Yes, travel agents are great for complicated trips. But let me tell you that t/a's are also good for simply ol' airfares (if you don't mind paying the usual service charge). I have often used Orbitz, Travelocity, Cheap tickets, etc as well as the airlines web sites and time and time again, the travel agent with his/her "Sabre" computer program has come up with fares that are often cheaper and less roundabout (changes etc) that what the web agents have found. Plus, a good agent may have a trick (legitimate) or two up his or her sleeve that can really help my itinerary, viva, travel agents!!

Posted By Sheldon Rudolph on June 30, 2008, 2:47 PM

Travel agents have access to specials that the average person can not obtain. They also do your legwork. I have found that if I search the internet for my best rates for hotels, cruises, or resorts, my agent usually gets me a better rate and often an upgrade to boot. Find a trustworthy agent, do your own research, then see what thay have to offer. This does not apply to airfare however.

Posted By Mike Jarman on June 30, 2008, 3:10 PM

As an ASTA member located in Western New York..Our members thank you for your comments..It's nice to hear we are still some value..a 45 year travel agent..

Posted By Robert Endres on June 30, 2008, 5:02 PM

When traveling abroad to a new destination, having a travel agent who has actually been there is a huge plus. They can clue you in to decent restaurants and hotels, they would know what kind of documentation you would need to pass through customs, and give you the lowdown on attractions.
Face to face is still the best way to do business and it's sad that the Travel Agent is considered an obsolete commodity these days.

Posted By Nancy Smith on June 30, 2008, 7:46 PM

I had an aunt and uncle who would tell their travel agent when they had a vacation coming up and the agent would find a great trip for them year after year.
We are the same way, willing to go just about anywhere for vacation. No set destination in mind so a local agent that could find us a good deal would be invaluable to us. We are also inexperienced travelers and speaking/planning face to face with an expert would make us much less anxious.

Posted By Gail H on June 30, 2008, 9:04 PM

I am a die-hard DIY traveler; my mother is a travel agent. While I enjoy spending hours and hours plotting my trip, dealing with accidental detours, and talking my way out of sticky situations, others don't have the leisure.

I've watched my mom help navigate countless families and newlyweds through otherwise foreign terrain. No matter how long I spend researching on my laptop, I'll never discover the little things she knows firsthand from visiting the places she books. She specializes in the South Pacific and has traveled there extensively. She knows all kinds of little details--that the airport in Nadi lets you store extra baggage you don't want to lug with you up to Taveuni, for instance. Or that the beach on one side of the island gets more seaweed then the other. More importantly, when sh*t hits the fan my mom's clients have her cell number.

Once she even rescued my vacation. I made flight reservations online with Travelocity or Orbitz for my boyfriend and I. Unbeknownst to me, my computer had autofilled our last names--his ticket arrived with my last name on it. The company cited their no-refund, no-exchange policy and refused to help. They suggested I buy a whole new ticket! After a few hours on the phone, my travel agent mom and her buddies ironed it out. Whew! It was a disaster no amount of DIY-elbow grease would have helped.

After reading all of the thank you notes my mom gets (which include wedding invitations, photo albums, and the occasional Coach wallet) I can't recommend real, live travel agents highly enough.

If this sounds like an unabashed love letter to my mom, well, sorry. Travel agents aren't all as conscientious as she is, I'm sure. But if they even come close, you'll be in good hands.

Posted By omaopio on June 30, 2008, 9:49 PM

I recently saw a good tip to contact an agent near your intended destination. They definitely have great insider information and can get you the very best deal possible.

Posted By Crystal on June 30, 2008, 10:03 PM

I love my travel agent. On a recent trip to Hawaii, we thought we found a great deal on a hotel room, only for our travel agent to find a better deal at the same hotel and got us an upgrade!!! She is now my brother's travel agent, too!

Posted By Janine Flynn on June 30, 2008, 10:34 PM

As a travel agent based out of las vegas, I thank you for a wonderful article. There are bad seeds in any business, but I am not one of them. Yes we all need commissions to survive, but I would rather make my clients trip memorable and keep them than just collect the commission and act as an order taker. Heres a tip.....Orbitz, priceline, travelocity and all online booking engines do charge you a service fee also, they just call it a booking fee, etc

Posted By James Baughman on July 1, 2008, 2:45 AM

As a travel agent who trains other travel agents rather than books travel I was very interested to get some insight recently into a related - but distinct - travel profession.

Independent yacht brokers work with boat owners, tour operators, and travel agents. I just found one who set me up on an affordable week cruising Alaska with only six other passengers. We kayaked from the boat every day in front of glaciers and grizzly bears -- and I am quadriplegic.

Now that's some complicated travel to plan (and even as a travel agent I had to call on a specialist to make it happen!)

Posted By Scott Rains on July 1, 2008, 3:49 AM

Speaking as a travel agent - most people have no idea of the value add that a travel agent can bring to the table. And, its wrong to go to your agent just when you are in trouble. Today, they make their money on the commission that hotels, cruises, and all inclusive resorts pay. So, I appreciate my clients coming to me with those bookings too - they pay me $$! And, when something goes wrong, it is much easier to deal with if it was my file in the beginning rather than trying to step in and help when I am not recognized as the professional travel agent on the booking.

Posted By Lois on July 1, 2008, 8:58 AM

I have been an agent for 20 years and recently subscribed to Budget Travel mag, because they seemed the most pro-agent mag I've seen in years. Agents are like other professionals (doctors, lawyers, hairdressers), sometimes you find a good one and there are a lot of bad. We do have insider deals, numerous contacts, and thru experience know how to find the best options. I won't say deals, because we do more than find the cheapest price. Sometimes paying a little more is worth it, for an upgrade, better route, or a more pleasant experience. We'll be there for you in the upcoming rocky road we're sure to have with all the changes going on with the airline.

Posted By Barbara Khan on July 1, 2008, 9:10 AM

When it comes to international travel, a good travel agent is like the old AMEX commercial, "don't leave home without one". In addition to preventing costly errors, delays, and bummer hotels, a good agent will add surprises and a signature flair to a trip. I'm also amazed that most travelers aren't aware of the great savings on international airfares that are only available through a professional travel agent.

Posted By Greg Rholl on July 1, 2008, 9:40 AM

Chris Elliott should be ashamed of himself. I'm sure at some point in his life he was a "travel agent", or else he wouldn't be involved in doing articles for Budget Travel. If not, then maybe an actual travel agent should be doing the articles. I've been a subscriber to that magazine for many years....basically for it's destination info. But, let's face it, it's major feature with articles / deals "is for DIY travelers", so Chris is simply supporting the purpose of the magazine he writes for....simple job security.

I've traveled the world and can tell you this, there is NO Travelocity, Expedia, etc rep who can give clients the info that I supply to my clients when they're looking for an incredible restaurant in Santorini, Paris, etc. That's why my clients consider me "invaluable" Mr Elliott.....

Posted By Kerry on July 1, 2008, 10:19 AM

As a travel agent, now called a travel consultant, for nearly 30 years, one thing we bring our clients is destination expertise, and free of charge. Our prices, like most agencies, will beat what the general public normally finds with all the added free services the internet can't. When people continue to try to be travel agents and find it is much harder then first thought, I think we still will win out in the end. Long live the travel professionals!!

Posted By Sheryl Fick on July 1, 2008, 10:25 AM

I also am a travel professional for over 18 years and always amazed to see articles or people on television telling you what travel sites are the best on the internet....I want to scream "What about Travel Agents/Consultants?" We do not take money from your pocket, suppliers pay us and it's up to us to form bonds with preferred supplies to increase our commission base. We certainly do earn our money and are a dedicated group.......

Posted By Lynn on July 1, 2008, 11:18 AM

Travel agents are worth their weight in GOLD! Would one consider doing their own dental work? performing their own brain or heart surgery? or any other "professional" service? NO! a resounding NO! When one wants to plan a trip costing more than say $500. then they needs the professional services of a professional travel consultant.
Yes, the online website aforementioned by other posters are OK for very simply point a to point b airfares only, but the moment one gets more than a simple round trip for a under $500. purchase, then they need the services of a professional. I oft wonder, say a person is a Doctor, Lawyer, investment broker, or any other "professional", what is their time worth? Most of these people bill out at hundreds of dollars an hour, their support staff bill out at big salaries, so why are they putzin around from site to site to site on the internet for hours on end trying the find 'the best deal'.
Tom Hopkins has the right idea! If the word "deal" plays into the equation, then run like a bangee the other direction.
Do you think Donald Trump, or Carl Icann, or any other corporate executive goes to the internet to check on 'deals'? NO! they have their assistant place the travel request with their travel agent. Professional, and their assistants, should spend their time doing what the do best, their own job! Leave the travel planning to the professionals. As far as "Professional Organizations" are concerned, many travel agencies are "joiners" and join every organization that comes down the pike. The criteria by which to judge any professional, EXPERIENCE. Would you have brain surgery from a Doctor that graduated last week? NO! you would make sure that person had experience. Ask your travel agent how long they have been a travel agent. Ask them if they have been to the destination to which you are interested in traveling. OR have they had ample training in that destination, or do they have the "go to" resources from which they can get appropriate info for your trip. Buy nothing without dealing with a professional travel consultant. NEVER travel without full 100% comprenhensive insurance. Including emergency evacuation insurance, it cost pennies! Compared to what it would cost if one is taken ill or injured when more than 500 miles from home. Always, always, always use professional services.

Posted By JESS Kalinowsky on July 1, 2008, 11:21 AM

Travel Agent from spain. i think that the people goes to book directly, cause they think that it is cheaper this way, i speak about spain. But I think the the computer doesn´t give service, travel agent yes. Our travel agency is specialist in VIP travel. anyway it is a good thing to speak fine of TA. i am working for 30 years ago.

Posted By Paco on July 1, 2008, 12:26 PM

So much information since the advent of the computer, but is it a tour operator you can trust? Will you be routed through New York, London or Paris where your luggage can get lost? Do you have layovers that are 6 hours long OR do you have to go through Texas on your way to Canada from DC?

Professional Travel Consultants, who do listen do have inside information and can save you money or at least give you the best value (make your dreams come true) for the money. Our motto at www.4MoreTravel.com is "You Dream It...We Make It Happen". A computer can't make suggestions based on your wishes.

Posted By Susan "Sam" Shockley on July 1, 2008, 1:04 PM

So much information since the advent of the computer, but is it a tour operator you can trust? Will you be routed through New York, London or Paris where your luggage can get lost? Do you have layovers that are 6 hours long OR do you have to go through Texas on your way to Canada from DC?

Professional Travel Consultants, who do listen do have inside information and can save you money or at least give you the best value (make your dreams come true) for the money. Our motto at www.4MoreTravel.com is "You Dream It...We Make It Happen". A computer can't make suggestions based on your wishes.

Posted By Susan "Sam" Shockley on July 1, 2008, 1:05 PM

Thank you for the ever-so-faint praise! I have been in this profession since my parents opened their travel agency in 1978. I was in high school then, and I still love my career-choice now; it's in the blood, so to speak; and THAT, my friends, is the secret to a good agent!

Posted By Ina Schweitzer on July 1, 2008, 1:19 PM

Travelers looking for specialists should check out Tripology.com -- It connects consumers with travel specialists in their desired destination or vacation type. That way you get both consumer generated content and reviews from real travelers as well as specialized travel agents’ knowledge and personalized service.

Posted By JL Parra on July 1, 2008, 2:10 PM

I have been a travel agent for 22 years and have owned my home-based agency since 2001. I love my career, even though it's not as lucrative since the demise of airline commissions and the existence of "cheap travel" internet sites. I still have several clients, both corporate and leisure, who have remained loyal over the years in booking their travel with me. My clients realize the value and importance of my job with personal, attentive service to them. They often refer other potentional clients. My hope is that travel agents do not become extinct!

Posted By Debbie Jenkins on July 1, 2008, 5:45 PM

I am going to share all of your comments with my staff... they do such a great job providing solutions for our clients' travel needs. It is nice to hear that so many of you out there appreciate their dedication.

Of course, there are times when our services may not as valuable as other times, however, those times are few and far between. Our company has 3 facets to our service philosophy which are 1. We sincerely want your trip to be more than you hoped for 2. We have so much knowlege to help us make your trip more than you hoped for and 3. If we don't have the knowlege, we have ways to get it by using all the consultants in our company, our network of Carlson Wagonlit Travel agents, our vendor resources and even past clients' expertise.

Posted By Annette Youngbauer CTC on July 1, 2008, 5:57 PM

As a Travel Professional with more than 35 years in the industry, who specializes in travel for clients with disabilities. Try and find wheelchair accessable rooms on some of these sites. You need a professional Travel Agent to do all the leg work when it comes to travel for the physically challenged. Or how is a disabled person going to get from the airport ? Remember..."Without a Travel Agent...You are on your own !"

Posted By GREG LAWSON on July 1, 2008, 7:08 PM

Great, I get it! Now, how do I find a good, trustworthy, travel agent?

Posted By Pat on July 3, 2008, 4:14 PM

I used travel agents before we had internet service at home. We used 2 good travel agents, who, unfortunately for us, began booking cruises only. I also used two others. One got me (at age 58) a child's BritRail pass. Luckily, the railroad agent allowd me to pay the difference. The other failed to notify us when USAir bought Piedmont and changed our return itinerary!

Posted By T Sloan on July 4, 2008, 4:19 PM

I'm planning an around-the-world trip using OneWorld. How to find an agent familiar with such a multi-month trip?
R walton

Posted By r walton on July 5, 2008, 11:24 PM

Well Pat, the best way to find a good agent is to ask around. Hopefully, some of your friends or family have worked with someone they trust and like, if not, start interviewing agents in your area. As someone earlier had suggested, ask how long they have been in business, are they a specialist in areas you are interested in, or have they been to the place you are looking at. After a few questions and answers, you should be able to tell if these are people you want to work with.

As a travel agent, I've been able to work with many of my clients for over 30 yrs and although we get new business from advertising in the yellow pages or from web sites, the most rewarding new business comes from referals of existing clients. This means that we are doing our job, getting what they want at a price they appreciate. We are here when things go down the tube, and usually we are sucessful in fixing whatever is wrong. We are able to make the most of our contacts in getting upgrades or refunds, not ALL the time, but better than a DIY would manage. So, yes, I'm in favor of using us, we really do work for you, quite often getting you a better deal and telling you what you need to know.

Posted By Pat Klug on July 7, 2008, 5:38 PM

I may faint from the thrill - truly! - of reading these comments! As a travel counselor for 24 years, you cannot imagine how nice it is to read comments that 'get' what we do!

I'm very much a beliver in "buy locally" and "support your local travel agent." But either someone local or using Expedia, etc. is not the only choice. There are many of us who are not what you mean by 'online agents' but who work with clients from all over the USA. I am an agent in an Austin, TX, independently-owned travel agency established in 1982. But I specialize in Europe, especially Italy, and people from all across the country find me. I have many more clients from outside Austin than in it, in fact. And any of those clients will tell you that I'm never hard to contact or find...I'm pretty much a 24/7 email junkie...and that I stick with them all the way through, to help with glitches at any point and to follow-up after the trip. There are many other good travel counselors out there, working with clients from all over. Find us by word of mouth; by looking at www.thetravelinstitute.com for its certified agents; by asking the Association of Retail Travel Agents or ASTA; or, bet you can find us online!

Thanks for the article and the comments! I will share widely with other agents who badly need the boost!

Sally Watkins, CTC
Century Travel, Austin, TX
www.sallywatkins.com

Posted By Sally Watkins on July 9, 2008, 10:32 AM

Travel agents are a God-send when you have not travelled to a destination in some time. Particularly, an agent who specializes in destinations that interest you. They know the ins/outs of the locale, if construction is going on in the area, and/or other issues unknown to you that would make a particular resort or lodging unacceptable for your particular plans. Also, an experienced, competent professional who has travelled to a variety of destinations can provide you with wise, cost-effective travel options that will save you time, money and headaches. I hope travel agents will never get discouraged and give up their occupation/career choice. They are a vital service resource to the travel industry. And, I think are greatly apprecated by those who depend on their services.

Posted By Von Dallas, TX on July 10, 2008, 11:57 AM

For those looking for a good travel agent, AAA employs them across the US and Canada, and you don't have to be a member to use their travel agency (but you can sometimes get exclusive member benefits if you are a member). Many are certified destination specialists, and you can find them by calling your nearest AAA office, or going to AAA.com to see if you can request them online. I know that AAA South (in FL, GA, TN and Puerto Rico) will be putting their destination specialists online soon in a searchable format. AAA Travel's slogan is "Travel with a name you trust." It amazes me how they find lower airfares than online sometimes, and they will help get you out of a jam if needed, and stand behind what they sell. Their goal is to build long-term relationships with their customers in order to help their travel dreams come true. So check out AAA Travel if you need a good agent.

Posted By Janet on July 28, 2008, 5:50 PM

Some questions you might consider asking your travel agent: have you been there? I know travel agents that do not like to travel. Why be a travel agent? I have traveled to 133 destinations around the world, and counting. Also ask your agent how long they have been in the travel industry. Some travel agencies hire people off he street who are order takers, they are not travel counsultants. Anyone can 'fill in the blanks' as they ask you questions from a script, but only a travel professional can advise of the nuances of traveling. The best restaurants, the best shopping, the best 'off the beaten path' trips one should take. The best places for extraordinary photographic opportunities. The who, what, when, where and why of travel is a great deal more important than being able to fill in the blanks on a questionaire. If you are investing time and money in a travel opportunity, then you want to get the most out of your adventure. There is a giant difference between a 'cheap trip' and a 'value trip'. The old cliche` buy cheap get cheap! When you are investing money in a travel opportunity you want to get the most bang for your buck, and that does not mean eat yourself into oblivion at a cruisehip buffet. What it means is "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". That simply means that a professional travel consultant will make sure the they have local contacts as the destination of your choice that will assure that you not only see and do what other tourist will do, but will take you to where very few people go to see the intricate details. Anyone can send you to Venice, but not everyone has the local contacts to show you the 'behind the scenes' where Venetians' shop, or eat, or see parts of St Mark's that the 'tour group' would never have the opportunity. After 40 years in the travel industry I have developed thousands of personal contacts around the world. EXPERIENCE!
Destination specialist!

Posted By JESS Kalinowsky on January 11, 2009, 1:17 PM

As an unabashed travel junkie, I finally threw in the towel and am living my dream as a travel consultant. Do I travel? Every day I meet with new sales reps and my bucket list gets longer and longer. I travel every chance I get. People ask me if I am happy in my new career... I feel like Santa most of the time. It's fun, rewarding and I LOVE it. Any good agent should love traveling. A good agent can also find a good VALUE (not always the cheapest deal). I'm a Virtuoso Agent and often the upgrades and amenities I can get a client cost more than the room itself. It pays to use a travel agent...

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