what do travel agents charge

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Breaking Down the Pros and Cons of Using a Travel Agent

You're convinced that having a travel expert by your side will be useful. But how do you go about knowing when and how to book with them?

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Confession: I’m a big fan of travel agents (whoops, sorry, travel advisers ), even though I could technically book all my trips through websites and apps. And despite the fact that many of us might consider this industry old-fashioned and out-of-date, research shows that travelers, and millennials in particular, are once again turning to these specialists to help plow through TripAdvisor detritus. If you’re wondering: how much does a travel agent cost, and why would I book with one anyway? Read on.

How to Know If You Need a Travel Agent

Once you’ve come around to the idea of hiring a travel agent, ask these three questions before booking:

• Is this a domestic trip or one that involves traveling to a part of the world you’ve never been? If it’s the former you don’t need a travel agent.
• Can I get a better deal by using a travel agent? (This question requires you pricing out your trip with and without one.)
• Is this a big-budget, special-event kind of trip? If the answer is yes, go with a travel agent.

The Pros of Using a Travel Agent

They can find crazy deals..

This is literally their job. If they have been in the travel business for many years, they likely have supplier relationships in place that can help leverage better deals for you. Many travel agents specialize in locations (i.e., cruise vacations in Europe). Some travel agents offer package deals, with more savings passed on to you then booking the trip on your own—that is good news to your wallet.

They will be your advocate.

One of the best ways to utilize a travel agent is as an advocate should something derail on your trip. They can help you with lost luggage, in the case of natural disasters, if you get stuck in a location before your trip, etc. They are there to help you get your trip back on track.

They’ll take care of the little things.

I love my travel agent, and I love all the extras she provides when we use her services for a trip. For instance, when we traveled to the Bahamas, she made sure there was a nice bottle of champagne and strawberries in our room on our arrival, and she also upgraded our room free of charge. While this certainly is not a guarantee when you use a travel agent, there are a lot of added-value extras you can expect when you use a travel agent. Why? Because travel agents know you don’t have to use them to book your trip, and they want to say thank you.

They’re true experts.

Most travel agents have been working in the industry for years now, and it’s their job to stay on top of travel trends and upcoming hot destinations. When I spoke with my travel agent about a trip to Europe recently, she offered a few alternate destinations. I was not thinking about the destinations she suggested, but the alternatives offered great activities, culture, food, interesting boutique hotels, and more options for less money than my original destination.

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. Make sure you know all the potential fees before you use a travel agent, and do not hesitate to negotiate away.

The Cons of Using a Travel Agent

They’re not going to help with cheaper airfare..

Back in the day, you would use a travel agent to book every aspect of your trip. However, with so many options to find low-cost airfare, like Google Flights , Scott’s Cheap Flights , and  Skyscanner , booking your own flights is easy and cost-effective. Most travel agents cannot score discounted flights, and many travel agents will not even bother. Follow these tips on how to find the cheapest flights possible , instead.

They’re not you.

This may seem obvious, although it’s still important to consider. A travel agent not only finds you the best deals, but they also offer suggestions for activities, restaurants, and more. This is great if you’re someone who doesn’t like to research these things, but you run the risk of working with someone who doesn’t get your personal preferences (maybe they lean toward road tours rather than technical singletrack). Do your own research first, and come up with a list of activities that you want to do. Once you have that list, pass it along to your travel agent to see if they can rustle up any deals as they book.

How to Find a Great One

One of the best ways to find a reputable travel agent is to get referrals from your friends and family. Anyone that has used that travel agent for a previous trip and enjoyed their service is someone worth checking out. As with anything, I always suggest talking to at least two different travel agents to see who you feel most comfortable with. Remember, they are there to work for you.

Know your travel budget before you reach out to a travel agent. Likely, this will be the first question they ask you and will help steer them toward the best destinations for that budget. If you are traveling somewhere that’s specialized, like going on that once-in-a-lifetime African safari , find a specialist that knows that region inside and out. They will usually have the best deals and relationships with hotels and activity companies in that area.

How Much Does a Travel Agent Cost?

Usually, the cost of hiring a travel agent to organize a trip for you is fairly minimal. Many agencies charge a flat fee of around $100, and others may charge a certain small percentage of your trip. Most of their take-home profits come from the hotels, wholesalers, resorts, and businesses they work with, but be sure to as your travel agent about fees upfront and before you start working with them to plan your next dream vacation. (No one likes hidden fees and surprises.)

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Taking the Plunge: A Travel Agent’s Guide to Charging Fees

Charging travel agent fees can be a hot-button topic among the travel industry. So why charge them? The (very) short answer is that hosted advisors who charged fees earned a 42% higher income average than peers who opted not to charge a fee in 2023.

No wonder charging fees is becoming the norm. Nearly half of hosted travel advisors charge fees 1 . In 2023 travel advisors trade representative, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), released a credo further normalizing and encouraging professional fees.

hosted advisors who charged fees earned a 42% higher income average than peers who opted not to charge a fee in 2023.

As travel has become more complex, your job as a travel advisor has become more complicated. If you're fee-curious, or on the fence, consider these three reasons to consider charging fees:

• It's stabilizes your income volume and flow: Commissions may not land in your bank account until final payment or even after travel. That could be months. Fees offer more a more immediate and steadier income stream to help stabilize your bottom line.
• It's helps attract clients you want. Charging fees (even a plan-to-go fee, which may be applied in full or in part to a booked trip) can help weed out tire kicked, and magnetize the type of travelers who are going to value your work and expertise. It may seem daunting when you're starting out, but future you will thank right-now you for it.

Those are the crib notes. See below's article highlights to get a taste of our full deep dive!

⭐️ HAR Article Highlights: ⭐️

• A Travel Agent Fee Cheatsheet
• How (and Why) to Build a Fee-For-Service Travel Business in 8 Steps , an EduSpot from Madeline Jhawar
• Advice from over 150 travel professionals on charging fees
• A pep talk on service fees, and when you should definitely charge them.
• Still not sold? This may encourage you to warm up to service fees.
• An overview of different service fee types (and which structures might be best for new agents)
• Recommendations for Fee Processing Systems

A Travel Agent Fees: A Cheatsheet!

Before I launch into a pep talk, I want to show you the goods. We have a cheatsheet that will help you navigate charing a fee (or reevaluating your current fee structure). When you download the pdf, you'll be able to fill it out as a form. The cheatsheet will help you:

• Figure out what your “hourly wage" is with commissions to help you see If you're on target with your earnings goal.
• Identify your level of expertise and how it impacts what type of fee you might charge ( NOT how much).
• Assess how much hand-holding you offer clients
• Figure out median fees, by region

You can download it here!

How (and Why) to Build a Fee-For-Service Travel Business in 8 Steps

Sometimes it's helpful to hear direct from personal experiences of travel advisors. Madeline Jhawar offered an EduSpot during HAR's 2023 Host Week event and it's still relevant today (if not more relevant.) Take a look if you're more of a visual leaner :)

Need more? Well we always have more because we're kind of extra in the best way here at HAR.

Over 150 agents weighed in, offering advice on verbiage they use with clients when they address fees, a confidence booster for those who are hesitant to charge, and how they transitioned into charging fees (if they didn't charge from the get-go). It's (almost a literal) ton of info! Here it is, uncut:

Phew! That's a lot to consider! Here's the rest of HAR's pep talk (and practical advice), below!

The Pep Talk in Support of Charging Travel Agent Fees

Repeat after me: "i am a professional".

When you seek medical care, you don’t go to a doctor and tell them that you’re just going to pay for the labs and prescriptions. No. You pay your doctor oodles of money because they’re trusted professionals who went to school for a long time to gain the skills to (hopefully) successfully diagnose your symptoms and steer you toward recovery.

Travel agents are professionals too. You’ve invested in professional development with conferences, FAM trips, and training. You deserve to get paid for the time, knowledge, expertise, and research that goes into booking a great trip. Time that a supplier does not compensation for.

Advisors save travelers hours upon hours of time researching, planning, and booking . Seriously, it’s borderline obscene how much time people spend planning vacations. And you don’t do it with the wave of a magic wand or the click of a button.

Commissions Might Not Be Enough

Unfortunately, the travel industry doesn’t default to compensating travel agents for the added value they provide beyond the logistics of booking. This is where fees come into play.

While travel agent commissions may be the bread and butter of a travel agent’s income), it can be difficult to earn a sustainable income on commissions alone. In 2023, fees accounted for 20% of a hosted advisors' total income. Can you imagine a 20% if you're not charging fees already?

In 2023, fees accounted for 20% of a hosted advisors' total income.

I’ll be honest: I’m not a motivational speaker. Far from it. But I do understand how difficult it can be to ask for money. It’s not my M.O. Maybe it’s not yours, either. But do you remember Ron Tidwell from Jerry Macguire? He took no issue asking for money, and I just want to take a moment for you to gain some motivation from him:

(Dang, you gotta miss those VHS visual-quality days!)

Should I Charge a Fee?

Some agents choose not to charge fees, and of course, this is okay. For some agents, charging no fees is a part of their marketing platform––a way to sell themselves to clients. Others just don’t feel like it or don’t feel comfortable charging fees. For others, they express that the commissions they receive provide ample enough income and just don’t need to charge them.

But here’s four instances where I tend to feel really strongly about charging a fee:

• When booking air-only travel:  Leisure agents can take cues from their corporate agent counterparts and go ahead and charge a fee for air-ticketing. Booking air-only isn't often a huge moneymaker for leisure agents. But it takes time (and sometimes causes headaches.) If a client isn’t willing to pay a ticketing fee for an air-only booking, then maybe they’re not the client for you.
• Non or Low-Commissionable Bookings: If you’re booking leisure air travel, independent hotels, or smaller vendors that don’t provide a commission, this is another instance where it’s a really good idea to charge a fee.
• Booking Non-Commissionable Ancillaries or Add-Ons: Travel agent Ria Maratheftis from The Travel Nook said this better than I ever could, “If we provide personalized ‘concierge’ services such as in-depth itinerary planning with non-commissionable components, i.e. (sporting events, concerts, theatre tickets, Disney dining reservations, ride Fastpasses, wedding planning, etc.) then we will typically charge a $100 per person blanket fee to expedite the research, ticketing, shipping & ongoing maintenance.” (Want a trick to book your Disney extras? Check out our Disney Early Reservation Date Calculator ! )
• Booking FITs (or anything customized): Booking FITs are time-intensive and customized for your client. By nature, it takes more time to create and book FIT itineraries, and you should be compensated for that time.

This just scrapes the surface, and of course, we’ll get into other reasons to charge fees. But if you're making any kind of non or low-commissionable bookings (or components), I highly suggest charging a fee.

Travel Agent Fee Myths Demystified

Advisors who are hesitant to charge fees are typically concerned about attracting or retaining clients or feel they don't have enough knowledge to charge fees. So let me play the role of Jerry McGuire’s Ron Tidwell in why you might still want to charge fees, despite these reservations!

1. I'm Worried About Attracting New Clients:

I understand this. Some respondents to our survey mentioned they live in a small town with other travel agents and that charging a fee would essentially be a death sentence.

But charging a fee—especially for trips that take research, support, and planning or are low or non-commissionable will not only scare away tire-kickers but also support you in creating a loyal customer base that values the added value you bring to their trip. What you don’t want to attract is this kind of client:

2. I Don’t Have Enough Experience to Charge Fees:

Just because you don’t have much experience, doesn’t mean you don’t put a ton of legwork into creating and planning a trip. A new travel agent might spend hours planning a trip, but still, make it look effortless. Their process might be a closer mirror to the consumer process, with more extensive research and time taken to make sure everything is done well. But just because you don’t have much experience, doesn’t mean your time still isn’t valuable. If you fall into this category, here are a few things to consider:

• Do not charge an hourly fee: If you’re a brand-newbie, charging an hourly fee won’t make sense. Instead, consider a (combination of) per-person fee, flat fee, and/or service fees for booking air-only and low or non-commissionable bookings. 
• Apply the fee to their booking: If you are lacking confidence, tell your client that you’ll apply the fee to their vacation package/ trip once it’s booked and confirmed that they will book through you. You could do this just for the client’s first trip, or for all trips if you’re still worried about charging a fee.

3. I'm Afraid I Might Lose Clients:

A happy and loyal client will recognize the added value you provide for them. And while attrition might be a part of implementing a fee for the first time, it’s likely that you keep and attract clients who will recognize the value of your services.

4. I don’t know enough about fees to charge them:

Rest assured, once you get to the end of this article, this will not apply to you any longer. If you're not sure how much to charge, take some advice from Steph Lee who chats through a few steps to take to determine how much to charge. Take a look!

5. My state's Seller of Travel Regulations DoesN't Allow It:

In most states with Seller of Travel regulations (in fact, many agents from FL or CA reported charging fees in our survey), you need an SOT license. According to travel lawyer Mark Pestonk, the "issue is whether an IC, who otherwise qualifies for an exemption under a seller of travel law, will lose his or her exempt status merely by charging a fee to clients."

It’s worth noting that hosted agents can still charge fees so long as they are processing those fees through their host agency (that has SOT). You can read more on Seller of Travel Laws here . Check with your host agency specifically about how this can work. Plus, we'll dig into more of Mark's insights on charging fees in a Seller of Travel state soon!

6. My Host Agency Doesn’t Allow Service Fees:

As an independently contracted agent, you have the choice of whether or not to charge fees. Even if a host agency doesn’t have the capacity to process service fees, there are still ways to charge them. If charging a fee is important to you, this might play a big factor for you in choosing (or even switching) host agencies.

Different Types of Fees (Which One Is Right for You?)

We break down fees into two categories:

1. Service Fees:

Service fee charges are pre-booking charges for air-ticketing or a segment of a trip (car, rail, hotel, etc.). The service fees don’t include a charge for research or planning a trip, it’s a charge for the logistics of booking. Different service fee charges can include:

• Air ticketing, domestic
• Air ticketing, international
• Tour package
• Cancellation
• Air-inclusive package
• Accommodation Only
• Frequent Flyer
• Ancillary Services
• FIT Segments
• Shore Excursions
• Special Coupons

Service fees are pretty much a given among corporate agents, but much less common among leisure agents.

2. Consultation Fees

Unlike service fees which is a flat transaction charge for booking a trip segment, consultation fees are a charge for your time spent researching, planning, booking a trip for a client as well as your time spent supporting a client during their travel. Consultation fees are becoming more popular among leisure agents and for good reason—it takes a lot of time to plan and book a trip!

Consultation fees are a good idea if you’re doing any kind of customized or non-commissionable booking, and creating a fee structure for consultation fees is more of an art than a science. Different consultation fee structures include:

• Flat Fee: A flat fee is the most popular consultation fee charge by a large margin. It’s one standard/blanket fee upfront that covers the research and planning of the entire trip, regardless of how many people or days the trip is. A flat fee may function as an “initiation” for a client to render your services in planning a vacation.
• Hourly Fee: A charge per hour spent researching, planning, and/or booking a trip. This is probably not a great model if you’re a newbie since trip planning may take you a lot longer.
• Per Transaction Fee: This is where I contradict myself in saying that consultation fees aren’t necessarily a transaction fee. But these fees are popular among booking FITs and will be a consultation charge that’s broken down by segment (for example, a $50 per air ticket or a $25 for rail, etc.). This helps agents get “reimbursed” according to the complexity of a trip (rather than an overall flat fee).
• Per Person: This is also self-explanatory, and is a great tool if you’re booking groups. Some agents will also charge a per person per day of travel fee.

Still Not Sold? These Two Fee Structures May Help You Warm-Up to the Idea

Look, I'm shameless. If you're still not sold on charging fees, then please allow me one last opportunity to try and tip the scale toward charging.

Here are two fee structures that are particularly good for the faint of heart.

• Plan-to-go Fee: A plan-to-go fee is essentially where you charge an initial consultation fee for someone to render your services, but then apply it to their booking if they end up booking the trip through you. This gives you peace of mind that even if someone is just coming by to kick the tires on a trip, that you'll be compensated. A plan-to-go fee can be designed like any of the consultation fee structures above (flat fee, per person, etc.). In this case,
• This is a new one to me, brought to you by travel advisor extraordinaire DeJuan Shorter. He charges a consultation fee to his clients, but only for the first trip, they book with his agency. He chats on it in the video below:

So stinking smart.

Resources for Processing Service Fees

ARC provides a service fee processing system for travel agents. They charge a 3.5% processing fee for charges of $20 or more or $.70 for transactions less than $20. Their subscription costs $25.99 quarterly but is only charged when the account is active.

If you're charging for FIT travel (not just service fees or consultation fees) ARC's program will likely be the best bet for you, since non-travel specific processing systems like Pay Pal, Square, and Quickbooks (listed below) may not process transactions when travel is being sold ( in the CC processing world, travel is a high-risk product ).

2. Through Your Host Agency

If you don’t have GDS access ( what the heck is the GDS? ), your host can run service fees through their system. Each host agency will have a different process for this, so you’ll want to check with them. Typically, your current commission split with your host will also apply to service fees.

If your host does not have GDS, they may not be willing to process your fees, and you’ll need to find your own process system. Which bring me to . . . .

3. PayPal, Square, and QuickBooks, etc.

Here's a rundown of some of the costs:

• Quickbooks :  2.9% for swiped transactions or 3.4% for manually entered transactions plus a $.25 per transaction fee. If you're rolling in $7,500+ per month in service fees, you'll need to dish out a monthly fee. 
• PayPal:  2.9% plus $.30 per transaction. 
• Square:  2.75% for swiped transaction or 3.5% + $.15 for manually entered transactions.

The tricky thing with conventional processing systems like PayPal, Square, and QuickBooks is that sometimes travel industry professionals can be considered high risk, and certain processing systems won’t take the risk of covering you. (*Cough* — HAR may or may not have some personal experience with that!). However, so long as you’re not using the same processing system to sell travel, you should be able to frame your fees as “consultation fees.”

This process may not work if you operate in or are selling to a client that resides in a state with Seller of Travel requirements AND if you’re using your host’s SOT number. If this is the case, then you want to ask your host about processing your fees (more on this subject to come very soon!!!).

Travel Agent Fees in Action!

Don't take it from us! Tune into these travel agent chatter episodes where advisors dish on charging fees!

Learn from Molly Williams, CEO of The Optimists Travel. Through the pandemic, she realized the value of her time and the importance of charging fees. Listen to her recent podcast here!

Here's another great story of an advisor who used his previous experience in pricing at WestJet to start his own agency where he charges—and no, this is not a typo— CAD 60-$500 per ticket. Listen to the podcast to get yourself revved up!

Ashley Morris charges a fee for her destination wedding planning services and, amongst other things, shares her journey on charging fees and why it is a win-win for both the agency and her clients.

More Fee Info! ('Cause You Can't, You Won't, and You Don't Stop)

Because I simply cannot stop myself, here some more info on service fees we have on the site:

• Three Travel Agents Get Creative with Fee Structures : There are a ton of creative ideas in this article, but these three travel agents have particularly unconventional fee structures. They're too clever not to check out.
• How Seller of Travel Laws Impact Service Fees : This is is amazing because a.) it has some expert info from Mark Pestronk on charging service fees in states with Seller of Travel Laws and b.)Jamie Jones, COO of WhirlAway Travel (from above) shared insights with HAR to create a customizable template for agents to make their own service agreement to share with their clients. 
• HAR's Research Reports: If travel agency fee data could take steroids, this is what it would like . . . an entire archive of reports with giant sections dedicated to common fee practices. It's great to take a peek if you'd like to do a little competitive intelligence on charging fees.

How about you? Do you have recommendations for service processing systems? Will you share insights on how you developed your own service fee structure? Let us know in the comment section below! 

[Editor's note: This article was originally published in Jan. 2018 and was updated on the date listed.]

• Source: Host Agency Reviews Research Reports ↩

About the Author

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

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What Do Travel Agents Charge? An Overview of Fees and Services

By Happy Sharer

Introduction

Travel agents are professionals who specialize in helping people plan and book trips. They can help with everything from researching destinations and planning itineraries to booking flights, hotels, and activities. But what do travel agents charge for their services? In this article, we’ll explore the different fees and services that travel agents provide.

The Pros & Cons of Working with a Travel Agent

When it comes to planning a trip, there are pros and cons to working with a travel agent. On one hand, they can save you time and energy by doing the legwork of researching and booking all your travel arrangements. On the other hand, they may charge fees for their services, which could end up being more expensive than if you had done the work yourself.

Benefits of Working with a Travel Agent

One of the biggest benefits of using a travel agent is that they are experts in the field and can save you time and energy when it comes to planning your trip. A good travel agent will be able to give you personalized advice on where to go and what to do. They can also help you find the best deals on flights, hotels, and activities.

Travel agents also have access to a variety of tools and resources that can make the process of planning a trip easier. They can use these tools to quickly compare prices and find the best options for you. Additionally, they may have relationships with vendors that can help you get better deals or exclusive offers.

Disadvantages of Working with a Travel Agent

One of the main drawbacks of using a travel agent is that they may charge fees for their services. Depending on the type of service, these fees can range from a flat rate to a percentage of the total cost of the trip. Additionally, some travel agents may charge additional fees for certain services, such as booking flights or making changes to an existing reservation.

Another disadvantage of working with a travel agent is that they may not always be able to get you the best deal. For example, they may not be aware of special promotions or discounts that are available online. Additionally, some travel agents may not be as knowledgeable about certain destinations or activities, so it’s important to do your own research as well.

What Types of Services Do Travel Agents Provide?

Travel agents can provide a variety of services, depending on your needs. Here are some of the most common services offered by travel agents:

Flight Bookings

Travel agents can help you find the best deals on flights, whether you’re looking for domestic or international flights. They can compare prices across different airlines and look for special deals or discounts. They may also be able to get you upgrades or other amenities.

Hotel Reservations

Travel agents can help you find the perfect hotel for your trip. They can compare prices across different hotels and look for special deals or discounts. They may also be able to get you upgraded rooms or other perks.

Car Rentals

Travel agents can help you find the best deals on car rentals. They can compare prices across different companies and look for special deals or discounts. They may also be able to get you upgrades or other amenities.

Cruise Bookings

Travel agents can help you find the perfect cruise for your next vacation. They can compare prices across different cruises and look for special deals or discounts. They may also be able to get you upgrades or other perks.

Tour Packages

Travel agents can help you find the perfect tour package for your next trip. They can compare prices across different tours and look for special deals or discounts. They may also be able to get you upgrades or other perks.

How to Find the Best Deals with a Travel Agent

When it comes to finding the best deals with a travel agent, it’s important to do your research. Here are some tips for finding the best deals with a travel agent:

Research Various Travel Agents

It’s important to research different travel agents before choosing one. Make sure to read reviews from other customers and ask for recommendations from friends and family. You should also check to see if the travel agent is a member of any professional organizations, such as the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).

Compare Prices and Services Offered

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, compare prices and services offered by each travel agent. Look at the total cost of the trip, including any fees they may charge, and make sure to read the fine print. It’s also important to compare the types of services offered, such as flight bookings, hotel reservations, car rentals, etc.

Look for Special Deals and Discounts

Make sure to ask the travel agent if they offer any special deals or discounts. Some travel agents may have exclusive offers or access to special promotions. Additionally, many travel agents offer loyalty programs or rewards for repeat customers.

How Much Does it Cost to Use a Travel Agent?

The cost of using a travel agent can vary depending on the type of services they provide. Here is a breakdown of the typical fees charged by travel agents:

Typical Fees Charged by Travel Agents

Most travel agents will charge a fee for their services, which can range from a flat rate to a percentage of the total cost of the trip. For example, some agents may charge a flat fee of $50 for their services, while others may charge a 10% commission on all bookings. Additionally, some agents may offer discounted rates for repeat customers or large groups.

Additional Fees That May Be Charged

In addition to the standard fees, some travel agents may charge additional fees for certain services. For example, they may charge a fee for making changes to an existing reservation or for booking flights or cruises. Additionally, some agents may charge a service fee for processing payments or for providing additional assistance.

The Difference Between Online and Offline Travel Agents

There are two types of travel agents: online and offline. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to consider both when deciding which one to use.

Advantages of Online Travel Agents

Online travel agents are convenient and often offer lower prices than offline agents. Additionally, they may have access to special deals or promotions that are not available through traditional travel agents. Another advantage of online travel agents is that they can typically provide 24/7 customer support.

Advantages of Offline Travel Agents

Offline travel agents can provide personalized service and advice. They can help you plan a customized trip that meets your specific needs and budget. Additionally, they may have relationships with vendors that can help you get better deals or exclusive offers.

How to Compare Prices and Fees Between Different Travel Agents

When comparing prices and fees between different travel agents, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some tips for comparing prices and fees between different travel agents:

Consider the Total Cost of Your Trip

It’s important to consider the total cost of your trip when comparing prices and fees between different travel agents. This includes the cost of flights, hotels, car rentals, tours, and any additional services you may need. Make sure to add up all the costs to get an accurate picture of the total cost of the trip.

Check for Any Hidden Fees

It’s also important to check for any hidden fees that may be charged by the travel agent. These can include fees for making changes to an existing reservation or for booking flights or cruises. Make sure to ask the agent about any additional fees before booking.

Read Reviews from Other Customers

Finally, make sure to read reviews from other customers before booking with a travel agent. This can help you get an idea of the quality of service they provide and the types of deals they may be able to get you. Additionally, reading reviews can help you avoid any potential scams or shady practices.

Travel agents can be a great resource for planning your next trip. They can save you time and energy by doing the legwork of researching and booking all your travel arrangements. However, it’s important to understand what fees and services travel agents provide and how to find the best deals. By doing your research and comparing prices and services between different agents, you can ensure that you get the best deal possible.

Summary of the Article

This article explored what travel agents charge for their services. We discussed the pros and cons of working with a travel agent, the types of services they provide, how to find the best deals, and the difference between online and offline travel agents. Finally, we provided tips for comparing prices and fees between different travel agents.

Final Thoughts on Choosing a Travel Agent

Choosing the right travel agent can make a big difference in the cost and quality of your trip. Make sure to do your research and compare prices and services between different agents. Additionally, be sure to read reviews from other customers and check for any hidden fees. With the right travel agent, you can ensure that you get the best deal possible for your next vacation.

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Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

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Trip Planning // Getaways

How Much do Travel Agents Charge?

How to navigate the waters with a travel agent.

With trip bookings just a finger's touch away on your smartphone, you might think using a travel agent is an overpriced service for people who are too lazy to plan a trip themselves. However, a travel agent's insider knowledge of your destination can mean the difference between a "pretty good"trip and a once-in-a-lifetime experience available only to travel agent clients. You might even save more money than booking bargain vacations online.

How does a travel agent work?

The advantage to using a travel agent goes beyond insider knowledge. Although you can research YouTube videos and "ask a local" sites to find out the best off-the-beaten-track adventures, travel agents goes this one better. Their secret? Connections. Your travel agent can hook you up with one-of-a kind experiences, such seeing your destination through the eyes of archaeologists and architects that moonlight as tour guides. Tour guide connections with hotels, cruise lines and other providers can mean garnering free upgrades, credits or other perks that aren't offered to the general public.

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When good trips go bad

The best perks of using a travel agent come with the unexpected monkey wrench. When bad weather grounds your plane, kick back in the hotel lounge or take a taxi to see a few sights while your travel agent tweaks your itinerary. From VIP phone line access to bumping you to the top of waiting lists or getting you a seat on a flight that might say "full," a travel agent's connections, expertise and diligent work lets you relax.

How does a travel agent make money?

Travel agents make money in a few different ways.

Commission: Your travel agent receives a percentage from the hotels, tours and other travel you book through him. This doesn't raise your costs. When you book online, the commission is already built into the price you see and is paid to the online provider. The amount your travel agent gets is exactly the same as what you see online. The only difference is your travel agent might have a relationship that can score you some perks for the price you'll pay, and he sometimes has access to deeper discounts.

Service fees: In the early 2000s, airlines stopped paying commissions to travel agents. Because they lost this stable part of their income, some agencies started charging service fees for the expertise and time to book your trip. Service fees could include a $25 to $50 fee per airline ticket, or up to $500 for full itinerary design and booking. Some agents charge by the hour, but not all agencies charge service fees.

Net based pricing: Some venues give your travel agent their bottom line price, and your travel agent makes the difference between that price and what you are charged.

Pros and cons of booking through a travel agent versus online

• A travel agent has direct access to specials, upgrades and deeper discounts than those offered online to the general public, based on her relationships with airlines, hotels and tour companies. 
• Your travel agent knows the reputation of airlines, hotels and tours. On your own, you might book with a bargain airline that has a reputation for delays and missed connections. Your travel agent can steer you to a better option.
• Your travel agent can manage unforeseen problems like missed connections due to weather delays while you take it easy.
• Not all travel agents have after-hours service. Your travel agent may or may not be available if problems happen outside of business hours. 
• You might be able to score a better deal on your own. When you're planning your honeymoon or exotic getaway, you're best off using a travel agent. When you're flying across the country for a weekend away, you might find the best deals online.
• Not all travel agents are equal. You can spend hours researching and vetting the best travel agent for your needs. Travel agents don't need to be licensed in some states, and some people are agents as a part time gig. The best way to find a reputable travel agent is from friends who recently used one and are gushing happily about their trip. 

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About the Author

Jodi "Jato" Thornton

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