Are travel agents worth it? Pros, cons and alternatives

Generally, travel agents take on the research and logistics of trip planning. They can do everything from booking flights, hotels and tours to purchasing travel insurance and obtaining visas. 

But are these travel advisers worth it? That might depend on the cost of their services, the complexity of your trip and your comfort level booking travel yourself. 

What you’ll learn:

• A travel agent could help troubleshoot any issues that arise while traveling.

• It might be more cost effective to plan your travel yourself.

• You can consider your financial situation and the type of trip you’re taking when determining whether a travel agent is worth it to you.

• A travel credit card can also offer benefits designed to make your travel easy and rewarding.

Whether you want to leave the travel planning to someone else or plan your next trip yourself might depend on your financial situation, your personal preferences or the type of trip you’re planning. But it can be helpful to consider all the factors.

A travel agent could offer:

• Time efficiencies: Handing off the research and booking to a travel expert can save time in the trip-planning process.

• Troubleshooting: Travel agents could assist in cases of emergencies, flight cancellations and other travel complications.

• Insider benefits: An agent’s travel industry knowledge can help in finding benefits that may not be easily accessible, from flight deals and upgrades to extra credits to use aboard cruise lines.

• Personalized service: Travel agents could plan more exclusive activities for you away from the crowds or tailor more experiences to your interests.

• Transparent pricing: Many travel agents offer the option of an all-inclusive fee up front, so you likely won’t have to worry about additional costs once you’ve booked the trip.

A travel agent might not offer:

• Affordability: You might save more money by organizing the trip yourself, especially if you opt for an affordable vacation spot or want to leverage budget-friendly travel tips.

• Flexibility: If you’re the spontaneous type, booking an itinerary may feel restrictive. Doing things your own way can offer greater flexibility.

• Complete effortlessness: A travel agent might save you research time for your trip, but you’ll still need to spend time finding the right agent for your travel budget and needs.

• Maximum rewards: If you have a travel rewards credit card, you may not reap its full benefits if you book through a travel agent. For instance, you may earn more rewards by booking your trip through your credit card issuer’s travel portal.

Travel agent costs depend on the level of service and customization offered. Charges may be based on a: 

• Percentage: A set percentage of the total cost of the trip.

• Hourly rate: The amount of time spent planning your trip.

• Flat rate: A service fee, a flat-rate trip fee or a consultation fee.

• Commission: No cost to customers. Instead, the travel agent receives commissions on the flights and accommodations they book.

Travel agents may help you save money by using their know-how to find the best price on your airline tickets or hotel room. They may even be able to help you secure upgrades. But with so many online booking resources available, finding inexpensive flights and booking your own travel is easier than it used to be.

Travel agents can take some of the hassle out of travel planning, but if you’re the type of person who wants control over your itinerary, reservations and other aspects of your trip, opening a travel rewards credit card may be a better option.

Travel rewards credit cards can come with benefits that travel agents may not be able to offer. For example, with a Capital One travel rewards credit card, you could enjoy access to exclusive features like Capital One Travel, a TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry credit, Priority Pass™ and more.* You’ll also earn rewards on every dollar you spend, even if it’s not related to travel. And you can use those rewards toward airfare and hotel stays.

Of course, you’re free to open a travel rewards credit card and use a travel agent. And if you use your card to pay for their services and the reservations they make, you might earn rewards for those purchases too.

Travel agents can be worth it if you prefer to leave the legwork of planning a trip to someone else or if you enjoy getting upgrades and visiting off-the-beaten-track destinations. They might even save you money on your trip.

But it all comes down to how you prefer to travel. If you’re looking for a simple way to earn rewards that you can use toward your airline tickets, hotel stays, rental cars and other travel-related costs, you might want to consider a travel rewards credit card from Capital One.