booking online vs travel agent

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The Pros and Cons of Booking Through Online Travel Agencies

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

You’re likely already familiar with online travel agencies, even if you don’t travel often. These companies — such as Priceline , Expedia and Orbitz — act as intermediaries between you and a travel provider.

Booking your travel through an OTA can be a good idea in some circumstances, but you’ll want to be wary of its pitfalls. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of online travel agencies, so you’ll know what to use to book your next vacation.

Pros of booking through online travel agencies

There are certainly advantages booking through online travel agencies, though you’ll find different experiences whether you’re using public OTAs — such as Kayak — or private ones like those offered by your card issuer, such as the Chase's travel portal .

✅ It may be cheaper

When searching for flights online, you may see different prices for the same routes that vary across websites. Although it may be a result of fare type — for example, some search results may not clarify that a fare is basic economy rather than main cabin or economy — other times, the difference comes down to competition for your business.

Online travel services will often offer slightly lower prices on flights in an effort to entice you as a customer. This is true for both hotels and airlines.

» Learn more: Best credit cards for online travel-booking websites

✅ It can earn you more rewards

Have you ever heard of shopping portals ? By logging into a shopping portal, you can earn rewards for purchases made with many online merchants. Some hotel chains, such as Hilton , Marriott and IHG , can be accessed through shopping portals while still booking directly on the hotel website. In this way, you can earn rewards with the hotel directly as well as with the shopping portal.

The same isn’t true for shopping portals and most airline sites. However, many public online travel agencies are accessible through shopping portals, which can then earn you rewards for airfare bookings. By opting to book in this way, you’ll be able to earn points or cash-back rewards through the shopping portal that you’d otherwise miss.

Some card issuers will also reward you heavily when using their online travel services. Clear examples of this can be seen with Capital One and Chase. With the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , for example, you’ll get 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel .

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is similar. With this card, you can get 10 Ultimate Rewards® points per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Chase's portal.

While these numbers are high, it’s important to remember that there are trade-offs when booking through an OTA rather than directly with a hotel or airline. We’ll get into that a little later.

Online travel agencies offered by your card issuer may not feature the same prices as booking directly; you’ll want to compare these before committing to a purchase.

Some card issuers will go so far as to give your points more value when redeeming through their online travel agencies.

This is true with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . When redeeming points on Chase's travel portal, you’ll get 1.25 cents in value per point rather than 1 cent elsewhere.

» Learn more: How much are your airline miles and hotel points worth this year?

Cons of booking through online travel agencies

There are several downsides when it comes to using online travel services for booking travel. It mainly comes down to the fact that travel providers prefer that you book directly with them — and offer more perks to woo your business.

❌ It can be harder to change a booking

Ever needed to change a flight after it's booked? No matter the reason, attempting to alter or otherwise cancel a flight can be a hassle — especially if you’ve booked through a third party.

Generally speaking, rather than offering you direct assistance, both hotels and airlines will recommend you contact the online travel agency you’ve booked with in order to make any changes.

While you may be able to make changes or get refunds with the travel agency, airlines and hotels can — and will — offer much more flexibility when you’ve booked with them directly. You may also be subject to additional fees charged by the online travel agency, which can erase any savings you’ve received.

❌ You may not receive elite benefits

This is the real kicker for anyone wanting elite status. Although airlines will almost always recognize your elite status and allow you to earn miles even for bookings made through an online travel agency, hotels and rental car companies will not.

This is especially important for hotel chains. Earning elite status with hotels generally relies on elite night credits. Although these can be earned in a variety of ways — including having complimentary status by holding certain credit cards — the main method of acquiring elite night credits is by spending nights in hotels. Rooms booked through an online travel agency do not count toward elite status as elite night credits.

Additionally, you will not receive any of the benefits of your existing elite status if your booking is through a third party. This can mean the loss of perks such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and even free Wi-Fi.

» Learn more: The best airline and hotel rewards loyalty programs this year

❌ It may be more expensive

Did you know that many hotel chains have best price guarantees? Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and IHG all have a guarantee that’ll give you either points or a discount if you find a better rate elsewhere.

These guarantees are generous; Hilton, for example, will match the rate and then discount it by a further 25%.

Although you’ll need to file claims for these guarantees and they face limitations — such as a 24-hour window from when you made the booking — you can save a lot of money on your stay if your request is approved.

Online travel agencies can be hit or miss

There are two sides to every coin and this is no different, as there are several benefits and limitations of online travel services. Depending on your needs and loyalty program status, you’ll want to choose whether to book directly with a travel provider or rely on OTAs to do the job for you.

Booking travel through credit card portals from issuers like Chase and Capital One can earn you big rewards. But if you anticipate altering your travel plans or aim to earn elite status instead, booking directly is the way to go.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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Using a Travel Agent vs. Booking Online: An Infographic

What would you say if I told you that travel agents aren’t in competition with online travel agency giants like Trip Advisor, Booking.com, Expedia, Priceline, and others? Maybe you’re waiting for a punchline, but I’m honestly not telling a joke.

While starting a home-based travel agency in the shadow of internet giants like Expedia can feel like a David vs. Goliath scenario, I’m here to bring you glad tidings of the ways in which travel agents have an edge over OTAs.

Looking ahead to 2026, OTA market share is projected to dip one point to 21% while travel agencies are predicted to increase their market share 5 points to 26%.

Not only that, but travelers are beginning to recognize the value of an advisor. In 2023, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) reported 50% of travelers were more likely to use a travel advisor than in the past. 1 .

Want more good news? Phocuswright reported that in 2022 travel agencies comprised 21% of US travel market channel share, only one point behind online travel agencies (22%). Looking forward to 2026 however, OTA market share is projected to dip to 21% while travel agencies are predicted to increase their share 5 points to 26%.

So yes. Travelers are using advisors! And yes! Travel agencies compete with OTAs. So suspend your doubt and hear me out. We're going to chat on how travel agents save travelers TONS of time (and money) on their vacations!

No Seriously, Americans Spend So Much Time Online Planning Travel, It’s Ridiculous.  

Expedia Media Group's research documented that American travelers spent an aggregate of 8.7 capital-B-BILLION minutes of travel planning and booking time in 2015. It seems ludicrous, right? I know, I did a double-take. But that is the amount of time Americans spent consuming digital travel content in 2015, according to their white paper, “ The American Traveler’s Path to Purchase .” 2

In the 45 days prior to booking travel—from beginning research to final purchase— the traveling American visited a whopping 140 travel websites . No seriously, that is not a typo.

How much time does this add up to? Well, the report indicated that in the six weeks prior to booking, Americans consumed 22.95 hours of digital travel media .

Is your jaw on the floor yet? Well, it’s about to get even more slack: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage in the U.S. as of Jan. 2021 registered at $29.96/hr 3 , which means that it costs American travelers roughly $687.58 of work time to plan and book vacations.

What does this mean for travelers?

A). A traveler can plan and book their vacation while they’re on company dime (preferably not one they own) and hope they don’t get fired for it. Or, better yet . . .

B.) Go with a travel agent, don’t get fired, and save over $700 of their time.

How OTAs Work, and Why They Don’t Save Travelers Money Anymore

The $700+ savings in work time really just scratches the surface. There are tons of other ways that using a travel agent vs. booking online saves clients money.

1. OTA Access to Inventory Is limited

When you were a kid and asked your parents for a snack, they probably didn’t open the fridge and cupboards and let you have at it (let alone take you to the grocery store to pick whatever you wanted). No, they probably pulled out a few choice items and said, “this is what you can choose from.”

OTAs operate in the same way. OTAs used to rely on ample off-peak inventory, and empty seats on planes and rooms in hotels to offer discounts, and it worked 4 . Vendors would dump their excess inventory on OTA sites for a premium commission to OTAs. Heck, at the end of the day, selling a hotel room for cheap is better than zippo, right? But the OTAs are no longer the land of milk and honey they used to be.

There was a huge rise in the number of OTAs and suppliers smartened up, doing things like having contracts where OTAs were not able to offer prices lower than what the traveler could find directly on the brand site. They stopped offering premium commissions, and some vendors (like Southwest) even refused to sell their inventory on OTAs. (Does this sound familiar? Airlines did the same thing, cut commissions to travel agents in the 90s).

In fact, it’s the vendors that price the products—not the OTAs themselves. So, like the stingy parents, OTAs will not offer the smorgasbord of travel products and discounts they used to. They can’t.

Now let's jump back to the travel agent vs. booking online thing. A travel agent will open all their cupboards and find the best value available. Heck, they’ll even take you to the grocery store and present a full range of available travel options. Travel agents not only have access to products and pricing, but they also have the savvy to know the nitty-gritty of things like which airlines offer more spacious seating or provide better beverage service for the same price.

2. Price Discrimination and “Steering”

According to the same Wired article above, the OTAs' pricing would shift constantly due to supply and demand. This means that customers could potentially be directed to sites that weren’t the best deals, depending on the quantity demanded while the traveler books their trip, trying to create a false sense of urgency for travelers to book with warnings like, “2 rooms left at this price?”

OTAs with their Big-Brother-like technology know when and how a traveler is booking. So if a traveler is attempting to book a hotel on a mobile phone the same evening of their desired reservation date, the OTA’s magic algorithm will smell their desperation and potentially steer the customer to a more expensive booking.

Price discrimination comes into play when they charge different consumers different prices for the same product (which is illegal). According to the Wired article, at one point, “Orbitz was steering Apple OSX users, for example, to more expensive hotels, since the algorithm assumed that an Apple user was more affluent than a PC user.”

Agents don’t, and can’t, do that. There is a level of price stability when purchasing from a travel agent—who can put holds on tickets and packages to preserve the price until the end of the day or for 24 hours.

3. Fine Print

Surprise! There are taxes and fees that might sneak up on the purchaser when they get to the checkout of an OTA. With travel agents, the full cost to clients is transparent at the time they are quoted the price. (Enough said!)

4. Group Bookings

Travel agents can especially save money for clients traveling in groups. According to SmartFlyer’s CEO Mike Holtz in a Travel Market Report's "Here's Why You Should Use a Travel Agent Instead of Booking Online" article , “travel websites will only show the lowest fare available for four tickets. But an advisor might be able to find three seats at a fare hundreds of dollars less, with savings into the thousands of dollars.”

Travel agents, who are not governed by algorithms, have the experience and ability to analyze the options in front of them, filtering through them quickly in order to build group packages that maximize value and save money for their clients. Yet another reason to use a travel agent vs. booking online.

I know, I’m probably preaching to the choir. But what does this mean, and what does this add up to? Well, according to ASTA’s 2016 study, “Best of Both Worlds: Quantifying How Travel Agents Save Consumers Time and Money," a travel agent saves the traveler, on average, $452 per trip. 5

So if you count money and time, that brings up our tally of savings to $1,170+. Dang. Good job, travel agents.

But how do you articulate that to clients? How can you tell them that you’ll save them a ton of time and a nice wad of cash by booking their trip for them? They might look at you like you’re bonkers. But that’s okay, we’re here to help you with talking points with a snazzy infographic explaining the differences between using a travel agent vs. booking online.

How to Talk to Clients About Using a Travel Agent vs. Booking Online

Don’t you get tired when people express alarm at the existence of travel agents? Does it take a little restraint and energy not to roll your eyes when people say they can just book online? I know it does for me.

So we made an infographic that walks you through the data. You can print it out and post it above your office desk to use as talking points when your clients call and ask why they should use a travel agent vs. booking online. Better yet, just send it directly to your client and save yourself a lot of talking. 

Do you want it for a keepsake? You can go ahead and sign in below to download the infographic! You can even print it and use it to wallpaper your office, or better yet, post it on your own travel agency website!

This Is to Mention Nothing of Customer Service and Client Satisfaction

Travel agents save clients money, but the benefits of booking with a travel agent go way beyond. Travel agents also create high-value travel over OTAs because (the living, breathing, talented humans that they are) are able to advocate for clients when things go awry.

Travel Market Report published an article, " What We Did for Love: Tales of Travel Agents Who Went the Extra Mile, " in May 2019. It recounts stories of travel agents like Linda Schreiber, who pulled her bride out of a hurricane-riddled Cancun to the safety of home and rebooked the 70 other guests for the following month. Or Valerie Gossett's warm fuzzy in our Travel Agent Chatter podcast who coordinated with her BDM to have her client's father, a 90-year-old retired colonel, celebrated and honored for his service on his last cruise with his family.

What can an OTA do for a traveler who is unhappy with a hotel room, let alone stuck in the middle of a natural disaster? The answer? Not much, if anything at all.

Travel agents are able to leverage their relationships with vendors in order to provide the best customer service possible to travelers. So not only will the traveler save money, but they can travel with the peace of mind that a travel agent can help them out in a bind if they transfer hotels, switch rooms, or re-book a flight.

In the same ASTA study referenced earlier, it was documented that “ 63% of consumers polled said using an agent makes their overall trip experience better.” So not only will travel agents save travelers time, money and stress during the planning and booking process—they’ll also help create a more satisfying and relaxing travel experience during the trip itself . . . and that, my friend, is the entire purpose of a vacation.

Now Go Tell Your Clients (and Friends, and Travel Agent Naysayers)

Nothing speaks louder than data, right? Go let those skeptics know. If you don’t want to go on a monologue about the value of travel agents, just direct them to the infographic, and save your breath (and sanity).

What are some other ways you help save clients time and money? How do you pitch your value to clients? I want to hear about it in the comment section below!

[This blog was originally published in Oct. 2017. We periodically update this article with new data as it becomes available.]

• Source: ASTA’s 2023 March Consumer Research Headlines ↩
• As of 2022, this study has not been republished with more current numbers. ↩
• Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics ↩
• Source: Wired article, "Why Bargain Travel Sites May No Longer Be Bargains" ↩
• Source: Travel Market Report, "Why Consumers Don't Use Travel Agents" ↩

About the Author

Mary Stein has been working as a writer and editor for Host Agency Reviews since 2016. She loves supporting travel advisors on their entrepreneurial journey and is inspired by their passion, tenacity, and creativity. Mary is also a mom, dog lover, fiction writer, hiker, and a Great British Bake Off superfan.

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Travel Agent vs. Booking Online: What Is More Reliable?

Should You Book Online or Use a Travel Agent?

Are you planning a big trip soon? Before you start packing your bags, you need to figure out how to book your airfares and accommodation. Thanks to the internet and online booking technology, you no longer have to hire a travel agent, but does that mean you should always book online? In this article, we will look at the pros and cons of both options! 

Differences Between Booking Online and Travel Agents

Travel agents are brokers who help travelers find the best accommodation, airfares, transport, and activities. Travel agents can book everything for you, from flights and hotels to concert tickets and more! These travel experts can also advise on where to go, where to stay, sights you need to see, and more. They can use their skills and relationships with hotels and airlines to plan an incredible trip for you. 

In contrast to letting a travel agent handle all the logistics, you can hop online and book everything yourself. You can now go to a hotel or airline’s site and book directly with them, or you can use an online travel agent such as Booking.com or Expedia. Thanks to the internet and online booking technology, you can play the role of your agent, but before you start booking flights and hotels, check out the pros and cons of both options below!

Pros Of Using Travel Agent

Before you book that around-the-world trip all by yourself, consider using a travel agent. Here are the top reasons why millions of people prefer using travel agents!

• Exclusive deals  – Travel agents can often get you deals that you can’t find on the internet. They are especially skilled at finding you all-inclusive package options where your flights, hotels, and entertainment are combined for an amazing below-market price. Hiring travel agents can leverage their relationship with airlines and hotels to put together packages with unbeatable prices.
• Save efforts – It can be a massive headache jumping from one airline to another looking for a good flight. And then trying to book hotels can also be a nightmare; it is easy to lose hours of your life scrolling through Booking.com! Luckily, you can tell your travel agent exactly what you want; for example, you want to go to Rome and Paris on these dates, you want a mid-range hotel in the center of the city, and here is your budget. Then your agent will handle everything! 
• Provide expert advice – Travel agents don’t just help you book your dream trip; they can also offer advice and tips. They know where the best locations are, what the best hotels are, and which airlines to avoid. With a travel agent’s expert advice, you can discover places you never thought of visiting, stay at incredible hotels and have a once-in-a-lifetime trip! 

Cons Of Using Travel Agent

While travel agents do offer some unique advantages over booking online, they also have a few cons; check them out below:

• Not in complete control – While using a travel agent service may save you time, it also involves entrusting a 3rd party to book your trip. Using a travel agent may not be suitable if you like to be hands-on and are very particular about things. 
• Finding a trustworthy company is not always easy – While there are a lot of travel agents out there, many cannot provide significantly better deals than booking directly with hotels and airlines. Also, it is not uncommon for travel agents to make mistakes, such as booking the incorrect date or choosing the wrong hotel.
• Not suitable for quick trips – If you wake up one day and decide you want to go to London next week, then you are betting off booking online. Travel agents are often unable to accommodate spontaneous trips and need some time to sort out your travel logistics.

Pros Of Booking Online

Now you know the pros and cons of using a travel agent, it is time to check out the advantages of booking online:

• Faster – If you know exactly where you want to go and when it is typically faster to book online. You can hop an airline’s site and book your flight in a couple of minutes, and then do the same for a hotel. You don’t need to waste your time calling up travel agents, visiting physical offices, and chatting about different offers. Save time by just booking online!
• Lower cost – Sometimes, it is much cheaper to book online than use a travel agent. Travel agents usually can offer great deals on packaged holidays to touristy destinations such as the Maldives or Greece. However, if you are planning a week in New York and then a week in LA, they often can’t compete, and it makes sense to book online. 
• Book whenever you like – The beauty of the internet is that it is limitless! If you want to book your flight and hotel at 2 am, you can! You don’t have to wait for office hours from Monday to Friday to book your dream holiday.
• Complete control of your trip – When booking online, you don’t have to cede control of your travel logistics over to someone else. Whenever you add additional people to a task, it increases the risk of miscommunication. If you book everything yourself, you don’t have to worry about your travel agent booking the wrong hotel or airline or selecting an incorrect date! 

Cons Of Booking Online

Don’t go booking online just yet! Make sure you consider these disadvantages prior to whipping out your credit card and booking everything yourself:

• Easy to make mistakes – Booking hotels and tours in countries halfway across the world that you have never been to before is difficult. A few pictures and online reviews are often not enough to determine if a place is good or not. This is where travel agents can really shine by offering their expert advice!
• Customer service can be poor – Unfortunately, online travel agents are known for their horrendous customer service. It can be almost impossible to speak to someone if something goes wrong, and getting a timely refund can be a nightmare. 
• You need internet – If you are a little more old school and prefer to call your travel agent or go to a physical location, online booking is not for you!
• Too many options – It can be a little intimidating going online and seeing 30 different flights, hundreds of cities, and hotels. It is easy to develop decision paralysis and conclude it is all too difficult. Travel agents can simplify the process by coming up with 3 to 5 amazing options for you.

Final Thoughts

After cruising through this article, you should now have a pretty good understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of using travel agents to book online. We recommend you contact several travel agents and see what offers they have and then compare them with the online booking prices and choose the best!

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Using a travel agent vs. booking yourself: what’s best?

Pros of using a travel agent.

• Connect you with trusted tour operators they’ve worked with before
• Find the perfect airfares, rental cars, and cruise ships/cruise lines to fit your itinerary
• Help you save money with exclusive upgrades, discounts, and perks that aren’t available to the general public
• Offer personalized service and peace of mind
• Help you organize a group trip or family trip that meets all travelers’ requirements, saving you time and effort
• Manage trip cancellations and changes, and find flexible fares that fall within your budget

Cons of using a travel agent

• Less convenient - Many travel agents only offer services during certain limited office hours. On the other hand, by booking online, you can make your bookings any time you want. Some travel booking sites also offer 24/7 customer support.
• Biased advice - Travel agents earn commissions from hotel operators and airlines, so they have an incentive to push you towards booking flights or hotels that they choose.
• Limited choice - Many travel agencies, especially small consumer-facing agencies, have limited inventories. Online, you’ll find a wide variety of different travel products and tour operators to choose from.
• More expensive - Travel agencies often charge large booking fees for their services.
• Lack of flexible payment options - Some types of travel agencies, such as business travel management companies, ask all their clients to sign a rigid one-year contract with complicated fine print.

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Travel , Travel Tips · July 28, 2023

Should I Use a Travel Agent or Book a Trip Online?

Last time you booked a trip , did you book it online or with a travel agent? My guess, you booked online. I’ve done it, and I get it. It’s conveniently there and available for you 24/7, so why book with a real-life person? Well aside from their vast knowledge & real life experience, there are some major benefits I’ve learned while working alongside travel agents for the past 5 years.

My Experience With Travel Agents

First off, you may be wondering if the knowledge I share on travel agents is reliable or skewed. For 5 years I worked for a travel company ( Contiki Holidays ) as a sales manager, and my clients I served were travel agents. Travellers could either book their trips online or through a travel agent, but it always surprises me how many first-time travellers book online without asking advice from a travel expert, like a travel agent.

When working in the travel industry people regularly asked me “why travellers should I book with a travel agents over booking online?”. So to help, I’ve answered some of these frequently asked questions below. In the end, you can be the judge whether you want to book your next trip with a travel agent.

FAQ: About Using a Travel Agent

Q: am i paying more when i book with a travel agent when travel agents make commission, does that come out of my pocket.

A: The word commission makes a lot of us feel uncomfortable. Especially when we don’t know if it increases our costs. Travel agents typically get paid a base salary and a commission on top of that. While other agents earn commission only, BUT what people don’t understand is this:

Commission does not come out of your pocket as the customer. The company you are travelling with will pay the travel agent that commission, and it does NOT increase your costs!

For example, say you want to buy an Air Canada flight ticket; whether you buy that flight on Air Canada’s website or through the travel agent it is going to be the same price for you. The only difference is if you buy it through a travel agent, Air Canada would then pay the travel agent a percentage of the sale. Aka the commission! This commission is to thank the agent for the sale. The best part is, you don’t have to do all the digging for the best sale and seat.

If you still don’t believe me, you can look up the price of the flight online to see if it matches the price with what the agent has quoted. This is something I always recommend you do before you pay. But maybe do this outside their travel agent shop, as it is just bad manners.

Q: But what about booking fees?

A: Some travel agents initially charge booking fees, but these fees are normally removed if you go ahead and book the trip through them. However, I recommend asking the agent before you book, as every travel agency has different policies.

Unfortunately, a lot of people take advantage of travel agent’s time and expertise. They will ask an agent to plan an entire trip, only to go home and book it all online. Thus, leaving the travel agent with no payout for the time they’ve put in. Over the years this has become more of a problem! So to ensure people come back to book the trip with the travel agent, they’ve put these booking fees in place to protect their time. If a traveller takes the advice of an agent and books it online, the agent doesn’t get any compensation nor recognition for their hard work. So as a word of advice, if you know 100% you want to book your trip online, be respectful of that agent’s time and don’t ask them for help.

Q: Can I save more money if I book through a travel agent?

A: In some cases, absolutely! Most travel suppliers (ie. Contiki, Sandals, Hard Rock Hotels, etc) have special partnerships with certain travel agent groups, like TravelCuts or Merit Travel . When there is a preferred partnership in place, typically the travel supplier will give that travel agency an exclusive discount for their customers. This is a discount the traveller cannot get when they book online. This means that you cannot always find your trip cheaper online, which should be reason enough to get a quote from a travel agent.

Q: Is it true travel agents can help you get other perks or upgrades?

A: Yes! Are you celebrating a special occasion on your vacation? Let your agent know and they can put a note on your file to advise the company you are travelling with to do something special for you. Also in some cases, if you are a loyal client of the travel agent, or booking multiple elements for your trip (ie. flights, insurance, rental car, and hotel, etc) they can sometimes pull some strings to get you a room with a view or flight upgrade.

Note: This may not happen every time, but there is never any harm in asking for it.

Q: Why else would I want to book through an agent?

A: Travel agents are the first to know about travel advisories, visa requirements and booking tricks. Recently I booked a flight through my travel agent, and a few weeks later the airline issued a new policy that all bookings required middle names. This meant everyone had to cancel his or her tickets and get a new one issued. The worst part was the flight cost had gone up, and the airline wasn’t offering to pay the difference. Plus, the airline was now expecting their customers to pay the higher price!

Luckily, because we booked with a trusted agent, the agent was contacted by the airline about this change. So our agent cancelled, updated and re-issued our tickets without charging us again until the money was returned on our credit card. Also, our agent fought for us and therefore we were able to pay the original price, and not get overcharged. If we booked it online, our credit cards would’ve been charged twice in the month, and the second charge would have been higher. What a headache!

If this isn’t proof enough, our travel agent also saved us $800 on these flights by knowing how to book a free stopover in Hong Kong on our way back from Australia. #Winning!

Q: Can a travel agent really save me time?

A: Using a travel agent can be an absolute lifesaver when it comes to saving time and energy during your travel planning. Instead of endlessly scouring the internet for the best deals and accommodations, a travel agent’s expertise and connections can swiftly curate the perfect itinerary tailored to your preferences. They’re like travel wizards who can magically find the best flights, hotels, and activities that suit your budget and desires. Not only do they save you from the hassle of researching, but they also handle all the nitty-gritty details like booking, reservations, and any unexpected hiccups along the way. So, kick back, relax, and let the travel agent sprinkle some magic on your trip, leaving you with more time to focus on packing for you upcoming adventure.

Q: When should I not book with an agent?

A: The only time you may not be able to book with a travel agent is when you are using points to pay for your trip. For example, if you are using WestJet dollars, More Rewards, or Aeroplan points you may have to book directly with the points company. In this case, the rewards program will typically have their own travel agencies to book your trips. However, some travel agencies do have the contracts to book RBC points or Air Miles. So your best bet is to ask the travel agent if you can pay with points BEFORE you start planning your trip with them. Once again, you don’t want to waste their time if you can’t book with them in the end.

Q: The #1 Reason Why to Use Travel Agent

A: Aside from the opinions above, the number one reason why I book through an agent is their wealth of knowledge and experience. Finding the perfect tour, flight, or hotel to suit your wants and needs is a travel agents’ job. Extensive training and travel opportunities allow travel agents to gain knowledge and experience they can share with their clients. Even if they haven’t travelled with the company you are looking at, they also have their customer’s feedback they can share with you. Plus, they have access to the company representatives at their fingertips.

Q: How to Find the Right Travel Agent For You

A: With this all being said, find a travel agent you can relate to, trust and who has travelled to your countries of interest. Personally, I have enjoyed working with travel agents who are around my age and interested in the same type of travel I like. And they understand what we are looking for in a hotel or itinerary.

In order to find your perfect travel agent, you can search online or call a travel agency beforehand to see if there is an agent with the experience you are looking for. Connecting with an agent who has travelled to the destination or with the company or resort you want to travel with.

Who Shouldn’t Use a Travel Agent

When i book online.

Overall, when it comes to planning a trip there are some things I book through a travel agent and some I book on my own. If I only need a simple flight to Toronto, I’ll book it on my own. As this is straightforward and easy for me to do. But if I am booking a more expensive first class flight or complicated vacation package, I always like to ask a professional to get advice and save money.

However, after decades of working in the travel industry and travelling solo I have become very comfortable with booking my own travel. I know what travel websites that give me free night stays , I have favourite travel brands, and travel planning research has become second nature to me. But once again this is after a decade of experience! So if you are someone who has travelled for years, there is a good chance you don’t need the assistance of a travel agent for simple bookings.

Who Should Use a Travel Agent?

If you are new to travelling, use a travel agent.

On the flip side, if you’re new to the world of travel, I highly recommend kicking off your journey with a travel agent. Nothing beats the peace of mind that comes with having a knowledgeable ally by your side, especially when embarking on your first few vacations. With a travel agent, you can let go of the stress and uncertainty, knowing that you have a reliable point of contact in case anything goes awry. As you gain confidence and experience in travel planning, you can gradually take on more elements of the process yourself, giving you the freedom to customize your adventures to your heart’s content.

Don’t have a lot of spare time? Use a travel agent!

Alternatively, for those juggling a demanding job or part of a bustling family with limited time to spare, the wise move is to harness the expertise of a travel agent and save yourself the invaluable time and energy. Let the pros handle the logistics while you focus on creating unforgettable memories. So, whether you’re a novice wanderer or a time-starved traveller, a travel agent can be your ultimate travel companion, ensuring every journey is a breeze.

Conclusion: Should you use a travel agent or book your trip online?

In conclusion, the purpose of this post isn’t to sway you towards a particular choice, but rather to dispel misconceptions about travel agents and empower you to make an informed decision that suits your needs. Whether you choose to go the travel agent route or plan your journey independently, the ultimate goal is to ensure you have a fantastic trip. There’s no right or wrong way to book your travel, as long as it brings you joy and unforgettable experiences. Embrace the freedom of choice and embark on your adventure with confidence, knowing that you have the power to create the perfect travel experience for yourself. Happy travels!

I hope that helps answer some of your questions! If you have any other questions about using a travel agent, shoot them my way in the comments below.

Will you book with a travel agent for your next holiday? Let me know!

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March 28, 2018 at 10:04 am

Love this post. Thank you for sharing your valuable insight into the travel industry!

March 29, 2018 at 1:36 pm

So glad you found it so helpful Alex! 🙂

April 1, 2018 at 5:30 pm

I never could find my own words to express what you just did. This is perfect and on point. There many times as a travel agent I’ve wanted to drop into a slump after not hearing for clients and finding it the booked online. Especially after I spent hard long hours working on a quote.

Thank you for this post! From a Flight Centre (Liberty Travel) travel agent!

May 10, 2018 at 3:39 pm

I’m so thrilled to hear you say that. Although I haven’t been a travel agent, I have worked with many for years, and see the daily struggles of your jobs and the misunderstandings people have. Hopefully, this will shed some light on the issue. Please feel free to share with clients or on your social media channels if it helps! 🙂

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Travel Agents vs. Online Booking: Which Reigns Supreme for Your Next Adventure? ⚔️🌍

From clicks to consultation, it’s a debate worth exploring! Learn about the great options for your travel planning. 🖱️🤝

Navigating the Travel Maze: Travel Agents vs. Online Booking – Weighing the Pros and Cons 🌍✈️🖥️

In the digital age, how we plan and book our travel has significantly transformed. With many online booking platforms at our fingertips, it’s easier than ever to become your own travel agent . However, the question remains: Is booking online always the best choice, or should you enlist the help of a travel agent for a more personalized experience? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both approaches to help you make an informed decision. 🌟🤔🏨

Travel Agents: The Pros and Cons

Table of Contents

Let’s start by examining the advantages and disadvantages of using a travel agent:

Pros of Using a Travel Agent

1. Expertise and Personalization: Travel agents are seasoned professionals with in-depth knowledge of destinations, airlines, hotels, and travel trends. They can provide expert advice and tailor your trip to your preferences, ensuring your travel experience is unique and memorable.

2. Time Savings: Planning a trip can be time-consuming, from researching destinations to comparing prices and making reservations. Travel agents streamline this process, saving you hours of research and planning.

3. Access to Exclusive Deals: Travel agents often have exclusive offers, promotions, and discounts that may not be available to the general public. This can result in cost savings on flights, accommodations, and other travel expenses.

4. Hassle-Free Travel: Travel agents handle all the logistics, from booking flights and accommodations to arranging transportation and tours. This means less stress and more relaxation for you.

5. Emergency Assistance: In the event of travel disruptions, such as flight cancellations or delays, travel agents can provide immediate assistance and help rebook your travel plans . They act as your advocate in resolving travel-related issues.

6. Personal Relationships: Experienced travel agents often have established relationships with hotels, airlines, and tour operators. These connections can lead to special perks, such as room upgrades or complimentary amenities, enhancing your travel experience.

Cons of Using a Travel Agent

1. Service Fees: Travel agents charge service fees for their expertise and services. While these fees can vary, they add to the overall cost of your trip. However, some travelers will pay extra for the convenience and personalized service.

2. Limited Independence: When you use a travel agent, you may have less control over the booking process. Some travelers prefer the autonomy of booking their own flights, accommodations, and activities.

3. Potential Bias: Travel agents may receive commissions from certain suppliers, which could influence their recommendations. Choosing a trustworthy agent who puts your best interests first is essential.

4. Communication Challenges: Effective communication with a travel agent is crucial for a successful trip. If there is a communication breakdown or misunderstanding, it can lead to frustration and disappointment.

5. Availability: Travel agents may be limited, especially during peak travel seasons. This could result in delays in getting assistance or booking changes.

Online Booking: The Pros and Cons

Now, let’s explore the benefits and drawbacks of booking your travel online :

Pros of Online Booking

1. Convenience: Online booking platforms are available 24/7, allowing you to research and book travel conveniently. You have complete control over the process and can make reservations at any time.

2. Price Transparency: Online booking websites provide detailed information on prices, fees, and taxes, allowing you to compare costs and choose the best deals. You can also take advantage of online price comparison tools.

3. Independence: Online booking empowers you to make all travel decisions, from selecting flights and accommodations to planning activities and tours. You have the flexibility to create a trip tailored to your preferences.

4. Wide Selection: Online platforms offer vast options, from budget-friendly choices to luxury accommodations. You can explore various destinations, airlines, and hotels with a few clicks.

5. Reviews and Ratings: Online booking websites often feature user-generated reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants, and activities. This feedback can help you make informed decisions based on other travelers’ experiences.

Cons of Online Booking

1. Overwhelming Choices: The abundance of online options can be overwhelming, making it challenging to narrow down choices and find the best fit for your trip.

2. Lack of Personalization: Online booking platforms lack the personalized touch that travel agents provide. You may miss out on tailored recommendations and insider tips.

3. Hidden Fees: While online booking platforms aim to provide price transparency, there can still be hidden fees, such as resort or baggage charges, that are not immediately apparent during the booking process.

4. Limited Support: If you encounter travel disruptions or issues during your trip, you may have to rely on customer service hotlines or email support, which can be less responsive than having a travel agent on call.

5. Responsibility for Planning: Booking online means taking on the responsibility of planning and organizing all aspects of your trip. This can be time-consuming and may lead to oversights or missed opportunities.

Conclusion: Finding Your Ideal Approach

The choice between using a travel agent or booking online ultimately comes down to your personal preferences, travel style, and specific trip requirements. Here are some scenarios where one option may be more suitable than the other:

Use a Travel Agent When:

• You’re planning a complex trip with multiple destinations, connections, and activities.
• Personalization and expert advice are essential for your travel experience.
• You prefer a hassle-free planning process and 24/7 support.
• You’re booking a special occasion trip, such as a honeymoon or milestone celebration.
• You value access to exclusive deals and perks through agent connections.

Book Online When:

• You have a straightforward trip with minimal itinerary complexity.
• You’re comfortable with independently researching and booking travel arrangements.
• You want full control over your travel decisions and flexibility to make changes.
• Price transparency and cost savings are your top priorities.
• You’re booking a last-minute trip or a simple one-way flight.

Ultimately, choosing between a travel agent and online booking should align with your travel goals and preferences. Some travelers find a blend of both approaches works best, using travel agents for complex trips and online booking for simpler journeys. Whichever method you choose, the key to a successful and enjoyable trip is thorough research, careful planning, and clear communication with your chosen travel professional or online platform. 🌍✈️💻

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November 30, 2015

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Travel Agent vs. Booking Online: Why Travel Agents are Still Important

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Select your destination, and we'll pair you with an inteletravel advisor based on your travel needs., north america, south america, asia & south pacific, 6. they have connections.

7. It's like having your own travel encyclopedia

What if you know that you want to go on vacation with your family, but you have no idea where? Having a lot of personalities and preferences in a travel group can be overwhelming for anyone, especially when you know that if someone is unhappy with the destination or hotel, for instance, you’re going to have to hear about it for the rest of the trip—and probably afterwards.

A travel agent can listen to specific requests or ideas. If one person wants to go someplace tropical in order to relax on the beach every day while someone else wants to go someplace that has extreme sports, a travel agent can find a location that offers both. You may be set on going to the Bermuda, but realize you’re more interested in activities offered in the Bahamas. If you’re traveling with your children or grandchildren, finding a location that has kid-friendly activities will be high on your priority list as well. They know what locations, resorts, hotels and cruise lines can best suit your needs and make everyone happy. Sometimes you need more than generic advice from a website to guide you. That’s where travel agents come in.

8. You spend less money

You might assume that an agent is paid out of your pocket.The truth is that their payment comes from the supplier, never from the client. How does that benefit you? Suppliers offer discounts to travel agents to entice them to book their clients at their venues, so agents have access to steep savings that just aren't available to consumers who book themselves. For this reason, you save much more money on travel thanks to their help. So not only will you get to go on an incredible trip without having to do the work, but you’ll be able to go at a fraction of the cost. And as an InteleTravel agent, you actually earn a commission for booking that upcoming winter vacation, and basically get paid to travel .

9.You're never alone

A travel agent is just a phone call away, so if a problem arises at any point during a trip, you have someone to turn to. Providing customer support is what continues to set apart travel agents from booking engines. There will always be a real person on the other end of the phone. Booking all your travel arrangements online means that you’re on your own if you have any questions during your trip. For instance, let’s say there’s an issue regarding your hotel reservation. Having worked with a travel agent rather than a website, you just have to make a phone call and he or she will find out what is going on and fix the problem for you.

Thinking about how to become a travel agent , but don’t know where to start? Learn more about InteleTravel.

As technology continues to change our lives, specifically the way we travel , travel agents are pit against travel sites, such as Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz, in a battle of better travel. This travel agent vs. booking online struggle may seem like an impossible victory for travel agents—since many people attempt to plan their trips themselves—but the opposite is actually true.

Even though it appears cheaper and simpler to book travel on your own, it just isn’t the case. In fact, planning a trip is much more difficult than ever before because the people trying to do it all on their own don’t reallymuch about the travel industry. However, some travelers are recognizing their past mistakes and turning to the experts for guidance once again. As reported in 2014 by MMGY Global —a travel-marketing agency that researches travel patterns—wealthy and millennial travelers are starting to rely less on travel sites and more on travel agents.

Using a travel agent is the smarter option. It’s the best way to make sure that every trip you go on will run smoothly. Besides having someone else to bear the brunt of the travel planning process besides you, travel agents have access to inside information regular consumers just aren’t privy to.

Here are 9 reasons why using a travel agent vs. booking online isn’t much of a competition:

1. It saves you time

All you have to do is communicate to a travel agent what type of trip you want to go on and then sit back to hear what location, resort or cruise line would work best for you. There’s no need to sit on a computer for hours and visit countless travel sites when travel agents are paid to know everything about travel and arrange the best trips for their clients.

2. They love what they do

Travel agents are passionate about travel and helping customers bring out their inner travel enthusiast too. They’re not planning trips because no one else in their group of friends wanted to take the time to arrange everything, so they got stuck doing it. They love going to new places themselves and want all of their clients to feel the way they do when they travel.

3. They have first-hand experience

Most travel agents go to many destinations on their own, not only because they enjoy it, but because it allows them to get first-hand experience. They can take their newfound knowledge about a certain location, hotel, resort or cruise line, and relay that information back to their clients. For instance, InteleTravel is a host agency that allows people to become independent travel agents. We offer our agents education resources in which they can go to different locations and learn as much as they can about travel in order to become experts.

Though you can read customer reviews, the credibility of those reviews are always in question. It’s better to hear from a travel expert and his or her take on a travel destination than a stranger on the internet. Having access to this knowledge helps you get a good idea of what to expect, which allows you to avoid any surprises on a trip.

4. They know what they're doing

Although you might think you know what you’re doing when it comes to travel planning, you are most likely unaware of certain travel industry secrets. For example, most travel sites are actually owned by one or two companies. This means all that time you spent comparing prices wasn’t worth it because there’s a good chance you were comparing two sites that are owned by the same company. Using a travel agent allows you to skip over this obstacle.

Travel agents offer their clients valuable advice as well. They can recommend the best cruise lines for families or solo travelers. They know the best time of year to go somewhere and the most popular resorts that offer great amenities and that have must-see attractions. If you need a car rental on your trip, they’ve got you covered. If you’re not sure if travel insurance is necessary, they can point you in the right direction. If you’re required to bring any travel documents, they will inform you. Travel agents can even help you plan an itinerary for your trip and book any activities that you are interested in doing.

5. It's a real relationship

When you work with a travel agent, both of you get to know each other. You’re not conversing with a faceless website that doesn’t really care about your travel preferences, any further accommodations you need or what your budget is. Travel agents really care about their clients and the last thing they want to do is arrange a trip for someone who ends up unhappy with the end result. Think of it this way: If you knew someone who was a travel agent, or if you yourself were a travel agent, friends and family would rely on this person to book their trips rather than a stranger. Booking engines are strangers. There's no real relationship. Interacting with a travel agent—an actual person—who knows you and has your best interest at heart is a real relationship.

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Travel Agency vs Online Booking – Which Is Better?

• Post author By varun
• Post date November 24, 2022

You have your trip itinerary planned, your travel dates are finalized, and now you only need to book your travel tickets. How do you do that now? A pretty obvious action would be to go for a quick search on your web browser. Isn’t it? 

Unlike today, a few years ago, you would have had to walk down to your travel agent’s office for the bookings. But not anymore though, as the booking services have been brought right at your fingertips. All you need to do is decide where to book your travel tickets from. And platforms like Pathfndr simplify such bookings for travel buffs who are often on the move and need to make the bookings frequently throughout the year.

But one thing that has often baffled travelers worldwide is whether to book these tickets online directly through the operators or make the bookings via popular travel agencies that provide all-in-one travel solutions. 

When it comes to travel agency vs online booking , several reasons surround why one can be better than the other and it is best that we get into all the minute details of this choice so a traveler gets the most useful deal at the end of it. Or at least, knows how to go for one over the other, and proceed accordingly. 

First, let’s check out the benefits and drawbacks of making your bookings via travel agents for a better perspective on travel agency vs online booking .

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Travel Agency to Book Vacations

Making booking for your vacations can be an extended undertaking, requiring widespread research based on the types of bookings you need to make, the offers available, and so much more. 

The role of a travel agency is typically to take care of these undertakings to make travel hassle-free, convenient, and comfortable for you. Backed by platforms like Pathfndr, these agencies are now also able to accommodate all of your travel requirements into one.

You would simply need to get in touch with one of these agencies and hand over your travel details for them to plan the itinerary right from scratch. In order to figure out the better option between travel agency vs online booking , let’s checkout some top advantages that make it reasonable to pick them for your entire travel assistance, including bookings.

• Elaborate planning of itinerary is available with travel agents, which means that you can choose every detail related to your itinerary based on your preferences. All of this can be done as per your trip planning and at low to no hassle as these agents make travel planning simplified. Assistance from travel management platforms like Pathfndr only makes things easier though.
• You can choose package booking as per your customized trip choices. These packages bring a bunch of benefits, and are available in various options to keep your choices tailored. Right from the locations to visit to the dates for ticket booking, and everything in between is included in the package.
• With travel agents, you can make bookings at your convenience. It means that you need not stress about the booking details, monitor prices, check dates availability and so on first hand. Picking a travel agent would mean all of the booking is made as per your specifications.
• Years of experience poured into trip planning and booking is another perk of getting the bookings done with a travel agent. Reputed agents have been operating in the industry for decades and keep secrets of the travel game up their sleeves to benefit customers.
• Affordable airfares, rentals, and accommodation are some other perks of booking with travel agents. Their association with various travel service providers allows them to cut down on cost of booking.
• Exclusive customer upgrades are possible for people who book frequently with these agents.
• Hassle-free cancellations of tickets with low charges is another perk of booking with travel agents.
• Dedicated offers and discounts from these agents help with big savings on the trip.

However, not everything can be perfect with a service and drawbacks are meant to be a part of these booking providers. Some drawbacks of making your bookings with a travel agency include the following.

• Biased booking advisory can affect your chances of exploring the best services available.
• Choice of booking is limited to the partnerships that these agents operate with.
• Booking fees can increase the overall cost of the trip.
• Elaborate fine print with rigidity of contract can mean you would need to operate strictly by the rules they set.
• 24×7 booking may not be available with travel agents in general

Platforms like Pathfndr have, however, attempted to eliminate such challenges to make end-to-end booking the most profitable and convenient for a traveler. For travelers who are inclined to make a bunch of trips frequently, the websites made via Pathfndr make it possible to accommodate your booking requirements at B2B prices, backed by a host of collaborations with travel service providers like flight operators, hotels, restaurants and much more. 

It can thus be a wise idea to explore the innovative opportunity that websites created with Pathfndr provide for tourists, allowing them to plan their trips at the best prices to save big, all of it while keeping the travel choices convenient and accessible.

Pros and Cons of Booking on Your Own

It may not be overemphasized to say that the vice of one is the virtue of another in the case of travel bookings by choosing between travel agency vs online booking . But before getting into the pros and cons of the latter for a better comparison of the two, let’s first understand what the requirements related to online booking comprises. 

When making travel plans, you need to go through multiple bookings, including flight bookings, finalizing your stay, local travel, visa requirements for international trips, and many more. When making these bookings online, you would need to go for separate bookings for each one. 

For instance, to book your flight to and from a city, you would need to go to your preferred operator’s official website and book individually. Similarly, to book your accommodation online, you would need to visit your selected hotel’s website, and so on. Online booking comes with its set of perks, which can be listed as – 

• Choice of seats during flight bookings is only available when booking your flight ticket online directly through the operator.
• Customized rooms are available and are easy to select for suitable accommodation when traveling.
• Minimal service charges are involved as there is no third party involved.
• Travelers can enjoy a better overall personalization of their bookings.

And now, off to the cons of online booking, which are actually many and eliminate the choice over travel agency bookings for various reasons, for which we will get the details later.

• Limited booking choices are available as you can choose from only a handful of options under the operator.
• No customized last-minute assistance is available and terms of booking are strict.
• Travelers also get minimal cancellation protection if they need to cancel their tickets last-minute.
• Minimal focus on customer relationships is another disadvantage of online booking as these are mostly mechanically assisted.
• Zero protection against price variation is available and you need to pay as per the change in cost of booking on that day.
• Low scope for alternative itinerary is available for free of cost. You might have to rebook everything if your plans are changed.

Travel Agency vs Online Booking – What’s Better?

The choice between travel agency vs online booking is not a difficult one to make as most of the perks of online booking are included in bookings made with a travel agent. Plus, the limitations of online booking are often eliminated when booking your trip with a travel agent. 

Even though, in cases where price affordability is involved, online booking may get a better hand as it does not involve any third-party charge. You thus get the best rates available for the selected date. 

As far as convenience is concerned, you may want to look for travel agents as they keep a lookout for all the hassles of traveling involved and get you the best solutions available. 

Nevertheless, your choice between travel agency vs online booking depends on whether you are simply traveling from one city to another or are going for an elaborate trip involving stays, meals, travel tickets, and more.

And, what if we say that there’s some service that breaches the boundaries of travel agency vs online booking to give you a hybrid, more evolved solution to travel planning? Platforms like Pathfndr have been introduced to bring the best of both worlds to a traveler’s fingertips.

With Pathfndr, you get to be your own travel agent in the sense that all the itinerary details are backed by elaborate algorithms to find you the best travel solutions based on your trip requirements. 

You do not need to visit any other website to find or compare the best travel booking solution as travel management platforms like Pathfndr provide the ultimate convenience of end-to-end travel booking. As for the cost of these bookings, you need not worry as well since the elaborate collaboration of Pathfndr with travel service providers allows you to make the bookings at B2B prices, which are way lower than the B2C prices, and help save big on each of your trips. So, it would just be right to use Pathfndr for all your travel booking solutions instead of juggling between websites to make bookings.

With the choice between travel agency vs online booking brought to a fair comparison, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that a better and innovative travel solution is right in the corner. 

Travel management platforms like Pathfndr provide end-to-end booking solutions, enabling you to find the best of air fares, hotel bookings, and other reservations at prices cut short to the best of your affordability. You may as well get lucky with available offers and discounts that the travel service providers might be offering to B2B customers for greater savings, and enjoy your trips as they are planned.

9 Things You Should Know About Booking with an Online Travel Agent Instead of Using a Flight Search

Booking with an Online Travel Agent Instead of Using a Flight Search, question 1.

When was the last time you called a travel agent?  

It may have been a while, if ever. With online flight aggregators, everyone is so used to clicking away and saving money, right?  

But did you know that  travel agency use has been on the rise in recent years? After COVID-19, people needed help navigating travel restrictions. Travel agents were there to help.  

Travelers also discovered that it’s possible to book for less with a travel agent.  

Booking group trips with an agent is extremely convenient ? they know all the ins and outs of group travel and can offer useful tips and discounts. First-time travelers also appreciate being guided by our travel experts , who know all the destinations and ways to reach them.  

Booking flights online

The year is 2023, and you can certainly get flight tickets with Skyscanner, Kayak, Kiwi , and the like.  

But will you actually save money? Although they were once able to offer some great bargains,  online travel aggregators simply do not offer the best prices anymore, or the best service. This is why travel agencies are still around in 2023 !  

However, not all situations call for using a travel agent. Booking with a budget airline for domestic flights is a good example. When you call the airline directly, you may get the cheapest tickets.  

Keep reading to find out why booking with a travel agent is the best choice for complex or international flights and how they can get you the best flight deals.  

ASAP Tickets Travel Agent Cat

Why should I book with a n online travel agent instead of using a flight search ?  

1. private / unlisted / unpublished airfares, 2. expert knowledge.

• 3. Access to ‘secret’ search engines
• 4. Everything is still online – e-ticket, itinerary
• 5. Save time -> Save money

6. 24/7 support from a real person

7. customized itinerary.

• 8. Verified and reliable

9. Last-minute flights?

So should you use an online travel agent instead of using a flight search.

Most of us want cheap tickets, which is why people go to aggregators in the first place.  

What you may not know is that travel agents have special access to unpublished airfares (also known as private or unlisted fares).  

What exactly are unpublished airfares? Unpublished airfares are rates that are not published online and can’t be booked via the airline. To buy one of these fares you need to contact a travel agency.  

Travel agencies (or consolidators) buy wholesale fares from the airlines and then sell them to you. ASAP Tickets currently has over 50 airline contracts and works with 200+ partner airlines.  

The advantage of getting an agent to handle your travels is their expert knowledge of travel. They can find flights, offer the best car rentals and suggest better itineraries.  

Because it?s their day job, travel agents are well-informed about destinations, airlines and airport logistics. You won?t have to spend hours on travel websites, and will have access to the most up-to-date information.  

Need a special meal? They?ll set it up. Want airport pickup? They?ll book it. Need suggestions for what to do at your destination? They?ll know!  

3. Access to ‘secret’ search engines

Travel agents use Global Distribution Systems (GDSs) to search for flights. A GDS is a worldwide reservation system for airfares, hotels, cruises, and more. Our agents use it to spot airfare price drops and book the cheapest prices.  

Searching for tickets is much more efficient using these systems ? which is just one of the reasons travel agents can do it better! You?ll still receive your e-ticket in your email and check in online, just like you’re used to doing.  

4. Everything is still online – e-ticket, itinerary

Although the booking process will be slightly different from what you are used to, don’t worry, as everything is still available online. You can receive your e-ticket, and you can check in online.

5. Save time -> Save money

One report by the ASTA estimates that travel agents save consumers an average of $452 per trip (on the total cost of the trip). So that’s just the savings you get on the ticket price. How about the time you spend searching?  

Even if you only spend a few hours looking for the best deals, that’s time you could be working and earning or doing something exciting. In fact, ASAP Tickets is your one-stop travel solution. We offer all types of flight bookings, vacation packages, hotel reservations, and 24/7 phone support.  

When booking with an online travel agent, instead of using a flight search, our agents are there for you with 24/7 phone support. That means before, during, and after your trip. Perfect for those traveling solo or in groups and especially for those traveling internationally for the first time.

Want to make a stop in Amsterdam and spend a day there? Your t ravel agent can make it happen!  

If you want to customize your itinerary, a travel agent can help you to find the best price and route. This is especially useful when booking a complex  multi-city trip . Ever heard of open-jaw flights? They are another  type of airfare  that your travel agent can arrange.  

For example, you could fly from New York City to Paris, then go from Rome to Chicago! Our agents are particularly good at finding deals for multi-city trips like this. Our agents can also arrange your hotel bookings, car rentals and airport transfers. In fact, when you book with ASAP Tickets, you get access to 24/7 complimentary services. Phone support is available before, during and after your trip.  

8. Verified and reliab le

You may be asking yourself: Is ASAP Tickets legit? How do I know if a travel agency is reliable?  

One of the first tell-tale signs that a company is dependable is the presence of genuine reviews by customers. Our website has hundreds of verified Trustpilot reviews posted, so feel free to have a look. We also have an A+ rating from the BBB and are members of several travel institutions, such as ASTA, ARC and IATAN. You can read about all our endorsements in a separate post here .  

No matter who you choose to book with, check out our post on  how to avoid travel scams.  

Many people believe that by waiting until the last minute, they will be able to grab a great last-minute deal .  

This used to be true, but many years ago. Nowadays, last-minute flights are generally more expensive. Airlines know that urgent last-minute travelers will pay any price if they need to travel (especially business travelers).

That said, one of the benefits of booking with an online travel agent instead of using a flight Search is that an agent can help find the best deals in last-minute situations. Our agents know how to find that very last seat on an airplane and can book it for you even a few hours before a flight.

Need very last-minute flights? Debating whether to book online or call an agent? Definitely go with a travel agent.  

Yes!  

Sure, it takes a bit of an effort to make a phone call instead of booking online, but the benefits are more than worth it. Remember, your travel agent works for you and not for anyone else! They can book your special trip just for you and save you money!  

The travel agents at ASAP Tickets are always ready to help you plan your perfect trip! Call us now at  844-688-0832  to talk to a friendly travel agent and find out how they can help you!  

Meet some of our best travel agents  here , or find out more about our booking process  here !  

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11 Comments

I would like to get a package deal to New York for two people ( flight and nice hotel around Times Square, Theater district ) from Detroit . I am flexible on departure and return timing but would like to stay 5 days approximately. alternatively I would also like to go to Rome and stay in city center close to Saint Peters. If the trip is to Rome, I must stay at least 7 days

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Thanks Ken, I have sent your request through to the agents 🙂

You have mentioned some certified national institutions like ASTA, ARC, IATAN, and BBB Is it possible that any travel agency which not certified by those institutes but still It is a good travel agency?

Hi Ethan, Yes, a travel agency doesn’t need these certifications to provide a great service. However, if you have never used the travel agency before, or don’t know anyone who has, it is very reassuring to use an agency that you know has been certified and confirmed by various authorities. So you can book with no worries 🙂

Cataleya of asaptickets, helped me alot in all my travel bookings. Such a nice lady. Keep it up ?

We are happy to hear you had a great experience with us 🙂 We’ll keep trying to set the bar high!

Can you give me a good price for two pax.. Itinerary below:

Sept. 25, 2018 – Houston to SFO/San Jose, CA Oct. 7, 2018 – SFO to CEB,Philippines March 20, 2019 – CEB, Philippines to Houston

Above dates are flexible.

Thank you Ron, an agent will be in touch shortly.

This post helped me alot to know more and learn about using a Travel Agent.

The Agent named “Drakkar” was brilliant! He was a fellow Filipino and he gave us a great deal which was $300.00 cheaper than the online travel search engines. I was skeptical about travel agents before but Drakkar made us believers. You should ask for him if you plan to travel to the Philippines too, or maybe anywhere. Say thank you to Drakkar for me Kate.

Thanks for your glowing review Dianne 🙂 I will pass your message onto Drakkar! – Kate

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*Lowest Fare Guarantee - We are so sure that our bulk private fares are unbeatable that we will give you a Low Fare Guarantee! As long as you call us within 24 hours from the purchase of your ticket and you provide us with a copy of the itinerary from any of our competitors which will include identical itinerary, including the fare basis and fare calculation information, we will match the price and send you $50 voucher to use towards your next purchase of any bulk private fares.

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Travel 101: Booking Direct Vs. Online Travel Agents Vs. Travel Agents

Should you book direct, book online or book through a travel agent.

Planning a trip is a huge task! With so many different ways to book transport, activities and accommodation, it’s not always clear where you are getting the best deals or what’s going to be the easiest. We’ll go through the pros and cons of booking direct, booking with online travel agents and booking with travel agents in this guide.

While booking direct might be cheaper than booking with an online travel guide, you may find it’s harder to cancel and get your money back if things don’t go to plan. What’s more, you might even want to consider using a travel agent if the word “planning” scares you. Whatever booking method you prefer, we will tell you a few tips about each in the conclusion at the bottom of this article so be sure to scroll all the way down!

To help you save more money on your travels, be sure to check out the 11 Ways to Save Money and Stretch Those Dollars Further .

Booking Accommodation, Transport and Activities

These are the three main aspects of your travel that you will have to book. We’ll go through the pro and cons of booking direct, booking with an online travel agent, and booking with a travel agent below. Before that, see our tips for each type of travel booking in the following articles.

• Accommodation: What are the Best Websites to Book Hostels in New Zealand?
• Flights: How to Book a Cheap Flight to New Zealand
• Transport Around New Zealand: What You Need to Know About Booking Transport in New Zealand
• Activities: The Essential Guide to Booking Activities in New Zealand .

Booking Direct: The Pros and the Cons

With any travel company, whether it’s airlines, buses, car rentals, activities or accommodation, you have the option to book direct. In most case, you can book directly online. But because this is New Zealand and it can sometimes be a bit behind the times, in some small instances, you may have to book over the phone, by email or at their office.

What We Like About Booking Direct

Booking direct means the money you are paying for the service is going straight to the company. They get the reward for giving you the experience, as they don’t have to pay commission to travel agents. It helps support the business and gives you good karma.

You usually get the cheapest deals when booking direct! Without the middleman, which is the travel agent, there is no commission to be paid therefore they don’t have to raise their prices to make sure they are making a profit. If you do find a deal cheaper elsewhere, however, then it’s as simple as contacting the company directly and seeing if they will match the price. In most cases, they will.

In the case of airlines and some accommodation, they will give you better seats or rooms than they have listed with travel agents or online travel agents. They usually save the best services for direct bookings.

Making changes to your booking is more likely to be straightforward when booking direct than when having to go through an agent.

Because you are in charge of your own itinerary, you’re more likely to stick to your budget, rather than being tempted by add-ons that travel agents suggest.

What We Don’t Like About Booking Direct

This involves a lot of planning on your part. You have to take the time to do price comparisons on websites that links directly to several direct airlines (as well as online agents) for example, contact the companies and make your bookings. Make sure your itinerary all adds up and you don’t plan things on the wrong days or the wrong times!

In many cases, the cancellation policies with companies are pretty strict meaning you may not get a full refund if you cancel.

Booking with an Online Travel Agent

Online travel agents, or OTAs, are the websites you use to compare prices of flights, activities and accommodation. Think Booking.com and Hostelworld for accommodation, Viator , Tripadvisor and Tour Radar for activities and tours and more agent suggestions provided by meta-search engines like Skyscanner, for instance. You can find more details of using OTAs for accommodation in What are the Best Websites to Book Hostels in New Zealand?

What We Like About Online Travel Agents

They are at your fingertips! OTAs are so easy to use and can be accessed whenever it suits you. We all know how the Internet works – it’s just crazily convenient.

They do the comparisons for you. You can get an idea of what accommodation or flights suit your budget when they are compiled in a list together.

Once you have used them once, it’s easy to just use the same account to book activities and accommodation all over the country.

Online booking agents have more relaxed cancellation policies. To be listed on their websites, travel companies must adhere to their terms and conditions which usually involves cancellation policies with full refunds. This means you are not committed to staying in a specific accommodation or doing an activity. You can be more flexible.

Sometimes, these websites are the only places to book travel. Take Airbnb, for instance. You usually cannot find the spare rooms of locals listed anywhere else. Take a look at Everything You Need to Know About Airbnb in New Zealand .

Online Travel Agents often have reviews and ratings, which are more likely to be trustworthy compared to the positive ones used to advertise on the travel company’s own website.

What We Don’t Like About Online Travel Agents

They are not always the cheapest. You can sometimes find cheaper when booking direct. Some OTAs may involve extra fees to book with them.

The rooms or seats listed on OTAs are not necessarily the best ones.

Some booking sites can be misleading when saying there are “only two beds left” in an accommodation. What it really means is there are only two beds that can be booked through that specific website. You may still be able to book directly.

Most OTAs are based overseas, which means your money is going out on New Zealand and can have a negative impact on small New Zealand businesses.

Booking with a Travel Agent: The Pros and the Cons

Travel agents are companies who plan and book your travel for you. They can be travel agents from your home country or ones with offices in New Zealand. Think STA, Flight Centre, Student Flights, etc. Many hostels across the country also have travel desks which are travel agents.

What We Like About Travel Agents

They organise your itinerary for you. This takes the stress out of planning your travels.

Travel agents have often done free trips for activities so they can recommend them to you. This can be a good thing, but remember that the free trips they experience may be slightly different from the paying customer experience.

Some travel agents can offer good combination deals.

They can help you with the nitty-gritty of visas, and other things that you might not have thought about when planning your trip.

You only have to speak to one person. If there are any changes, then the travel agent can make those changes on your behalf.

What We Don’t Like About Travel Agents

Booking with an agent can be a little pricier considering they are paid commission from the travel products they sell, plus the service of planning the trip and booking for you. This is where it is important to use comparison websites to make sure you get a good deal as prices wildly vary from one agent to the other.

Like OTAs, many of the travel agent companies are overseas companies meaning the money is going out of the New Zealand economy. Try using travel desks of hostels or New Zealand-based agents for more ethical travel.

Travel agents may be less flexible with your itinerary, only able to offer you the specific products they sell.

They often are unable to match prices (or particularly cheap prices) due to not making enough commission.

Overseas travel agents have been known to charge outrageous prices to customers who don’t know any better until they land in New Zealand and see much cheaper deals. By then, it’s too late.

In Conclusion…

Choose a booking method which best suits you. If you are hopeless at organisation and are a complete newbie to travelling, then you might want to use a travel agent. Using a travel agent based in New Zealand is where you will find better travel agent deals.

On the other hand, if you prefer to be in charge of your own itinerary and budget, then we suggest using a mix of online booking agents and booking direct. You can use online booking websites as a tool to compare the prices of flights and deals. Once you have found a deal that you like, visit the direct website of the travel company and see if the price matches the deal and book! If the price doesn’t match, then it’s usually as simple as contacting the company directly and they will match the price.

For more advice on getting the best deals for travel, take a look at How to Book a Cheap Flight to New Zealand .

More About Travel Bookings in New Zealand

• BBH, YHA, BASE or NOMADS: What is the Best Hostel Network?
• Flight to New Zealand: Return Vs. Open Return Vs. One Way
• 30 Tips for Backpacking in New Zealand

This article has been reviewed and approved by Robin, who is the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. With more than 15 years of experience in the New Zealand tourism industry, Robin has co-founded three influential tourism businesses and five additional travel guides for South Pacific nations. He is an expert in New Zealand travel and has tested over 600 activities and 300+ accommodations across the country.

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Pros & cons of using a travel agent vs. booking online, how to plan a travel budget.

You’re planning a trip. You’ve chosen the dates, and you have an idea of where you want to go. Now, should you do the planning yourself or go through a travel agent?

There was once an expectation that travel agents would disappear with internet growth. Booking flights is easy to do online, as is searching for hotel deals, but travel agents have access to deals we may never see. Not every trip needs to be planned through an agent, but if you prefer not to sweat the details, it may be worth it to use a travel agent.

Experience Counts

A good travel agent has probably visited the location you want to see, or has a list of clients who who already went on that exact trip. A travel agent can share this experience and can anticipate the problems you may encounter.

Travel agents will use their expertise to get discounts you may not find online. If you don’t like the nuts and bolts of planning, using a travel agent will save you the headache of making sure you have worked out all the details of your trip. The agent will make sure your accommodations match up with your itinerary. If you're seeking a package deal, travel agents can take the stress out of comparing notes. Maybe you want to do something exotic. If you want to visit the Galapagos Islands, a travel agent can make that possible with little stress and much peace of mind.

Building Relationships

Travel agents have relationships with chefs, hotels, cruise lines and tour operators, which can net you some extras. Travel agents may score you spa time and credits for meals and drinks. If you're planning on a cruise, the travel agent may even have a deal that gets you an onboard credit.

You can use an online travel agent or a brick-and-mortar agent. Brick-and-mortar agents are making a comeback, but online travel agents often have reviews that are easy to compare. Individual travel agents may work with you to personalize your tour and make sure you have the experience you are seeking. Make sure your agent takes time with you. The American Society of Travel Agents or the International Association of Travel Agents Network are good resources for reliable, local agents.

Travel agents make sure you don’t have unpleasant surprises like unexpected resort or tourism fees. If there are cancellations due to weather or other cancellations, a travel agent can redo your itinerary with little stress and effort on your part. Also, if you have a theme vacation in mind but only have a vague idea of how to carry it out, a travel agent can help turn that vision into reality.

Going It Alone

If you’re willing to do all the planning and organizing, it can be cheaper to plan your own trip. Also, if you’re planning a short trip without a lot of details, you’re probably better off doing your own legwork. An agent may steer you to a hotel or resort that offers the agent the best commission. That doesn’t mean you’ll get the best deal or experience. Your itinerary may be less flexible if you use a travel agent. You probably won’t be able to stay an extra day at a location with which you fall in love.

Comparison Shop

When booking online, you can save more money, be flexible about what you see and do and make changes on the fly. It’s easy to comparison shop. You don’t have the pressure of someone trying to sell you something.

Designing your own itinerary may force you to do more research about your destination, which may give you insight on activities to do and landmarks to visit. You control what you do. You can also ask friends and family for recommendations, which can be invaluable. Once you get some experience putting together your own trip, you may have a better idea of what to do and what not to do on your next trip.

Other Considerations

If you need to cancel, you’d better do it in advance if you’ve made the arrangements yourself. Changing flights and hotels can get expensive and time consuming. Be prepared to make changes. Make sure you have printouts of all your reservations so if you are questioned, you have proof.

If you’re doing the planning, it’s best to choose countries with good safety records. Conversely, if you're visiting a location where safety is a concern, using a reliable travel agent makes sense.

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Karen Gardner is a former feature editor and writer and is now a freelance writer. She looks forward to doing her family's taxes each year, and likes to write about home finances and money subjects for the rest of 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

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A travel agent can save you money and time.

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." 

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?
• First-Time Cruise Tips
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Travel Agencies vs. Online Bookings

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com , a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

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Politicians, searching for everyday examples, often fall victim to the trap in the old adage, “It ain’t what you don’t know that hurts you, it’s what you do know that ain’t right.” A prominent politico (no name, I’m not into partisan politics, and it happens in both parties) did just that when he tried to illustrate dynamic change by asking, “When was the last time somebody went to a bank teller instead of using an ATM or used a travel agent instead of going online?” As I’m sure lots of folks responded, the answer to both questions is, “I’m doing it as you speak.” Bank tellers and travel agents are still around and still providing important services. Although I don’t have any great insights about retail banking, I know with some accuracy that travel agency business is doing OK these days.

Probably the first point is that “travel agency instead of online” is what my old debate coach used to call a “false dichotomy:” setting up a situation as “either-or” when the reality is “both.” Some of the biggest online travel sellers—Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, and such, are, in fact, travel agencies themselves, as are the many more specialized online travel sellers. The industry’s standard term for them is “online travel agencies,” or OTAs. And many travel agencies with local “bricks and mortar” retail offices operate their own websites.

But let’s assume that the politician really meant personal visits or calls to an in-person “retail” agent. Even this more limited reference doesn’t square with the facts. Lots of you prefer dealing personally with an agent to going online yourself, for several reasons:

• Agents can save you time. There’s a good chance that you’ll be reading this column online, and that you regularly make your travel arrangements online. You’ve found, then, that ferreting out your best deals often requires a lot of time—maybe many hours—for even a simple trip. That’s why some of you prefer one call to a travel agent who can do the ferreting out for you. This service is especially relevant if you’re extremely busy or place a very high value on your time.
• Agents provide skills you might not find online. Here, I’m not talking so much about personal airline and destination recommendations—you can get more of that online than you can possibly assimilate—but in such specialized areas as assembling custom tours or using airline ticketing tricks for multi-stop international trips that the OTA systems can’t incorporate.
• Agents can help solve problems. If your flight is canceled or you face some other problem, an agent can probably find a better solution, more quickly, than you could on your own.
• Agents provide special services to business travelers. Many businesses find the best way to manage their travel activities and budgets do that is to use a travel agency. Small businesses and individual professionals, especially, find business-oriented agencies to be helpful.

This is not to say that you should all shut down your computers and head for a travel agency. Online is still the best bet for many of you:

• Retail travel agent services are no longer “free.” Fees range from around $30 for a simple air booking to much more than that for a complicated itinerary.
• For a relatively simple itinerary, you can probably find on your own any good deal you could get through a retail agency.
• Retail agents often can’t or won’t use some of your best sources of big discounts, such as Hotwire, Priceline, by-owner vacation rental sites, and flash sale sites. One local agent I know won’t book flights on Allegiant because of difficulties when that line cancels a flight.

All in all, if you’re skilled, use good information sources, and have the time, you can probably pay less for any given trip than you’d pay through a retail agent. But if you’d rather let someone else go through the hassles—and help you fight a problem—a retail travel agent is nearby and glad to help.

(Editor’s Note: SmarterTravel is a member of the TripAdvisor Media Network, an operating company of Expedia, Inc. Expedia, Inc. also owns Hotwire.)

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Travel Agent vs. Online Booking: Pros & Cons

Last Updated on January 13, 2024

Introduction

Travel agents have long been the go-to for booking trips, but with the rise of online booking platforms, travelers now have a multitude of options. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of both travel agents and online booking, helping readers make informed decisions when planning their next adventure.

Purpose of the blog post

The purpose of this blog post is to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of both travel agents and online booking services. By laying out the pros and cons, we aim to empower readers to choose the option that best suits their travel needs and preferences.

Travel agents offer personalized assistance, ensuring a hassle-free booking experience. Online booking platforms, on the other hand, provide convenience and a wide range of options to choose from.

With a travel agent, you can benefit from their expertise, as they have extensive knowledge of popular destinations and can provide valuable recommendations. Moreover, they can handle all the logistics, such as arranging transportation and accommodations, saving you time and effort.

On the flip side, online booking platforms offer users the freedom to search and compare prices, allowing for greater flexibility and potentially cheaper deals. Additionally, these platforms often provide user reviews, giving travelers insight into the experiences of others.

However, online booking platforms lack the personal touch of a travel agent. In case of unexpected events or changes to your itinerary, a travel agent can provide immediate support and guidance.

While travel agents may charge service fees, online booking platforms may have hidden fees or lack customer support, making it crucial to read all the terms and conditions before finalizing a booking.

In general, both travel agents and online booking platforms have their advantages and disadvantages. The choice ultimately depends on the individual preferences and needs of the traveler. By considering the pros and cons discussed in this blog post, readers can make an informed decision when planning their next adventure.

Pros of Using a Travel Agent

Travel agents offer a range of benefits that make them a valuable resource for travelers. Let’s explore the pros of using a travel agent in more detail.

Personalized Service

• Access to expert knowledge and advice : Travel agents have extensive knowledge and experience in the travel industry. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations for destinations, accommodations, and attractions.
• Customization of itineraries based on individual preferences and needs : Travel agents take the time to understand their clients’ preferences and requirements. They can create customized itineraries that cater to specific interests, budgets, and timelines.

Time-saving and Convenience

• Research, planning, and booking handled by a professional : Planning a trip can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Travel agents save travelers valuable time by taking care of all the research, planning, and booking processes on their behalf. This allows travelers to focus on other aspects of their trip.
• Assistance with complex travel arrangements, such as multi-destination trips : Travel agents have the expertise to handle complex travel arrangements. They can efficiently coordinate multiple flights, accommodations, transfers, and activities, ensuring a seamless travel experience.

Human Interaction and Assistance

• Someone to call for support in case of any travel-related issues : Travel agents provide a vital point of contact during the trip. In case of any unforeseen circumstances or emergencies, travelers can rely on their travel agent to assist and provide guidance.
• Advocacy and assistance in resolving problems and unexpected situations : Travel agents act as advocates for their clients. If any issues arise during the trip, such as flight cancellations or hotel problems, travel agents can step in to resolve the situations quickly and efficiently.

In review, using a travel agent offers several advantages for travelers. Personalized service, time-saving convenience, and human interaction and assistance are some of the significant benefits that travel agents provide. Whether it’s creating a tailored itinerary or resolving unexpected issues, travel agents offer expertise and support throughout the travel journey. So, the next time you plan a trip, consider the advantages of using a travel agent to make your travel experience more enjoyable and stress-free.

Read: Languages: Boosting Your Tour Guide Career

Cons of Using a Travel Agent

Using a travel agent can have its downsides as well, and it is important to consider the cons before deciding whether to use one for your travel bookings.

One of the main drawbacks of using a travel agent is the cost. While they can offer valuable expertise and personalized assistance, their services often come with service fees and commissions. These additional expenses can make your trip more expensive compared to booking directly online.

Additionally, when using a travel agent, you may have limited options for price comparison and budget flexibility. They might not have access to all the available deals and discounts that you can find on online booking platforms. This can make it harder to find the best prices for your travel arrangements.

Lack of Control

Another disadvantage of using a travel agent is the lack of control over the booking process. While they can handle the details for you, you might feel less involved in the decision-making. This can lead to a sense of detachment from the planning process and a potential loss of control over the specific details of your trip.

Moreover, using a travel agent means being dependent on their availability and responsiveness. If they are busy or inaccessible at certain times, it can cause delays or difficulties in making changes to your itinerary or addressing any issues that may arise during your trip.

Potential for Miscommunication

Furthermore, there is a potential for miscommunication when relying on a travel agent. They act as intermediaries between you and the travel suppliers, and there may be errors or misunderstandings in conveying your preferences and requirements. This can result in unexpected surprises or disappointments when you arrive at your travel destination.

Lastly, unclear expectations regarding travel arrangements and accommodations can also be a downside of using a travel agent. You may not have a clear understanding of what to expect when it comes to the specific details of your trip. This can include the quality of accommodations, transportation options, or even the overall itinerary. It is crucial to ensure effective communication with your travel agent to avoid any misunderstandings.

Essentially, while travel agents offer convenience and expertise, there are drawbacks to consider. Costs may be higher, control may be limited, and miscommunication can occur. It is essential to carefully evaluate your needs and preferences before deciding whether to use a travel agent or book your trip online.

Read: Guide to Starting Your Own Tour Company

Pros of Online Booking

Online booking has become increasingly popular among travelers due to its numerous advantages. In this section, we will explore the pros of online booking and why it may be a preferable option for many travelers.

Cost Savings

One of the most significant advantages of online booking is the opportunity for cost savings. Online travel platforms provide access to numerous deals, promotions, and discounts that may not be available through traditional travel agents. By comparing prices from different websites, travelers can choose the most affordable options that suit their budget. This ability to find the best deals can result in significant savings on travel expenses.

Independence and Flexibility

Online booking offers travelers a sense of independence and flexibility throughout the entire booking process. With online platforms, travelers have complete control over their travel arrangements. They can browse through various options and make decisions based on their preferences without any external pressure. Additionally, online booking allows travelers to modify or cancel reservations without having to rely on a third party. This freedom gives travelers the flexibility to adapt their plans according to their changing needs or circumstances.

Convenience

Convenience is another major advantage of online booking. Online platforms are available 24/7, allowing travelers to make bookings at any time that is convenient for them. Gone are the days when travelers needed to visit a travel agency during specific working hours. With online booking, everything can be done from the comfort of home or on-the-go. Moreover, online booking platforms provide instant confirmation and e-ticketing, ensuring seamless travel arrangements. This eliminates the need for physical tickets and reduces the chances of any miscommunication or delays.

In fact, online booking offers travelers several significant advantages. The cost savings that can be achieved through online deals and discounts are appealing to budget-conscious travelers . The independence and flexibility provided by online booking platforms allow travelers to have complete control over their travel arrangements. Lastly, the convenience of 24/7 availability and instant confirmation makes online booking a hassle-free option for seamless travel experiences. With these pros in mind, it’s no surprise that online booking has become the preferred choice for many travelers today.

Read: Cultural Sensitivity in Canadian Tour Guiding

Cons of Online Booking

In the digital age, online booking platforms have gained popularity as a convenient and efficient way to plan and book trips. However, despite the numerous advantages that online booking offers, it is essential to consider the cons it entails. This section will explore some of the potential drawbacks of online booking, specifically the lack of personalized assistance, overwhelming options, and potential risks.

Lack of Personalized Assistance

One significant disadvantage of online booking is the absence of personalized assistance from travel experts. Unlike traditional travel agents who provide expert advice and guidance, online booking platforms lack the expertise to tailor the trip according to one’s specific preferences and needs. The personal touch, insight, and knowledge that a travel agent can provide are invaluable, especially when planning complex itineraries or seeking advice on the best travel options.

Overwhelming Options

Another drawback of online booking is the overwhelming number of options available. With countless online choices, it can be challenging to select the best option that suits individual preferences and requirements. The abundance of information can lead to decision paralysis and confusion, as travelers may find themselves sifting through an extensive list of accommodations, airlines, and activities without a clear understanding of which ones are genuinely suitable for their trip. The sheer variety of options can complicate the decision-making process and potentially lead to dissatisfaction with the final choice.

Potential Risks

When booking online, there is an inherent risk of encountering scams or dealing with untrustworthy vendors. Due to the anonymity of the internet, it can be difficult to verify the credibility and reliability of certain online travel providers. Travelers may come across fraudulent websites, fake reviews, or misleading information, leading to financial loss and disappointment. Moreover, in case of unexpected issues or emergencies during the trip, online booking platforms typically offer limited support and assistance, leaving travelers to navigate potential challenges on their own.

In essence, while online booking provides convenience and accessibility, it comes with its fair share of cons. The lack of personalized assistance limits the guidance and expert advice available, potentially impacting the overall quality and suitability of the trip. Additionally, the overwhelming number of options can cause information overload and decision-making difficulties. Finally, potential risks, such as encountering scams or lack of support during unexpected situations, make online booking less reliable compared to traditional travel agents who can offer personalized assistance and a layer of trustworthiness. It is crucial for travelers to carefully consider their preferences, needs, and the potential disadvantages before opting for online booking as their primary method of trip planning.

Read: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Tour Guide

We have discussed the pros and cons of using a travel agent versus online booking. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and it ultimately depends on individual requirements and preferences.

Using a travel agent offers the convenience of having a professional handle all the details, provide personalized recommendations, and offer support throughout the trip. However, this option may be more expensive and less flexible in terms of booking and making changes.

On the other hand, online booking provides the freedom to search and compare various options, usually at lower prices. It also allows for instant bookings and flexibility in terms of making changes or cancellations. However, there may be a lack of personal touch and support in case of unforeseen issues.

Therefore, readers are encouraged to weigh the pros and cons and make an informed decision based on their specific needs. It is essential to consider factors such as budget, travel destination, trip complexity, and personal preferences.

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that a combination of both options can provide the best of both worlds in certain situations. For example, using a travel agent for complex itineraries or unfamiliar destinations while utilizing online booking for simple trips or familiar destinations can be a balanced approach.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to use a travel agent or book online should be based on careful consideration of individual requirements, preferences, and circumstances. It is important to choose the option that offers the most convenience, flexibility, and value for money.

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Booking Online vs with a Travel Agent

Is it better to book with a travel agent or by yourself? A question that is becoming more prevalent today…

Over a third of us are travelling internationally at least once every year, yet there is a  clear divide between those who preferred to book directly themselves, and those who preferred to use a travel agent, as indicated in our recent survey with over 100 respondents.

With so many research avenues, booking options, and special offers available (especially on the web), there is some ambiguity and confusion surrounding the best methods to book a dream holiday – whether book with a travel agent or go it alone!

Most surprisingly is the stigma associated with cost benefits between booking with an agent, vs directly with suppliers. While this may be true in some circumstances, it is certainly not the case overall. In order to help you get some better deals for your next trip, here are some of the pros and cons to booking with a travel agent vs direct!

It might just change the way you travel in the future…

Booking with a travel agent

Two in five client respondents in our annual survey indicated a strong preference for booking holidays with a travel agent. As experts in the industry, it comes as no surprise that those who preferred this method felt that they were able to coordinate a well thought out itinerary – sometimes across a variety of tour operators and travel providers – with the peace of mind that they had someone to contact if something was to go wrong.

First Hand Knowledge

Travel agents can be a wealth of knowledge and resources when it comes to planning a holiday. If you want to go somewhere, chances are they have been there or somebody they work with has, and they have insider information that can add priceless value to your trip. Many agents experience educational trips, called a ‘Famil’, which enable them to experience particular tours and travel companies first hand. Thinking of taking a cruise? There is a high chance that your agent would have been on board the ship themselves. While these may seem like just ‘perks’ of the industry, agents are in fact required to participate in a level of training on products and destinations, and are generally avid travellers themselves, so they really are the experts when it comes to your planning your ideal holiday.

Insider Tips

Along with this first-hand experience is the agent’s local knowledge that could make a huge difference to the sites you visit. For the majority of our survey respondents, there was a huge focus on local sightseeing and cultural immersion when planning a holiday, and agent knowledge is able to offer just that. For example, agents are familiar with airports and will be able to advise you on the limitations of travelling between particular destinations – this may include the knowledge that particular airports are domestic vs international, regularity of flights, or even the ability to fly between two selected locations. Similarly, their local knowledge can include the important sightseeing information such as opening hours (e.g. museums in Florence, Italy are closed on Mondays), best times to visit sites (e.g. sunrise/sunset or after-hours tours), or less travelled paths that may provide a unique experience.

While some travellers may prefer to just use agents during their research process then continuing to book directly, there are actually some additional benefits to booking with an agent.

Many of our respondents who indicated that they did book via an agent noted the added feeling of ‘security’ that they felt through using this method… “as someone who knows your journey intimately, an agent has the ability to intervene if something was to go wrong”, wrote one respondent. An agent can be a useful if any issues or emergencies are to occur during your travel and you cannot, or are unable to, get in contact with an airline or company yourself. This can include simple day to day communication, such as missing a connecting flight and needing to reschedule airport transfers, to aiding in more complicated issues.

Value for Money

One common misperception about booking with an agent is that you will end up paying more. This is not true. In fact, an agent is able to get better discounted rates through the relationships they have developed with various tour operators, hotels, and airlines. Buying ‘in bulk’ means that agents are able to access better rates whilst still achieving their commission, that will not impact on the price that you receive. The added benefit to this is that, especially for hotels, you may be able to get additional upgrades and perks that you would miss out on when booking directly or online.

Our tips on how to get the most out of your Travel Agent:

• Be clear and direct about what you want!

By being upfront with your travel agent and giving them as much information as possible you will be more likely to get the best itinerary created for you. There are some agents (definitely not he majority), who are pressured to sell certain tours, cruises or hotels due to established partnerships that allow them to get more commission or better incentives, so make sure you are certain that what is being offered is what you actually want.

• Don’t settle for the easiest option

While it is not common, there are some agents that don’t want to put in the work if your arrangements may seem difficult. A good agent will work with you to get the best itinerary, and will be able to give you insight into routes and local must do’s that you may not have thought of. A good agent that works hard to meet your expectations is worth their weight in gold!

• Don’t feel pressured into making a quick decision

Spending money on a holiday is not a cheap decision, so make sure that you have thought about your purchase before you pay. While there may be some time pressures due to limited places, you should have around 7 days to hold a place before making a decision. If your agent is trying to force you into something you are unsure of, they may have an ulterior motive to signing you up.

Booking directly

The ease of booking from your own home, and the perception of ‘cutting out the middle man’ have spurred a huge growth in direct and online bookings over the past 10 years.

Get Inspired

Google search is becoming more and more popular as a research method for trip planning, as has social media sites like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. However, word of mouth from friends and family who have been to the same places can be more valued in planning an itinerary. Without a doubt, research and inspiration through the internet can get you excited and motivated to book a dream trip.

Flexibility

The flexibility of booking things yourself can also help you to feel like you have made a well-informed decision in your own time. Without the pressure from agents, you are able to research, contrast and compare a variety of options at your fingertips when booking online. You are also able to book in stages that make sense to you as you continue to gather more information on your destinations at your own pace.

It’s safer than ever

The security of booking online has also influenced this trend. For the most part, reputable websites offer a safe way to book all facets of a holiday, from flights to transfers as well as hotels and tours. Be sure to research thoroughly across a number of websites to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Our tips on how to get the most booking directly/online:

• Always read the fine print!

Booking a ‘great’ deal online may not always be such a great idea. Many rooms may be non-refundable and not include breakfast. Make sure you know what you are paying for!

• You get what you pay for

If you are comparing on price, remember that agents and tour operators will always get the better rooms as they have a personal relationship with hotels. Websites like booking.com may show a lower rate, however as the system determines your room based on your booking method and price paid, you will almost always end up with the worst room available.

• Don’t get fooled by labels that create a sense of urgency

Calls to action like ‘One room left’ and ‘4 people looking at this room now’ will leave you feeling like you need to snag the deal now! Be careful, websites can track how many times you have been to their site in order to make you feel like you are missing out, or even increase prices over time. Make sure to clear your cookies each time you search.

• Don’t sacrifice touring because it’s too hard to book yourself

When travelling, some of the best experiences you can have are with tours and good tour guides who can provide you a wealth of knowledge about cities and the sites you go to. Understanding the local culture, history, and the significance of sites can really add another layer of appreciation to your trip.

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Travel agents vs booking online

by Ezequiel Craysman | Jun 9, 2017 | Blog

Booking travel with an agency and booking independently online each have their own conveniences. Let’s take a look at how each booking style to compare the conveniences and merits of each:

Online Travelers who book online without an agent do so because of the perceived convenience. Booking online means doing independent research to compare flight costs and making the purchases directly through airlines, cruise companies or other providers. Without an agent, there is no wait for the travel office to open so this process can occur at any time of the day or night. This method does have some challenges, such as airlines including JetBlue and American beginning to utilize less third-party websites for flight cost comparisons. This change makes independent research harder for the individual without an agency. An individual would also not have the experience or resources available at their disposal that an agency would.

Travel Agent While booking online independently has a perceived convenience to it, booking with a travel agency has its own conveniences to contend with. A travel agent can save travelers time and energy that would otherwise be spent wondering and worrying while researching on the internet for hours or waiting on the phone forever. The value of booking with an agent is different than finding the cheapest price online, because travel agents will get travelers the lowest competitive prices that guarantee the vacation travelers seek without the compromises or risks that come with finding the most base price. The insider knowledge agencies possess includes access to special deals, cruise or hotel upgrades, vacation packages, and discounts for resorts or theme parks. These incentive deals are built into the agent’s commission and come to no extra cost for the traveler. Hotel, cruise, and vacation package companies include agent commissions in published prices. Independent bookers would still pay these built-in prices, and after they do the work booking on their own the vacation companies would just keep the difference in price for themselves. Further, agents will price match deals online, or let travelers know if they have encountered a scam.

Consultation and advice from travel agencies also has an incalculable value. The travel agency will pair travelers with an agent whose knowledge and experience will best serve the unique interests, needs, and requests of the traveler. Travel agents have often inspected destinations and have personal experience and/or reviews from other customers or coworkers to base recommendations on. The agents can provide information that would not be otherwise apparent from a website or brochure. They can answer questions such as what to pack, encompassing costs and expenses to budget for, passport and visa information, travel insurance, and all the best sightseeing tips.

The personalized experience and overall value of booking with travel agents presents a challenge the convenience of booking independently online. Both, however, are very popular and travelers continue to utilize both booking styles. For the best possible experience for customers, get results for your travel agency with a Booking Engine from Travtion.

Britni Hiatt [email protected]

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Booking Direct vs. Travel Agent: Which Is Better?

By: Author Dan Bagby

Posted on Published: May 18, 2023

There has been a persistent debate over whether using a travel agent is better than booking direct. The truth is that neither option is inherently better or worse than the other. Both have their pros and cons. Whichever one you decide to go with will depend on your travel preferences and what features you value the most.

With that in mind, we’re here to help you decide by comparing booking direct vs. a travel agent. In this article, we’ve highlighted the pros and cons of each option as well as listed a few things to keep in mind if you decide to use a travel agent. 

Keep reading for our side-by-side analysis of booking directly vs. using a travel agent. 

What Does It Mean to Book Direct vs. Travel Agent?

Booking direct means you take care of all of your travel plans on your own. You create your itinerary; book all your flights, transportation, and accommodations; and research and plan things to do and places to eat on your trip. 

On the other hand, when you book through a travel agent, they take care of everything for you. After consulting with you, they handle all the research and planning, then make arrangements for your flights, accommodations, transportation, and even dinner reservations and planned activities like tee times and scuba diving. 

Travel aggregators like Travelocity or Expedia combine some of the services of a travel agent with the control you get over your trip by booking directly. People will sometimes use multiple travel aggregator sites or apps to make reservations for different elements of their trip. For example, they’ll use Skyscanner or Google Flights to find cheap airfare, then visit Booking.com for accommodations.  

Pros and Cons of Booking Direct vs. Travel Agent

Booking direct is often faster, and you can easily find last-minute deals if you use a travel aggregator. You can make your reservations whenever you want without having to wait on someone else’s schedule, and it always feels like a win when you manage to come in under budget on your own. 

In addition, you have complete control over your holiday, which can be a major pro for some travelers, but a huge con if you make a mistake. There is so much information out there that it can be overwhelming trying to make the right choice. Handing that responsibility over to someone who has expertise in the area you’re visiting can take a weight off your shoulders. And you’re still in control, because a travel agent will only make arrangements after confirming them with you.

Pros and Cons of a Travel Agent vs. Booking Direct

Obviously, the biggest pro of using a travel agent is that they take all the stress out of planning a trip. A really good travel agent can help you organize your entire vacation down to the minute if that’s what you want. All you need to do is tell them what you want to do and they can arrange the whole thing. 

Travel agents can personalize your trip and offer advice if you’re still in the planning stages. They can also help you save a lot of money, thanks to their exclusive offers and insider deals. And of course, they will save you a ton of time. They also give you peace of mind while you’re traveling, since they’re available if any issues arise.

On the other hand, travel agents are trying to make a commission at the end of the day. That means that their advice may be slightly biased, and the choices they present to you are going to be limited to vendors they have contracts with. 

Plus, even if they say they are offering you a discount, there’s no way of knowing that you’re getting the best possible price there is unless you do your own double-checking. You’re also locked into a contract with a travel agent, a concept that can make some travelers uneasy. 

Booking Direct vs. Travel Agent: Convenience

Convenience is a travel agent’s biggest draw because they handle all the tedious paperwork and scheduling. However, booking directly online is often faster. That’s because travel agents will sometimes have to wait on a third party before they can finalize an offer, especially if you’re trying to negotiate a bargain. 

When you book online you’re able to see exactly what something costs right away. You can also plan and book things late at night or early in the morning if you book directly, instead of having to set time aside in your work day to accommodate the schedule of a travel agent. 

On the other hand, booking directly requires you to arrange everything on your own, make multiple transactions, and constantly refer to your calendar to make sure that you haven’t double-booked yourself. It can be confusing and stress-inducing. 

Plus, if you miss your flight, have trouble with transportation, or have made a mistake with any of your reservations, you have to deal with it on your own. That doesn’t always have a happy outcome. On top of being out whatever money you’ve already spent, it could end up costing you much more to book a last-minute room or flight. 

Also, while travel agents make your life easier by arranging things like airport transfers or car rentals, it’s worth noting that many hotels offer complimentary airport pickups anyway, and travel aggregator sites often give you the option to add airport transfers or car rentals when you book your flight, so you can arrange everything in one transaction. 

Booking Direct vs. Travel Agent: Cost

Travel agents can offer you airfare and hotel rates at an exclusive industry insider price. That’s not to say that you can’t plan an affordable holiday on your own, but you often have to start making arrangements at least a full year in advance to score the cheapest reservation. If you do manage to find a great deal while booking directly, you usually have to jump on it right away or else you lose it. 

A travel agency can usually lock in a given price for a day or two, giving you time to review your budget before making a decision. However, keep in mind that you’re paying for the service a travel agent provides. The cost of their service is built into whatever price they give you. 

Travel agents are a great resource if you want a personalized, luxury honeymoon or getaway at a lower cost. If you want a 5-star hotel for your honeymoon (and who doesn’t?) but it’s out of your price range, a travel agency might be able to get a more affordable price than you would be able to on your own. 

Travel agents can usually throw in some perks like seat or room upgrades as well, particularly for special trips like destination weddings or honeymoons. However, you might be able to get those things on your own. Airline loyalty programs, if you belong to any, will reward customers with things like seat upgrades or priority boarding, and some credit cards offer room upgrades to cardholders. Not only that, but hotels will frequently throw in a freebie or two if you book for more than 3 nights, or they’ll upgrade your room if you’re a frequent guest. 

Booking Direct vs. Travel Agent: Flexibility

Unfortunately, one area where travel agents can fall short is their flexibility. While they will strive to be as accommodating as they can, travel agents generally have office hours that you will need to work within. If you book directly, you can make your travel plans pretty much whenever you feel like it. 

In the same vein, travel agents aren’t very helpful when it comes to planning quick, spontaneous getaways. You’re better off checking out a travel aggregator’s site for a spur-of-the-moment holiday as they often have last-minute deals. You can also visit an airline’s website and see if they have any seat sales. 

How to Choose a Travel Agent

At the end of the day, whether you book directly or go with a travel agent will depend on your needs. If you do decide to use a travel agent, check their reviews online, ask for referrals, and take the time to interview them. Also, verify their credentials. All travel agents should be registered with IATA or IATAN. 

Our trusted travel partners can help you plan the honeymoon or romantic getaway of your dreams with sound advice based on years of experience. For the honeymoon or romantic escape of your dreams, connect with any of our Caribbean travel agents , Europe travel agents , all-inclusive travel specialists , or cruise travel agents .

If you decide you’d rather try booking directly, we have a ton of helpful articles about romantic destinations all over the world. Here are some places to start: 70 Honeymoon Destinations for Any Type of Traveler , Top 25 Most Romantic Islands in the World , 10 Amazing Caribbean Destinations , 15 Best Hotel Swim-up Rooms , 12 Best Hawaii Alternatives , Best Sandals Resorts for Honeymoons , 25 Best Caribbean Luxury Resorts , and Overwater Bungalows in the Caribbean .

He is an expert travel advisor and enthusiast. He has traveled extensively in the USA, Central America, South America, and Europe. He has visited every Sandals Resort and is one of a select few Diamond Elite members of the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club. Dan graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Later he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on people and culture.

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Using a Travel Agent vs Booking Online: Pros and Cons

Travel Agent vs Booking Online? That is the question. Travel agents and companies are all different. Their policies are going to vary. (I’m not recommending one travel agency over another.) Booking online on your own can be very confusing and time-consuming.

I’ve used travel agencies for a few different trips. And I’ve booked online myself for many trips as well. Keep reading for my opinion on both.

Pros of using a Travel Agent

Discounted rates

I love that you can get great discounts on trips. Flights and accommodations are bundled into cute little less expensive packages. You have a travel agent you can call when you have issues to resolve.

You save a lot of time when someone else is doing the work for you. They have accommodations and airlines that they’re in touch with. They have contacts in place.

Cons of using a Travel Agent

Lack of freedom

You lose your freedom as far as the type of accommodations and flights you can take. I recently had an issue where there was a hurricane coming and I was confused about canceling my flight without canceling my accommodations as well. If I had booked things separately I would not have had to worry about this.

Lack of Communication

Many times it’s hard to get in touch with the travel agent because there are a lot of people calling at the same time. It’s hard for you to make changes to your accommodations and flights on your own. Because technically you didn’t book them yourself.

Pros of Booking Online

I love being able to independently choose my accommodations and my airlines. There are some airlines I prefer more than others. This is the same with accommodations. I can individually select where I want to stay and who’s going to get me there.

Easier communication

When it comes to communication I can directly speak to either the hotel/resort or the airline (Although that can still be difficult at times.). I don’t have to go through a middle man. My bookings are not connected. This means that when I have an issue I can go directly to the source.

Cons of Booking Online

Higher cost

Sometimes it costs more to book travel yourself. The travel agencies receive discounts when they book people. Individual people don’t have those connections.

More time spent

It takes more time to book anything yourself. You have to go through all the reviews. There’s an endless array of sites you can look at. It can be extremely overwhelming.

Travel Agent vs Booking Online?

How can you determine when to use a travel agent vs booking online? Answer the following questions to help you decide.

Is this a country known for safety? Can I speak the local language? Are my accommodations close together? Is my itinerary a simple one? If you answered no for most of these questions, I suggest using a travel agent. At the very least, hire a guide at your location.

Is my destination known to be relatively safe for tourists? Is my native language spoken widely where I’m going? Do I prefer a specific hotel chain or airline? Will I need a lot of flexibility with my travel dates? Do I want to use my travel miles and/or points? If you answered yes to most of these questions, try booking online yourself.

For myself personally, if I feel comfortable getting around the country, I will book my own travel. Sometimes if a place I’ve never been, or I don’t know much about the country, I may decide to use a travel agent and/or tour company. Let me know if these tips were helpful!

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Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent? We say yes

Going online to book an airline ticket or hotel stay is a familiar and fairly easy transaction. When you book a cruise, however — particularly your first cruise — you might want to reconsider the impulse to handle the transaction yourself through a cruise line website or an online advertiser with cheap prices. This DIY approach might not be the best way to find your dream vacation at sea.

In reality, it's not that simple to book a cruise. You will likely run into a lot of questions to which you have no ready answer.

That's where specialized cruise travel agents come into play. Their expertise can help you avoid mistakes, whether you are a first-timer or a repeat cruiser checking out a brand you have not tried before.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Why you should book through a cruise travel agent

You should consider booking a cruise through a travel agent because a knowledgeable agent can help you understand the nuances of a cruise purchase and help you make the best decisions for your vacation preferences.

When you book a cruise, you are making a vacation decision that goes way beyond a flight or hotel nights. Which ship you choose determines your dining and evening entertainment choices for the duration of your vacation. Which itinerary you choose impacts which destinations you'll visit and which shoreside activities will be available to you. It can be overwhelming to evaluate the options on your own if you've never cruised before.

In addition, cruise fares can be hard to understand and compare. You might, for instance, see a fare listed online without the port charges, taxes and fees, which you only see after you give your personal details.

Plus, the price of your cruise includes accommodations, meals, entertainment and activities — and in some cases drinks, tips, shore excursions, Wi-Fi and other extras. There's a lot bundled into some fares and not as much with others. A travel agent can help you determine what your cruise fare gets you. The cheapest base cruise fare does not always provide the best value or best overall vacation deal.

Related: 4 scenarios when you should use a travel agent

You aren't just booking general passage on a ship, either, as you will be asked to pick a specific cabin and when you prefer to dine. Making a mistake in these categories can ruin your cruise experience, as there are such thing as "bad" cabins and dining times (think noisy or claustrophobic cabins, dinner at 8 p.m. with cranky children, etc.).

With cruises, you typically don't pay for your whole vacation upfront but rather put down a deposit, with final payment due at a later date. A cruise travel agent can ensure you don't miss any due dates.

Remember, you might be a DIY type when booking airlines and hotels, but booking a cruise is more complex. If you enjoy doing your own research, focus on what to do and see in the ports of call. Read about different ships, cruise lines and itineraries. However, when it comes to booking the cruise, we recommend you still contact a travel agent who specializes in cruises to help you learn a few tips and avoid any rookie mistakes.

Travel agents can get better deals on cruises

If you're concerned that working with an agent will make your cruise more expensive, don't be. Cruise travel agents receive the bulk of their income via commission from the cruise lines. Their service to you is usually free, though some might charge first-time clients a minimal fee. It's worth it.

In addition to sharing their expertise, the agent may have negotiated group space at lower rates with the cruise line, which could save you money on the cruise fare. The agent might also have first access to sale prices because the cruise lines notify their agent partners and loyalty club members first before they announce a sale to the public.

Related: 6 ways to get a deal on a cruise

Some cruise travel agents even throw in booking perks , such as a complimentary bottle of Champagne, awaiting your arrival in your cabin.

How to find a travel agent for a cruise

Cruise lines prefer that you use a travel agent rather than going online and booking directly. They have small in-house reservation teams, and when you have a question while making a booking, good luck in getting an expert on the phone in a timely manner.

Companies such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line provide online directories to help you find an experienced cruise travel agent near you.

You can also find experienced and certified cruise travel agents through CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association , which is the industry's main marketing group. Asking friends who have cruised to recommend a travel agent is another good idea.

Related: 5 unexpected places that sell cruises

You might get more personalized care from smaller agencies than from the huge online agencies, though websites such as icruise.com, Cruise.com and Cruise411.com also have experienced cruise agents. These larger online travel agencies can be a good option for those who prefer to make decisions and ask questions via chat. Just make sure you get the name and phone number of the representative for any follow-up questions.

Questions to ask a cruise travel agent

In choosing a cruise travel agent, you will want to tap into the person's specific expertise about the cruise line and ship you are considering. Anyone can read a ship deck plan outlining ship spaces (which you can find online), but you are looking for people who really know their stuff.

Look for travel agencies that are cruise-only or a home-based agent who specializes in cruises. If you are using a full-service travel agency, ask for the cruise desk.

Here are some questions to ask a travel agent to determine their expertise:

• How often do you cruise?
• Have you cruised on the line I am considering?
• Have you cruised on the ship that I am considering, or do you have clients who have cruised that ship and provided a review of their vacation?
• Do you have firsthand knowledge about the cruise destination? The itinerary?

You will also want to ask the travel agent if they have a preferred relationship or negotiated agreement with any specific lines that could lead to special perks for you.

Be aware that not all agents work with all cruise lines; some represent only a few preferred suppliers or specialize in higher-end cruises. They get bigger commissions from their preferred lines.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, but be aware if the agent seems to be putting you off the line you were originally considering, as this could be the reason. On the plus side, an agent who is a preferred supplier might have negotiated rates with the cruise line and be able to call in favors, such as that bottle of Champagne or a cabin upgrade .

You should also ask if the travel agency offers 24/7 assistance (usually an 800 number) in case you have last-minute questions or something goes wrong before or during your trip.

The cruise travel agent should have questions for you as well, to better understand your dream vacation desires. If you are calling a cruise agency for the first time, the agent should be interviewing you as much as you are interviewing him or her. The agent should be focused on helping you choose the cruise line , ship and cabin that is right for you. Making the correct choices is very important to your overall cruise experience.

Bottom line

Booking a cruise is a complex enterprise. A cruise travel agent will guide you through choosing your cabin and dining times, deposits and final payment, and options for shore excursions and specialty dining. If you need to cancel the trip, the agent will also help you through the refund process. You'll have a lot less stress before and during your vacation if you book with an experienced agent.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin