The cost of using a travel agency is generally marginal and they will often not charge you anything. Much of their money comes from commissions paid to them by hotels and wholesalers. Before deciding to book with a travel agency, it is important to ask if they charge rates or not. Generally, booking flights with a travel agency is more expensive than booking with a travel fare app or website.
This is because travel agencies charge more for their services than travel fare aggregator websites. However, according to Seaton, booking through a travel agency usually won't cost you more. She says that while some agents will charge her a nominal planning fee, many agencies like yours don't charge anything additional for their services. Most of a travel agency's compensation is paid by the hotels, airlines and travel providers you book, but sometimes the customer pays rates directly. Online travel agencies work by connecting to a “global distribution system”, which is a fancy name for the market where airlines tell distributors how much they charge for their flights.
If you're going to an exotic, less traveled location, information may be scarce and it can be difficult to find reliable suppliers; however, your travel agent has done the research and has learned by doing so. Many types of travelers can be divided between booking online or using professionals to adapt their trip. However, your experience booking online with these websites will be different from that of using a classic travel agent; so make no mistake, you will continue to book online. Nowadays, you can book with an individual travel agency in their office or with a travel agency that sells packages online. Sure, some travel agencies charge a fee for drawing up an itinerary, but most will credit you for that fee if you end up booking your trip through them.
According to Expedia, Americans spend nearly 23 hours on travel websites six weeks before booking a vacation. Linda Jones is a professional travel consultant, author of Travel Agent Secrets and The Ultimate Travel Planner + Journal, and founder of Crafted Travel Company. People love to book with travel agents for the no-intervention experience, but don't expect to get too out of step. While a professional may be willing to work with you to redeem your hard-earned points and miles, most travel agents are unable or unwilling to do so. As long as you book with an accredited agent who has experience in your destination, you can be sure that they are an expert.
Despite the above differences, booking your vacation online can often produce results very similar to those of a travel agency. In conclusion, it is important to consider all the factors when deciding whether or not to use a travel agency. While it may be more expensive than booking online, there are many benefits that come with using an experienced professional who can help you plan your trip and make sure everything goes smoothly. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which option is best for your needs.
