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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

Married couple with baby son in modern travel agency talking to 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:

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12 common travel questions answered by a professional.

by Bethany Ramos

Bethany Ramos

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12 Common travel questions answered by a professional

I have to confess that I am like the average modern traveler — I’m quick to click on flight deals the moment they hit my inbox. This kind of immediate gratification makes me wonder: Do travel agents even exist anymore?

The short answer is yes. While most of us are more than comfortable using deal sites to book cruises and plane tickets , travel agents still serve a purpose — especially when booking group tours or traveling to a new, exotic location. If you have never used a travel agent before, there’s wisdom to be gleaned from a travel industry insider.

Thanks to this booming Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) thread, we finally get the chance to pick the brain of a successful president of a travel agency . Steve Shulem describes his credentials, “I’ve been doing high-end travel experiences for over 25 years. I mostly sell luxury cruises and have a lot of wealthy clients in New York (mostly). I’m from California. Most people spend $10,000, but I’ve sold trips up to $500,000.”

“I’m a big fan of five star hotels and always make sure I’ve seen the latest and greatest. I have been to all seven continents, and over 70 countries. I just came back from a cruise with my son from Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam and Hong Kong.”

Read these top 12 travel questions before you book your next trip: 

1. Why should I hire a travel agent?

Image: giphy.com

“We as travel agents get paid a small percentage from the vendors that we work with. Many travel agents also charge a small fee to put the trip together… Yet, as travel consultants we have some great resources that could possibly save you money! We have discounted air; we have over 800 hotels where we throw in breakfast and a $100 resort credit; we have cruises where we can get you upgrades, cruise credits and, many times, a better price.”

2. Should I use a travel agent for budget travel?

Image:  giphy.com

“My services could be valuable for travelers not with a big budget. The best way to assess that is to be upfront with your budget with the agent and give them a general idea of what you are looking for. The agent will then tell you if it would be worth their time to help you out on the trip.”

3. Have low-cost booking sites affected the travel agent business?

“Low-cost travel websites [have been] a godsend! Why? Because I now don’t have to handle all of the little cheapie trips and can focus on trips that need some TLC! I have trained my clients not to call me for the little weekend getaways.”

4. What is the difference between booking with a travel agent and booking through Expedia?

“So let’s say Expedia charges you five bucks, and last minute you can’t go… Or, there is a natural disaster in the destination city, and you are on hold for 50 minutes to find out that they can’t help you because the airline has not made an announcement yet. Working with a travel agent who might charge you 25 bucks — maybe they can get you a one-way upgrade to premium economy at no extra charge; get your seats on the airplane at no cost; help you out 24/7 if there was a natural disaster; let you know when there is a schedule change and, if it’s something ridiculous, get your money back and put you on a different carrier.”

5. What are the best safe, cheap places to fly to?

“There are some super cool trips from GAdventures.com . They are in all price budgets, and we get nothing but rave reviews from them.”

6. Where is a great travel location that not many people go?

“I am a big fan of finding a local person to show you their city. So my point to your question is that you can find almost any place on this planet, and if you can get a ‘local’ tour of that area, you are going to enjoy it so much more!”

7. Which European destination would you recommend besides the obvious, like Paris and London?

“Portugal — I got to Lisbon for the first time this summer and loved it. Norway — beautiful country! Czech Republic — don’t miss it! Croatia — very popular with cruises now! I loved Dubrovnik. Greece — go in May or September.”

8. Which cruise provider has the best all-inclusive food?

“[Oceana Cruises has] a good price point; they have some brand new ships, and they have five restaurants on the ships with no extra charge!”

9. Do you have any advice for someone who always gets sick on vacation?

“Don’t take a flight first thing in the morning where you would have to get up early and not get a good night’s sleep. Give yourself plenty of time getting to the airport so you are not stressed out making sure you are on time. Don’t plan a lot the first day you get there so you can rest up and let your body catch up with the time change.”

10. What is the most extravagant trip you have ever booked?

“The half million dollar trip was a family of four going on a 108-day round the world cruise with Crystal Cruises. They were in the top suite, and their kids were in penthouses. The top suite is called the Crystal Penthouse, and it’s over 1300 square feet!”

11. What is your advice for someone who wants to become a travel agent?

“The best travel agents out there are ones that have a niche. What is your passion? Do you like a certain part of the world? See if you can find something that you love first… Then go interview a few of your local travel agencies and see if they are willing to do some training!”

12. What is your favorite place to visit?

“My favorite place is always the last trip! Just yesterday I came back from a Crystal Cruise that went to Singapore, Angkor Wat, Vietnam and Hong Kong. I went with my 19-year-old son, and we had a blast!”

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How to Become a Travel Agent: Turn Your Passion Into Perks and Cash

Carissa Rawson

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 .

Raise your hand if you love to travel. Whether you’re often on the road or take a vacation just once a year, you’ve probably heard of travel agents. These folks help plan and book itineraries for you, eliminating a lot of the pain points when it comes to traveling.

These days many people skip out on a travel agent in lieu of booking their trip online, but if you’re a frequent traveler, you may want to become a travel agent yourself. Why? Because it can save you a lot of money — and may even earn you some in the process.

Let’s take a look at how to become a travel agent, why it’s something you may want to consider and the ways it can work for you.

Why become a travel agent?

Have you ever obsessively researched the best hotels in a city you’re planning to visit? How about checking seat maps on an airplane? If getting into the nitty-gritty of travel logistics is something you do in your spare time, you might also enjoy becoming a travel agent.

Not only do you get to plan trips for others, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of special discounts on many facets of travel.

This is true for your clients, but also for yourself. Travel agents have access to a variety of discounted rates on both airlines and hotels, even when booking travel for themselves.

» Learn more: How to get a refund from a travel agency

How to become a travel agent

Find a program.

Becoming a travel agent isn’t as simple as declaring yourself one. Typically, the first step is to sign up for a program that’ll teach you the basics of running your own travel business.

There are a variety of programs to choose from, depending on your interests and career goals. Most programs will teach you about the business side of being a travel agent as well as how to plan trips, so your courses in itinerary planning and travel insurance will be coupled with business ethics and customer service.

If you’re wondering how to become a travel agent from home, don’t worry. Many of these courses don’t have to be done in person; there are online programs that will teach you everything you need to know from the comfort of your living room.

Apply for certification

Once you’ve completed your coursework, you’ll want to apply for certification. Although there is no single standard that designates you a travel agent, there are a number of different identifiers that you can acquire. Some of the more common ones are:

International Air Transport Association, or IATA, which allows you to book travel on domestic and international airlines.

Travel Industry Designator Service, or TIDS, which allows agents to book trips with a variety of travel suppliers and receive commissions.

Cruise Lines International Association, or CLIA, which provides agents the ability to book trips on cruises around the world.

In order to access Marriott’s travel advisor rates, for example, you can use any three of these designations, along with a variety of others.

Each of these associations and identifiers have different implications for your business, so you’ll want to be sure you’ve fully researched them before applying for membership.

» Learn more: Do travel agents really save you money?

Save money as a travel agent

Once you’ve qualified as a travel agent, what comes next? If you travel frequently, becoming a travel agent can be a huge benefit to you, as it offers discounted rates and access to luxury travel options.

Discounted rates

Travel agents have access to negotiated rates that aren’t available to the general public. The exact amount will vary depending on the business. Hilton, for example, will give personal travel discounts of 50% off at newly-opened hotels and up to 25% off at the remainder of hotels within Hilton’s portfolio.

Hyatt, meanwhile, will give you a discount on personal travel of up to 50%, but only during select dates of the year. And although not all airlines give discounts to travel agents, many do.

Regardless, these are some pretty spectacular savings, and if you’re looking to save money on your vacations, being a travel agent can help.

Luxury programs

Becoming a travel agent isn’t only about saving money, however. It also grants you access to many hotel chains’ luxury travel programs.

If you’re big into elite status benefits, this is definitely something you’ll want to consider — especially since you don’t need any status at all to receive these perks, as long as you book through the hotel’s agent portal.

Most major hotel chains have these programs, including Hyatt Privé, Hilton Impresario, Marriott STARS & Luminous, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Belmond Bellini Club, Rosewood Elite, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club and Shangri-La Luxury Circle.

While benefits vary by brand, many of these offers include things like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, early check-in or late checkout and credits for expenses like dining or spa services. General consumers aren’t eligible for these programs, but once you’ve become a registered travel agent, they become accessible to you; however, some programs — such as Hyatt Privé — are invitation only.

For the most part, booking rooms through these programs shouldn’t cost more than the standard rate you’d be paying anyway, so you have the potential to get big benefits without shelling out any additional money.

However, note that these numbers don’t take into account any other discounted rates for which you may be eligible, such as those offered to American Automobile Association members and veterans .

» Learn more: Uncommon tips for saving money on travel

Earn money as a travel agent

Of course, becoming a travel agent isn’t all about scoring discounts for yourself. If you’re looking to earn some money, being a travel agent can be a good way to do so.

Note that travel agents operate in a customer-facing role, so you’ll also need to be able to build client relationships and be comfortable with sales. Courses such as those mentioned above can help train you to do this and run a successful business.

If booking travel and organizing trips for others is something that appeals to you, there’s definitely money to be earned. Marriott, for example, gives agents a commission of between 8% and 10% for all eligible stays booked.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of booking through online travel agencies

If you’d like to become a travel agent

There are a few good reasons to become a travel agent, especially if you travel a lot. Although it takes time and effort to complete training and apply for accreditation, the benefits you’ll receive as a travel advisor can be significant. This is true whether you’re booking personal travel or have built yourself a client base. Either way, there’s money to be had — and saved.

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

Chase Sapphire 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®.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

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!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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.

travel agent reddit

15 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became a Travel Agent

It’s not all infinity pools and après-ski drinks.

resort, swimming pool, property, vacation, leisure, tropics, house, tourism, building, lagoon,

Despite what you see on Instagram, being a travel agent isn’t always glamorous. As amazing as it is to jet around the world, you also have to keep in contact with clients 24/7/365—no matter what time zone you’re in. And while technically anyone can work in this field, only those who are detail-oriented and meticulously organized will excel. So we talked to former travel agent Katelyn O’Shaughnessy and current agent Erina Pindar to find out what their jobs are actually like.

You’ll make a decent living, and you’ll get to travel the world like a rock star.

You get paid on commission, meaning you earn money based on the trips you book for your clients..

The bulk of your salary will come from commission, so first and foremost, you’re a salesperson. When you’re an in-house agent with a travel agency (on-staff positions at agencies are increasingly rare, btw, but they’re still in demand), you typically have a base salary and a commission split. This can vary from agency to agency and also depends on your level of experience. For example, let’s say you have an 80-20 commission split. That means if you get paid 10 percent commission on booking a hotel, 80 percent of that commission goes to your agency, while you keep 20 percent. If you’ve rounded up enough clients, you can become an independent agent, which means you work for yourself but remain affiliated with a host agency. As an independent agent, you lose the base salary but get to keep your commission.

If you work as an independent agent, you need your own insurance.

Let’s say you make a mistake on a client’s itinerary, causing them to miss their first-class flight that costs $6,000 a seat. If you did something wrong, you’re liable. “There are hundreds of things that can go wrong, and they will,” warns O’Shaughnessy. You definitely need errors and omissions insurance, which can be expensive, but if you accidentally screw something up, you don’t have to pay out of pocket for the cost of the mistake.

“Travel agents” and “travel advisers” are relatively synonymous, although advisers tend to use a more holistic planning strategy.

While in the past, travel agents mainly assisted in booking accommodations, a travel adviser helps provide a client with a broader picture of their trip. “If someone says, ‘I want to go to Cabo and I want to do all these adventurous things,’ we may say, ‘Okay, great, you can go to Cabo, but you may not want to stay on the strip. You may want to consider the new Four Seasons that just opened on the cape because there’s a lot more adventure on that side of the destination,’” explains Pindar.

You don’t need any special training to get started.

Unlike being a real estate agent, where you have to pass a series of tests to prove you know your stuff. “When I started working as a travel agent right out of college, I didn’t know anything,” insists O’Shaughnessy. “I’d barely even traveled out of Portland, where I grew up. I got the job after a series of persistent emails and a good first interview. It’s definitely useful to know things like basic history and geography but there are no real required skills.”

Travel agents tend to come from a variety of backgrounds—you can switch careers at any point in your life and become a travel agent with a pretty low barrier to entry. But according to Pindar, it does takes a specific personality to be a quality agent. “One thing that all our agents have in common is they’re great salespeople, because at the end of the day, this is a sales job,” she says.

Being type A is also a plus: You need to be a meticulous planner, be an excellent researcher, and possess extreme attention to detail. “It’s easy to put someone in a beautiful room,” says Pindar, “but if you remember that they’re going there for their anniversary and you’re somehow able to get a picture from their wedding to be put in the room and their favorite champagne that they popped on their wedding day, those little things make a difference.”

Developing a niche is essential.

No one can have an encyclopedic knowledge of the whole world, so the most successful travel agents choose a specialty. You might focus on cruises or African safaris or trips to Italy. “[Before I started my company,] I specialized in honeymoons and travel for destination weddings, which I narrowed down to Tahiti, Fiji, Mexico, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. I knew every hotel, every restaurant, and every excursion in those areas that related to a romantic vacation,” says O’Shaughnessy.

Traveling is a regular part of the job, but it’s not a vacation.

Every few months, travel agents go on “fam trips,” short for “familiarization,” and they sound both a h-ma-zing and tiring, according to O’Shaughnessy:

“You try everything you’d want to sell to your clients: You sleep in the hotels, eat the food, get the massages. Sometimes you can even bring a guest. The first few times, it feels ridiculously luxurious, and it is. But you’re there to work. You have to be up at 7 a.m. the next day and remain professional while visiting as many as 10 hotel sites in a day, inspecting each of the rooms, and taking notes on everything. You can’t sleep in and relax on the beach like you would on a real vacation.”

Pindar echoes the same sentiment: “Ninety percent of the time when we do travel, it’s generally for educational purposes.” Travel advisers need to know a destination inside and out, as they often make recommendations based on experience. While traveling, the days can get long. You’re expected to attend breakfast meetings, go out all day, and by the time dinner’s over, you need to catch up on emails. “Even though people think you’re traveling and it’s glamorous, it’s a lot of work,” says Pindar.

On that note, you *will* stop taking normal vacations.

Some travel agents do still travel for fun, but most will do at least one hotel site inspection or other work-related task while they’re there. The industry is very small, so when hotel reps see on your Instagram that you’re in London, they’ll insist you come say hello, see the latest remodel, and try the new menu at the hotel restaurant— sometimes even for a discount! “It’s a double-edged sword: You’ll have friends and free swag everywhere you go, but you can never really travel without thinking of work,” says O’Shaughnessy. Regardless of connections, you’re not traveling for free. With discounts come expectations, aka receiving business from your clients in return. Additionally, you’ll have to front your own travel fees just like everyone else, according to Pindar.

And by the way, holidays kinda suck.

The “365” part of 24/7/365 is not a joke. Holidays are the most stressful time of the year for travel agents, since so many of your clients will be traveling.

Hotel reps will become your best friends.

When you’re working in an agency, hotel reps will come in every single day to give presentations about why you should recommend their hotel to your clients. Once you have a niche, you’ll see the same travel reps at your regular fam trips and you’ll develop a relationship with them from regularly sending them business. “Those relationships are super important,” says O’Shaughnessy, “because when you need to call in a favor, like upgrading someone’s room, you have someone to hook it up.”

Learning to book travel is like learning a new language.

Every travel agency has access to a program called Global Distribution System, which lists options for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and so on. “You’d think it would have a clean interface like Expedia, but no, it’s more like Microsoft circa 1990. You have to know very specific codes to do anything: For example, to look for flight options, you have to type this symbol ‡ called the Cross of Lorraine, followed by your request. It’s almost like learning how to code,” says O’Shaughnessy. So, yeah, it can take a while to get familiar with it.

Your clients will act like you’re their personal butler.

You *will* get the occasional 2 a.m. call from a client in Europe asking for details that you definitely included on their itinerary. “I once had a client call me from a cruise ship—which is really hard to do!—to tell me that she couldn’t get the television to work in her room and could I call someone to fix it?” remembers O’Shaughnessy. It can definitely veer into the realm of ridiculous, but you have to remember that people can get very anxious about travel—your job is to be available and make sure they’re taken care of. That’s part of the added value of booking your trip with a travel agent.

But the thing is…you are responsible for their time.

“If you buy something, you can return it and get your money back,” says Pindar, “but if you go on vacation and spend $30,000 on a weeklong trip and it’s terrible, you will never get that time back.” There’s a lot of pressure involved in making sure clients are having the vacation they envisioned, which means being there for them every step of the way, even if they’re in a different time zone. “You have to act like [your client’s] handler in a way,” says Pindar.

Clients will hire you again and again for your thoughtfulness.

Travel is a very personal thing, and the best travel agents have empathy for what the individual traveler wants to get out of the trip, whether it’s beautiful memories with their family or an adventure or a deeper understanding of the local culture. “Since I worked primarily with honeymoons and weddings, I’d regularly use my hotel connections to make sure my clients had a bottle of wine waiting for them in their room or a couples photo next to the bed,” says O’Shaughnessy. “Those personal touches are the reason people continue to use travel agents rather than booking for themselves online.”

And lastly, travel agents are not a dying breed .

“Every time I tell someone I’m a travel agent, they’re like, ‘Wait, travel agents still exist?’ The answer: Yes, and we still account for one-third of all travel booked in the United States,” insists O’Shaughnessy. It’s still a profitable industry in the United States and there’s no reason to believe the industry is dying off.

Katelyn O’Shaughnessy was a luxury travel agent before founding travel agent platform TripScope and, later, medical tourism company Doctours . Erina Pindar has worked as a travel agent for 13 years, and she’s currently the managing director of SmartFlyer , a travel agency based in the U.S. and Australia.

Headshot of Hannah Malach

Hannah Malach is an assistant producer at Hearst Magazines, where she covers entertainment news, the royals, and more for brands including Cosmopolitan , Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar . She’s previously written for Billboard , WWD , and The Hollywood Reporter . If she’s not catching up on the latest season of RuPaul’s Drag Race , you can probably find her curled up with a good book or exploring one of New York City’s many museums.

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Want to be an instant travel agent? Beware!

"BE A PART OF AMERICA'S FASTEST GROWING INDUSTRY — Earn thousands of dollars a month — from your home — selling travel!!!!"

You can find ads like that everywhere from the telephone pole on your corner to your grocery store bulletin board to your daily newspaper.

While you may find these ads appealing, especially if you can't work outside your home, proceed with caution. Not all work-at-home opportunities deliver on their promises. As a matter of fact, most don't. And that's especially true in travel.

In the past, the "standard" get-rich-quick schemes involved stuffing envelopes, assembling crafts, or medical billing. But today, it seems that travel opportunities are fast climbing to the top of the list.

Three years ago, I wrote a column on travel scams and "Becoming A Travel Agent" was in the top five. Unfortunately, things have not changed.

Each month, I get 10 or 12 emails inviting me to participate in some new travel scheme. Very few, if any, are legitimate. Consumers deceived by these ads have lost thousands of dollars, in addition to their time and energy.

Some are "travel clubs" where you pay a membership fee for "discounted" travel, but I would like to focus on the new scourge of the industry — the "Business Opportunity."

Most of these "opportunities" are nothing more than Multi Level Marketing (MLM) which, as an industry, has very few success stories. They are reminiscent of Pyramid and Ponzi schemes where only the initial investors will make any substantial money. They claim that you can become a "credentialed" travel agent as soon as the check clears the bank. They promise upgrades, discounted air, free travel, and discounted travel for your friends and family. They claim you will be selling travel and earning a slice of the worldwide $525 billion dollar pie. (World Tourism Organization, 2003)

In reality, most times, you are buying a sub-site on a larger Web site and pressured to recruit more travel agents under you. There is very little travel sold by these "instant" agents. When you go to one of these sites like YTB , the focus is on joining the ranks and reaping the benefits. Notice the small link to actually book travel? These travel requests are not handled by the "agent" but by a call center. So, the consumer is once again duped. You think you're working with an agent or someone you know, but in reality it's a minimally-trained, cubicle-dwelling, order taker in a call center.

On several occasions, on a public travel forum , an advocate of the MLM business has argued the validity of his business. To me, all of the points seemed very Jim Jones-esque. When asked about the professionalism of these so-called agents, the reply was, "Who cares if they are "professionals" — people buy donuts from a donut shop."

On the "credentials," the reply was "Once the Affiliate Travel Agent or Platinum Travel Club Member creates the California minimum of $1,500 in travel sales, that person will receive our own official company issued Travel Seller ID Card that they may present to any travel vendor that will accept it." So, the credential is their own — and not that of professional organizations such as IATA , ARC , OSSN , CLIA , ARTA , or any of the other recognized travel industry associations.

When asked about the benefits of being involved with a MLM scheme, the response was very typical of those that are falling hard for the pitch:

"The best of all! Someone can become a Travel Agent instantly for anywhere from $99 a year to thousands of dollars — just depends — but — indeed, they are instantly a travel agent. No tests — no classes — no internships — nothing but paying a fee. Then they just need to get the word out and start booking travel. In the meantime, while waiting for customers to arrive — they can access Fam Trips and show their ID Card to Disney World and get in free. They can get upgrades at 4 and 5 star hotels by showing their ID card. The wonderful world of travel."

Um, Mr. Jones, can I please have another glass of that purple Kool-Aid? As a legitimate travel agent and a consumer, I am not feeling too comfortable with this philosophy. Are you?

Still not convinced? Take a look at this YouTube production from a pair of YTB travel agents. I am not rushing to the post office to mail them a check!

While travel certainly has some perks, most of them are going the way of the dinosaur. I am sure my pharmacist has some perks, but I don't see any "clubs" or "become a pharmacist" ads. Maybe travel is an easy target. Maybe the MLM outfits feel there are more gullible people that have an interest. Most true professionals are in the business for the love of the business. Ask anyone who has been around for more than a few years.

While these schemes pop up all the time and disappear as quickly as they appear, two of the biggest current offenders are YTB (Your Travel Biz) and World Ventures. Apparently, there is another "club" with an "insta-agent" option launching in October called eTrips Network.

All profess to offer wonderful discounts and perks that, in most instances, will never materialize. In addition they claim to provide "identification" cards that will reap steep discounts on personal travel. I have yet to speak with someone that can convincingly verify any of their claims. As my mother has always said, "If it's too good to be true, it probably is." For more enlightenment, visit the Web site scam.com and do a search for "travel opportunities."

That is not to say that one can't earn a living selling travel from home. There are thousands out there that do it every single day. With the growth of online sales and the reduction in brick-and-mortar storefronts, many of these displaced agents have gone home. You can, too.

There are many legitimate "hosts" that will facilitate this and work with you to achieve your goals. They will not fill you with false promises and inflated numbers. They are interested in selling travel. They work with the suppliers to build their collective businesses and relationships. Yes, they take some money from you, but you need to review the programs and decide what is best for you.

Some of the reputable host agencies are America's Vacations Center , Magellan 360 , Cruise Planners , Nexion , GTM Travel Group and Travel Planners International . But realistically, if you want to make any money in any industry, you must be willing to work at it. Period. If you want a good list of reputable companies to begin a career in travel, check out the list maintained by the industry trade publication Travel Trade .

12 Questions to ask before joining up for any travel opportunity:

  • What is the initial fee?
  • What is my bottom-line monthly cost?
  • How often will I be paid?
  • What percentage of my sales do you retain?
  • How long have you been a host agency?
  • Can you give me five members to contact for a reference?
  • What professional affiliations do you hold as a host?
  • What training do you offer? In house? Online? Phone? Mail?
  • How long is the contract?
  • Do I actually sell travel?
  • Do I need my own insurance or am I covered under yours?
  • Will you put these claims in writing?

No. 12 is the most important one.

You also might want to check out the company with your local consumer protection agency, state attorney general and the Better Business Bureau, not only where the company is located, but also where you live. These organizations can tell you whether they have received complaints about the work-at-home program that interests you.

But be wary: the absence of complaints doesn't necessarily mean the company is legitimate. Unscrupulous companies may settle complaints, change their names or move to avoid detection. I know of one company that was a refrigeration company before becoming a travel company.

And to the naysayers out there, I challenge you. If you can prove the claims of the riches promised, I will publicly eat crow in a future column. Just e-mail me some redacted documents — bank statements, monthly commission checks, etc. Go on, I dare you. I double-dog dare you! The ball is in your court.

But until then, my advice to the consumer and someone looking to get into this business can be summed up in one word: BEWARE!

John Frenaye is the president of JVE Group, Inc., a diversified company based in Annapolis, Md. With nearly ten years as a senior executive in the retail travel industry and a background in business management, he writes about the travel industry as an insider with an outsider's perspective. or visit his . Want to sound off about one of his columns? Try visiting

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4 Things to Know When Choosing a Travel Agent

Even the most D.I.Y.-inclined travelers are considering working with a professional adviser these days. Here’s how.

travel agent reddit

By Lauren Sloss

So, you’re thinking about traveling again? You’re not alone. The pandemic may not be over, but the expansion of vaccine eligibility in the United States — hiccups, delays and pauses aside — plus the news that the European Union will be opening up to vaccinated travelers is inspiring many to plan a real-deal summer vacation, or even take the leap on booking bucket-list adventures.

Travel remains far from simple, however. The virus is finding new footholds around the world, leaving an ever-changing set of rules and restrictions in its wake (and all of this is compounded by a run on home rentals , rental cars and more). It’s a reality that’s inspired many D.I.Y.-inclined travelers to consider working with a travel agent , or travel adviser, for the first time, in the hopes of skipping the travel-planning stress and focusing on actually relaxing on vacation instead.

Most travel advisers provide their services free of charge to clients (though some charge a booking fee, which can range from $25 to $100, depending on how complicated a trip you’re after) and instead make their money through commissions from hotels, tour operators, cruise lines, airlines and other travel companies.

Finding the right adviser for you is “like finding a hairdresser,” said Erika Richter, the senior communications director of ASTA , the American Society of Travel Advisors. “You want someone who understands your personal style.”

Ms. Richter, along with Misty Belles, the managing director of global public relations for Virtuoso , an international travel agency network specializing in luxury travel, shared their tips on how you can find an adviser who will understand you and your dream trip.

Begin your search close to home

Start by asking trusted friends and family members for recommendations. “The same holds true for any professional service in your life,” Ms. Belles said. “If you know someone who is working with a travel adviser and was pleased with the experience, that’s a great place to start.”

If that’s a no-go (or if your friends and family, while beloved, don’t have the same travel style as you do), Ms. Richter strongly suggested seeking out local businesses where you live.

“Supporting small businesses in our communities is more important than ever right now,” she said. ASTA has a directory that allows you to search for advisers close to you; a quick Google search will likely do the trick, too, Ms. Richter said.

Think about where you want to go

Another way to find a travel adviser is to seek one out based on a destination, or destinations, that he or she may specialize in. Are you interested in going to a specific Caribbean island nation? You’ll likely want to work with an adviser that has booked a number of trips in that country, and has connections and contacts there. Some advisers specialize in trips to Disney resort properties; others focus on cruises. If you’re interested in planning a trip outside of their purview, advisers can refer you to someone else within their network, or do the heavy-duty research themselves.

“Choosing someone who specializes in a destination is a good first foray into working with a travel adviser,” Ms. Belles said. “But when you work with the same adviser for a while, they become a specialist in you.”

Consider their professional networks

Speaking of what you want, it can be useful to understand the organization, or organizations, an adviser is associated with. Whether they work alone, with one partner in a small shop, or as part of a large agency, they are likely connected to a consortium, or a professional network, like Virtuoso, which is made up of more than 1,000 agencies in 50 countries around the world, or ASTA itself.

“Obviously, I represent ASTA, but I do think it’s important to look at an adviser’s professional affiliations,” Ms. Richter said. Affiliations can serve as a vote of confidence that the adviser has been vetted; it also gives you a chance for recourse should you find yourself unhappy with your relationship (ASTA, for example, can handle consumer complaints and be a part of the resolution process). Some consortiums specialize in a certain type of travel — Virtuoso agencies focus on luxury travel, for example, while others might highlight adventure travel, or family trips and so on.

An adviser’s affiliations also act as a conduit for one of their major selling points: traveler perks.

“Ask them what sorts of benefits they get from their professional networks,” Ms. Richter said. “Upgrades, free breakfasts, late checkouts when available — who doesn’t want some of those freebies?”

Make sure your adviser understands your travel style

Do you like leisurely, slow trips? Packed itineraries filled with sightseeing and attractions? Do you like to travel alone, or are you planning multigenerational trips with children and grandparents? Ensuring that your adviser understands what you want — and maybe even establishing that they have a similar travel style themselves — can greatly help with building rapport (and allow them to plan an even better trip for you).

Some important questions to ask: Do they charge a planning fee? What are some examples of trips that they’ve planned in the past?

“Be really upfront about your budget for a trip, and be sure that that is something they can help you make the most of,” Ms. Richter said.

Ms. Belles suggested asking the adviser how they personally like to travel, and some of their favorite destinations.

“Interview them a little bit! You can see whether there are some similarities there,” she said. But make sure they’re asking you just as many questions.

“If they’re not, that should be a red flag,” said Ms. Belles. “An adviser should be looking to get to the heart of what exactly you want as a traveler.”

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We asked readers to tell us about the spots that have delighted, inspired and comforted them in a dark year. Here, 52 of the more than 2,000 suggestions we received, to remind us that the world still awaits.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places list for 2021 .

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

Fran Golden

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.

travel agent reddit

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.

travel agent reddit

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 .

travel agent reddit

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.

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7 Amazing Benefits of Using A Travel Agent

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

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

What is a Travel Agent?

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

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

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

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

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

Find out exactly why you should use a travel agent to book your upcoming vacation!  The Top 7 Benefits of Using A Travel Agent are listed here for you to discover, no strings attached!  #topreasonstouseatravelagent #reasonstouseatravelagent #travelagentbenefits #benefitstousingatravelagent #travelagent

Benefits of Using A Travel Agent

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

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

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

1. Travel is their expertise. 

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

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

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

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

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

2. Destination knowledge. 

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

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

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

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

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

Top U.S. Family Travel Blog, Travel With A Plan, explains the top benefits of using a travel agent!

3. Convenience.

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

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

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

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

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

travel agent reddit

4. Cost savings.

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

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

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

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

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

Find out exactly why you should use a travel agent to book your upcoming vacation!  The Top 7 Benefits of Using A Travel Agent are listed here for you to discover, no strings attached!  #topreasonstouseatravelagent #reasonstouseatravelagent #travelagentbenefits #benefitstousingatravelagent #travelagent

5. Relationships.

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. Travel assistance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Top U.S. Family Travel Blog, Travel With A Plan, explains the top benefits of using a travel agent!

7. Decreased stress.

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

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

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

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

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

Benefits of Using A Travel Agent – About Our Guest

Benefits of Using A Travel Agent - photo of Sandy Haddick

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

I have been planning travel from a young age. 

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

After that, I was hooked! 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pin it!

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

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

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10 Comments

Great tips to hire a travel agent!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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NBC Chicago

What to do if you test positive? Here are the new CDC COVID guidelines for 2024

The change marks the first time the U.S. agency has loosened its COVID isolation recommendations in three years.

By NBC Chicago Staff and Associated Press • Published March 1, 2024 • Updated on March 1, 2024 at 4:44 pm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its COVID guidelines for 2024, removing the five-day isolation recommendation as the agency said it aims to mirror guidance for other respiratory infections. So what do you need to do if you test positive for COVID?

travel agent reddit

CDC updates Covid isolation guidelines for people who test positive

travel agent reddit

CDC recommends spring COVID-19 boosters for seniors

“Our goal here is to continue to protect those at risk for severe illness while also reassuring folks that these recommendation are simple, clear, easy to understand, and can be followed,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, the CDC’s director.

Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.

Here's a look at what you should know:

What are the new CDC guidelines?

The changes mean people can return to work or regular activities if their symptoms are mild and improving and it's been a day since they've had a fever, but the CDC still recommends those with symptoms stay home.

"The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication," the guidance states.

Once activities are resumed, the CDC still recommends "additional prevention strategies" for an additional five days, including wearing a mask and keeping distance from others.

There is no change to guidelines for nursing homes and health care facilities, however.

The agency is emphasizing that people should still try to prevent infections in the first place, by getting vaccinated, washing their hands, and taking steps to bring in more outdoor fresh air.

As part of the guidance, CDC suggests:

  • Staying up to date with vaccination   to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
  • Practicing good hygiene  by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
  • Taking steps for cleaner air , such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors. 

Why are the guidelines changing?

The change comes at a time when COVID-19 is no longer the public health menace it once was. It dropped from being the nation's third leading cause of death early in the pandemic to 10th last year.

Most people have some degree of immunity to the coronavirus from past vaccinations or from infections. And many people are not following the five-day isolation guidance anyway, some experts say.

"While it remains a threat, today it is far less likely to cause severe illness because of widespread immunity and improved tools to prevent and treat the disease," the CDC stated. "Importantly, states and countries that have already adjusted recommended isolation times have not seen increased hospitalizations or deaths related to COVID-19."

COVID-19 is not causing as many hospitalizations and deaths as it did in the first years of the pandemic. The change is an effort to streamline recommendations so they are similar to longstanding recommendations for flu and other respiratory viruses. Many people with a runny nose, cough or other symptoms aren't testing to distinguish whether it's COVID-19, flu, or something else, officials say.

This may not be as stringent, but also emphasizes that all people with respiratory symptoms should stay home while they are sick, said Dr. David Margolius, the head of Cleveland's health department.

There's been no recent change in the science of how long people with COVID-19 are likely contagious, said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University’s School of Public Health.

“What has changed is how much COVID is harming us as a population,” Nuzzo said.

However, some experts worry that the change may increase the risk of infection for those people who are more vulnerable to developing severe illness.

What does this mean for Illinois?

Illinois' health department has not yet released a statement on the new guidelines, but when reports surfaced last month of potential changes in store, the department said it was still evaluating its guidelines.

State health officials said they were "aware of the CDC’s consideration of new COVID-19 guidelines and are continuing to evaluate our own statewide guidelines."

"As we work with our federal partners to provide the most appropriate recommendations to our residents moving forward, IDPH continues to emphasize the importance of using all preventative tools to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19," the Illinois Department of Public Health said at the time. "Especially for those with certain underlying conditions, COVID-19 even today poses a more serious risk of severe health outcomes than RSV or flu. The lessons we learned during the pandemic continue to remain valuable for COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.  This means washing your hands frequently if you have a cough/cold/respiratory symptoms and even considering wearing a mask to prevent the transmission of those germs to others. You should also get tested if you are experiencing symptoms, as it can help you access time sensitive treatments for Flu and Covid-19.  And, let’s not forget vaccinations. Vaccinations continues to remain the most effective tool to protect you from serious illness from these respiratory infections."

What do experts say?

Some experts said the move isn't unexpected, but even some who understand the rationale for the change have concerns.

“My biggest worry in all of this is that employers will take this change in guidance to require employees to come back to work ... before they are ready to, before they feel well enough, and before they are not likely to pose harm to their co-workers,” Nuzzo said.

Others, however, said the guidelines are more "reasonable" for those who do contract a more mild illness.

"I think this is expected because they're trying to give guidelines that are going to be reasonable that people will follow," Dr. Jonathan Pinsky, the director of infection control at Edward Hospital, told NBC Chicago last month. "We already have guidelines for other viruses like influenza about how long people need to stay at home, so they wanted to kind of get in line with those guidelines and give people a reasonable instructions about how to behave."

"My reaction was, 'It's about time,' you know? We're going to have some changes in terms of these quarantines as we get year to year to year into our COVID pandemic because it is becoming, for many people, a more mild illness and it's time we sort of treat it and approach it like other respiratory viruses that we commonly see in the fall- influenza RSV - more typical durations of contagiousness and durations of isolation," said Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease chair at Duly Health & Care.

Taormina even added that it could make things safer in some cases.

"I'd rather have folks staying home for a day or two, going back to work or to their usual activities on day three or four if they're feeling better, as opposed to not testing at all because they don't want to be hung up on this mandatory five days away from work away from their activities," she said.

But many still stress that staying home if you're ill and masking will be more important than before.

"It's important to know that once you have COVID or another virus, you can still spread it especially in those first few days. And so it'll still be important to wear a mask to protect other people," Pinsky said. "If you're going leaving your home, especially if it's only after a day or two of infection, you're still going to be infectious. So it's important to wear the mask to protect other people for full 10 days."

"We're not saying that this is any less contagious, that we can go out and about - it's just for people that are having improvement in their symptoms. otherwise healthy hosts, they are less likely to be meaningfully contagious once those fevers are gone and their symptoms are getting better," Taormina said. "So with some mask wearing and picking and choosing your activities, we should be in a better place ... the messaging stays the same. If you're not feeling, well stay home."

What were the previous COVID protocols?

Here are the protocols previously listed by the agency:

Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19, the CDC reports.

You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have  test  results. If your results are negative, you can end that isolation.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you should stay home for at least five days and isolate from others in your home. The CDC notes that people are "likely most infectious during these first five days."

When you have COVID-19, isolation is counted in days, as follows:

If you had no symptoms:

  • Day 0 is the day you were tested (not the day you received your positive test result)
  • Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested
  • If you develop  symptoms  within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset

If you had symptoms:

  • Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive
  • Day 1 is the first full day after the day your  symptoms  started

Other guidance for those who test positive:

  • Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.
  • Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask.
  • Stay home and separate from others as much as possible.
  • Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
  • Monitor your  symptoms . If you have an  emergency warning sign  (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.

If you had no symptoms, you can end your isolation after day five, but for those who experience symptoms, that line might be different, the CDC notes.

Those who have mild symptoms can end isolation after day five if they are fever-free for 24 hours, without using fever-reducing medication, but those with more moderate or severe illnesses will need to wait until day 10.

Those who have mild symptoms that are not improving should also wait until those symptoms are improving and they are fever-free for 24 hours.

Those with more severe illness may also want to consult with their doctor before ending isolation and could need a viral test to end their isolation period.

Despite ending isolation, those who test positive should continue to avoid people and mask through at least day 11, according to the CDC guidelines.

This article tagged under:

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COMMENTS

  1. Travel Agents

    Speak to your travel elders. They will tell you that history has proven that the more they throw at us, the more we thrive. Someday soon, you will be sharing that truth with your own ICs. r/travelagents: A place for travel agents (only) to discuss the travel industry. Please read the FAQ before posting.

  2. Are travel agencies worth it? : r/travel

    You can occasionally snag deals through a travel agent. Good agencies build up relationships with airlines and spend time finding deals directly from the airlines. All those giant online booking sites (kayak, orbitz, travelocity, etc) do the same thing but may or may not change the pricing. So it never hurts to talk to a travel agent.

  3. Is paying a travel agent ever worth it? : r/TravelHacks

    There are travel agents that specialize in cruises or a region like the Caribbean. You can look into some tours as well. It's "worth it" if you don't want to do it and don't mind paying someone to do it for you. Reply reply. maps2spam. •. You don't pay travel agents. They are paid by big companies. They earn commissions.

  4. Is being a travel agent on the side worth it? : r/awardtravel

    One of my good friends has been on a number of the travel agent booked vacations done by one of his family's friends. I saw the full invoice from the agent for their 2019 vacation to Brazil and it was $240k for 10 people / 10 days and the agent took $10k. But for that $10k and whatever additional commission they got the entire thing was ...

  5. I'm interested in trying to become a travel agent any advice ...

    I'm an editor for Host Agency Reviews (HAR), a free and independent resource for those interested in becoming a travel agent.. I'd recommend starting with our 7 Day Setup: A Travel Agency Challenge.It include daily emails for a week on the steps you need to take to start selling travel. It walks you through picking a name, registering a business, setting up financials and more!

  6. Should I be a travel agent? : r/travelagents

    Should I be a travel agent? Beginner. I have a career, decent income, but travel has always been my biggest passion (30 countries, many returning trips, several cruises out of USA and Europe). All my friends come to me for a travel advice (where, when, how much, etc). I'd love to try to be a travel agent aside from my main Mon-Fri job.

  7. What's the point of using a travel agent? : r/NoStupidQuestions

    So, a lot of touristy places have these types of brick-and-mortar travel agencies that serve a niche purpose. Travel agents do the work for you. You don't, or at least shouldn't, pay them anything. They get paid a commission for booking with them, and can help you find deals and get a good experience with travel.

  8. Your Travel agent : r/Cruise

    I am an independent travel agent specializing in cruises of all company's but can also book hotels, flights as well! Message me for all your Cruising needs and tell your friends and family! I look forward to researching and booking everyone's dream vacation with all your wants and needs! 😊🛳️

  9. Is a Travel Agent Still Worth It? The Pros & Cons

    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 ...

  10. 12 Common travel questions answered by a professional

    The best way to assess that is to be upfront with your budget with the agent and give them a general idea of what you are looking for. The agent will then tell you if it would be worth their time ...

  11. My trip to Moscow, Russia Dec. 2021

    Moscow, Yaroslavl, Uglich, Kirrilov, Kizhi Is., Mandrogi, St. Petersburg, Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo). And then on to Helsinki and Talinn. I came of age in the 50's-60's -- the Cold War -- and when I stood in the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square I remarked that I had never believed I would find myself there.

  12. How to Become a Travel Agent

    Find a program. Becoming a travel agent isn't as simple as declaring yourself one. Typically, the first step is to sign up for a program that'll teach you the basics of running your own travel ...

  13. 15 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became a Travel Agent

    The pay isn't necessarily exorbitant—the median income is $38,700 a year, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, but according to Pindar, it can actually be much higher ...

  14. r/travel on Reddit: I'm going to Moscow in Russia the next week, any

    Memorial Museum of Astronautics - Daily - 10:00 to 18:00, except Mondays and the last Friday of each month. 111, Prospekt Mira, Moscow, 129515, Russia. Garden of Fallen Monuments - Where many infamous statues in Moscow were placed after the Soviet collapse. See Dzherzinsky, Stalin, Brezhnev, and others.

  15. Want to be an instant travel agent? Beware!

    Finally, an opportunity to earn thousands of dollars a month selling travel — with little to no effort. The fact that there are free trips, discounted airfares and upgrades to hotel suites is ...

  16. This Company Doesn't Hire Anyone With Industry Experience

    He refuses to hire anyone with previous experience in a travel agency. As a stand-alone agent, Eisen earned $255,221 in 2021 and more than $1 million in 2022. In the first months of 2023, Eisen ...

  17. Picking a Travel Agent? 4 Things to Know

    Begin your search close to home. Start by asking trusted friends and family members for recommendations. "The same holds true for any professional service in your life," Ms. Belles said. "If ...

  18. Scenarios when you should use a travel agent

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

  19. 9 Pros And Cons Of Using A Travel Agent

    Easy. 2. Price. This one can go either way. Some travel agents can snag you great bundled deals on your travel. Other times, the cost of using a travel agent means you won't actually save any ...

  20. Moving to Moscow in a few weeks... : r/Moscow

    Yep. Russians are always dumbfounded when they learned an American has voluntarily moved to Russia. It didn't take me long to have stock answers at hand. Edit: So, I just flew from Moscow to the US today. The customs agents on both sides were baffled as to why I would want to be in Russia voluntarily.

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

    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.

  22. Travel Agent's Reddit AMA Breaks the Internet

    The Travel Corporation Blog. The Many Benefits of Off-Season Travel

  23. 7 Amazing Benefits of Using A Travel Agent

    Sandy. 3. Convenience. Travel agents offer the convenience of having every aspect of your vacation or trip pulled together in one comprehensive plan. This includes researching and suggesting destinations, as well as arranging for flights, accommodations, airport transportation, and excursions.

  24. How safe is it to travel to Moscow right now ? Is it worth it ...

    Moscow is safe or safer than most of the western capitals , you don't have to mind. 29. From experience east Europe and the Balkans are so much safer then west Europe. The propaganda is actually insane. jh67zz. Moscow is summer always a good idea. Because it's beautifully and plenty of things to do.

  25. CDC releases new COVID guidelines for 2024: What to know

    The change marks the first time the U.S. agency has loosened its COVID isolation recommendations in three years. COVID-19 Mar 1 CDC updates Covid isolation guidelines for people who test positive