Travel Agents - what are the fees? Cheaper if you go through them?

Kbell817 · May 2010

Hello ladies -

So I'm tossing around some ideas about the honeymoon and haven't exactly decided on a location. My FI and I are really thinking about PuntaCana but there are just so many options. I heard if you use a travel agent you can get better deals. What is the deal with travel agents? Do you have to pay them some sort of fee, or is this included in your package you purchase through them?

Thoughts or suggestions welcome!

SassyPants150 · May 2010

Typically travel agents receive a commission from the hotel that they will place you in. Most times its not a fee directly to the agent from the customer.

The great part about using a travel agent is that they have so many more resources available for travel...especially international travel. While we are a very internet search savy generation, they can gather information that may take us a while to research in minutes with their computer systems.

kaesha · May 2010

You don't pay them, the places they send you to pay them via commissions. That's what makes me inherinently mistrustful; it's still about making the sale. When I was organizing stuff for my DW, I found that I could get just as good deals on my own as I could with TAs.

Heather822 · May 2010

We didn't pay our travel agent, as PP'ers stated, that is not typical.

We did do our own research (expedia, orbitz, etc) after meeting with the Travel Agent (at Liberty Travel) and their prices were much, much better!

shendydavids · May 2010

our travel agent is fabulous. Not only did she get us a better rate than what I found, she also sent us lots of info on the resort, and has an airfare alert on for when the best priced flights come out! I am using Jennifer at VIP Vacations. Got lots of rec's from other knotties to use her!

[Deleted User] · May 2010

I would def do research before going to a travel agent. They arent always the brightest crayons in the box.

prlmrg08 · May 2010

I did tons of research and my travel agent got us a great deal and is free to us elise@beachbumvacation.com

Denise91980 · May 2010

I booked my HM on Orbitz....It was about 1000 cheaper than Liberty Travel quoted me....and Liberty Travel suggested I wait and the prices went way up.

kaylaclancy · May 2010

you shouldn't pay any fees to use one! I just got back from my honeymoon and my travel agent got us a room upgrade, the best price I found and even followed up with us after we got back. It felt good knowing she was there if something went wrong. I would totally contact her. Jennifer at VIP Vacations
Jennifervipvacationsinc@verizon.net

grneyz12 · May 2010

I didn't pay any fees. I did a ton of research first and then we went in to meet with the travel agent and she ended up saving us $1500 off of what I had found the lowest price to be, so we booked with her. Plus if something were to happen, now I have a point person to fix the issue!

Kbell817 · May 2010

Thank you all SOOOOO much for the advice! I think I'm actually going to contact some of those agents you sent me their e-mails!! I also think I'll do a little of my own research just in case so I can price compare. Great ideas/suggesstions everyone!

iamapixie · May 2010

I don't generally use travel agents, but did for our HM to Bora Bora. I was able to get better accomodations for much less money and there were a ton of extras included. She was also able to make arrangements based on things she knew that I didn't ie. booking the trip the way I was going to, I would have had to pay for an extra overnight hotel room before catching a connecting flight and with her way, I didn't have to do that. It really depends on where you are going, how much time you have to research yourself, etc. Good luck!

Travel Agents - what are the fees? Cheaper if you go through them?

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