidentally left behind while a tour bus went from Prague to Berlin, I was able to recommend train transfers to Berlin and secured a taxi ride to the appropriate hotel to rejoin the group.”

“If their flight is cancelled, I get them another flight out and secure it while there are 50 people waiting in line to talk to the customer service person,” Platero said. “I have had clients put off ships into the hospital and I have coordinated a hotel for the loved one and flights home when needed. (I) also helped clients cancel tours and hotels when they have been injured in the middle of their trip so they won’t be penalized.”

When clients of Landay’s on their honeymoon had their flight to Hawaii canceled, they were told the next flight wouldn’t leave until that evening, so they wouldn’t arrive until 10 p.m. Distraught, they called Landay.

“I looked up the flight schedules for that particular airline and saw that they actually had three other flights, all of which left earlier than 5 p.m.,” Landay said. “The reservation agent was simply pushing all passengers to later flights indiscriminately.”

Landay told her clients to get in line to speak to the reservation agent. When they reached the front of the line, they gave the agent their cell phone to speak to Landay.

“I told her that I could see two seats on their 1 p.m. flight in our live air system,” Landay said, “and I expected her to honor their tickets on that earlier flight instead. She did. And they got to Hawaii four hours earlier to start their honeymoon.”

When a group of clients on their way to Rome had their flight canceled, they were so discouraged they were ready to cancel their trip, but Teri Reilly, a AAA Travel Agent in Northfield, New Jersey, was able to get their trip back on track using her travel experience and contacts. She quickly found her clients a hotel near the airport with a free shuttle, then turned her attention to their Rome itinerary. Spotting another unpleasant surprise, she called a friend in Italy, where she has traveled numerous times.

“She is a tour guide in Rome and had always offered to help me and my clients if I ever needed her. Well, this time I really needed her,” Reilley said. “I found out that there was a transportation strike going on and I needed to get my clients to their hotel somehow.”

Reilly’s friend picked the clients up at the airport and even called their tour conductor at the hotel to say they would be late and find out when and where they would meet for their Vatican tour the following morning.

“My clients were so happy and raved about my friend and all that I was able to do to get them back on track,” Reilley said.

6. A Travel Agent Can Help You Navigate Changing Travel Conditions

Keeping up with the details of planning a trip is challenging enough. Now travelers face travel restrictions that vary across borders, unpredictable events like weather disruptions and transportation delays.

“Here at AAA Northeast we are all SmartDepart Certified,” said Jeanne Miller, a AAA Travel Agent in North Andover, Massachusetts. “What that means is we have been trained to navigate the changing protocols and resources to take the stress out of travel planning. We have identified key resources to keep us on top of all of the changes. We will make sure you have all the resources, links and the phone numbers you need so that you are able to enjoy your experience knowing that we have you covered.”

“We get updates from vendors and destinations about the necessary protocols that are constantly changing,” Platero said. “We can give them current information, and if the situation changes — like it seems to daily — we inform them of the new rules and make sure they understand and can do the correct forms, documents or whatever is necessary to be able to go on their vacation.”

“When my client was uncomfortable going on their trip to Croatia in September 2020, they were faced with a penalty since it was a voluntary cancellation,” Andrews said. “I didn’t stop there. I worked my travel agent magic and got that penalty converted into a credit for future use.”

Elizabeth Guy, a Travel Agent with AAA Oregon/Idaho, had clients vacationing in Hawaii when the state shut down early in the pandemic. Both clients were in a high-risk health category and needed to get home immediately.

“I spoke with them in the morning [and] dropped everything to find a replacement flight to get them home on a flight that would fit their special needs,” she said. It took several months, but Guy was also able to secure full refunds for her clients’ unused return air ticket and rental car.

7. A Travel Agent Can Help You See the Big Picture

It’s easy to get lost in the details with travel planning, but travel agents can help keep you on track to have experiences you’ll remember for a lifetime.

“I always tell my clients the story of when I was in Hong Kong,” Landay said. “I was sitting in the breakfast room of my hotel … looking out at the street at 8 a.m., watching moms holding their children’s hands on the way to school, watching people carrying their dry cleaning over their shoulders, buying coffee, commuting to work. We are all the same on some very basic human levels. We work, provide for our children, worry about the same things, take joy in the same things. That experience made me passionate about travel. Travel can truly change the way you see the world. I want my clients to have that experience, too.”

Start Your Next Vacation with AAA

AAA Travel provides peace of mind when you travel — before, during and after your vacation! Members enjoy the advantages of membership including exclusive benefits, map routing, savings with the AAA Discounts & Rewards ® program as well as recommendations for AAA Diamond -designated hotels and restaurants across the U.S. and Canada. Let AAA provide the rest of your travel needs with AAA Travel Guides , AAA Digital TourBook® , access to travel agents and counselors and travel insurance. Your next vacation starts with AAA — your complete travel solution. Visit AAA.com/Travel .

More Articles

Travel like an expert with aaa and trip canvas, get ideas from the pros.

As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

Build and Research Your Options

Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.

Book Everything in One Place

From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!

4 scenarios when you should use a travel agent

Editor's Note

If you're a points-and-miles-wielding expert traveler, you may not immediately think of using a travel agent to book your getaways . However, there are times and situations when using these services can be of great benefit.

A good travel agent can be a game-changer when it comes to helping you book your ideal trip and receive the best services once you arrive at your destination. Travel agents can also be of great assistance when things go wrong, especially during this summer of excessive flight delays and cancellations .

Agents can often secure the best room in a hotel or the top cabin on a cruise ship. Sometimes they can even secure complimentary upgrades, breakfast benefits or food and beverage credits, and free spa treatments during your stay.

When it comes to making the right decisions about when to travel, what sights to see and which guides to hire, agents can act as advisors. An excellent travel agent can be the difference between an OK experience and the trip of a lifetime.

Here are four times when you may want to use a travel agent:

Booking a hotel with extras

Your travel agent can become a trusted friend over time. Before you're ready to turn over all your travel planning to a travel adviser, test the waters by collaborating on a simple trip request. You'll want to see how the agent operates, communicates and arranges extra perks and deals. Avoid a complex or elaborate request on the first go-round.

Start by having a travel agency book your hotel arrangements with a few specific requests for extras baked in, such as airport transfers or spa services .

Start with an agent who is part of a major travel consortium such as Virtuoso, Travel Leaders Network, Ensemble Travel Group or Signature Travel Network. Each of these networks provides a suite of benefits to travelers who book with them. If you're familiar with the perks of the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program or the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection , you'll know what we mean. Extra benefits for booking can include space-available upgrades, free breakfast, additional food and beverage credit, a free spa treatment or a round of golf.

Related: This new travel company will pair you with local experts

You can work with a travel agency that fits your style. This may be someone from a large company based in a major city with dozens of agents, or it may be someone from a more boutique option such as the family-owned and operated Ourisman Travel. (Ourisman Travel is a travel consultancy affiliated with Brownell Travel, one of the oldest travel agencies in the U.S., and also a member of the Virtuoso network.)

What's nice about Ourisman and any Virtuoso agency is that you can have your travel agent do all the work. You can also use the Virtuoso booking tool to make quick, easy reservations. Once your reservation is in the system, your agent swings into action to let the hotel know a VIP is on the way and arranges for any extras, whether it's a Virtuoso perk or one from a credit card program.

It's also possible to stack benefits. If you book your trip with The Platinum Card® from American Express , your agent can secure your Amex FHR benefits; you may also be entitled to additional perks from the agency, its travel consortium or the hotel, cruise line or tour company.

When you're short on time

Not everyone has weeks to spend crafting the ultimate itinerary and keeping watch on every flight deal (although TPG can help you here) . Fortunately, you can rely on a savvy travel agent to step in and plan your vacation when your time is crunched . Otherwise, you might not be able to pull off the travel arrangements on your own, or you might end up spending more for your trip than you should.

When facing a planning time crunch, look for an agent who specializes in the type of trip and destination you have in mind. If you're looking for a beach villa on a Caribbean island , find a travel advisor who has experience booking this sort of trip.

One example is Villas of Distinction, which has been around for more than 25 years and has a vast network of properties. Your travel advisor there can offer advice on which properties are best suited to your needs, what's available and how to book the villa. You can also use your American Express Membership Rewards points to book a villa through the agency, an added benefit to finding a good application of points.

Agents specializing in villa rentals usually have strong networks on the ground, so they can assist with chores such as stocking the villa with groceries, booking a chef or securing the best masseuse on the island for poolside treatments.

Related: Everything you need to know about Homes and Villas by Marriott

When your travel plans are specific and complex

The more complex and specific your travel goals are, the more experts in that destination or trip style can help you.

For example, every year, travel guru Wendy Perrin puts together a WOW List that features experts in the travel-booking field. The agents, advisors and destination specialists on Perrin's list aren't booking budget cruises and all-inclusive vacations for people as a side hustle. The agents on the WOW List are the real deal with plenty of expertise in their subject areas.

Say you want to explore Africa and go on a safari, but you don't know where to begin. Consult the WOW List and you'll see she recommends individuals with an encyclopedic knowledge of the continent.

The WOW List features advisors who can create custom safaris in East, Central and South Africa as well as niche destinations like Madagascar. The website provides a synopsis of the agents' expertise as well as links to reviews and insider guides written by Perrin and her team.

This is an excellent resource for learning about the best attractions, cutting-edge travel trends or finding out-of-the-ordinary experiences, and shows how contact with local agents, rather than anonymous trip reviews, can be a great advantage in planning a trip.

Related: Everything you need to know about going on safari in Africa

When you're looking for value

Travel agents often have access to room rates and cruise fares not available to the general public. This is especially true of agents who specialize in specific cruise lines. When a cruise line needs to fill a sailing, it may reach out to its top agents to extend special fares for their clients. You'll only hear about these offers if you have a top agent who sells cruises on the lines you love.

Related: Why now might be the cheapest time to plan a cruise

For example, Keene Luxury Travel, a member of the Signature Travel Network, has relationships with all the top luxury cruise lines, especially Regent Seven Seas. As a result, your agent can offer shipboard credits, special fares for solo travelers, deals for families traveling with children and more. The agency also has its own KLT Rewards program. With KLT Rewards, you'll get cash back on every sailing, about 10 days before you set sail. Plus, if you book a trip hosted by the agency's owners, you'll get a bump in the amount of your reward for booking with them.

The best part about working with specialty agents like those at Keene Luxury Travel? You can stack deals. For example, you can book a hosted trip to get the usual 5% KLT booking reward, plus an enhanced reward for booking a group trip. On top of that, you could also receive the onboard credit that's a Signature Travel Network perk.

Bottom line

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.

They can help find the best rooms, book services you didn't even know existed and tie all the pieces together on a complicated itinerary.

A travel agent can be particularly beneficial if you don't have the time to do all the research yourself, or if you're looking for help in getting the best deal. It's also helpful to use an agent if your trip targets destinations or itineraries that can benefit from local experts,

If there's ever a problem during a vacation — which seems to happen more often than not these days — it's great to have a problem-solver who is just one phone call or email away.

Additional reporting by Bill Fink

Download WP Travel

Please enter your email to download WP Travel and also get amazing WP Travel offers and Newsletters.

What is a Travel Agency? Types, Purpose, Function, Services

Home » Blog » What is a Travel Agency? Types, Purpose, Function, Services

The travel agency business is now something that most people want to do.

The main purpose of a travel agency is to make planning a trip easier and more useful for their customers by giving them information and making reservations .

Flights, hotels, transportation, trips, and other events can all be booked through the travel company.

If you learn about tour-related ideas and get knowledge from these articles, you’ll be able to start your travel agency in the travel industry. 

Table of Contents

What is a travel agency, 1. traditional travel agencies, 2. online travel agencies, 3. corporate travel operators, 4. consolidators, 5. franchise travel services, 1. convenience, 2. expertise and advice, 3. access to deals and discounts, 4. risk management, 5. customer services, 1. travel planning, 2. booking services, 3. customized itineraries, 4. travel documentation, 5. emergency support, 6. customer services, services offered by travel agency, 1. booking services, 2. information and advice, 3. customer services, 4. negotiation and coordination, differences between travel agencies and travel agents.

A travel agency is a business that helps people and groups choose, plan, and book travel-related services . Flights, hotels, rides, trips, sports, and other things can be a part of these services.

Most travel companies know about a lot of different trips that their clients can take that fit their wants and budgets.

A lot of travel and tour operators also hire people called tour agents who know a lot about important things like visa rules, places to visit, and travel trends. 

They plan and organize everything so that their clients’ trips are as easy, fun, and stress-free as possible.

Explore the beginner’s guide to launch your travel agency

Types of Travel Agency

Several types of travel agencies meet the wants and tastes of different travelers.

These are the most common types related to the travel industry:

These agencies are physical office companies where customers can go and talk to the tour planners. They give specialized services and often a wide range of trip needs.

Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) run the online trip business, where their websites or mobile apps provide tourists with book flights, rooms, rental cars, and other trip services. Expedia and Booking.com are some examples.

The corporate travel service makes trip plans for companies and groups. They take care of bookings for businesses, make deals, and offer services like keeping track of costs.

Consolidators buy a large number of plane tickets at a discount, they sell them at a lower price to travel companies or directly to customers.

Franchise companies work under a bigger brand name and use marketing, technology, and support systems in the travel industry that have already been set up. 

Within the franchise network, owners of travel companies get the training and tools they need to run their businesses.

Purposes of Travel Agency

The main purpose of travel agencies is to facilitate and enhance the tour experiences for individuals and groups. 

Travel companies try to make planning a trip easier by letting people book flights, hotels, transportation, events, and other services related to travel all in one place. 

Trip planners hire knowledgeable agents who can offer expert advice and recommendations based on their suggestions of different places or destinations.

Similarly, travel agents shared their experiences of various destinations, travel trends, visa requirements, and more.

Explore this article “How To Start A Travel Agency In Australia? (8 Steps)”

Airlines, hotels, ship lines, tour operators, and other travel companies often offer deals, discounts, and packages that only travel agencies can get.

They can help customers get the most for their money and save money on their trip costs by taking advantage of deals.

Travel agencies help mitigate risks associated with travel by giving travelers information or knowledge on safety, health issues, and security in different places.

Travel agencies or companies make sure their clients are happy by giving each one of them high-quality service and individual care.

Overall, the travel company’s main goal is to make planning a trip easier, more fun, and less stressful for their costumes by giving them advice, making things easier.

What does Travel Agency do?

Many services travel agencies offer to make it easier and better for people and groups to trip.

One of the things that a travel agency does is the following:

Travel agencies support the client in planning their trips by talking about their tastes, hobbies, income, and any special requirements they may have.  

These companies are called travel agents that help people book flights, hotels, rental cars, airport transfers, trips, events, and other services related to travel. 

They can use online tools and scheduling systems to get reservations for their clients.

Most tour operators make personalized trip plans based on what their clients want and what they’re interested in. 

It supports you on trip documents like passports, visas, travel insurance, and any other paperwork that is needed is available from travel companies. 

Before a client leaves on a trip, they make sure that all of their paperwork is in order.

Travel companies are there to help their customers in case of accidents or other problems that come up during their trip. 

In this case, they might rebook flights, arrange alternative accommodations, or give advice on medical help or legal issues.

Tour Operators prioritize customer happiness first by giving each client great services and individual care.

There are a lot of services travel agencies provide to meet the news and preferences of travelers. 

Trip planner aims to ease the trip planning process, provide expert advice and support, and ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience for their clients.

These are some common services provided by travel agencies.

• Flight Booking
• Accommodation Booking
• Transportation Services
• Tour Packages
• Cruise Booking 
• Travel Insurance
• Visa Assistance
• Destination Recommendations
• Emergency Assistance

Overall, the travel agency’s purpose is to ease the trip schedule process, deliver expert advice and support, and provide smooth and enjoyable trip experiences for their customers.

Let’s launch your travel booking website today

Functions of the Travel Agency

Their main function revolves around assisting and arranging various parts of travel and people and groups. 

The purpose of a travel agency is to ease the trip planning process, provide expert advice and support, and improve the entire trip experience for their customers.

Here’s an overview of the key tasks of a travel agency:

Travel agencies handle the planning process for flights, lodgings, transportation, trips, events, and other travel-related services.

Most travel agency provides guidance and formation on different parts of the travel, visa requirements, and health and safety measures. 

Travel companies put customer happiness first by giving each client great service and individual care.

The travel agencies deal with tour operator suppliers, including airlines, trip suppliers, and hotel and tour operators to secure good terms and rates for their clients.

A trip agency is a business company that offers other-related services, while a trip agent is a person hired by or connected with a tour operator who helps clients with their trip planning and bookings. 

These are some key differences between a travel agency and a travel agent.

Explore our article “Tour Operator vs Travel Agent- What are the Differences?”

In summary, travel agencies may have multiple trip agents working under their umbrella to help the clients, while a tour agent may work separately as a part of a bigger company.

Travel companies are essential businesses in the travel industry, acting as intermediaries between tourists and travel providers. They offer a range of services to ease trip planning and booking.

These companies can take the form of standard brick-and-mortar businesses, or online-based platforms. Each type of service responds to different tastes and wants, providing accessibility to a wide range of travel-related customers. 

Regardless of their form, the primary goal of travel companies stays consistent: to provide ease, knowledge, and support throughout the trip process. They give personalized systems to help, access to exclusive deals, and 24/7 assistance before, during, and after the trip.

By offering personalized solutions and reducing travel risks, travel companies play a crucial role in allowing enjoyable and stress-free travel experiences for individuals and groups.

There are two types of agencies, retail tour operators and wholesale travel agencies.  These travel companies, as well as tour providers, operate as intermediaries. The main goal is the buying and selling process in the travel business.

The global market size of the travel agency industry is estimated at nearly 296 billion U.S. dollars as of January 2024. ( Source )

Overall, roughly 589 thousand travel companies operated in the tourism industry, with employment reaching approximately three million.

Yam Bahadur Chhetri is a content writer and vivid contributor to the WordPress community and a WordPress enthusiast with an experience of 7+ years in the relative field. He also loves to develop WordPress Themes, Plugins, and custom WordPress development for clients.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Get WP Travel Pro

Create Stunning , SEO friendly and Fully functional Travel website within minutes . No Coding Required !

Suitable for any

• Travel Agency
• Tour Booking Services
• Travel Bloggers

Drive more Sales and Revenues from today !

$ 99 99 USD per year

📢 Santa has sent the gift for Christmas and New Year sales on all WP Travel Pro plans. 🛍️ Use coupon code "XMAS_NEWYEAR2024" at checkout.

Related posts

51 Tourism and Travel Business Ideas to Start in 2024

Leading Tour Operator Software for Medium Businesses in The USA

How to Create a Travel and Tourism Booking Website in 2024?

Wp travel modules.

Need more features to save your time and to boost your travel business? WP Travel Pro comes with more powerful modules . While our core travel plugin provides almost all the features that a travel and trekking websites generally needs, our add-ons boost it’s capacity further to make it the best travel engine on WordPress. Whether you want to add new payment method to your site or brush up your trekking listings with beautiful maps show casing your trips, we have all your imagination covered. See all our add ons below to boost your travel website’s features further.

Conditional Payment 

Weather Forecast

Import Export

Connect with WP Travel to Join the Travel Conversation

Documentation →.

Explore More

Customer Support →

We are here to help.

Facebook Group →

User Community Forum

Follow On Twitter →

Connect with us on Twitter

What does a travel agent do?

Would you make a good travel agent? Take our career test and find your match with over 800 careers.

What is a Travel Agent?

A travel agent assists individuals or groups in planning, organizing, and booking various aspects of their travel arrangements. They act as intermediaries between travelers and travel suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and tour operators. Travel agents have in-depth knowledge of different destinations, travel options, and industry trends, which they leverage to provide personalized recommendations and advice to their clients.

One of the primary roles of a travel agent is to help clients navigate the complex world of travel. They listen to their clients' preferences, budget constraints, and desired experiences, and then work towards creating a tailored itinerary that meets their needs. Travel agents handle tasks such as booking flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and excursions, ensuring that all the necessary arrangements are made smoothly. They can also provide valuable insights on visa requirements, travel insurance, and local customs, helping travelers make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.

What does a Travel Agent do?

Travel agents possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the travel industry, including destinations, transportation options, accommodations, and activities. This expertise allows them to provide valuable advice and guidance to travelers, helping them make informed decisions and create well-planned itineraries that meet their specific needs and preferences. They also have access to a wide range of resources and tools that enable them to efficiently search for the best deals, discounts, and promotions available. They can often secure exclusive rates and packages, saving their clients both time and money.

Duties and Responsibilities Here are some common tasks and responsibilities associated with being a travel agent:

• Client Consultation: Travel agents engage in thorough consultations with clients to understand their travel preferences, requirements, and budget. They ask relevant questions to gather necessary information and provide personalized recommendations based on the client's needs.
• Itinerary Planning: Based on client preferences, travel agents create detailed travel itineraries that include destinations, transportation options, accommodations, and activities. They consider factors like travel dates, budget constraints, and any specific requests from clients.
• Reservation and Booking: Travel agents handle the booking process for flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel-related services. They ensure that all bookings are made accurately and efficiently, securing the best available rates and deals for their clients.
• Travel Documentation and Logistics: Travel agents assist clients in obtaining necessary travel documents such as passports, visas, and travel insurance. They provide guidance on the documentation process and ensure that clients have all the required paperwork in order. Agents also handle logistical aspects like seat assignments, baggage allowances, and transportation arrangements.
• Knowledge of Destinations: Travel agents possess extensive knowledge about various destinations, including popular attractions, local customs, weather conditions, and safety considerations. They provide valuable information and recommendations to clients, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about their travel plans.
• Customer Service: Travel agents offer exceptional customer service throughout the entire travel process. They address client inquiries, resolve any issues or concerns that may arise, and provide support during the trip. Agents act as a point of contact for emergencies and assist clients in making alternative arrangements if necessary.
• Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends: To provide the best service to clients, travel agents stay updated with the latest industry trends, travel regulations, and changes in travel technology. They attend industry conferences, participate in training programs, and conduct research to ensure their knowledge is current.
• Sales and Marketing: Some travel agents engage in sales and marketing activities to attract new clients and promote travel packages and services. They may participate in trade shows, develop promotional materials, and utilize online platforms to reach a wider audience.
• Financial Management: Travel agents handle financial transactions related to travel bookings, including processing payments, issuing refunds, and managing invoices. They maintain accurate records of financial transactions and ensure compliance with accounting procedures.
• Continuous Learning: Travel agents continuously enhance their skills and knowledge by staying updated on travel industry trends, new destinations, and emerging technologies. They actively seek opportunities for professional development to provide the best possible service to their clients.

Types of Travel Agents There are various types of travel agents, each specializing in different aspects of travel and catering to specific clientele. Here are some common types of travel agents and what they do:

• Leisure Travel Agents: Leisure travel agents focus on organizing vacations and leisure trips for individuals, families, or groups. They assist clients in planning and booking all aspects of their leisure travel, including flights, accommodations, tours, and activities. Leisure travel agents may specialize in specific types of travel, such as beach vacations, cruises, adventure travel, or luxury travel.
• Corporate Travel Agents: Corporate travel agents primarily cater to business travelers and companies. They handle the complex travel needs of corporate clients, including booking flights, arranging accommodations, managing itineraries, and coordinating travel logistics. Corporate travel agents are familiar with business travel policies, negotiated rates, and preferred vendors to ensure cost-effective and efficient travel arrangements for their clients.
• Group Travel Agents: Group travel agents specialize in organizing travel for large groups, such as family reunions, weddings, school trips, or corporate retreats. They handle group bookings for flights, accommodations, transportation, and activities, negotiating group rates and coordinating logistics to accommodate the specific needs and preferences of the group.
• Tour Operators: Tour operators design and operate pre-packaged tours and travel itineraries. They create comprehensive tour packages that include transportation, accommodations, guided tours, and activities. Tour operators often work with travel agents to sell their tour packages, providing them with a ready-made product to offer their clients.
• Destination Specialists: Destination specialists focus on specific regions, countries, or cities. They have in-depth knowledge of the destination's culture, attractions, local experiences, and logistical considerations. Destination specialists provide expert advice and create customized itineraries for travelers seeking in-depth exploration of a particular destination.
• Online Travel Agents (OTAs): Online travel agents operate through internet platforms and websites, offering a wide range of travel services. They allow customers to search, compare, and book flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel services online. Online travel agents may also provide customer support and assistance through online chat or call centers.
• Niche Travel Agents: Niche travel agents specialize in specific types of travel, catering to niche markets or specialized interests. Examples include adventure travel agents, luxury travel agents, honeymoon specialists, culinary travel agents, or eco-tourism experts. These agents have extensive knowledge and expertise in their niche area, curating unique experiences and tailored itineraries for clients with specific interests.

Are you suited to be a travel agent?

Travel agents have distinct personalities . They tend to be enterprising individuals, which means they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic. They are dominant, persuasive, and motivational. Some of them are also conventional, meaning they’re conscientious and conservative.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if travel agent is one of your top career matches.

What is the workplace of a Travel Agent like?

The workplace of a travel agent can vary depending on their specific employment arrangement. Some travel agents work in traditional brick-and-mortar travel agencies, which may be part of a larger travel company or operate independently. In these settings, travel agents typically have a physical office space with workstations, computers, and travel industry resources such as brochures, destination guides, and reservation systems. They may have a reception area to welcome clients and conduct in-person consultations.

With the increasing prevalence of remote work and online booking platforms, many travel agents now have the flexibility to work from home or in virtual offices. They utilize technology, such as laptops, smartphones, and high-speed internet, to communicate with clients, access travel resources, and make online bookings. Virtual travel agents often communicate with clients via phone, email, or video conferencing, offering the convenience of remote consultations.

Travel agents also frequently visit destinations, attend industry conferences, and participate in familiarization trips organized by travel suppliers. These opportunities allow them to gain firsthand experience, build relationships with suppliers, and stay updated on the latest travel trends. While travel agents spend a significant amount of time working at their desks, they also have the chance to explore and experience the destinations they recommend to their clients.

In terms of work hours, travel agents may have a standard office schedule, working weekdays during regular business hours. However, they may also need to be flexible, accommodating clients in different time zones or assisting with emergency situations outside of regular office hours. The workload of travel agents can vary throughout the year, with peak periods during holiday seasons or when there are significant events or festivals happening in popular destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pros and cons of being a travel agent.

Being a travel agent can be an exciting and rewarding career for individuals who are passionate about travel and enjoy helping others create memorable experiences. However, like any profession, there are pros and cons to consider.

• Travel Opportunities: One of the major advantages of being a travel agent is the exposure to diverse travel opportunities. Travel agents often have the chance to visit destinations, experience different cultures, and explore new places as part of their job. This firsthand experience not only enhances their knowledge but also allows them to provide valuable insights and recommendations to clients.
• Personal Satisfaction: For individuals who are passionate about travel and helping others, being a travel agent can be personally fulfilling. The ability to create personalized itineraries and witness the joy and excitement of clients as they embark on their dream trips can be highly rewarding.
• Knowledge and Expertise: Travel agents develop a deep understanding of destinations, travel products, and industry trends. They stay up-to-date with the latest information, including visa requirements, safety advisories, and emerging travel destinations. This expertise allows them to provide valuable advice and recommendations to clients, ensuring they have well-planned and memorable travel experiences.
• Building Relationships: Travel agents have the opportunity to build strong relationships with clients, travel suppliers, and industry professionals. They can establish a network of contacts that can enhance their business and open doors for collaboration and future opportunities.
• Industry Changes and Competition: The travel industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies, online booking platforms, and dynamic pricing models. Travel agents must stay updated with these changes and adapt their business practices accordingly. The rise of online travel agencies and self-booking options has increased competition, requiring travel agents to differentiate themselves and provide added value to their clients.
• Workload and Time Management: The travel industry can be demanding, especially during peak travel seasons. Travel agents may need to work long hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate client needs and handle emergencies. Proper time management skills are essential to balance the workload and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Pressure for Exceptional Customer Service: Travel agents are expected to deliver outstanding customer service consistently. They must handle client inquiries, resolve issues, and manage expectations throughout the travel process. This level of customer service can be challenging, particularly when dealing with unforeseen circumstances or dissatisfied clients.
• Commission-Based Income: While some travel agents receive a salary or hourly wage, others rely on commission-based income. This means their earnings are directly tied to the bookings they secure for clients. It can take time to build a client base and establish a steady income stream, especially in the early stages of a travel agent's career.

Travel Agents are also known as: Travel Consultant

Discover How Travel Agencies Can Transform Your Trip

• Beach Captions And Quotes For Instagram

•   Bookmark
•   Contact Us

Table of Contents

Planning a trip is incredibly exciting. However, this excitement can sometimes be dampened by the overwhelming choices for flights, hotels, and itineraries. This is where travel agencies come into the picture. While the convenience of online bookings is tempting, a good travel agency can offer a much more personalized experience, catering to your unique preferences and needs. But what exactly do travel agencies offer, and why should you consider using one?

Let's explore how a travel agency works and the benefits it brings, all while introducing Adotrip - the largest travel agency with connections across the globe.

How does a travel agency work?

Travel agencies typically offer tailored solutions to every client based on their preferences and purpose of travel. Let’s check how Adotrip - a trusted travel agency helps you with a seamless travel experience.

1. Understanding Your Needs

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway, an adventure-packed trip, or a cultural exploration, we start by understanding your travel preferences and budget.

2. Tailored Packages

Based on your needs, we create personalised travel packages that include everything, from flights and hotels to local tours and activities. We work with trusted partners to offer you the best deals.

3. Easy Booking Process

Chat with us on WhatsApp for instant support

Give us a call.

Our team handles all the details for you as per your convenience and requirements.

4. Dedicated Support

From the moment you start planning your trip until you return home, travel experts handling your journey are always there to support you. Unlike online booking platforms where chatbots handle queries, travel agencies on the other hand offer 24/7 human assistance which improves the overall experience of customers.

5. Memorable Travel Experiences

With Adotrip, you can relax and enjoy your trip, knowing that every detail has been carefully arranged to ensure an unforgettable experience for all travellers.

Why use a travel agency?

Planning a trip can be exciting, but it also comes with a gamut of arrangements. Here’s why choosing a reliable travel agency like Adotrip can make your travel experience easier and better:

1. Expert Advice: Travel agencies have knowledgeable experts who know the best destinations, hidden gems, and must-see attractions. They offer recommendations based on your preferences, saving you hours of research.

2. Tailor-made Itineraries: Whether it's a family vacation, a solo adventure, or a romantic getaway, a travel agency like Adotrip customises your trip to fit your needs. You get a personalised itinerary with everything you want to see and do.

3. Value for Money: Travel agencies like Adotrip ensure you get the most out of your travel budget. Their expert team combines their industry knowledge with exclusive deals and offers.

4. Hassle-Free Planning: From booking flights and accommodations to arranging tours and transfers, a travel agency handles all the details for you. You don’t have to worry about logistics.

5. 24/7 Support: If something goes wrong during your trip like a flight delay or a change in plans, your travel agent is there to help. They offer support and solutions so you can enjoy your vacation without stress.

6. Time-Saving: Instead of spending hours researching, comparing prices, and organising your trip, let an award-winning travel agency like Adotrip take care of everything while you focus on looking forward to your trip.

What are the benefits of using a travel agent?

Here are the additional benefits of using a travel agency over online platforms.

1. Local Connections: Travel agents often have strong relationships with local suppliers and guides, giving you access to exclusive experiences and insider knowledge that you might not find on your own.

2. Problem Resolution: If unexpected issues arise, such as cancelled flights or accommodation problems, travel agencies prove essential in resolving it quickly and efficiently.

3. Travel Visa/Insurance Assistance: Some premium travel agencies like Adotrip help with end-to-end assistance with visas and appropriate travel insurance. This saves last-minute pitfalls and overwhelming processes.

4. Special Requests: Need special accommodations, such as accessibility services, dietary requirements, or unique experiences? Travel agents handle these details, ensuring your trip meets all your needs.

5. Customised Experiences: Travel agencies can tailor your itinerary to include unique experiences that match your interests, such as special tours, exclusive events, or off-the-beaten-path adventures.

6. Personal Touch: Travel agents provide personalised service and attention to detail, creating a more tailored and thoughtful travel experience based on your preferences and needs.

7. Expertise in Complex Itineraries: For multi-destination or complex travel plans, travel agents excel at creating seamless itineraries that include all the necessary arrangements, avoiding potential pitfalls.

What is the travel agency fees?

The best travel agencies like Adotrip don’t charge any extra fees other than minimal convenience charges from the customers. They just need to pay the booking amount for flights, hotels, or tours.

Travel agencies typically earn commissions from airlines, hotels, and other travel providers due to high booking volumes. So, customers have a win-win situation as they enjoy customized services and discounted rates without spending time on finding the best deals online.

Which travel agency is best in India?

When it comes to finding the best travel agency in India, Adotrip stands out as one of the top choices. What sets it apart from others is its focus on creating personalised travel experiences for every type of traveller. Adotrip also has a user-friendly online portal, making it easy for people who like to plan their own trips. Here are some reasons why more than 2 million people trust Adotrip for their travel plans:

1. Personalised Service: Adotrip offers tailor-made travel packages designed to meet individual preferences and needs, ensuring a personalised travel experience.

2. Comprehensive Solutions: From flights and accommodations to local tours and activities, Adotrip provides complete travel solutions, handling all aspects of your trip for a seamless experience.

3. Expertise and Local Connections: With extensive industry knowledge and strong relationships with local suppliers, Adotrip offers exclusive experiences and insider tips that enhance your travel experience.

4. Customer-centric Approach: Adotrip prioritises customer satisfaction with dedicated support throughout your journey, ensuring that any issues are promptly addressed.

5. Competitive Pricing: By leveraging industry connections and exclusive deals, Adotrip provides competitive pricing and excellent value for money.

6. 24/7 Support: Adotrip’s round-the-clock customer support ensures you have assistance whenever you need it, providing peace of mind during your travels.

7. Diverse Travel Options: Offering a wide range of travel options, from luxury getaways and adventure tours to family vacations and corporate trips, Adotrip caters to various travel styles and preferences.

8. User-Friendly Platform: Adotrip’s website and booking platform are designed for ease of use, allowing you to explore and book travel packages effortlessly.

You can find great deals, book hotels, flights, and even discover exciting destinations, all in one place. This blend of convenience, customisation, and focus on delivering memorable experiences makes Adotrip the best travel agency in India. 

--- Published By  Shradha Mehra

Flight Booking

Related blogs.

Top 50 Banquet Halls in South Delhi

Top 35 Things To Do In Delhi - Activities list with Location

12 Best Things To Do in Hauz Khas | Activities List With Loc...

Top 15 Activities in Connaught Place: Explore Delhi's Heart

Top 15 Things To Do In Chandni Chowk | Activities List With...

Latest blogs.

7 Best Things to do in Orlando 2024

15 Best Things To Do In Bangalore 2024

List Of Castles in Ireland 2024

Christmas Markets in Prague: A Magical Winter Wonderland

10 Best Things to do in Vienna 2024

Popular Packages

GOLDEN TRIANGLE DELHI-AGRA-JAIPUR

Starting Price from 12500.00

Romantic Goa

Starting price from 12500.00 view details, popular flights.

Amritsar to Kochi Flights

Ahmedabad to Chennai Flights

Mangalore to Hyderabad Flights

Indore to Chennai Flights

Udaipur to Bhubaneswar Flights

Hyderabad to Dehra Dun Flights

Mangalore to Lucknow Flights

Indore to Chandigarh Flights

Mumbai to Guwahati Flights

Thiruvananthapuram to Bhubaneswar Flights

Apply for visa online

Subscribe Our Newsletter To Get Exclusive Discounts & Offers In Your Inbox

Download Adotrip App Or Simply Subscribe To Get Exclusive Offers On Flights, Hotels, Buses And More

© Designed by Adomantra.

Change Password

May I Help you

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

• Trip Planning
• Budget Travel

Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

Related Articles

• Work With Jen
• USA Bucket List
• Follow Us On Instagram

7 Amazing Benefits of Using A Travel Agent

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy .

Planning a vacation is a complicated and time-consuming process. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using a travel agent to help plan and book your family travel!

Having a professional help with the planning and logistics of your travel plans can have a big impact on how much you spend on — and how much you enjoy — your family vacation.

As travel becomes more and more complicated, and your vacation time more valuable, let’s take a look at the 7 reasons to use a travel agent to book your travel in 2022 and beyond!

This post contains affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.   For more info, see disclosure.

Table of Contents

What is a Travel Agent?

A travel agent is an individual who both provides and arranges travel or tourism-related services to the general public. This is done so on behalf of the travel agent’s accommodation or travel suppliers.

Travel agents simplify the travel planning process by booking flights, cruises, rental cars and hotels, as well as resort stays and events.

They offer vacation and accommodation suggestions based on their experience and research as well as work within a set monetary budget if desired.

Most importantly, travel agents are invested in their clients’ happiness and satisfaction.

They work to make sure that each and every detail of your trip is accounted for in order to help ensure that you have a memorable, hassle-free family vacation!

Benefits of Using A Travel Agent

In order to help explain the undeniable benefits of using a travel agent to book your future travel, I’ve partnered with Sandy Haddick, owner of Dreams are Forever Travel .

Sandy is a passionate travel agent based out of Rochester, Minnesota who consistently goes above and beyond to meet the travel needs of her clients both near and far.

Together, we’ll explain several travel agent benefits, as well as review reasons why to use a travel agent instead of booking online.

1. Travel is their expertise. 

The #1 benefit of using a travel agent when it comes to booking your family travel is because travel is their expertise .

Much like you would hire an electrician to handle a wiring issue, or a financial planner to help manage your money, you should turn to a travel professional when you’re in need of assistance with your travels.

Travel agents are trained to know, understand, and adapt to all different forms of travel.

They research information on their client’s travel plans and relay important details including travel advisories, recent news, weather conditions, and required documents for your destination.

We discuss your travel desires and craft the perfect vacation just for you! Likewise, we listen, suggest, adjust, and understand.  We also give you valuable tips before you leave on your vacation that you may not have thought of on your own! Sandy

2. Destination knowledge. 

Travel agents uncover new destinations and are constantly on the lookout for the best trips and travel recommendations.

Likewise, they are the best resources to contact when looking to book unique places to stay in the USA and beyond!

Not only do travel agents travel the world to serve as a resource for their clients, but they have an abundance of other travel-related resources to answer your questions quickly and correctly.

Their recommendations cater to various travel purposes, whether it be family, group, or multi-generational leisure or business-related travel.

I often use the hashtag #WeKnowBecauseWeGo because it’s true!  We travel so we can see destinations, resorts, and excursions first hand in order to help our clients make informed decisions on what they can expect. Sandy

3. Convenience.

Travel agents offer the convenience of having every aspect of your vacation or trip pulled together in one comprehensive plan.

This includes researching and suggesting destinations , as well as arranging for flights, accommodations, airport transportation, and excursions.

By doing so, all of the guesswork is taken out of these selections and your final details will be available in one hub of information provided to you by your travel agent.

We know your time is valuable, so we seek out all of the answers to your questions so that you don’t have to waste your precious time researching. Sandy

*For additional travel convenience, click the following image to get your FREE family vacation packing list that is both customizable and printable!

4. Cost savings.

Many people might be hesitant to work with a travel agent because they think it will cost them extra money.

They may also assume that they’ll spend more money working with a travel agent than when booking vacations on their own.

The fact is that travelers do not pay more for vacations when working with a travel agent and instead, often save more money than they would if booking online.

Not only do travel agents have access to exclusive deals, but they keep track of current vacation promotions, can advise you on the best time to book, as well as calculate the value of what you will receive.

We have relationships with tour operators and resorts that can gain our clients better travel perks. Likewise, we can actually save you money as we are privy to discounts you may not know about. Last, there is no fee to use Dreams are Forever Travel. We get paid by the tour operators, hoteliers, rental car companies, etc., and not from our individual clients. Sandy

5. Relationships.

The relationship you’ll form with your travel agent, as well as their relationships with other agents, are two of the benefits of using a travel agent.

Through getting to know you, a travel agent will honor your personal vacation requests and hand-pick its details to tailor to your needs.

The relationships that travel agents have with properties and other travel professionals will get you into incredible experiences and save you from unknowns.

Often times, room preferences, dietary needs, and other special requests can be seamlessly accommodated by the benefits of using a travel agent and their connections.

Travel agents are not a search engine or an anonymous voice from a call center. Instead, we are professionals who happen to love travel and who truly care. We want you to have an experience, not just a trip! Sandy

Additional recommended reading: 9 Tips For Keeping Your Family Healthy While Traveling

6. Travel assistance.

One of the best benefits of using a travel agent is the travel assistance that you will get in working with an actual person, versus the Internet.

During our recent family vacation to Mexico , our travel agent was able to help our large group deal with last-minute flight changes and staggered arrival times.

The personalized attention that we received was an essential component to the success and overall enjoyment of the trip.

Quite simply, when working with a travel agent, they take care of everything.

From the moment you set foot in the destination to the moment you touch the ground back home, dedicated travel assistance is an undeniable benefit of using a travel agent.

The Internet doesn’t call you back, but we do!  During times of crisis (hurricanes, Covid-19, etc.), you make one call, text or email and we handle the rest. We are there for you 24/7 while traveling.  I’ve had clients call at 2 am because they couldn’t get into the vacation condo and I was able to pick up the phone and solve their issue. Sandy

7. Decreased stress.

Another one of the top benefits of using a travel agent is that they always have your back!

Travel agents exist to assist their clients in making travel as smooth and as stress-free as possible. In the rare case that something on a trip doesn’t go as planned, travel agents are there to resolve the problem, so that you can continue to relax and enjoy.

Not only that, but self-directed internet searches provide overwhelming amounts of information.

To make a trip extra special it’s best to have someone who knows how to connect all that information and turn it into an itinerary that is seamless and stress-free.

You can start your vacation with peace of mind knowing every detail has been accounted for. Once there, you can focus on the fun knowing that your agent has handled everything for you! Sandy

Benefits of Using A Travel Agent – About Our Guest

“Hi! I’m Sandy Haddick, owner of Dreams are Forever Travel!

I have been planning travel from a young age. 

My first memory as a Travel Planner is when I was 8 years old. I asked my mom if I could map out our route to South Dakota from the west coast. 

After that, I was hooked! 

As I grew up, I became the “go-to” person for friends and family when it came to travel.

At Dreams are Forever Travel , I specialize in leisure travel for families, couples, groups, and solo travelers.  I help my clients by crafting the perfect vacation to suit their needs & desires at no additional cost to them.

When I’m not making travel dreams come true, I love to travel with my own family.

I enjoy visiting different destinations to gain valuable first-hand knowledge for my clients.

Please, visit my website or contact me to plan your next adventure!”

If you liked reading our Top 7 Benefits of Using a Travel Agent, click here to check out our  Related Posts:

• Top 10 Tips for Planning a Family Road Trip (And Enjoying it Too!)
• How to Plan and Choose the Perfect Family All-Inclusive Vacation
• Top 16 Tips for Flying With Kids & Ways to Keep them Calm
• The Ultimate Guide for International Travel with Kids
• 8 (Unexpected) Benefits of Traveling With Kids

*Before leaving, be sure to check our  Travel Resources Page  to find our exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

Similar Posts

15 Fun Mall of America Attractions for Kids of All Ages

The Ultimate Chicago Family Vacation | 3 Days in Chicago With Kids

What to Bring to Universal Studios (+ Best Day Bag Tips)

50 Ultimate Disney Fantasy Cruise Tips: Know Before you Go

How COVID-19 Changed Family Air Travel For Good

Our United States Bucket List: Best Places, Itineraries, & What Ages to Visit With Kids

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

10 Comments

Great tips to hire a travel agent!

Thank you so much! They are oh so important now in this season of cancellations and changes 🙂

#7 really speaks to me here! I always get into so much analysis paralysis and decision fatigue I just wish someone would make the choices for me and have it be perfect! Thanks for all this insight 🙂

Dayla, thanks for reading! I like your term ‘analysis paralysis’. So true!!

I couldn’t agree more with using a travel agent, maybe a bit biased because I’m a travel agent too. Ha Ha! Honestly, Travel Agents are skilled, experienced and active travellers. I think the biggest misconception people have about Travel Agents is thinking they are expensive however this is not the case, Travel Agents have access to suppliers that provides pecks like hotel upgrades, complimentary spa sessions and lots more.

Awesome! I did not know that you were a travel agent! Thanks for sharing…and good luck with your travel endeavors. You rock!

Interesting perspective. I’m often hesitant to use a travel agent when booking a holiday from home, but I’ll happily use tour companies on the ground while on holiday!

Thanks for reading! I think that travel agents are an especially great option for people that don’t particularly like spending the time researching a particular destination or itinerary.

We’ve used travel agents a few times randomly but these are all great tips on why you’ll benefit from them!! Thanks for debunking some of the myths!

You’re welcome! I love to use travel agents when traveling with big groups or several different families as they do such a great job of coordinating flights, arrivals, etc.

Find Even More

Find your next vacation destination!

Connect on Instagram

Find out where we’re traveling now!

Make the memories now

You don’t have to wait until your kids are more grown up or you have a ton of money saved to start traveling.

With a little planning and a lot of love, lifelong family vacation memories can be made at all ages, stages – and places both near and far.

Destinations

• Attractions
• Girls’ Trips
• U.S. Cities
• All-Inclusive Resorts
• Universal Orlando

Free Printable

Free packing list printable when you subscribe for the latest travel updates!

Travel With A Plan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Family Vacation Packing List!

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

Travel advisors can assist families with trip planning to ensure that the activities and pacing are conducive to kids.

Do people still use travel agents?

Yes—and now they’re called travel advisors. They could be more helpful than you may think.

If the idea of using a travel agent to plan your next trip sounds like recommending a rotary phone to confirm your flight reservation, think again. Travel agents—often known as travel advisors today—are alive and well in the age of Google flight searches and HotelTonight app bookings, flexing their muscular connections to hotel, tour, and cruise companies to get their clients good deals, convenient itineraries, and tailored experiences. Virtuoso , a network of advisors specializing in luxury travel, increased its membership by 14 percent (to 20,000) in 2018, testifying to the strength of the industry.

When should you use an advisor? For simple getaways, it may be easier and cheaper to go it alone. “If you’re going to Vermont for a fall weeekend, it probably makes no sense to use a travel agent,” says Kevin Brasler, executive editor for the nonprofit watchdog group Consumers’ Checkbook . “Where a travel advisor can add value to the equation is when the itinerary is slightly more complicated or you have children or grandparents along,” says Mollie Fitzgerald, co-owner of Frontiers travel company. Advisors also can help plan trips that align with personal values such as conservation and sustainability.

Advisors not only expedite planning, but they can be your back-up should anything go wrong. When a flight is canceled, a hotel reservation is lost, or a natural disaster strikes, they are there to help. Ultimately, their connections can become your conduit to a smoother and more stimulating trip.

If you decide to use an advisor, here are some tips for how to do it:

Browse advisor databases

Clients often find advisors through word of mouth, but the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) maintains a database that allows travelers to search by destination, type of journey (such as eco-tourism or genealogy), and cohort (such as LGBTQ+ travelers). On Virtuoso’s website, the searchable database includes bios for the advisors and maps showing their recent travels. Many advisors are generalists, but those who specialize in certain regions or kinds of travel often can provide better service, particularly for places where language barriers or safety are concerns.

Zero in on your specific interests

Spend 15 minutes upfront chatting with an advisor by phone about your travel passions. If, for example, you want to ensure that your trip provides some benefit to the local community, an advisor can help guide you. An advisor also may organize extras such as a behind-the-scenes tour of a wildlife sanctuary in Kenya , cooking classes with local ingredients in Vietnam , or participation in an archaeological dig in Greece . “Our advisors arrange things people don’t know they can ask for,” says Misty Ewing Belles, spokesperson for Virtuoso.

Related: the world's best new eco-friendly hotels

Don’t be afraid to talk budget

If you’re not sure how much to spend, an advisor can tell you what to expect of a five-star versus a three-star hotel. Per the ASTA, one in five millennial clients uses an advisor to work out a travel budget. And expect to pay something for travel services. Virtuoso advisors, for example, normally charge between $50 and $300, sometimes more depending on the complexity of the trip. “Leisure is your most valuable nonrenewable asset, and you don’t want to leave it to chance,” says Ewing Belles. “We’re the travel equivalents of financial advisors.”

Take advantage of combined fares

Due to their established contracts, travel advisors often can secure international airfare in conjunction with a hotel, cruise, or tour booking for better-than-published rates. “Sometimes you’ll pay the cheapest fare and get an automatic upgrade to business class,” says Fitzgerald.

Traveling to high elevation? Read these tips on dealing with altitude .

Claim extras when planning a cruise

Cruises are particularly good trips to book through an advisor. Virtuoso regularly gets benefits and amenities valued at $800 to $3,000 per sailing, such as airport transfers, a car and driver in port, or a private lunch in the home of a former ambassador.

Get itineraries tailored to tots

Advisors can plan a trip with pacing that works well for kids. “It’s important not to over-program,” says Fitzgerald. “I think of sightseeing in half-day increments and getting enrichment in early in the day. We really shine in helping people maximize their time on a trip so they’re not spending hours at the concierge desk.”

Receive help when misfortune strikes

Look to travel advisors for guidance planning trips around disease outbreaks or natural disasters. If things go awry while you’re away, you can call on them to get your trip back on track. They will spring into action to provide services such as rebooking a canceled flight or expediting a meeting at a foreign consulate in cases of emergency.

Here’s how the coronavirus is impacting travel .

Consider a subscription service

Frequent travelers may want to join a subscription service, such as Essentialist . For $1,400 a year, Essentialist members get a dedicated travel designer, bespoke itineraries, advice from journalists who are experts in a destination, access to local guides, and convenient communication through a smartphone app.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

Become a subscriber and support our award-winning editorial features, videos, photography, and more—for as little as $2/mo.

Related Topics

• FAMILY TRAVEL
• SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

You May Also Like

10 best things to do in Switzerland

5 ways to make travel more meaningful in 2023

Welcome to Werfen, The Sound of Music location where nature steals the show

20 of the coolest travel adventures for 2024

Ancient ruins, city tours and cannoli on a family tour of western Sicily

• Environment

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• Paid Content
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

Deals of the Week   Irresistible Asia   Up to 50% OFF

USA Tour Companies

List of usa travel companies & tour operators with 194464 reviews.

Bindlestiff Tours

• Excellent - 1,562 reviews for USA tours

Hogan was our excellent guide. We were a family of 8 ranging in age from teens to mid sixties of varying hiking ability and were all able to enjoy a wide range of activities. We paid extra for hotel accommodations and found it well worth it although, if everyone is willing to sleep in tents, you can save a lot and have basically the same adventure.

Trip of a lifetime! These guys know what they are doing. This trip was to celebrate my Mom's 90th birthday - she loves the southwest National Parks and Bindlestiff Tours absolutely hit the mark! It's a busy holiday - but you get to see so much. Our guide, John (The Boss ;-)) was phenomenal - the best! He knew so much about the areas and brought us together as a group (he has great taste in music too), but he helped make the tour so enjoyable. He made everything so easy for us just to enjoy the whole experience. We didn't have to think about transport as he drove us, we'd arrive at the national park - straight in and paid for, ideas for hikes that each group of us could realistically achieve. Lunch was provided, we just walked in and out of hotel rooms, ideas for restaurants too. Having done my own 'road trip' holidays before, this tour took so much of the organisation out of it and we enjoyed every minute. Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, Monument Valley, Antelope canyon and Grand Canyon....then there were the extra visits to Route 66, sunsets and sunrises - all amazing experiences and memories!! We were so fortunate to have a lovely group of fellow travellers - ranging from teenagers to 90 and we all got along whilst doing our own thing too. This tour had travellers on their - which is something that I am considering now as it's a bit of company but you can still do your own thing. I am so grateful to all involved who helped us have such a wonderful time. Many thanks!

Southwest Adventure Tours

• Excellent - 108 reviews for USA tours

Maggy and Vassil's wonderful Magnifisent Alaska Tour with Southwest Adventure Tours! July 2024 The trip was awesome.The itinerary was very well planned. The places we visited were spectacular/you can enjoy the photos/. All of the above is due to our guide - Daniel(Dan) Sachse, He is a very experience tour guide with good driving skill. His knowledge of Alaska, its nature, history and culture made our trip wonderful. He is consummately friendly and courteous, always with a smile on his face. He created a very friendly atmosphere in our group. He was always cheerful, enthusiastic and showed great concern for the welfare of our group. A first class tour leader! Thank you, Southwest Adventure Tours and Dan for the fantastic trip!

This was my 1st solo group trip & felt safe & comfortable. The tour guide was so friendly, warm & knowledgeable! I really enjoyed my little Mighty 5 adventure!

• Excellent - 1,013 reviews for USA tours

The tour was overally amazing. I had a really fun experience and I would recommend this to anyone wanting to experience the west coast. However, the itinerary did start to fall flat from day 3. There was sooo much traveling and not enough sigh-seeing in my opinion.

If you plan on doing the Vegas and Best of the West Tour, don’t. It is basically two three day tour that has been mashed together. My tour guide for the first half of the tour (Sedona, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and Valley of Fire) was passive aggressive and incredibly condescending. I understand she was speaking three different languages but she missed telling the English speaking people a critical piece of information, and when i told her what she did, she would not believe me and was incredibly rude to me, to the point it made me cry. The second tour guide for the last half of the trip was the same, attacking me when i made the point that i had already seen most of the things, and accusing me of not being grateful If you are an English speaking person and want to go on this trip- don’t. They cater almost exclusively to Italian people who speak no English. It will be an extremely lonely experience.

G Adventures

• Excellent - 22,568 reviews for USA tours

Exciting and enjoyable.

Great time and experience

• Excellent - 5,726 reviews for USA tours

The tour was amazing, the manager did a top notch job, it’s great for making lots of friends, such a blast. A little rushed and fast paced, but it’s better than the stress of organising your own trip. Definitely doing it again

I thought it was great and would do it again any time!

Intrepid Travel

• Excellent - 11,800 reviews for USA tours

Britt I the tour leader was obviously passionate about her work.

THis was our first touring experience and it was great. With the exception of a cancelled flight going to the tour and some miss communication in the beginning of when we would get there, it was fantastic. Our guide was great and well organized.

• Excellent - 938 reviews for USA tours

The tour guide gave conflicting information to different people which caused us to have to take an Uber from our hotel to the restaurant for dinner and then the bus (that was at the hotel) proceeded to take others from the hotel to the restaurant.

This is a trip of a lifetime ! We travelled from New York to Los Angeles and had a ball. This country has so much going for it! So much to see! The coach was brilliant, comfortable and fully air conditioned. Tour director Jon and driver Sam were exceptional, knowledgeable and helpful. Anybody looking to see America, we would recommend this tour. Lots of free time with special places like the Elvis experience and the hotels were brilliant! We will be back for another USA tour in the next couple of years! can’t wait!

BrushBuck Wildlife Tours

• Excellent - 24 reviews for USA tours

Neil our guide was amazing, my husband and I had a great time.

Ronnie and I loved the tour. Our guide Rachel, was extremely professional in her work. Full of knowledge about different animals as well as some history lessons. It took me a while, but they are called bison , not buffalo. ? But what really blew my mind, was her keen eye on the landscape as she was driving. She could spot animals very well, and gave us many opportunities to take photos and look through the high powered scope. Rachel is surely a people person, jumping right in there to become friends with strangers, laughing and carrying on with us. Even when we were all getting excited about stopping to see the two grizzly bears mating, questions being tossed at her. She was calm and gave answers and instructions like a mother with her children. ?? Not that we’d tell our young kids what was going on. They were the hugging bears. ?? It pays to ask someone on the road what they are looking at, and that video Rachel captured is priceless. Guys, pay attention! ? She was a very safe driver as we encountered many elements of weather. She also sent us pictures and videos from her scope of the many, many, animals we saw. I would highly recommend this tour, it’s worth every penny. The hotels were awesome and cute, especially in Cooke City Montana. It was as if we were going back to the early days. The restaurants were good and Rachel even recommended good eats. Met some wonderful people and will always cherish this trip, as we witnessed God’s creation. Thanks again. Ronnie and Mary Jane from Wharton Texas. See y’all. ?

Insight Vacations

• Excellent - 652 reviews for USA tours

The 40 seat luxury coach broke down at the end of day 1 of our 9 day Insight Vacations Wonders of the American West coach tour in May. It was replaced for the rest of our tour by a 56 seater coach with significantly less legroom, and seatbelts that didn’t have the side adjuster that enables you to stop the belt rubbing into your neck if you’re a certain body shape. For us, the reason for choosing Insight was their luxury coach, so every day on the 56 seater was a reminder that (to use a flying analogy) we had paid for business class and were getting economy class. We had booked through a travel agent because we’d read the online reviews warning of Insight’s poor communication. The travel agent Freedom Destinations, who supported us, put forward our complaint to Insight. Insight sympathised but cited their terms and conditions that don’t require them to replace the luxury coach with one of the same quality. To an extent I understand that they need to cover themselves for an instance where a luxury replacement isn’t available on the day of the breakdown, but not to provide one at any stage of the remainder of our tour feels like either poor contingency planning or cost-saving. Insight refused our request for a cash payment as compensation. Instead they offered a discount voucher for use on a future trip. We declined the voucher as we do not believe it to be fair to only offer compensation that is dependent upon customers re-using a service, and our faith in their organisation and their coach suppliers Holiday Motor Coach has been broken. Such a shame, because the sights on the trip were wonderful, as were the people we travelled with. 1 star to highlight the risks associated with a breakdown to other potential customers for whom the luxury coach is important.

Overall it was a good experience. Excellent tour director and driver. The food was inconsistent as to quality and service. The lodgings were fine for the type of trip. Too much time was spent at Monument Valley/Mystery valley and not enough time at Grand Canyon.

• Excellent - 1,966 reviews for USA tours

Would like to have walked down the main street of Chinatown. We're very disappointed in the side street we walked on. If you are going to offer snacks, please make sure all can participate. Found it a little offensive that even after the second day of not being able to receive a snack, all the same snacks were continually offered.

Extraordinary experience!!!! I’ll never forget!! Thank you so much for this great opportunity.

Bamba Travel

• Good - 1,697 reviews for USA tours

The itinerary provided by tour radar was not exactly how the tour was set up. One of our stops said we would be doing a cruise on lake Powell. That was not provided with the tour. Also the hotels that they said we would be staying at did not line up.

Overall, the tour was very fun and we'll put together. The tour guides were all friendly, and seemed to work well as a team. Accomodations were not bad, but there were better options directly adjacent. Food options were pretty much all fast food, which makes sense for the tour concept. However, dinner options could have been a bit better. We really would have appreciated a little more hiking and exploring time, and a couple of the guides did the best to accommodate that. However, 20 minute stops are just not enough time to get "out and experience" the areas.

Europamundo

• Good - 4,378 reviews for USA tours

On the first leg from Chicago to Niagara Falls, we had an excellent travel companion in a modern Mercedes coach. Later we continued from Niagara Falls to New York, Philadelphia and Washington. The now large coaches were regularly too cold, so that the passengers sometimes had to "warm" themselves with jackets and long pants. One major drawback, however, was that there was no WiFi available from Niagara Falls onwards. That is actually a shame. Nevertheless, all the tour guides made a great effort. The hotels were also "okay" to "good". Thank you very much for this trip, we met very nice people from all over the world.

Wonderful tour! Highly recommend

• Excellent - 19,705 reviews for USA tours

Amazing venues with the best tour guide!

This is a long overdue review and I don’t know why I didn’t take the time to write this before. This Ontario and French Canada tour with Susan was amazing. Everything was well organized and enough time were spent at each attraction. Totally have no complaints!

On The Go Tours

• Excellent - 3,005 reviews for USA tours

Our tour guide was well informed, very familiar with her route and could answer all questions. She was also well organized and the whole trip went without a flaw Geetha and Jose Mathew

National Geographic Journey…

• Excellent - 270 reviews for USA tours

Trip on balance was a positive experience and I would do it again. The key negative was the Golden Nugget hotel which added nothing positive to the trip. The hotel was past its prime, and was too busy and loud. The rest of the accommodations were good.

Good time with lots of riding in the van going to interesting places

List your company on TourRadar

The Journal

Travel Advisor Resources

What is a Travel Agent (and How Do You Find the Right One?)

The Modern Travel Agency

https://www.foratravel.com/the-journal/what-is-a-travel-agent-and-how-do-you-find-the-right-one

If you thought travel agents were a thing of the past, surprise! Travel agents are more in demand than ever, and travelers are using them for everything from extravagant honeymoons to weekend staycations and everything in between.

But what is a travel agent, exactly, and how do they work? We’re going to break down everything that you need to know about them, how to use one, and most importantly, how to make sure you’re finding the right travel agent for you. Plus, if you read to the end, we’ll even tell you how to become a travel agent right from your own home .

Ready to take the first step?  Become a travel advisor  today.

What is a travel agent? What does a travel agent do?

A travel agent works with you to find and book the perfect trip. They help with planning trips and the best travel advisors provide you with insight and firsthand experience to book the perfect trip based on your personal style. Not dissimilar from a real estate agent when you buy a house, a travel agent is essentially someone who can guide you through the process of making a purchase so that you have everything you need for a perfect experience.

Travel advisor vs. travel agent: what’s the difference?

You might be wondering what the difference is between a travel advisor and a travel agent . The truth is…

Travel agents & travel advisors are the same thing.

While at the end of the day they’re pretty much the same thing, more and more travel agents now refer to themselves as travel advisors . This is because they do so much more than just booking trips.

Travel advisors have unique travel experiences that they can use to make custom recommendations for you and your travel style. They have relationships with key people, like the General Manager at the hotel you’re staying at, or a really good tour operator for a local food tour. And they can offer you specialty perks and upgrades just for booking with them. In that way, they’re advising you on your trip and helping you have the best experience possible, not just pressing the “book now” button.

Travel advisors often work with a host agency, which is an organization on whose behalf they book trips for their clients. Those agencies give them an IATA number, a unique code that allows them to book travel for you. Fora is a host travel agency that provides our travel advisors with an IATA number to book.

TLDR: Travel agents are the same thing as travel advisors, although some have a preference for one identifier over the other. At the end of the day, travel advisors are essentially travel consultants that help you book the perfect travel arrangements for your unique travel style.

When should I use a travel advisor?

Travel advisors aren’t just for that once-in-a-lifetime safari trip, or that 20-year anniversary getaway. They can plan all types of travel, from work trips to corporate retreats, cruise line bookings, travel packages and even a staycation when you need a moment for R&R. (Read more about how to become a cruise travel agent .) Your travel advisor gets to know your personality and your unique needs so they can save you a ton of time and energy searching for places to stay, while also helping you think of ideas that you might not have considered before. 

While you’ll see a noticeable difference on your first travel advisor-planned trip, it’s a relationship that will just keep getting better with every trip you plan. That’s because you’re interacting with a real person who gets to know you, your preferences and needs, and even picks up on things you wouldn’t realize about yourself, like that you always ask for an extra pillow when you check-in, or love a good ocean view. 

Plus, they really come in handy when you’re traveling with family or a partner. They can fuse all of your travel styles and needs together so that you can have a trip that works for everyone without the headache.

What types of travel do travel advisors book?

While the job description of a travel agent varies based on the individual you are working with, most travel advisors can help you with a number of parts of the travel planning process, and it usually starts with identifying a travel destination with you and booking a great hotel. These could include large chains if you’re looking for more consistency, or small boutique hotels and family-owned businesses if you want more local charm. Any hotel that you can find on a booking site is usually one that a travel advisor can also book for you. Resorts and cruises are other components that you’ll usually find in a travel advisor’s wheelhouse. 

You can book both business trips and leisure trips with a travel agent, as well as international travel and domestic travel . Travel advisors can book a wide range of trips, helping you choose everything from the best bachelorette travel destination to a great place for off-the-beaten-path travel . What is a travel agent if not an all-in-one travel Swiss Army knife, after all?

You might also want to consider a travel advisor for travel insurance, and they shine when you’re planning a group trip and need to take into account multiple people’s needs (whether travel preferences, accessibility needs or other accommodations) at once. Services from travel advisors are particularly useful as we start to travel during the pandemic, because they can share updated safety protocol with you as well as help you navigate changed travel plans.

While a travel advisor isn’t usually going to plan out all the details of a trip, they often identify and help with the key logistics. In addition to setting you up with your stay, they’ll help you get a lay of the land, identify what’s around your hotel, what to expect on-site and where to go for dinner. You may also find some travel advisors will hook you up with a unique offsite activity.

If you want a travel advisor who will go even further and book your airline tickets, research vacation packages, help with car rentals, plan your full itinerary, or even help with visas... some can, though they may charge you a fee for that service.

Do travel advisors really give you VIP treatment?

There’s something about being greeted with refreshments upon arrival that just make a person feel seen . From scoring you a room upgrade or getting you free breakfast to special welcome snacks and gifts, travel advisors have the hookup on special perks for their clients that you simply can’t get on your own. That’s because you’re utilizing their wide network and tapping into their connections. Hotels love travel advisors (and why wouldn’t they? They bring quality clients time and again), so hotels give travel advisors incentive to keep them coming back, and you reap the benefits. It’s like showing up at that new swanky hotel with the cool aunt who knows everyone – you’re an insider, even if you’ve never been there before.

What type of credentials do travel advisors have?

You don’t need specific credentials or a bachelor’s degree (or even a high school diploma) to become a travel agent , but many choose to invest in ongoing training so that they can best serve their clients’ needs. At Fora, we offer our travel advisors multiple training sessions every week so that they are always in-the-know with the latest information on travel.

Travel advisors are usually independent contractors, or freelancers, which means they are self-employed and can work as much as they want, whenever they want. Sound like a dream job? Become an advisor today .

How much do travel advisors cost?

Sounds expensive, right? That’s the best part – it’s actually free to use many travel advisors . That’s because they make their income from commissions on the hotels and properties they recommend, just like a booking website like Kayak or Booking.com does. But unlike booking engines, they can make a customized recommendation based on the person they know – YOU – versus a bunch of online reviews.

Combine that with the special perks and all the time you’ve saved researching your own trip, and you’ll find that hiring a travel advisor to plan your next trip is not just free; it actually saves you money. Yup; it literally could not get better than that!

How much money do travel advisors make?

How much travel advisors make often depends on how much they’re booking. The great thing about being a travel advisor, especially with Fora , is that you can work on your own schedule. Some advisors work full-time, while others manage their travel advisor responsibilities alongside a day job or other freelance gigs.

Advisors typically earn anywhere from 5-15% on a hotel booking, so a $5,000 vacation could put as much as $750 in an advisor’s pocket. Compare that with the 30 percent that online booking sites make, and you’ll see that working with a travel advisor not only gives you a better experience, but it supports a small business (your travel advisor), and keeps more money in the pocket of the properties you’re staying at so they can continue running their business, too. Learn more: 5 Surprising Things We Can Learn from Travel Advisors .

Where can I find a travel advisor?

It seems like the only question remaining is how to actually find a travel advisor – and lucky for you, we can help you with that too. Fora helps hundreds of travel-lovers (like you!) build careers as travel advisors, and you’ll love working with them because they’re real experts in their space. You can browse our list of travel advisors based around the world and find one that aligns with your travel style, or request to be matched with an advisor based on your preferences.

How can I become a travel advisor?

Are you the go-to person for travel tips? Maybe you have a following and are looking to level up your creator business ? Established audience or not, you may consider starting your own flexible career as a travel advisor with Fora. We've rounded up a post with all of our tips on how to become a travel advisor . When you're ready to transform your passion for travel into meaningful revenue, get started with us today. We’ll hook you up with everything you need for success in the travel industry.

Or, for more info, check out:

How to Become a Luxury Travel Advisor

How to Become an Independent Travel Advisor

How to Become a Disney Travel Agent

Are you the go-to person for travel tips?

Transform your passion for travel into your dream job. We'll set you up with everything you need to succeed as a travel advisor. From training to top-notch tech, marketing assets, community, commission tracking & payments (and more), we've got you.

• Corporate Travel Management & Consulting
• Reservation Services
• VIP Executive Travel Service
• Global Travel Management
• Travel & Expense Management System
• Incentive Travel
• Event Travel
• Vacation Travel
• Concur Travel & Expense
• Concur Mobile
• Business Travel Reporting
• Flight Status Notification
• Virtual Payment Card
• Traveler Safety & Security
• Concur Login
• COVID-19 Resources
• Travel Blog
• Corporate Travel Careers
• Contact Sales

A Travel Manager’s Guide to Arranging Travel for Executives

October 19, 2023

In today’s global business landscape, the need for professionally-coordinated corporate travel is a crucial part of many organizations. More specifically, arranging travel for executives is a specialized field that cannot be underestimated. Since senior management is responsible for making high-stakes decisions that drive companies forward, executives require seamless arrangement and a flawless travel experience that optimizes their precious time, thus allowing them to focus on the crux of work. This is where an experienced travel manager and a reliable partner like Teplis Travel comes in.

Teplis Travel understands that an executive’s time is invaluable and travel plans should be nothing less than perfect. Therefore, we strive to offer VIP travel arrangements tailored to respect executive corporate policy and individual preferences.

But you might ask, what specifically does the role of a travel manager entail? And how does arranging for executive travel differ from regular employee travel?

In essence, a travel manager or an executive administrative assistant not only handles the logistics of travel arrangements but also, significantly, aligns it with corporate travel mandates. From coordinating with their corporate travel agency , managing complex calendars, and handling travel expenses to keeping tabs on the itinerary, they act as captains steering the ship of executive travel. 

While the objectives of employee travel and executive travel may be similar, the complexities and standards of execution differ widely. Much like how the roles within a company vary, the travel needs between different levels of the organizational hierarchy are massively distinct. An executive’s travel usually involves strategic planning around high-level meetings, and confidential information, and often caters to stringent preferences – the mission is much more than just booking a flight and hotel. 

With that said, the cornerstone of effective executive travel management lies in an understanding of tools and techniques to create an efficient travel strategy. The subsequent section will reveal the essential skills and tools that ensure seamless travel arrangements for executives.

Essential Skills and Tools For Effective Travel Arrangements

When it comes to arranging travel for executives, a strong set of skills and the right tools can make the process smooth and efficient. Let’s take a deeper dive into what these are.

A travel manager handling travel arrangements for an executive team must be armed with exceptional communication and organizational skills. These aren’t just buzzwords, but vital elements that ensure clear communication of travel plans, handling of administrative tasks, and management of unforeseen changes or last-minute requirements. 

Moreover, in our times, the executive assistant’s role is not confined to conventional duties. It has seeped into areas of project management and strategic planning of business trips. As such, skills in Microsoft Office can offer tremendous help in managing complex calendars and ensuring efficient time management. In particular, an aptitude for Excel can help keep all essential details in an organized format, fostering better tracking and management of travel plans.

In the fast-paced corporate world where last-minute changes are a norm, the ability to quickly adapt and re-strategize is paramount. This links back to the importance of having excellent project management skills which assist in foreseeing potential roadblocks and formulating Plan B’s—even C’s! 

Strategic Steps to Prepare for Executive Travel 

Armed with the right tools and equipped with essential skills, an executive assistant is well-positioned to tackle strategic planning for executive travel. However, the journey from planning to completing a successful business trip requires an established pattern of steps. So what are these steps?

An integral step in the preparation of executive travel is ensuring that you have all the relevant information on hand. Be thorough with the executive’s individual preferences, dietary restrictions, favorite hotels or airlines, and seating preferences on flights, among other details. These nuggets of information can make a world of difference in an executive’s travel experience. 

This brings us to the next crucial aspect – handling sensitive and confidential information. As an executive assistant catering to high-level executives, you are trusted with a great deal of sensitive information, including credit card details, passport copies, home addresses, and more. Maintaining utmost confidentiality and ensuring secure storage of this information is vital. 

Once armed with all relevant information, focus on creating a detailed travel plan. Use your knowledge of the executive’s time to your advantage. Consider flight times that do not hamper their work and recovery schedule. Minimize layovers, and if they’re unavoidable, ensure comfortable lounge access to make the waiting time productive. Plan detailed itineraries, including transport from and to the airport, meeting slots, downtime, and sleep time. Nothing should be left unplanned. 

A significant aspect to consider is that international travel, especially, can span multiple time zones. Scheduling meetings or flights without considering this factor can lead to mismanaged sleep schedules and jet lag, which can hamper the productivity of the executive team. Factor in the time zones when planning and allow enough time for the executive to acclimate to new timings.

And, of course, no plan is foolproof. So always have a backup! Whether it’s a backup flight in case of cancellations or delays, a different hotel, or alternative transportation, stay prepared for unpredicted changes. This will not only showcase your problem-solving skills but also tell your executives that they can rely on you, come rain or shine.

Having looked at the strategic steps to prepare for executive travel, we now delve into the specifics of arranging international travel for executives in the next section. Let’s continue our journey towards becoming a top-notch travel manager.

Arranging International Travel for Executives: What You Need to Know

International travel presents its own unique set of challenges and requirements, especially when arranging travel for executives. The most important aspect of organizing international travel is understanding the going to’s and coming from being involved in your executive’s complex business schedules at an international level.  Having a trusted corporate travel partner like Teplis Travel can make all the difference in the world when traveling internationally.  The expertise of Teplis Travel’s travel agents can help make booking the most complex international itinerary seem effortless and ensure your executive has a successful business trip. 

But, understanding travel expenses goes beyond just booking flights and hotels. It’s crucial to account for differing costs in a foreign country. Currency exchange rates, cost of local transport, meal expenses, and international mobile data are just a few of the myriad expenses that should be considered. An informed overview of these expenses ensures there are no unpleasant surprises and that the trip executed fits within your company’s budget.

Remember how we spoke about sensitive information in the previous section? This becomes all the more important when dealing with international travel. Ensure that your executive has a valid passport with at least six months’ validity before their planned return date. 

For high-level executives, acquiring a diplomatic passport can give them an added layer of convenience and security. These passports not only speed up the process in the foreign customs and immigration departments but also offer other perks like additional baggage allowances and access to diplomatic lounges.

Want an insider tip? When arranging travel outside of the United States, make use of trusted traveler programs like Global Entry and Registered Traveler. Enrolling your executive in these programs will expedite their passage through airport security and immigration, saving valuable time.

Health and safety considerations are particularly evident when traveling internationally. Always ensure that the executive has adequate travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, should it be necessary. Inform them about potential health risks in the destination country, and make sure they’re up-to-date on all required vaccinations. It might seem simple, but these small factors can significantly minimize any unexpected upheavals during the trip.

Having taken a close look at the specifics for arranging international executive travel, it’s time to conclude our guide and help consolidate your journey from an executive assistant to a strategic travel manager. Let’s move on to our final section.

Arranging travel for executives is an art form of its own. It involves digital proficiency, supreme organizational skills, a keen attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate and adapt to change. As a travel manager or executive assistant, your role significantly contributes to the success of your company’s operations. Done well, it not only ensures the smooth travel experience of your executives but can also potentially maximize the productive use of their time.

In this guide, we have delved into essential skills, strategic steps, considerations for international travel, and more. However, it is important to remember that each executive is unique and so are their travel requirements. Thus, always make room for flexibility and customization in your plans. 

As a final word, partnering with an expert travel management company like Teplis Travel can elevate your executive travel arrangements to a professional level. With an extensive repertoire of handling VIP travel arrangements and insider knowledge of corporate travel, we are well poised to assist in not just managing, but enhancing your executive’s travel experience.  While some travel agencies measure their agent knowledge in months, our agents have years and even decades of expertise booking complex and international travel.  

So, as you progress in this journey of arranging business travel for senior executives, remember that Teplis Travel is eager to help you sail smoothly. With the guidance from this post and our experience as your backing, you’re well on your way to becoming an indispensable part of your executive team.

This blog was reviewed for accuracy by

Ted Petty , CIO Teplis Travel

Ted is a seasoned expert in the corporate travel industry, currently serving as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Teplis Travel. With over two decades of experience, Ted has consistently demonstrated his prowess in optimizing travel solutions for businesses, leveraging innovative technologies to streamline operations and enhance the traveler experience. His dynamic leadership and commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends make him an invaluable asset in the world of corporate and executive travel.

Related Posts

An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Award Management Requirements Circular

Description:

5010.1E (Applicable until 11-01-2024)

C 5010.1F (Applicable on or after 11-01-2024) 09-27-2024

This circular (FTA Circular 5010.1F) assists recipients in administering FTA-funded projects and in meeting award responsibilities and reporting requirements. Recipients have a responsibility to comply with regulatory requirements and to be aware of all pertinent material to assist in the management of FTA federally assisted awards. 

If there is a conflict between the Award Management Requirements Circular (FTA Circular 5010.1F) and program-specific circulars , the program-specific circulars prevail.

In conjunction with publication of this circular, a Federal Register notice was published on September 27, 2024, addressing comments received during the development of the circular.