Is it more expensive to book a vacation through a travel agent?

Seaton says booking through a travel agent typically won’t cost you more. She says while some agents will charge you a nominal planning fee, many agencies like hers do not charge anything extra for their services. She did say they sometimes charge a fee if it’s for a major complex trip with extensive planning.

How much more does it cost to use a travel agent?

Many agents also charge clients a fee that’s separate from trip expenses, and that may range from $100 to $500 and up. That fee can be charged up front as a security deposit and can either be returned to you at the end of the planning process or, more commonly, applied to the cost of the trip itself.

Is it better to use a travel agent or book yourself?

Travel Agents Can Save You Time A travel agent will take much less time to help you find what you’re looking for, Harris said. Letting someone else book your trip for you frees you up to focus on packing and imagining the great time you’ll have.

What is the benefit of booking with a travel agent?

A travel agent can tell you everything you need to know before you go and give you good advice so that you have a great time. Plus most travel agents love travel and are off somewhere new all the time so they can tell you about places they think you would enjoy if you need inspiration.

Is it better to book online or book through travel agent?

Why use a travel agent instead of booking online? Simply put, you’ll have a better trip, without the stress of planning your trip alone. A travel agent can accommodate your interests, budget and time frame with their wealth of knowledge and expertise to make sure that you get the most out of your trip.

How does a travel agent get paid?

Travel agents get paid on commission by hotels, airlines and resorts, but many more are charging fees on top of that because of their time. “You’ll see more agencies charging, say, $150 to $300 to put a trip together but then you get that back when you actually book with them.”

Do travel agents get big discounts?

In addition to earning a living and helping their clients arrange trips and vacations, travel agents can earn travel discounts for hotel stays, car rentals, cruises and tours.

Do travel agents cost extra to use?

They don’t usually cost extra. It’s a myth that working with a travel agent will automatically cost you more; most get paid via commissions from the hotel or outfitter. Sure, some travel agents do charge a fee for putting together an itinerary, but most will credit you that fee if you end up booking the trip through them.

Why hire a travel agent when planning a vacation?

Rather than researching on your own, a reputable agent can anticipate expenses and amenities to “help you avoid surprises,” she explains, pointing to meal costs, resort fees and tourism fees as added costs that can drain your budget.

What makes a travel agent different from a booking site?

“They work in large networks and have relationships with suppliers that you don’t have. Think, direct access. Speed dial access,” she says. “Some travel agents can enhance trips with perks and surprises,” she adds, highlighting that top agents have relationships with award-winning chefs, hotel managers and tour operators that booking sites do not.

How much does it cost to hire an agent?

The average cost for a Travel Agent is $100. To hire a Travel Agent to plan your trip, you are likely to spend between $75 and $150 total.