How to Use a Travel Agent to Get the Best Deals

Most people these days prefer to make their own travel plans through the internet or directly with the airlines. However, there are times when a travel agent can be a worthwhile ally in planning a trip. The trick is knowing how best to use a travel agent.

First, determine your travel needs.  Are you looking for a nonstop flight from Chicago to New York, or are you looking for the cheapest flight between these two cities? They may not necessarily be the same. Will you be planning an entire trip - flight, accomodations, transportation, entertainment, etc - or do you just need a simple flight from place to place? Does your travel require any special consideration, such as a multi-city route (New York to Los Angeles to Washington D.C.), a refundable ticket, or a low date-change fee? Both routine and seemingly "difficult" plans are things travel agents deal with daily. A good travel agent will be able to tell you all the details about a flight, the airline's rules, and even the best and worst days and seasons to fly.

Next, do a little research online. Seek out a few prices or ideas using the internet to help you better understand what an agent should be able to offer you. For instance, if you need to fly to Miami and your budget is $200, but prices are steadily holding at $400, you're likely to be disappointed in what an agent can find for you, which may be less than prices you can find online. Conversely, if prices elsewhere are $200, but you're not informed, the travel agency has the advantage of your ignorance. By knowing what it is you want from an agency, you're in a better position to get it.