Can Travel Agents Save You Money On Hotels?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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In short,

yes, travel agents can save you money

. In fact, most travel agents have access to exclusive deals you can’t otherwise find when booking your travel online. Pair that with their extensive knowledge, and you’ll find that using a travel agent is one of the best ways to stay within budget.

What is the benefit of booking with a travel agent?

In most cases, travel agents have

access to information about rates and routes that average consumer might not have, saving you time and money, even when you consider the agent’s fee

. Using a travel agent can also help you score a great deal on a package or promotion.

Do you actually save money with a travel agent?


Not at all

! The cost of using a travel agent is generally marginal, and oftentimes they won’t charge you at all. Much of their money comes from the hotels and wholesalers they do business with.

Do travel agents get discounts on resorts?

The second reason to become a travel agent is the discounts you get on travel for you and your family. As a travel agent,

you can save up to 75% on travel including hotels, resorts

, car rentals, cruises, theme parks, and vacation packages …

What are the disadvantages of using a travel agent?

Cons:

Travel agents don’t always present the cheapest option

. If you are price sensitive, the best option is to book online directly with the service provider. While agents can add perks and value add-ons, they don’t come cheap (think service fee and commission margins).

Do travel agents get free trips?

In truth,

most of the time, travel agents don’t get free travel

although they sometimes get discounts or a chance to keep the commission they would get on their own travel plans.

Are travel agents worth it 2021?

If you’re thinking about booking a vacation in 2021,

it’s a no brainer to book with a travel advisor

. Working with an agent can save you both time and money and in turn, reduce all the stress that comes along with travel planning.

Do travel agents get commission on flights?

Commissions

Travel agents commissions used to be the bulk of their income but that has shifted.

Most travel agents who earn commission booking tickets on airlines earn 5% on domestic flights and 10-20% on international flights

. The commission rates are similar for booking hotels.

How do travel agents get paid?

Corporate travel agencies make money mainly from

service fees, net/private fares, and from airline commissions

. Travel agencies, depending on the airline contracts they have access to, are able to earn commissions on both domestic (typically 0-5%) and international tickets (10-22%).

Is it cheaper to book flights online or with a travel agent?


Booking with travel agents is often cheaper than booking online

as they have access to awesome money-saving deals. Privy to secret airline prices, travel agents book scores of air tickets each day and will be able to easily tell you if the flight price you found online is a reasonable one.

Do you have to pay travel agents upfront?

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.

Are travel agents a good idea?


Travel agents are useful if you’re doing a very costly or complex trip, planning a honeymoon or something fancy, or traveling with a large group

. They have access to a number of deals and bulk buying options we DIY solo consumers don’t, especially when it comes to tours, high-end flights, and cruises.

What is the difference between a travel advisor and a travel agent?

So, what’s the difference between a travel agent and a travel advisor?

There isn’t one

. It’s a matter of updated terminology within the industry: Thanks to a 2018 rebrand by the ASTA, travel agents are now known as travel advisors.

Are travel agencies dying?

And lastly,

travel agents are not a dying breed

.

‘ 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.

Do travel agents travel a lot?

Of her

approximately 6-8 trips per year

, 90 percent of them have a travel industry connection. “What I mean by that is they are either fams put on by a supplier or an industry trade show, training or a conference.” She says that clients appreciate that she has experienced the destinations firsthand.

How do travel agents pay hotels?

Travel agencies sell rooms per night on behalf of the hotels in their business portfolio, while also providing a valuable service to their hospitality partners.

Commission is then made through the use of manual invoicing, before the payment is then processed by the bank and placed into company accounts

.

What percentage do travel agents make?

The commission percentage agencies earn depends on numerous factors, the most important one being which private contracts you have access to. Here’s a general rule of thumb on the airline ticket commission range you can expect as a travel advisor:

Domestic: 0-5% International: 10-22%

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.