Is It Cheaper To Book Flights Online Or With A Travel Agent In India?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Is it cheaper to book flights online or with a travel agent in India or elsewhere? This is among the top queries travelers have and the answer is a very surprising one.

Booking with travel agents is often cheaper than booking online

as they have access to awesome money-saving deals.

Do travel agents get discounts on flights?

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 book through a travel agency?

Seaton says booking through a travel agent

typically won’t cost you more

. She says while some agents will charge you a nominal planning fee, many agencies like hers do not charge anything extra for their services. … She did say they sometimes charge a fee if it’s for a major complex trip with extensive planning.

Is it more expensive to use a travel agent?

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.

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


You are usually better off booking direct with the airline

. If you book through a travel agency and something goes wrong then the airline may well refer you back to the travel agency to fix the problem. That can be tricky if the agency is either thousands of miles away or only contactable via the internet.

Why use a travel agent instead of booking online?

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.

What are the disadvantages of using a travel agent?

Price: The Travel Agent’s Cost

Pro: You often don’t pay any more for using an agent because most travel agents get

referral fees or commissions for booking your trip

. Con: But sometimes you do pay more! Airlines, for example, don’t pay commissions so you might get charged a fee by a travel agent who books your flight.

How much do travel agents make per booking?

Some offer a meager

$2 per reservation

(regardless of value), while others based on incentives and productivity will pay commissions as high as 20%. Across the board the average commissions are 3% for Internet bookings, 3-5% on promotional rental rates and 10% on leisure rates booked through GDS distribution channels.

Do you save money booking through a travel agent?

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.

Do travel agents charge a fee?

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. Before you consult an agent, be sure you first inquire about fees.

How long can a travel agent hold flights?

Travel agents can hold flights for prospective customers for a period (

around 48 hours I think

) – it’s not a ticketed reservation or a confirmed booking. Just a hold that lapses after a set time. For flight only bookings the full price is paid at the point of booking – a deposit would only apply to a package.

Is it worth it to use a travel agent?

Travel agents have access to a variety of perks, promotions, and exclusive events that may interest you. They might

negotiate discounts or upgrades to your travel package

at no cost to you. In the end, you may save money and have experiences you would never have considered without working with an agent.

Do you tip a travel agent?

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.

How do travel agents get paid?

Generally, leisure

travel agencies

‘ main revenue is from commissions vendors

pay

on vacation packages, cruises, air and other add-ons. However, consultation fees and service fees

are

becoming more common as

agencies

try to diversify income sources to become less dependent on supplier commissions.

How much do travel agents make?

The BLS currently lists the average

travel agent

salary in 2019 as $44,690 with a range of $23,360 and $69,420 dividing the lower to upper 10% of

travel agents

. These results are similar to our most recent income report. We found an average income of $44,312 for hosted

travel agents

with 3+ years experience.

What are the benefits of using a travel agent?

  • Travel is their expertise. The #1 benefit of using a travel agent when it comes to booking your family travel is because travel is their expertise. …
  • Destination knowledge. …
  • Convenience. …
  • Cost savings. …
  • Relationships. …
  • Travel assistance. …
  • Decreased stress.
Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.