Why Using a Travel Agent Could Save You Time and Money on Your Next Adventure

“Culture, history, spaghetti … these are the things of a boot country called Italia,” Adam Sandler as Joe Romano of Romano Tours says with a straight face in a Saturday Night Live skit, touting his “high-quality tours for people from all over the world, but mostly Long Island and Jersey.” His tours mean you’ll see “Venice, the city of Wetness” and point and laugh at the Tower of Pisa.

This type of tourism is often what comes to mind when I think about using a travel agent. Group tours with busloads of people acting like, well, tourists. And while there’s nothing wrong with heading to Italy to eat spaghetti, as a self-proclaimed travel expert (and a third-generation Italian American), I’ve often thought that I could plan a trip just as well as any travel agent, at least to fairly mainstream destinations, such as Italy.

But that may not be the case. The world of travel agents, travel advisors, and travel planners is wide and varied, and the more I researched, the more I realized that perhaps I could benefit from the help of a travel agent, at least when planning certain types of trips. I’m not alone, either, as 47% of Americans are using either online or in-person travel agents to help book their vacations, according to a 2023 study by IBS Software, a company that creates software for the travel industry. Of those, 38% are millennials or Gen Z, which alludes to the fact that travel advisors are having a resurgence.

This article will examine the characteristics of a modern-day travel agent, their pros and cons, and the final verdict on whether or not it’s worth using one.

Wait, Travel Agents Still Exist?

It’s true that what you might imagine as a traditional travel agent isn’t quite as relevant in today’s society. Brick-and-mortar travel agencies, filled with agents wearing headsets and clicking away on large computers, may come to mind, but many of these businesses went under in the 2009 recession or even before. CNN reported that in 2013, there were 13,000 travel agency retail locations, a massive drop from 34,000 in the 1990s.

However, people found a lot of value in travel agents after the COVID-19 pandemic, when agents were able to assist travelers with complicated travel situations, cancellations, and rebooking. Today’s travel agents are different, working mainly online and focusing on niche categories and luxury experiences (which we’ll dig into more below). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agent employment opportunities are predicted to grow by 3% by 2033.

What Is a Travel Agent?

As Merriam-Webster defines it, a travel agent is “a person engaged in selling and arranging transportation, accommodations, tours, or trips for travelers.” This is a fairly basic description, and it seems rather dated. This definition doesn’t include some of the most important characteristics of many travel agents and the entire point of their existence, which is to get travelers something they might not be able to get on their own.

What Travel Agents Offer

I spoke to Caroline Fridley, luxury travel designer and founder of Five Star Nomad Travel, to understand more about what a modern-day travel agent can offer travelers. From our conversation, I garnered that travel advisors are really the jacks of all trades, helping travelers organize their dream trips or even just a quick weekend jaunt.

“I plan custom-tailored luxury trips worldwide (everything from a short but fabulous hotel stay to a yearlong round-the-world adventure), with a special focus on experiential travel, African safaris, Southeast Asia, European travel, and exotic getaways such as French Polynesia and the Maldives,” she told Upgraded Points.

Many travel agencies boast similar missions. For example, Fora Travel offers “VIP recommendations and perks, a seamless booking experience — and maybe a cool new friend along the way.”

Some travel agencies claim to handle the nitty-gritty that comes with booking and travel planning so that you can go on leading your busy, fabulous life. For example, Savanti Travel is a full-service travel advisor that handles travel for busy executives who travel often but may not have time to book frequent trips on a retainer. These clients keep Savanti Travel on retainer, and this type of exclusivity is important. According to Leigh Rowan, founder of Savanti Travel, the level of access, knowledge, and resources travel agents have can really one-up your travel,” taking it to the next level, as they “know the right people in the right markets.“

Meanwhile, Contiki states that it organizes “Incredible trips. In incredible places. With incredible people. All taken care of for you by travel experts so you just need to show up (and have fun!),” alluding to the fact that you won’t have to worry about a thing.

Even online travel agencies (OTAs) also claim to have a client-forward mission. For example, Expedia claims to “power global travel for everyone, everywhere.”

Types of Travel Agents

Clearly, there isn’t just one straightforward definition of a travel agent. Because this concept can mean so many different things, it’s worth learning more about travel agents, planners, advisors, concierges, and more, to see if or how this service could be worth it for you. But does the vocabulary matter? Is there a difference between a travel agent, travel planner, travel advisor, and the rest? Maybe, but maybe not.

Travel Agents, Travel Advisors, Travel Specialists, and Travel Planners

In most cases, the terms travel agent, travel advisor, and travel specialist can be used interchangeably. These are people who can help you plan your trip and often work with an agency. “Travel advisor” and “travel specialist” are newer terms that describe these types of travel professionals and may indicate a more contemporary or sophisticated view of modern-day travel (but not necessarily). You may also hear the term “travel consultant” or “travel planner.”

Sometimes, a travel planner can refer to someone handling more of the logistics, or perhaps someone who plans travel in one specific place or for one specific type of trip, like an Italy travel expert, someone who organizes African safaris, or one who plans honeymoons.

Boutique, Luxury, Concierge, or Consultant

Adding words like “boutique” or “luxury” in front of these terms can also offer a more all-encompassing experience, where you’re the focus or your trip is carefully curated from start to finish, with no detail left undone. “Travel consultant” and “travel concierge” are also terms you might hear and can be used interchangeably with the other vocabulary mentioned above.

Ignore the Vocab and Pick Based on Merit

After researching this topic, I still didn’t have absolute clarity, and it seems I might never get it. Fridley confirmed this, explaining that it’s even a topic that’s under much debate within the industry itself. 

“I tend to lean more toward ‘advisor,’ as I work to build deeper relationships with our clients and provide a much more comprehensive level of service than some may think of if they think of the ‘old-fashioned’ travel agent,” Fridley said. “Having said that, it’s really often a matter of semantics and personal preference of the individual agent/advisor, so the exact title is not necessarily a defining factor of the level of service or experience they provide.“

Bottom Line:

Don’t get too hung up on the vocabulary. Instead, work with a travel agent, advisor, consultant, or whomever you feel can help you make the most of your trip.

Online Travel Agencies

General online travel agencies, such as Hopper, Expedia, Priceline, Hotels.com, and others, are wildly different than traditional travel agents or specialized travel planners. These are simply websites where you, yourself, can book flights, car rentals, or hotels.

While some of these do have their own loyalty programs or status levels, I always recommend booking directly with airlines and hotels or using a (human) travel agent. While saving $40 on a plane ticket on an OTA might be tempting, lack of accessible customer service and having to go through a middleman (the OTA) can be stressful, time-consuming, or chaotic when you need help. In contrast, a regular travel agent can fight for refunds or flight changes if things go awry.

Hot Tip:

If you don’t need a full-service travel agent, many premium credit cards have access to a concierge service. Cardholders of The Platinum Card^® from American Express can use the Platinum Card Concierge for help with general travel inquiries or dining reservations. Assistance with dinner reservations when traveling abroad can be especially helpful if you don´t speak the local language.

Pros of Using Travel Agents (When Using a Travel Agent Is Worth It)

There are many pros to using a travel agent, some of which are more obvious than others. Here are some reasons why you might want to use a travel advisor for your next trip.

Time Savings and Ease

Whether you have the know-how to plan your trip or not, using a travel planner can make organizing a trip significantly easier. In a world where we almost have easy access to too many resources (think blogs, social media, and more via the internet), it’s often difficult to find out the real deal on a destination, hotel, tour, or experience.

“You don’t have to waste time wading through resources on the internet or resort to ChatGPT, ” Rowan said about using a travel agent.

For example, photos in a magazine or popular blog may make a hotel, destination, or property seem luxurious and spacious when, in fact, it’s crowded and dirty. An influencer may tout a place or experience because they got a free or hosted stay. Sifting through Tripadvisor or Google reviews to evaluate them takes time, energy, and a discerning eye.

Fridley explained that travel agents can save clients valuable time: “Rather than spending hours online sifting through endless online reviews, outdated information, and conflicting advice, we provide expert recommendations that are relevant, up-to-date, and tailored specifically to the traveler. The sheer volume of travel information can be overwhelming, and without industry insight, it’s easy to overlook hidden gems or make choices that don’t align with their needs. Advisors cut through the noise, ensuring every decision is well-informed and effortless.”

Perks, Benefits, Expert Knowledge, and VIP Experiences

Travel agents work with many partners and can offer you access to experiences, as well as perks and benefits you might have when booking travel on your own. They can offer amenities like free breakfast, dining or spa credits, and room upgrades at hotels, VIP, one-of-a-kind experiences, hard-to-get restaurant reservations, and even “seamless transfers, sourcing the finest private guides, and access to special experiences (what we refer to as the ‘un-Googleable’),” said Fridley.

Money Savings

Many perks and benefits can even lead to a more affordable trip. Even if you consider yourself a travel expert, travel agents might be able to unlock additional savings. For example, things like free breakfast at a hotel can save you huge amounts of money on a long trip in a pricey destination.

Juan Ruiz, senior editor and content contributor, explained to me how a cruise credit of up to $200 changed his mind about using a travel agent:

“As an adamant travel planner and someone who enjoys the process of curating all the logistics of a trip myself, I never use a travel agent when booking my travels. The exception to this is when booking a Disney cruise. If you go through an authorized Disney travel agent to book a Disney cruise, they may share their commission, which can be $50 to $200 of onboard credit, depending on the type of cruise you book. If I book on my own through Disney, I don’t get any type of credit. On the other hand, it costs me nothing to go through my Disney travel agent, Renee, at Small World Vacations. I’ll usually provide her with a few sailings and ask her to price out 1 room vs. 2 rooms (you’d be surprised that sometimes 2 rooms for a family of 5 sometimes comes out cheaper) for me. She prices them out, I make a decision, and she books the cruise for me, tacking on the onboard credit just for going through her at no additional cost to me.”

Juan Ruiz, senior editor and content contributor

Earn Your Points and Miles

Quite possibly, the most important advantage of using a travel agent is that you can rest easy knowing that most travel advisors will ensure you earn points and miles on flights and at hotels whenever you travel.

Certain agencies, such as Savanti Travel, take things a step further. They work with you to book you on specific airlines or at hotels you’re trying to earn elite status with to offer the best experience and the most points-earning potential. Rowan stressed that “travelers will always earn points and miles when booked through Savanti Travel. We do book hotels and airfare at a special rate, but you’ll still always earn them.”

Fridley recommends letting your travel advisor know upfront if earning points or miles is important to you. In some cases, contracted rates that are a better value (whether lower in price or inclusive of additional amenities) than those available to the public may not be eligible for points or miles. If we know that this is a deal-breaker for you, we can be sure to only offer rates that will earn points,” she said.

However, beware of OTAs. Booking hotels via online travel agencies typically does not earn you hotel points or elite nights.

Personal Attention

Rowan compares travel advisors to concierge doctors, lawyers, or accountants. Beyond just transactional bookings, they’re looking out for your best interests. “They’re there to understand the mechanics of why you’re traveling and help you travel the best way possible,” he explained.

Fora Travel goes even further, stating that travel advisors are your personal advocates. In fact, this particular travel agency even offers special advisors for accessible travel, ensuring that travel is inclusive to all.

Fridley stresses the importance of finding a travel advisor or agent who understands you and is in sync with your wants, needs, and goals. “The more that relationship builds, the more we can understand and anticipate which destinations, hotels, experiences, etc., will be the best fits for your travel style and ensure each trip you take is even more fantastic than the last,” she said.

Assistance When Things Go Wrong

Inevitably, things go wrong during travel. Having someone to fight for you can make all the difference. In fact, that’s the difference between booking via an online travel agency and a travel agent. An OTA is just another middleman to argue with, but a travel agent will do the arguing for you and fix whatever issue you’re having, from flight cancellations to hotel overbooking to, well, anything.

Fixing issues before they occur is a feat most travelers aren’t necessarily equipped to handle, but travel agents can actually stop problems before they occur with expert planning. According to Fridley, “Travel agents navigate and keep you up to date on the complexities of visas, entry requirements, and ever-changing regulations, ensuring a seamless experience from booking to return. Whether it’s securing necessary travel documents, advising on insurance, or handling unexpected changes, our expertise and advocacy also provide peace of mind (and an actual human to speak to in the case of an unexpected hiccup).”

Ability To Handle Complex, Specialized, or Group Trips

While hiring a travel agent to handle your trip to Ohio to see grandma may seem a bit extra, where travel advisors really shine is when you have an important trip (think honeymoon or 50th wedding anniversary), a specialized trip to an obscure destination (trekking with gorillas in Rwanda, an African safari, or biking through Mongolia), or a group trip (a destination wedding or family reunion). Travel agents can better navigate these complexities and ensure you have it all: perks, benefits, troubleshooting, and more. Advisors can also provide benefits and perks to those visiting Disney that you might not be able to get on your own.

For example, Joseph Cheung, a travel advisor who focuses mainly on Disney but also on Universal Studios and cruise lines, explains that it’s worth getting some extra help to plan a Disney trip, as it can be a complicated vacation to organize. “Even the biggest Disney fans typically only visit Walt Disney World once or twice a year. I tend to visit 4 to 6 times per year to keep up with the latest trends and changes because Disney is changing all the time. Talking to a travel advisor can really help with advice that may save you money and time.”

Cheung can help with certain things that ease stress when planning a Disney trip. For example, at Walt Disney World, dining reservations are made at 7 a.m. Eastern time 2 months in advance of your trip. “My team will handle that for you if you don’t want to wake up early or need to wrangle the kids in the morning — at no extra charge,” he said.

Cons of Using Travel Agents (When To Skip Using a Travel Agent)

Sometimes, using a travel agent does come with downsides. Weigh the pros and the cons to see if it’s right for you.

Expensive

Wondering how much a travel agent costs? There’s a myth that travel agents are expensive, and yes, this can sometimes ring true, but not always. There are instances when travel agents actually aren’t expensive, like if they don’t charge a fee at all. Sometimes, you may pay a fee, but since you end up with perks like free breakfast at a hotel or a free airport transfer, the benefits outweigh the cost.

Travel Agents May Charge Fees (or Not!)

Fridley explained to me that while her agency (and others) charge fees for custom-designed trips, and travelers may pay slightly more than if they booked on their own, the benefits may make the cost worthwhile.

In contrast, Cheung explains that with Disney, using a travel advisor isn’t actually expensive at all (like Ruiz’s aforementioned Disney cruise experience, where he was able to get onboard credits and save time by using a complimentary Disney cruise travel advisor) — and you can support a small business at the same time. “Travel agent commissions are already baked into the price of the trip (like credit card fees), so either the vendor pockets that or you can support a small business,” Cheung said. “For the same price, you get a travel agent’s advice, expertise, and assistance to help make your trip a little bit easier.”

Meanwhile, Savanti Travel designs custom trips but also works with clients on a monthly retainer. Rowan explained that perks often outweigh the fees. “We have all the tools to get the right perks for that client and make sure that their stay is going to be incredible,” he said.

Hot Tip:

Many travel agencies won’t charge for hotel bookings, as they often get commission from the hotels. Fridley of Five Star Nomad Travel generally waives the fee for hotel-only bookings where clients already know which hotel they want but also want to ensure they receive the added perks and VIP treatment only available through a travel advisor. Rowan of Savanti Travel said they’ll always help any UP reader with a VIP hotel booking for free! Reach out to him with your desired hotel, dates of stay, and any other details you want to share.

Restrictions and Lack of Flexibility

Sometimes the idea of having a trip entirely planned out for you feels like a relief, but also like added pressure. When you have excursions booked and set dates for trains, ferries, and more, you’re stuck to a plan, which might feel like too much for spontaneous travelers. Likewise, if you’re someone like myself, who enjoys the planning part almost as much as the trip itself, it can rob you of that additional joy and feeling of accomplishment when you personally organize the perfect trip.

Not as Helpful for Basic, Straightforward, or Points-and-Miles Trips

If you’re simply flying to another U.S. state to stay with a friend, talking to a travel agent may not be worth your time, money, or energy, especially if you’re used to quickly booking a flight online. Most travel agents probably won’t be able to help if you want to use your points and miles to fly. Using a travel agent is most worthwhile when you have a more complicated, far-flung, or specialized trip you’re paying cash for.

If you do want to use points, miles, or credit card points to fly and aren’t sure how to do it, use a service like Point.me or Seats.aero, which can help you find award availability or book your trip using your points and miles. It may be more beneficial than using a traditional travel agent.

Final Thoughts: Is a Travel Agent Worth It?

There isn’t a cut-and-dry answer to whether or not a travel agent is worth it. It depends on a variety of factors, like your own time, travel knowledge, and willingness, the style of trip you’re planning, the fees associated with using a travel advisor, and the perks and benefits you get from the experience. For example, a travel planner who saves your vacation by troubleshooting when a missed flight connection almost causes you to miss your destination wedding can be more valuable than any fee. But if you’re planning to book an award flight, they might not be able to help you in the ways that you need.

Above all, it’s about finding the right travel planner. As Rowan told Upgraded Points, “Find someone who fits within your budget and your needs, who can help you manage the aspects of travel that you need help with, whether it be for one trip or all-encompassing.”