Can Travel Agents Get Cheaper Flights Than Online?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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 travel agents get cheaper rates?

So, it is of course possible to find a cheaper ticket through a travel agent , but it’s not because the agency has some special relationship with the airline. Rather, they purchased the tickets from a wholesaler and are now making their own decisions on what price to sell the ticket for.

Can travel agents get better deals than online?

But travel agents, believe it or not, have access to information unavailable to you to get better deals . They obtain much of their information from the same sources as the booking sites we use. Additionally, they receive daily deals via e-mails and faxes that cannot always be found on the Internet.

Is it better to book directly with airline or travel agent?

Book direct with the airlines is basically always preferred as long as the fares of the airline vs the 3rd party travel agent are the same or lower . In those cases, there is no reason to book with an agent. This is especially true for simple point-to-point tickets within North America.

How do travel agencies get cheaper flights?

Travel Agencies often get hold of interline tickets that aren’t sold by the airlines on their websites either due to airline rivalries or pacts signed b/w different airlines. That’s where an agency plays its master card and combines flights from multiple airlines which are always cheaper.

Is it more expensive to go through a travel agent?

It’s more expensive to book flights with a travel agent than booking online from home . That’s because travel agents typically charge for their services, even booking a flight on your behalf. Still, an agent’s services could be worthwhile for some travelers hoping to avoid stressful vacation planning.

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.

Are travel agents more expensive than online?

Travel agents can be just as cheap as online deals . Travel agents are closing branches as more people head online to book their holidays. However, our research has found that visiting a high street travel agent can be just as cheap.

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 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.

Is using a travel agent worth it?

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.

Do you tip travel agents?

A general rule of thumb followed by many is to leave 15 percent for average service, 20 percent for great service, and more than 20 percent for service that truly made the meal memorable . It gets a bit grayer when you talk about how – and if – to tip for truly inattentive service.

What is the benefit of booking flights through a travel agent?

Because agents have access to much cheaper flight tickets than online booking sites. Learn how to book flights with a travel agent!

Is it cheaper to buy tickets directly from the airline?

If a person does go to the airport in an attempt to buy a last-minute plane ticket, they may find the ticket prices to be immensely higher than if they were to book online. Ultimately, there are no advantages to buying tickets directly at the airport .

Will airlines match Expedia prices?

Does Expedia Match Flights? Expedia offers a price match guarantee on flights you book through the travel company’s site . However, you must choose and pay extra for the price match guarantee when you book.

How do online travel agencies make money?

Online travel agencies make money by taking a commission from the airline, hotel, car rental agency, or cruise line when you book . (At Scott’s Cheap Flights, we don’t take any commissions from the airlines when we send our members deals.

What kind of deals do travel agents get?

As a travel agent, you can save up to 75% on travel including hotels, resorts, car rentals, cruises, theme parks, and vacation packages ... earn rebates on airline tickets ... and get free upgrades to first class when you fly.

What is a GDS in travel?

Global distribution system (GDS) is a computerized reservation system for reserving airline seats, hotel rooms, rental cars, and other travel-related items . Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport, Apollo and Galileo are all global distribution systems.

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 Disney travel agents worth it?

Disney Travel Agents serve a much needed audience, and can do a lot of things for their clients. But they’re not 100% necessary to book an amazing trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. If you feel capable of doing it on your own, it’s perfectly possible.

Is it hard to be a travel agent?

Due to your lack of hard skills, it can indeed be pretty difficult to find a job in a different field . In fact, many travel agents get stuck in this field and have to work as a travel agent for many years or even decades before they find another job from which they can pay their bills.

Is it better to book a holiday with a travel agent?

In Europe, especially in the UK – usually cheaper through a travel agent . Some package holidays booked in 1 country to go to another: e.g. booking Canary Islands through German Travel Agent or Island of Djerba through Czech Travel Agent are substantially cheaper (40-60%).

Why use a travel agent instead of booking online UK?

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.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.