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Breaking Down the Pros and Cons of Using a Travel Agent

You're convinced that having a travel expert by your side will be useful. But how do you go about knowing when and how to book with them?

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Confession: I’m a big fan of travel agents (whoops, sorry, travel advisers ), even though I could technically book all my trips through websites and apps. And despite the fact that many of us might consider this industry old-fashioned and out-of-date, research shows that travelers, and millennials in particular, are once again turning to these specialists to help plow through TripAdvisor detritus. If you’re wondering: how much does a travel agent cost, and why would I book with one anyway? Read on.

How to Know If You Need a Travel Agent

Once you’ve come around to the idea of hiring a travel agent, ask these three questions before booking:

• Is this a domestic trip or one that involves traveling to a part of the world you’ve never been? If it’s the former you don’t need a travel agent.
• Can I get a better deal by using a travel agent? (This question requires you pricing out your trip with and without one.)
• Is this a big-budget, special-event kind of trip? If the answer is yes, go with a travel agent.

The Pros of Using a Travel Agent

They can find crazy deals..

This is literally their job. If they have been in the travel business for many years, they likely have supplier relationships in place that can help leverage better deals for you. Many travel agents specialize in locations (i.e., cruise vacations in Europe). Some travel agents offer package deals, with more savings passed on to you then booking the trip on your own—that is good news to your wallet.

They will be your advocate.

One of the best ways to utilize a travel agent is as an advocate should something derail on your trip. They can help you with lost luggage, in the case of natural disasters, if you get stuck in a location before your trip, etc. They are there to help you get your trip back on track.

They’ll take care of the little things.

I love my travel agent, and I love all the extras she provides when we use her services for a trip. For instance, when we traveled to the Bahamas, she made sure there was a nice bottle of champagne and strawberries in our room on our arrival, and she also upgraded our room free of charge. While this certainly is not a guarantee when you use a travel agent, there are a lot of added-value extras you can expect when you use a travel agent. Why? Because travel agents know you don’t have to use them to book your trip, and they want to say thank you.

They’re true experts.

Most travel agents have been working in the industry for years now, and it’s their job to stay on top of travel trends and upcoming hot destinations. When I spoke with my travel agent about a trip to Europe recently, she offered a few alternate destinations. I was not thinking about the destinations she suggested, but the alternatives offered great activities, culture, food, interesting boutique hotels, and more options for less money than my original destination.

They don’t usually cost extra.

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. Make sure you know all the potential fees before you use a travel agent, and do not hesitate to negotiate away.

The Cons of Using a Travel Agent

They’re not going to help with cheaper airfare..

Back in the day, you would use a travel agent to book every aspect of your trip. However, with so many options to find low-cost airfare, like Google Flights , Scott’s Cheap Flights , and  Skyscanner , booking your own flights is easy and cost-effective. Most travel agents cannot score discounted flights, and many travel agents will not even bother. Follow these tips on how to find the cheapest flights possible , instead.

They’re not you.

This may seem obvious, although it’s still important to consider. A travel agent not only finds you the best deals, but they also offer suggestions for activities, restaurants, and more. This is great if you’re someone who doesn’t like to research these things, but you run the risk of working with someone who doesn’t get your personal preferences (maybe they lean toward road tours rather than technical singletrack). Do your own research first, and come up with a list of activities that you want to do. Once you have that list, pass it along to your travel agent to see if they can rustle up any deals as they book.

How to Find a Great One

One of the best ways to find a reputable travel agent is to get referrals from your friends and family. Anyone that has used that travel agent for a previous trip and enjoyed their service is someone worth checking out. As with anything, I always suggest talking to at least two different travel agents to see who you feel most comfortable with. Remember, they are there to work for you.

Know your travel budget before you reach out to a travel agent. Likely, this will be the first question they ask you and will help steer them toward the best destinations for that budget. If you are traveling somewhere that’s specialized, like going on that once-in-a-lifetime African safari , find a specialist that knows that region inside and out. They will usually have the best deals and relationships with hotels and activity companies in that area.

How Much Does a Travel Agent Cost?

Usually, the cost of hiring a travel agent to organize a trip for you is fairly minimal. Many agencies charge a flat fee of around $100, and others may charge a certain small percentage of your trip. Most of their take-home profits come from the hotels, wholesalers, resorts, and businesses they work with, but be sure to as your travel agent about fees upfront and before you start working with them to plan your next dream vacation. (No one likes hidden fees and surprises.)

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Using a travel agent vs. booking yourself: what’s best?

Pros of using a travel agent.

• Connect you with trusted tour operators they’ve worked with before
• Find the perfect airfares, rental cars, and cruise ships/cruise lines to fit your itinerary
• Help you save money with exclusive upgrades, discounts, and perks that aren’t available to the general public
• Offer personalized service and peace of mind
• Help you organize a group trip or family trip that meets all travelers’ requirements, saving you time and effort
• Manage trip cancellations and changes, and find flexible fares that fall within your budget

Cons of using a travel agent

• Less convenient - Many travel agents only offer services during certain limited office hours. On the other hand, by booking online, you can make your bookings any time you want. Some travel booking sites also offer 24/7 customer support.
• Biased advice - Travel agents earn commissions from hotel operators and airlines, so they have an incentive to push you towards booking flights or hotels that they choose.
• Limited choice - Many travel agencies, especially small consumer-facing agencies, have limited inventories. Online, you’ll find a wide variety of different travel products and tour operators to choose from.
• More expensive - Travel agencies often charge large booking fees for their services.
• Lack of flexible payment options - Some types of travel agencies, such as business travel management companies, ask all their clients to sign a rigid one-year contract with complicated fine print.

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Is a travel agent worth it the pros and cons.

Travel experts agree there are several advantages to hiring a vacation planner.

The Pros & Cons of Using a Travel Agent

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A travel agent can save you money and time.

Need to pivot your trip plans but don't want to deal with the extra time, money and hassle of rebooking flights and accommodations on your own? That's just one area where a knowledgeable travel agent (also commonly known as a travel advisor) can help. Read on to discover the other benefits – as well as the downsides – of using a travel agent, so you can confidently decide whether or not a travel agent is worth it for your next trip.

The Pros of Using a Travel Agent

Travel agents can save you money – and get you other perks.

"In some cases, you'll actually get a better  deal by working with a travel agent," says Jackie Steele, travel expert at MagicGuides . "This could be in the form of a cruise onboard credit (free spending money to use on the ship), access to special agency/group rates, or even just learning about a discount you qualify for but weren't aware of." The best agents will even keep an eye on new discounts as they're announced and apply them to your trip even after you've booked, he notes.

Travel agents handle all the details

Hotel room? Booked. Dinner reservations? Made. Tour tickets? Ready to go. A travel agent handles every detail of your vacation itinerary. "The traveler still gets to be involved in the fun part of dreaming up ideas and providing their travel wishes, while we take and perfect them," says Jessica Parker, founder of Trip Whisperer .

Molly McShea, owner and travel advisor at McShea Travel , points out that travel agents can also help with timing logistics. "Travel agents know how many days should be spent in each destination, which tours go together, and how many things you should do in a day," she says, adding that crafting an itinerary can be challenging if it's not something you regularly do. Additionally, travel agents can help you choose the best time to visit your preferred destination(s) based on seasonality and your budget, and sift through travel insurance policies to find the best option for your needs.

Travel agents can provide local expertise

"A travel advisor's industry connections and relationships provide added value to their clients," says Valerie Edman, a luxury travel advisor and agency owner at Cultured Travel LLC. She says when working with a travel agent, travelers gain access to a global network of connections including:

• In-destination specialists who work exclusively with travel advisors and can connect travelers with unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences they wouldn't otherwise know about
• Exclusive experiences not available to the general public

You'll avoid surprise fees

When deciding if a travel agent is worth it for you, remember this: A reputable agent can guarantee you won't encounter any surprise fees on accommodations and activities once your trip is booked.

You'll have someone to troubleshoot unexpected travel issues

A travel advisor is essentially your personal vacation concierge. "Because they've been around for so long, agents really know what to look for," says Christopher Elliott , a consumer advocate and journalist. "Travel agents are among the first to know about flight cancellations and delays , making it easy for them to rebook itineraries right away." 

The Cons of Using a Travel Agent

It might not be your cheapest option.

There are some instances when it makes more sense to plan your own trip. "If you're planning a quick flight from New York City to Los Angeles, it's easy enough to book it yourself online directly or through a third-party booking site," says Elliott. "If you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip or bucket list honeymoon , that's when you call the experts."

You'll have less flexibility in your itinerary

The upside of working with a travel agent is having someone plan an epic vacation for you based on industry knowledge and local expertise. But this can also be a downside in the event you discover an activity you'd like to do or a restaurant you'd like to try that isn't on your pre-planned itinerary. If you alter your plans, you risk losing money; plus, the time it takes for you and your travel agent to coordinate your change of plans may not be worth the hassle.

You still have to do some research

It's important to find an agent you can trust, which means you still have to do some of the vacation planning. For this part, Parker recommends picking up the phone. "Lots of people avoid or don't pick up the phone as much anymore," she says. "That's where you get the high-touch service, tone of voice, excitement or concerns to manage." She advises to look for the following red flags:

• No fees: " Travel advisors are charging planning fees more now or increasing them, so the client knows more confidently than ever, we work for them, not the suppliers with the best commissions," Parker explains. "There are a lot of things that are non-commissionable and the advisor's time and expertise shouldn't be given away for free, either. That's the best way to show an advisor takes their business seriously."
• Limited options: If you work with someone who is inexperienced or has an incentive to book you with a certain supplier, they may not be prioritizing your best interests. "It's important to check if they are with a larger consortia, accreditations and network, typically listed on their website and signatures," says Parker. "That level of mindshare doesn't come with a lone advisor unless they have many, many years of experience."
• Slow response times: If communication is delayed, that's a sign they may be too busy to plan your trip – but again, this is something you can avoid by having the right conversations early on.

Edman suggestes starting your search with the American Society of Travel Advisors . "ASTA-verified travel advisors are committed to the highest industry standards and have verifiable industry knowledge so consumers can feel confident in working with them," she says.

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7 Amazing Benefits of Using A Travel Agent

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy .

Planning a vacation is a complicated and time-consuming process. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using a travel agent to help plan and book your family travel!

Having a professional help with the planning and logistics of your travel plans can have a big impact on how much you spend on — and how much you enjoy — your family vacation.

As travel becomes more and more complicated, and your vacation time more valuable, let’s take a look at the 7 reasons to use a travel agent to book your travel in 2022 and beyond!

This post contains affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.   For more info, see disclosure.

Table of Contents

What is a Travel Agent?

A travel agent is an individual who both provides and arranges travel or tourism-related services to the general public. This is done so on behalf of the travel agent’s accommodation or travel suppliers.

Travel agents simplify the travel planning process by booking flights, cruises, rental cars and hotels, as well as resort stays and events.

They offer vacation and accommodation suggestions based on their experience and research as well as work within a set monetary budget if desired.

Most importantly, travel agents are invested in their clients’ happiness and satisfaction.

They work to make sure that each and every detail of your trip is accounted for in order to help ensure that you have a memorable, hassle-free family vacation!

Benefits of Using A Travel Agent

In order to help explain the undeniable benefits of using a travel agent to book your future travel, I’ve partnered with Sandy Haddick, owner of Dreams are Forever Travel .

Sandy is a passionate travel agent based out of Rochester, Minnesota who consistently goes above and beyond to meet the travel needs of her clients both near and far.

Together, we’ll explain several travel agent benefits, as well as review reasons why to use a travel agent instead of booking online.

1. 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 .

Much like you would hire an electrician to handle a wiring issue, or a financial planner to help manage your money, you should turn to a travel professional when you’re in need of assistance with your travels.

Travel agents are trained to know, understand, and adapt to all different forms of travel.

They research information on their client’s travel plans and relay important details including travel advisories, recent news, weather conditions, and required documents for your destination.

We discuss your travel desires and craft the perfect vacation just for you! Likewise, we listen, suggest, adjust, and understand.  We also give you valuable tips before you leave on your vacation that you may not have thought of on your own! Sandy

2. Destination knowledge. 

Travel agents uncover new destinations and are constantly on the lookout for the best trips and travel recommendations.

Likewise, they are the best resources to contact when looking to book unique places to stay in the USA and beyond!

Not only do travel agents travel the world to serve as a resource for their clients, but they have an abundance of other travel-related resources to answer your questions quickly and correctly.

Their recommendations cater to various travel purposes, whether it be family, group, or multi-generational leisure or business-related travel.

I often use the hashtag #WeKnowBecauseWeGo because it’s true!  We travel so we can see destinations, resorts, and excursions first hand in order to help our clients make informed decisions on what they can expect. Sandy

3. Convenience.

Travel agents offer the convenience of having every aspect of your vacation or trip pulled together in one comprehensive plan.

This includes researching and suggesting destinations , as well as arranging for flights, accommodations, airport transportation, and excursions.

By doing so, all of the guesswork is taken out of these selections and your final details will be available in one hub of information provided to you by your travel agent.

We know your time is valuable, so we seek out all of the answers to your questions so that you don’t have to waste your precious time researching. Sandy

*For additional travel convenience, click the following image to get your FREE family vacation packing list that is both customizable and printable!

4. Cost savings.

Many people might be hesitant to work with a travel agent because they think it will cost them extra money.

They may also assume that they’ll spend more money working with a travel agent than when booking vacations on their own.

The fact is that travelers do not pay more for vacations when working with a travel agent and instead, often save more money than they would if booking online.

Not only do travel agents have access to exclusive deals, but they keep track of current vacation promotions, can advise you on the best time to book, as well as calculate the value of what you will receive.

We have relationships with tour operators and resorts that can gain our clients better travel perks. Likewise, we can actually save you money as we are privy to discounts you may not know about. Last, there is no fee to use Dreams are Forever Travel. We get paid by the tour operators, hoteliers, rental car companies, etc., and not from our individual clients. Sandy

5. Relationships.

The relationship you’ll form with your travel agent, as well as their relationships with other agents, are two of the benefits of using a travel agent.

Through getting to know you, a travel agent will honor your personal vacation requests and hand-pick its details to tailor to your needs.

The relationships that travel agents have with properties and other travel professionals will get you into incredible experiences and save you from unknowns.

Often times, room preferences, dietary needs, and other special requests can be seamlessly accommodated by the benefits of using a travel agent and their connections.

Travel agents are not a search engine or an anonymous voice from a call center. Instead, we are professionals who happen to love travel and who truly care. We want you to have an experience, not just a trip! Sandy

Additional recommended reading: 9 Tips For Keeping Your Family Healthy While Traveling

6. Travel assistance.

One of the best benefits of using a travel agent is the travel assistance that you will get in working with an actual person, versus the Internet.

During our recent family vacation to Mexico , our travel agent was able to help our large group deal with last-minute flight changes and staggered arrival times.

The personalized attention that we received was an essential component to the success and overall enjoyment of the trip.

Quite simply, when working with a travel agent, they take care of everything.

From the moment you set foot in the destination to the moment you touch the ground back home, dedicated travel assistance is an undeniable benefit of using a travel agent.

The Internet doesn’t call you back, but we do!  During times of crisis (hurricanes, Covid-19, etc.), you make one call, text or email and we handle the rest. We are there for you 24/7 while traveling.  I’ve had clients call at 2 am because they couldn’t get into the vacation condo and I was able to pick up the phone and solve their issue. Sandy

7. Decreased stress.

Another one of the top benefits of using a travel agent is that they always have your back!

Travel agents exist to assist their clients in making travel as smooth and as stress-free as possible. In the rare case that something on a trip doesn’t go as planned, travel agents are there to resolve the problem, so that you can continue to relax and enjoy.

Not only that, but self-directed internet searches provide overwhelming amounts of information.

To make a trip extra special it’s best to have someone who knows how to connect all that information and turn it into an itinerary that is seamless and stress-free.

You can start your vacation with peace of mind knowing every detail has been accounted for. Once there, you can focus on the fun knowing that your agent has handled everything for you! Sandy

Benefits of Using A Travel Agent – About Our Guest

“Hi! I’m Sandy Haddick, owner of Dreams are Forever Travel!

I have been planning travel from a young age. 

My first memory as a Travel Planner is when I was 8 years old. I asked my mom if I could map out our route to South Dakota from the west coast. 

After that, I was hooked! 

As I grew up, I became the “go-to” person for friends and family when it came to travel.

At Dreams are Forever Travel , I specialize in leisure travel for families, couples, groups, and solo travelers.  I help my clients by crafting the perfect vacation to suit their needs & desires at no additional cost to them.

When I’m not making travel dreams come true, I love to travel with my own family.

I enjoy visiting different destinations to gain valuable first-hand knowledge for my clients.

Please, visit my website or contact me to plan your next adventure!”

If you liked reading our Top 7 Benefits of Using a Travel Agent, click here to check out our  Related Posts:

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*Before leaving, be sure to check our  Travel Resources Page  to find our exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

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10 Comments

Great tips to hire a travel agent!

Thank you so much! They are oh so important now in this season of cancellations and changes 🙂

#7 really speaks to me here! I always get into so much analysis paralysis and decision fatigue I just wish someone would make the choices for me and have it be perfect! Thanks for all this insight 🙂

Dayla, thanks for reading! I like your term ‘analysis paralysis’. So true!!

I couldn’t agree more with using a travel agent, maybe a bit biased because I’m a travel agent too. Ha Ha! Honestly, Travel Agents are skilled, experienced and active travellers. I think the biggest misconception people have about Travel Agents is thinking they are expensive however this is not the case, Travel Agents have access to suppliers that provides pecks like hotel upgrades, complimentary spa sessions and lots more.

Awesome! I did not know that you were a travel agent! Thanks for sharing…and good luck with your travel endeavors. You rock!

Interesting perspective. I’m often hesitant to use a travel agent when booking a holiday from home, but I’ll happily use tour companies on the ground while on holiday!

Thanks for reading! I think that travel agents are an especially great option for people that don’t particularly like spending the time researching a particular destination or itinerary.

We’ve used travel agents a few times randomly but these are all great tips on why you’ll benefit from them!! Thanks for debunking some of the myths!

You’re welcome! I love to use travel agents when traveling with big groups or several different families as they do such a great job of coordinating flights, arrivals, etc.

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What does a travel agent do?

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What is a Travel Agent?

A travel agent assists individuals or groups in planning, organizing, and booking various aspects of their travel arrangements. They act as intermediaries between travelers and travel suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and tour operators. Travel agents have in-depth knowledge of different destinations, travel options, and industry trends, which they leverage to provide personalized recommendations and advice to their clients.

One of the primary roles of a travel agent is to help clients navigate the complex world of travel. They listen to their clients' preferences, budget constraints, and desired experiences, and then work towards creating a tailored itinerary that meets their needs. Travel agents handle tasks such as booking flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and excursions, ensuring that all the necessary arrangements are made smoothly. They can also provide valuable insights on visa requirements, travel insurance, and local customs, helping travelers make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.

What does a Travel Agent do?

Travel agents possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the travel industry, including destinations, transportation options, accommodations, and activities. This expertise allows them to provide valuable advice and guidance to travelers, helping them make informed decisions and create well-planned itineraries that meet their specific needs and preferences. They also have access to a wide range of resources and tools that enable them to efficiently search for the best deals, discounts, and promotions available. They can often secure exclusive rates and packages, saving their clients both time and money.

Duties and Responsibilities Here are some common tasks and responsibilities associated with being a travel agent:

• Client Consultation: Travel agents engage in thorough consultations with clients to understand their travel preferences, requirements, and budget. They ask relevant questions to gather necessary information and provide personalized recommendations based on the client's needs.
• Itinerary Planning: Based on client preferences, travel agents create detailed travel itineraries that include destinations, transportation options, accommodations, and activities. They consider factors like travel dates, budget constraints, and any specific requests from clients.
• Reservation and Booking: Travel agents handle the booking process for flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel-related services. They ensure that all bookings are made accurately and efficiently, securing the best available rates and deals for their clients.
• Travel Documentation and Logistics: Travel agents assist clients in obtaining necessary travel documents such as passports, visas, and travel insurance. They provide guidance on the documentation process and ensure that clients have all the required paperwork in order. Agents also handle logistical aspects like seat assignments, baggage allowances, and transportation arrangements.
• Knowledge of Destinations: Travel agents possess extensive knowledge about various destinations, including popular attractions, local customs, weather conditions, and safety considerations. They provide valuable information and recommendations to clients, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about their travel plans.
• Customer Service: Travel agents offer exceptional customer service throughout the entire travel process. They address client inquiries, resolve any issues or concerns that may arise, and provide support during the trip. Agents act as a point of contact for emergencies and assist clients in making alternative arrangements if necessary.
• Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends: To provide the best service to clients, travel agents stay updated with the latest industry trends, travel regulations, and changes in travel technology. They attend industry conferences, participate in training programs, and conduct research to ensure their knowledge is current.
• Sales and Marketing: Some travel agents engage in sales and marketing activities to attract new clients and promote travel packages and services. They may participate in trade shows, develop promotional materials, and utilize online platforms to reach a wider audience.
• Financial Management: Travel agents handle financial transactions related to travel bookings, including processing payments, issuing refunds, and managing invoices. They maintain accurate records of financial transactions and ensure compliance with accounting procedures.
• Continuous Learning: Travel agents continuously enhance their skills and knowledge by staying updated on travel industry trends, new destinations, and emerging technologies. They actively seek opportunities for professional development to provide the best possible service to their clients.

Types of Travel Agents There are various types of travel agents, each specializing in different aspects of travel and catering to specific clientele. Here are some common types of travel agents and what they do:

• Leisure Travel Agents: Leisure travel agents focus on organizing vacations and leisure trips for individuals, families, or groups. They assist clients in planning and booking all aspects of their leisure travel, including flights, accommodations, tours, and activities. Leisure travel agents may specialize in specific types of travel, such as beach vacations, cruises, adventure travel, or luxury travel.
• Corporate Travel Agents: Corporate travel agents primarily cater to business travelers and companies. They handle the complex travel needs of corporate clients, including booking flights, arranging accommodations, managing itineraries, and coordinating travel logistics. Corporate travel agents are familiar with business travel policies, negotiated rates, and preferred vendors to ensure cost-effective and efficient travel arrangements for their clients.
• Group Travel Agents: Group travel agents specialize in organizing travel for large groups, such as family reunions, weddings, school trips, or corporate retreats. They handle group bookings for flights, accommodations, transportation, and activities, negotiating group rates and coordinating logistics to accommodate the specific needs and preferences of the group.
• Tour Operators: Tour operators design and operate pre-packaged tours and travel itineraries. They create comprehensive tour packages that include transportation, accommodations, guided tours, and activities. Tour operators often work with travel agents to sell their tour packages, providing them with a ready-made product to offer their clients.
• Destination Specialists: Destination specialists focus on specific regions, countries, or cities. They have in-depth knowledge of the destination's culture, attractions, local experiences, and logistical considerations. Destination specialists provide expert advice and create customized itineraries for travelers seeking in-depth exploration of a particular destination.
• Online Travel Agents (OTAs): Online travel agents operate through internet platforms and websites, offering a wide range of travel services. They allow customers to search, compare, and book flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel services online. Online travel agents may also provide customer support and assistance through online chat or call centers.
• Niche Travel Agents: Niche travel agents specialize in specific types of travel, catering to niche markets or specialized interests. Examples include adventure travel agents, luxury travel agents, honeymoon specialists, culinary travel agents, or eco-tourism experts. These agents have extensive knowledge and expertise in their niche area, curating unique experiences and tailored itineraries for clients with specific interests.

Are you suited to be a travel agent?

Travel agents have distinct personalities . They tend to be enterprising individuals, which means they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic. They are dominant, persuasive, and motivational. Some of them are also conventional, meaning they’re conscientious and conservative.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if travel agent is one of your top career matches.

What is the workplace of a Travel Agent like?

The workplace of a travel agent can vary depending on their specific employment arrangement. Some travel agents work in traditional brick-and-mortar travel agencies, which may be part of a larger travel company or operate independently. In these settings, travel agents typically have a physical office space with workstations, computers, and travel industry resources such as brochures, destination guides, and reservation systems. They may have a reception area to welcome clients and conduct in-person consultations.

With the increasing prevalence of remote work and online booking platforms, many travel agents now have the flexibility to work from home or in virtual offices. They utilize technology, such as laptops, smartphones, and high-speed internet, to communicate with clients, access travel resources, and make online bookings. Virtual travel agents often communicate with clients via phone, email, or video conferencing, offering the convenience of remote consultations.

Travel agents also frequently visit destinations, attend industry conferences, and participate in familiarization trips organized by travel suppliers. These opportunities allow them to gain firsthand experience, build relationships with suppliers, and stay updated on the latest travel trends. While travel agents spend a significant amount of time working at their desks, they also have the chance to explore and experience the destinations they recommend to their clients.

In terms of work hours, travel agents may have a standard office schedule, working weekdays during regular business hours. However, they may also need to be flexible, accommodating clients in different time zones or assisting with emergency situations outside of regular office hours. The workload of travel agents can vary throughout the year, with peak periods during holiday seasons or when there are significant events or festivals happening in popular destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pros and cons of being a travel agent.

Being a travel agent can be an exciting and rewarding career for individuals who are passionate about travel and enjoy helping others create memorable experiences. However, like any profession, there are pros and cons to consider.

• Travel Opportunities: One of the major advantages of being a travel agent is the exposure to diverse travel opportunities. Travel agents often have the chance to visit destinations, experience different cultures, and explore new places as part of their job. This firsthand experience not only enhances their knowledge but also allows them to provide valuable insights and recommendations to clients.
• Personal Satisfaction: For individuals who are passionate about travel and helping others, being a travel agent can be personally fulfilling. The ability to create personalized itineraries and witness the joy and excitement of clients as they embark on their dream trips can be highly rewarding.
• Knowledge and Expertise: Travel agents develop a deep understanding of destinations, travel products, and industry trends. They stay up-to-date with the latest information, including visa requirements, safety advisories, and emerging travel destinations. This expertise allows them to provide valuable advice and recommendations to clients, ensuring they have well-planned and memorable travel experiences.
• Building Relationships: Travel agents have the opportunity to build strong relationships with clients, travel suppliers, and industry professionals. They can establish a network of contacts that can enhance their business and open doors for collaboration and future opportunities.
• Industry Changes and Competition: The travel industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies, online booking platforms, and dynamic pricing models. Travel agents must stay updated with these changes and adapt their business practices accordingly. The rise of online travel agencies and self-booking options has increased competition, requiring travel agents to differentiate themselves and provide added value to their clients.
• Workload and Time Management: The travel industry can be demanding, especially during peak travel seasons. Travel agents may need to work long hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate client needs and handle emergencies. Proper time management skills are essential to balance the workload and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Pressure for Exceptional Customer Service: Travel agents are expected to deliver outstanding customer service consistently. They must handle client inquiries, resolve issues, and manage expectations throughout the travel process. This level of customer service can be challenging, particularly when dealing with unforeseen circumstances or dissatisfied clients.
• Commission-Based Income: While some travel agents receive a salary or hourly wage, others rely on commission-based income. This means their earnings are directly tied to the bookings they secure for clients. It can take time to build a client base and establish a steady income stream, especially in the early stages of a travel agent's career.

Travel Agents are also known as: Travel Consultant

The Complete Guide to Booking Travel Online

What is an online travel agency, and what are the best sites and apps to use to search for hotels and flights we break it all down for you..

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There’s a lot to navigate when researching and booking travel online.

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My first travel adventure was to Venezuela. I booked the ticket with a travel agent over a pay phone. The agent searched a dozen flight itineraries over a few days, all so I could save $15.

Times have changed. Today, flight searches start online , often on your mobile device. Passengers book either directly with the airline or hotel or with online travel agencies. Rarely do we get on the phone. In fact, American Airlines and United Airlines charge $25 to make a domestic flight booking by phone. And pay phones hardly exist anymore.

So, what is the best way to book online? Here is our complete guide to online travel agencies, search tools, and the variety of booking options available on both mobile devices and desktops.

What is an OTA?

An online travel agency, or OTA, is a website or mobile app that allows users to search for and book travel services such as flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and activities. The booking is made directly with the online travel agency but confirmed by the service provider, such as an airline or a hotel. As a customer, your relationship is with the OTA.

What are the main OTAs?

Many online travel agencies nowadays are owned by two main companies: Expedia and Priceline. The Expedia Group is the largest online travel agency in the United States with 70 percent market share, according to travel data firm Phocuswright. Expedia Group operates Expedia.com , Orbitz, Hotels.com , Trivago, CheapTickets , Hotwire , Vrbo , and Travelocity .

Priceline is a major competitor to Expedia, with global revenues larger than the Expedia Group. The company owns Priceline.com, Booking.com, Cheapflights, Momondo, and Kayak—the latter two being metasearch engines (more on that below).

There are also independent newcomers such as Hopper (a mobile-only booking tool) and Kiwi.com (which allows you to book flights on air carriers that don’t normally have a commercial relationship).

Are OTA fares lower than booking directly?

Generally, no. The fares that are displayed by an OTA will be similar if not slightly more expensive when compared to an airline’s website. They’re usually only a few dollars higher or lower. The OTAs charge a booking fee to the airlines, and often that fee is passed directly to consumers. For example, Lufthansa tacks on an additional $18 to any booking made through an OTA for Lufthansa flights. The same flights are exactly $18 cheaper on the airline’s website.

Where you can score a good travel deal through an OTA is when booking a last-minute hotel and flight package. Many OTAs have cut agreements with airlines allowing last-minute travelers to access lower rates than are typically available when passengers book a flight alone.

Are all airlines available to be booked through OTAs?

No. Many OTAs do not display flights from some of the low-fare leaders. For example, Southwest and Allegiant flights are not available through OTAs; the same goes for Ryanair in Europe. And, earlier this year United Airlines threatened to pull out of Expedia altogether, only recently signing a multi-year agreement to stay in. The airlines would rather not lose any margin to online travel agencies in an already low-margin industry and would rather maintain a direct relationship with the customer.

Are smaller OTAs safe to use?

Expedia and Priceline are the two largest players in the online booking space, but there are dozens of independent OTAs, such as CheapOAir, OneTravel, JustFly, and SmartFares. Confusingly, you might actually stumble on ads for these OTAs while using Expedia or Priceline sites. That’s because the larger OTAs earn revenue through advertising, sending passengers to smaller OTAs and charging those OTAs for the favor.

Buyer beware: some of these lesser-known OTAs are masters at hidden fees. For example, a flight search on JetBlue allows for free seat selection in many instances. If you perform the same search on FlightNetwork, an independent OTA, and select a seat, you will be charged an additional $25—despite the fact that JetBlue doesn’t charge a seat selection fee if you book directly.

What if you need to change your itinerary?

Itinerary changes are often a pain. If your plans change, it won’t matter whether you’ve booked directly with an airline or with an OTA—you’re going to pay fees for the privilege, if you can even change your ticket at all.

For example, CheapTickets.com, which is part of the Expedia Group, charges $25 to change or cancel a ticket if that change is requested after 24 hours of making the booking—it is free if you do so within 24 hours of booking. However, the fees go up from there. JustFly, an independent OTA, charges a $75 fee for changes to domestic flights in addition to airline change fees, plus the difference in fare, for tickets that can be changed. For an international trip, the fee rises to $200. That means to change an international flight with Delta (which charges a $100 change fee) booked through JustFly, you’ll be assessed $300 in fees, plus the difference in fare. At that rate, you may as well book a new flight. FlightNetwork indicates in its terms of service that changes may incur a change fee but doesn’t specify what those fees are. That hardly makes the few dollars you saved by booking with the OTA in the first place worth it.

What is an OTA price match policy?

To assure travelers that they are getting the lowest fare possible, many OTAs have a price match policy. The rules vary and so do the benefits.

For example, if you book with Orbitz and find a less expensive flight, car rental, or activity on any U.S.-based website within 24 hours of your booking, Orbitz will refund you the difference you paid. And it works: I have personally found a flight in the same class, on the same airline, for the same origin and destination cities, and requested Orbitz to refund the difference of around $35. Within a few weeks, I received a check in the mail. A similar program applies for CheapOAir, but there’s a catch—the price difference must be found on a major OTA such as Expedia or Travelocity.

Expedia has a particularly good price match policy, but you have to pay extra for it at the time of booking. Expedia offers the price match option as an add-on that costs between $5 and $30 when you book. With the price match applied, if the airfare on Expedia drops between 120 days of the flight and up to six hours before the flight, Expedia will automatically refund you the difference in fare. Unfortunately, fares generally do not drop substantially as the travel date approaches, so while this might give you peace of mind, it’s probably not worth the expense.

How do Google Flights and other travel metasearch engines work?

Frequent fliers are likely familiar with websites such as Google Flights, Kayak, Momondo, or Skyscanner. On these websites, passengers search on the site but are redirected to the service provider to complete the booking, such as an airline, rental car company, or hotel.

Metasearch started with a product called ITA Matrix, which is a tool for searching airfares online but not for actually booking online. ITA Matrix allows for multi-city searching, such as setting two different departure or arrival airports, and for offering a calendar view of fares for easier comparison. That company was acquired by Google in 2011, and savvy travelers swear by it to help find the least expensive fares online. Most consumers are more familiar with Google Flights, which has gained traction more recently not least because it has the benefit of being displayed first in search results on Google.

Metasearch engines receive distribution fees from the airlines for sending traffic to the supplier websites. There are no additional hidden fees for using a metasearch engine because you’re booking directly with the airline or hotel.

A major benefit of the metasearch engines is their price tracking tool, which lets users know whether the displayed fares are low, average, or high for the flight, allowing travelers to make a more informed decision on whether to book a flight or not . Google Flights and Kayak, for instance, both have price tracking tools.

Why not just book directly?

The airlines would definitely much rather you book directly with them. Over the past five years, they have gotten much better at marketing and selling their product directly to consumers online and through mobile sites and apps. But in the past, they weren’t so good at it. In fact, Delta, Northwest, United, American, and Continental got together to invest $145 million to launch Orbitz in 1999 to counter the threat from Expedia. Now Orbitz is owned by Expedia.

The airlines also try to encourage customers to book directly so that they can maintain a closer relationship with them. It allows carriers to connect bookings with loyalty programs and create special offers and discounts catered to individual passengers.

There is another benefit to booking directly. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires carriers to hold a reservation at the quoted fare for 24 hours without payment or allow a reservation to be cancelled within 24 hours without penalty, so long as the booking is made at least seven days before travel. The law applies, however, only to U.S. and foreign air carriers that have websites marketed to U.S. consumers. This means that, in theory, an online travel agency does not have to offer such a policy, although most OTAs do.

What are the options for booking on your mobile device?

Airlines and the major OTAs all have apps to help you book and manage your trip on your mobile device, but their functionality is lacking compared to these websites’ desktop editions. For example, Expedia’s app doesn’t allow you to view flights on a month-view calendar. Kayak has an app with more bells and whistles and a better user interface, including a month-view calendar with color-coded pricing. It also has a handy “augmented reality” function to help you see if your carry-on bag will fit in the overhead bin (a feature originally developed by KLM). Point your phone’s camera at the luggage, and it’ll give you the dimensions.

While apps are improving and gaining in popularity, you still might find it easier to locate the best deals on flights and hotels by using your desktop, where you can have multiple tabs open and have all the available search tools at your disposal. Apps are fine for booking directly with an airline once you know which flights you want to book.

If you’re determined to use your mobile device, you may want to look into Hopper. Hopper is a mobile-first flight booking tool that has a solid price prediction tool. You can research travel options and book directly on the app. Another benefit of Hopper: Of its team of 300 employees, nearly half are dedicated to customer support and are based in Canada versus some OTAs and airlines that outsource much of their customer service further afield.

The bottom line?

Like many travelers, I enjoy a flight deal as much as the next person, but I also don’t like any added hassle. I typically start my travel searches using the ITA Matrix or Google Flights to get a general sense of the fares. It helps to know what is a good deal and what is expensive for a particular route. I do my research, typically on a desktop computer. When I’m ready to book, I’ll book directly with the airline. I’ve found that customer service is better when booking directly with the service provider. But I’ve also saved money by using OTAs and have booked with them, too. Whichever way you choose to book, you can be safe in the knowledge that finding and purchasing travel online is a lot easier today than searching for a deal with a travel agent on a pay phone.

>> Next: How to Get the Best Last-Minute Travel Deals

What is a Travel Agent?

Learn about the role of Travel Agent, what they do on a daily basis, and what it's like to be one.

• What is a Travel Agent
• How to Become
• Certifications
• Tools & Software
• LinkedIn Guide
• Interview Questions
• Work-Life Balance
• Professional Goals
• Resume Examples
• Cover Letter Examples

Start Your Travel Agent Career with Teal

Definition of a Travel Agent

What does a travel agent do, key responsibilities of a travel agent.

• Consulting with clients to understand their travel preferences, needs, and budget constraints.
• Designing and organizing travel itineraries tailored to clients' specifications, including booking flights, hotels, tours, and other travel services.
• Providing clients with destination information, including travel advisories, visa requirements, and vaccination protocols.
• Utilizing specialized travel software to research and secure the best travel deals for clients.
• Offering recommendations on travel insurance options and assisting with the purchase process.
• Handling travel-related issues or emergencies, offering support and solutions to clients as needed.
• Staying current with industry trends, destination knowledge, and travel regulations to provide accurate advice and service.
• Building and maintaining relationships with travel suppliers, such as tour operators, airlines, and hotel chains, to ensure favorable terms and client satisfaction.
• Managing bookings and travel documentation, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery to clients.
• Monitoring changes in travel schedules or services and communicating these to clients promptly.
• Assisting clients with special requests, such as dietary needs, accessibility accommodations, or cultural experiences.
• Following up with clients post-travel to gather feedback and foster repeat business through excellent service and relationship management.

Day to Day Activities for Travel Agent at Different Levels

Daily responsibilities for entry level travel agents.

• Booking standard travel arrangements such as flights, hotels, and car rentals
• Assisting clients with travel documentation and providing basic travel advice
• Processing payments and handling booking confirmations
• Responding to client inquiries via phone or email under supervision
• Learning about destinations, travel products, and industry regulations
• Performing general office duties and maintaining client files

Daily Responsibilities for Mid Level Travel Agents

• Designing and selling tailored travel packages and itineraries
• Building and maintaining relationships with clients to understand their travel needs
• Providing expert travel advice and destination knowledge
• Handling travel emergencies or changes with minimal supervision
• Networking with vendors and suppliers to negotiate better rates for clients
• Developing niche expertise in areas such as luxury, adventure, or business travel

Daily Responsibilities for Senior Travel Agents

• Overseeing complex travel arrangements and VIP client accounts
• Setting sales targets and strategies for the travel agency or branch
• Leading and mentoring junior agents, and providing advanced training
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with key industry partners
• Contributing to marketing and promotional strategies to attract new business
• Analyzing market trends to adapt the agency's offerings and stay competitive

Types of Travel Agents

Leisure travel agent, corporate travel agent, luxury travel agent, adventure travel agent, destination specialist travel agent, group travel agent, cruise specialist travel agent, what's it like to be a travel agent , travel agent work environment, travel agent working conditions, how hard is it to be a travel agent, is a travel agent a good career path, faqs about travel agents, how do travel agents collaborate with other teams within a company, what are some common challenges faced by travel agents, what does the typical career progression look like for travel agents.

How To Become a Travel Agent in 2024

Related Career Paths

Creating memorable guest experiences, driving service excellence in the hospitality sector

Driving customer satisfaction, resolving issues with empathy and efficiency

Fostering customer loyalty and business growth through personalized relationship management

Driving customer satisfaction and loyalty through proactive relationship management

Ensuring passenger safety and comfort, creating memorable travel experiences

Crafting unforgettable journeys, tailoring travel experiences to individual desires

What does a travel agency do?

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

What does a travel agency do? You will almost definitely have heard of travel agencies if you have ever booked a holiday or have an interest in the tourism industry. But what exactly is a travel agency, and what do they do?

What is a travel agency?

Independent travel agents, online travel agencies , visitor information centres, other types of travel agency, what can a travel agency book, big names in the travel agency industry, travel agency business model, a brief timeline of travel agencies, further reading.

A travel agency is essentially the ‘middle man’ between travel companies and the general public i.e consumers. They book all sorts of travel-related experiences for customers on behalf of larger companies.

The main aim of a travel agency is to make the booking process simpler for the public, who might lack the time or confidence to book trips themselves.

Types of travel agencies

So what does a travel agency do? It mostly depends on what type of travel agency you’re looking at. This can be broken down into the following types…

An independent travel agent is the type you’ll see on Instagram or with their own Facebook pages, their feeds full of snaps from Amsterdam, Bali , or New York City. They tend to partner with a ‘host agency’, who will take a portion of the agents’ commission themselves in exchange for letting them use the company software and access their commission. Travel agents are also able to recruit other people, and in turn get a cut of their commission too. In this way, independent travel agencies tend to be a type of multi-level marketing scheme.

Online travel agencies are much more consumer-focused. They allow individual customers to book their own travel, but as a package or with the added protection from ATOL and ABTA. They act as a broker, allowing you to input your dates, desired destination(s), what board basis you wish to travel and so on. The site then pulls together a package deal, allowing you to book everything in one go with access to booking details so you can make amendments and keep up to date with any changes.

While these don’t offer flights and hotels generally, visitor or tourist information centres are found within cities or tourist destinations. They provide advice, maps, discounts and booking services for tours and excursions such as open top bus tours. These are usually run by local or national governments, or specific tourist boards. They are great for recommendations when travelling somewhere new!

Hotel concierge services work in this same way, often getting commission for booking trips for guests.

I won’t go into too much detail here, but there are other types of travel agencies too. You can learn more in this post about the different types of travel agents .

Overall, what does a travel agency do?

A travel agency does a multitude of things. During non-peak times, they will mostly spend their days researching new or upcoming tourist destinations and what makes them so great, advertising them as somewhere people can book future holidays to.

Travel agencies are also required to keep up to date with safety information for various destinations. They do plenty of research meaning they can tell customers about the best places to go, what they can do while they’re there, what documents they need and so on. This is particularly important now, as travel advice is ever-changing with regards to political conflicts and public health.

But during peak times and in the run-up to these times, travel agents will be busy actually booking trips. Nowadays they mostly do everything via the computer, using the internet to put holiday packages together which include at least the basics – flights and accommodation – for one price. However, they also call travel companies directly in order to get better deals or to see if there are rooms or seats available which might not be showing online for whatever reason. Because of this, travel agencies and agents tend to have great relationships with particular brands.

Travel agents can book much more than just flights and accommodation. Not all of them can book all of these experiences or features, but it is definitely worth asking if you are using a travel agency to book your next vacation.

• Flights – short haul, long haul, & various classes
• Accommodation – hotels, apartments, and villas
• Airport transfers
• Executive airport lounges
• Airport parking
• Cruises – river and ocean
• Car rentals
• Travel insurance
• Excursions and tours
• Taxi services
• Currency exchange
• Train tickets
• Theme park & water park tickets e.g Disneyworld and Universal in Orlando, Florida

They will also advise on public transport services and timetables, as well as arranging for medical items to be delivered and any access requests you have.

Most travel agencies are actually online, and many of us use them regularly. There are still some in-store travel agencies, but with the impact of both modernisation and the Covid-19 pandemic the majority are online now. Below are some big names within the industry which you will likely recognise.

Expedia – founded by Microsoft in 2001

Cruise.com – specifically for booking cruises

American Express Travel – allows you to earn & use points when booking

Audley Travel – the largest operator in tailor-made travel

loveholidays – a British company founded in 2012

Lastminute.com – offering cheaper travel when you book last minute

Kiwi.com – specifically for booking air and ground transport

Booking Holdings – these are a travel technology company who own Booking.com, Cheapflights, OpenTable and more

Now we’ve looked at the question of ‘ what is a travel agency’, let’s take a look at the generic business model. Generally, travel agencies work in one of two ways. The first way is by receiving commission from the companies they book experiences with for customers. For example, if you were to use a travel agency to book your next holiday which included flights, a hotel stay and a transfer to and from the airport this is three separate components which will be booked through three different companies. The travel agency will receive commission from each of the three companies. There may be other benefits and incentives offered by the travel companies. Commission rates and these benefits mean that travel agencies are more likely to use some companies more so than others who might offer them less in exchange.

Alternatively, travel agencies will charge a fee for their services. This makes it more expensive for consumers to book trips through travel agents and agencies than it would to book themselves. However, as some people don’t feel confident booking themselves, many are happy to pay this additional cost. Holidays booked through travel agencies often come with the added benefit of being ATOL and ABTA protected.

• Cox & Kings were the first travel agency, was established in 1758
• Abreu Agency was the first public travel agency, was established in 1840
• Thomas Cook , one of the most famous travel agencies, was founded in 1841
• Brownwell Travel, the first travel agency in the US, was established in 1895
• Nippon Travel Agency was the first travel agency in Japan, established in 1905
• Intourist became the official state travel agency of the Soviet Union in 1929
• The first travel agency in Australia which went on to become Helloworld Travel, was established in 1951
• Henderson Travel Service became the first Black-owned travel agency, taking Black tourists to various African countries, in 1955
• American Airlines’ Sabre unit created a direct-to=consumer booking tool for flights, hotels and cars in the early 1980s
• Mode Tour became the first travel agency in South Korea, established in 1989
• Hotel Reservations Network, which went on to become Hotels.com, was established in 1991 – at this point, hotels didn’t pay a lot of commission so it didn’t take off
• Travelweb.com, the first online hotel directory, launched in 1994
• The Internet Travel Network sold the first airline ticket online in 1995
• Expedia launched in 1996, funded by Microsoft, and are now one of the biggest travel agencies 
• In 2007, as the iPhone was released, more bookings were made online because mobile apps were now in use
• Airbnb was established in 2008
• HotelTonight, specifically for instant same-day hotel room bookings, was launched in 2011

If you enjoyed this article explaining what does a travel agency do, then I am sure you will enjoy these articles too-

• What is a tour operator and how does it work?
• The 3 types of travel and tourism organisations
• 150 types of tourism! The ultimate tourism glossary
• The 9 types of tourist destinations
• 50 fascinating facts about the travel and tourism industry

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4 scenarios when you should use a travel agent

Editor's Note

If you're a points-and-miles-wielding expert traveler, you may not immediately think of using a travel agent to book your getaways . However, there are times and situations when using these services can be of great benefit.

A good travel agent can be a game-changer when it comes to helping you book your ideal trip and receive the best services once you arrive at your destination. Travel agents can also be of great assistance when things go wrong, especially during this summer of excessive flight delays and cancellations .

Agents can often secure the best room in a hotel or the top cabin on a cruise ship. Sometimes they can even secure complimentary upgrades, breakfast benefits or food and beverage credits, and free spa treatments during your stay.

When it comes to making the right decisions about when to travel, what sights to see and which guides to hire, agents can act as advisors. An excellent travel agent can be the difference between an OK experience and the trip of a lifetime.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Here are four times when you may want to use a travel agent:

Booking a hotel with extras

Your travel agent can become a trusted friend over time. Before you're ready to turn over all your travel planning to a travel adviser, test the waters by collaborating on a simple trip request. You'll want to see how the agent operates, communicates and arranges extra perks and deals. Avoid a complex or elaborate request on the first go-round.

Start by having a travel agency book your hotel arrangements with a few specific requests for extras baked in, such as airport transfers or spa services .

Start with an agent who is part of a major travel consortium such as Virtuoso, Travel Leaders Network, Ensemble Travel Group or Signature Travel Network. Each of these networks provides a suite of benefits to travelers who book with them. If you're familiar with the perks of the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program or the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection , you'll know what we mean. Extra benefits for booking can include space-available upgrades, free breakfast, additional food and beverage credit, a free spa treatment or a round of golf.

Related: This new travel company will pair you with local experts

You can work with a travel agency that fits your style. This may be someone from a large company based in a major city with dozens of agents, or it may be someone from a more boutique option such as the family-owned and operated Ourisman Travel. (Ourisman Travel is a travel consultancy affiliated with Brownell Travel, one of the oldest travel agencies in the U.S., and also a member of the Virtuoso network.)

What's nice about Ourisman and any Virtuoso agency is that you can have your travel agent do all the work. You can also use the Virtuoso booking tool to make quick, easy reservations. Once your reservation is in the system, your agent swings into action to let the hotel know a VIP is on the way and arranges for any extras, whether it's a Virtuoso perk or one from a credit card program.

It's also possible to stack benefits. If you book your trip with The Platinum Card® from American Express , your agent can secure your Amex FHR benefits; you may also be entitled to additional perks from the agency, its travel consortium or the hotel, cruise line or tour company.

When you're short on time

Not everyone has weeks to spend crafting the ultimate itinerary and keeping watch on every flight deal (although TPG can help you here) . Fortunately, you can rely on a savvy travel agent to step in and plan your vacation when your time is crunched . Otherwise, you might not be able to pull off the travel arrangements on your own, or you might end up spending more for your trip than you should.

When facing a planning time crunch, look for an agent who specializes in the type of trip and destination you have in mind. If you're looking for a beach villa on a Caribbean island , find a travel advisor who has experience booking this sort of trip.

One example is Villas of Distinction, which has been around for more than 25 years and has a vast network of properties. Your travel advisor there can offer advice on which properties are best suited to your needs, what's available and how to book the villa. You can also use your American Express Membership Rewards points to book a villa through the agency, an added benefit to finding a good application of points.

Agents specializing in villa rentals usually have strong networks on the ground, so they can assist with chores such as stocking the villa with groceries, booking a chef or securing the best masseuse on the island for poolside treatments.

Related: Everything you need to know about Homes and Villas by Marriott

When your travel plans are specific and complex

The more complex and specific your travel goals are, the more experts in that destination or trip style can help you.

For example, every year, travel guru Wendy Perrin puts together a WOW List that features experts in the travel-booking field. The agents, advisors and destination specialists on Perrin's list aren't booking budget cruises and all-inclusive vacations for people as a side hustle. The agents on the WOW List are the real deal with plenty of expertise in their subject areas.

Say you want to explore Africa and go on a safari, but you don't know where to begin. Consult the WOW List and you'll see she recommends individuals with an encyclopedic knowledge of the continent.

The WOW List features advisors who can create custom safaris in East, Central and South Africa as well as niche destinations like Madagascar. The website provides a synopsis of the agents' expertise as well as links to reviews and insider guides written by Perrin and her team.

This is an excellent resource for learning about the best attractions, cutting-edge travel trends or finding out-of-the-ordinary experiences, and shows how contact with local agents, rather than anonymous trip reviews, can be a great advantage in planning a trip.

Related: Everything you need to know about going on safari in Africa

When you're looking for value

Travel agents often have access to room rates and cruise fares not available to the general public. This is especially true of agents who specialize in specific cruise lines. When a cruise line needs to fill a sailing, it may reach out to its top agents to extend special fares for their clients. You'll only hear about these offers if you have a top agent who sells cruises on the lines you love.

Related: Why now might be the cheapest time to plan a cruise

For example, Keene Luxury Travel, a member of the Signature Travel Network, has relationships with all the top luxury cruise lines, especially Regent Seven Seas. As a result, your agent can offer shipboard credits, special fares for solo travelers, deals for families traveling with children and more. The agency also has its own KLT Rewards program. With KLT Rewards, you'll get cash back on every sailing, about 10 days before you set sail. Plus, if you book a trip hosted by the agency's owners, you'll get a bump in the amount of your reward for booking with them.

The best part about working with specialty agents like those at Keene Luxury Travel? You can stack deals. For example, you can book a hosted trip to get the usual 5% KLT booking reward, plus an enhanced reward for booking a group trip. On top of that, you could also receive the onboard credit that's a Signature Travel Network perk.

Bottom line

Whether you're booking a weekend getaway in a U.S. city or planning an around-the-world extravaganza that includes an African safari , Antarctica cruise and a stay in an igloo hotel , consider using a travel agent. An agent can help get you on the right trip, at the right time for the right price.

They can help find the best rooms, book services you didn't even know existed and tie all the pieces together on a complicated itinerary.

A travel agent can be particularly beneficial if you don't have the time to do all the research yourself, or if you're looking for help in getting the best deal. It's also helpful to use an agent if your trip targets destinations or itineraries that can benefit from local experts,

If there's ever a problem during a vacation — which seems to happen more often than not these days — it's great to have a problem-solver who is just one phone call or email away.

Additional reporting by Bill Fink

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Travel Agent vs. Booking Online: What Is More Reliable?

Should You Book Online or Use a Travel Agent?

Are you planning a big trip soon? Before you start packing your bags, you need to figure out how to book your airfares and accommodation. Thanks to the internet and online booking technology, you no longer have to hire a travel agent, but does that mean you should always book online? In this article, we will look at the pros and cons of both options! 

Differences Between Booking Online and Travel Agents

Travel agents are brokers who help travelers find the best accommodation, airfares, transport, and activities. Travel agents can book everything for you, from flights and hotels to concert tickets and more! These travel experts can also advise on where to go, where to stay, sights you need to see, and more. They can use their skills and relationships with hotels and airlines to plan an incredible trip for you. 

In contrast to letting a travel agent handle all the logistics, you can hop online and book everything yourself. You can now go to a hotel or airline’s site and book directly with them, or you can use an online travel agent such as Booking.com or Expedia. Thanks to the internet and online booking technology, you can play the role of your agent, but before you start booking flights and hotels, check out the pros and cons of both options below!

Pros Of Using Travel Agent

Before you book that around-the-world trip all by yourself, consider using a travel agent. Here are the top reasons why millions of people prefer using travel agents!

• Exclusive deals  – Travel agents can often get you deals that you can’t find on the internet. They are especially skilled at finding you all-inclusive package options where your flights, hotels, and entertainment are combined for an amazing below-market price. Hiring travel agents can leverage their relationship with airlines and hotels to put together packages with unbeatable prices.
• Save efforts – It can be a massive headache jumping from one airline to another looking for a good flight. And then trying to book hotels can also be a nightmare; it is easy to lose hours of your life scrolling through Booking.com! Luckily, you can tell your travel agent exactly what you want; for example, you want to go to Rome and Paris on these dates, you want a mid-range hotel in the center of the city, and here is your budget. Then your agent will handle everything! 
• Provide expert advice – Travel agents don’t just help you book your dream trip; they can also offer advice and tips. They know where the best locations are, what the best hotels are, and which airlines to avoid. With a travel agent’s expert advice, you can discover places you never thought of visiting, stay at incredible hotels and have a once-in-a-lifetime trip! 

Cons Of Using Travel Agent

While travel agents do offer some unique advantages over booking online, they also have a few cons; check them out below:

• Not in complete control – While using a travel agent service may save you time, it also involves entrusting a 3rd party to book your trip. Using a travel agent may not be suitable if you like to be hands-on and are very particular about things. 
• Finding a trustworthy company is not always easy – While there are a lot of travel agents out there, many cannot provide significantly better deals than booking directly with hotels and airlines. Also, it is not uncommon for travel agents to make mistakes, such as booking the incorrect date or choosing the wrong hotel.
• Not suitable for quick trips – If you wake up one day and decide you want to go to London next week, then you are betting off booking online. Travel agents are often unable to accommodate spontaneous trips and need some time to sort out your travel logistics.

Pros Of Booking Online

Now you know the pros and cons of using a travel agent, it is time to check out the advantages of booking online:

• Faster – If you know exactly where you want to go and when it is typically faster to book online. You can hop an airline’s site and book your flight in a couple of minutes, and then do the same for a hotel. You don’t need to waste your time calling up travel agents, visiting physical offices, and chatting about different offers. Save time by just booking online!
• Lower cost – Sometimes, it is much cheaper to book online than use a travel agent. Travel agents usually can offer great deals on packaged holidays to touristy destinations such as the Maldives or Greece. However, if you are planning a week in New York and then a week in LA, they often can’t compete, and it makes sense to book online. 
• Book whenever you like – The beauty of the internet is that it is limitless! If you want to book your flight and hotel at 2 am, you can! You don’t have to wait for office hours from Monday to Friday to book your dream holiday.
• Complete control of your trip – When booking online, you don’t have to cede control of your travel logistics over to someone else. Whenever you add additional people to a task, it increases the risk of miscommunication. If you book everything yourself, you don’t have to worry about your travel agent booking the wrong hotel or airline or selecting an incorrect date! 

Cons Of Booking Online

Don’t go booking online just yet! Make sure you consider these disadvantages prior to whipping out your credit card and booking everything yourself:

• Easy to make mistakes – Booking hotels and tours in countries halfway across the world that you have never been to before is difficult. A few pictures and online reviews are often not enough to determine if a place is good or not. This is where travel agents can really shine by offering their expert advice!
• Customer service can be poor – Unfortunately, online travel agents are known for their horrendous customer service. It can be almost impossible to speak to someone if something goes wrong, and getting a timely refund can be a nightmare. 
• You need internet – If you are a little more old school and prefer to call your travel agent or go to a physical location, online booking is not for you!
• Too many options – It can be a little intimidating going online and seeing 30 different flights, hundreds of cities, and hotels. It is easy to develop decision paralysis and conclude it is all too difficult. Travel agents can simplify the process by coming up with 3 to 5 amazing options for you.

Final Thoughts

After cruising through this article, you should now have a pretty good understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of using travel agents to book online. We recommend you contact several travel agents and see what offers they have and then compare them with the online booking prices and choose the best!

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BUSINESS CAREER GUIDES

Travel Agent Career

What is a travel agent.

A travel agent is a highly organized professional who is passionate about travel and helping others. They are focused on creating the best possible experiences, directly catered to their clients. They work with hotels, airlines, and other vendors to create travel packages and experiences that their clients will love. Travel agents can work with large groups, individuals, families, professional organizations, and others to help create seamless travel experiences that help create memories.

RESPONSIBILITIES

What Does a Travel Agent Do?

The primary role of a travel agent is to help people make travel arrangements, which might include booking flights, hotels, sightseeing tours, and making dining recommendations. A travel agent assesses each customer’s unique needs, preferences, and budget to ensure their trip goes as smoothly as possible. 

Here are the core day-to-day responsibilities you’ll typically find yourself performing as a travel agent:

• Meeting with clients to discuss upcoming travel plans and gather information regarding travel dates, transportation, and budget. This may be done face-to-face in a brick-and-mortar setting or online.
• Planning the travel itineraries for clients and arranging transportation, lodging, and activities throughout the trip.
• Advising clients on important aspects of their travel plans. This may include providing information on passports, visas, customs, insurance, vaccinations, and trip cancellation policies.
• Keeping accurate records of client bookings, such as payments, travel dates, flight numbers, and hotel check-in and check-out dates
• Handling any travel issues that arise, including flight or hotel cancellations, delays, conflicts, and refunds.

Due to the customer-focused nature of travel agent jobs, it’s ideal to be passionate about and/or have experience in hospitality. Those who make the best travel agents tend to be versatile and have a friendly personality where they’re concerned with keeping clients happy, comfortable, and safe. 

EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES

How do i become a travel agent.

Travel agents are key professionals dedicated to helping individuals and families create memories that will last a lifetime. Through their expertise, research, and services, individuals can plan vacations or trips that are directly catered to their wants and needs. Planning a dream vacation can be stressful for an individual or a family, and having a travel agent can make the process much easier.

If you’re passionate about travel, organization, and helping others, a career as a travel agent can be a great fit.

What Education Does a Travel Agent Need?

A bachelor’s degree in business management  is a great starting place for those interested in becoming a travel agent. This type of degree will give you experience and knowledge in finances, marketing, organization, and strategy. This is key for those who are working with multiple clients, vendors, handling budgets, and marketing themselves to clients. A bachelor’s degree can help you stand out from other candidates in working for larger companies and organizations as well.

Best Degrees for a Travel Agent

Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...

Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:

• Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
• Tuition:  $3,755 per 6-month term
• Courses : 40 total courses in this program

Skills for your résumé this program will teach you include: 

• Business communication
• Product development
• Decision making models
• Project management strategies
• Budgeting for business

This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.

Leadership Certificate – School of Business

Enhance your résumé and take a step in your educational journey with the...

Enhance your résumé and take a step in your educational journey with the help of a leadership certificate from the School of Business.

• Time: 4 months from start to finish.
• Cost:  $2,250 for the certificate.
• Courses: 3 courses total in this program.

This program is for emerging leaders, however this program does not require a bachelor’s degree, and provides transferable credit towards a WGU degree program.

Whether you aspire to work for a Fortune 500 organization, a government agency, a non-profit organization, or a fast-paced start-up, this certificate can give you the keys to success in a variety of industries, including:

• Finance and Banking
• Manufacturing

How Much Does a Travel Agent Make?

Several factors determine travel agent salary, including location, level of education, certifications, years of experience, and the specific company they’re working for. Top earners in this industry, according to ZipRecruiter, make as much as  $64,500 per year , while the lowest earners make closer to $20,500. In terms of median pay, recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put it at  $42,350 in 2020 , which comes out to $20.36 per hour. 

What Is the Projected Job Growth?

Admittedly, the job outlook in the near future is lower than in other industries. Research from the BLS states that from 2020-2029, there’s  expected to be a 26% decline  in the job outlook, which translates into a drop of 21,300 jobs. This is largely due to the rising popularity of travel booking sites like Priceline and Kayak, where a growing number of people are booking trips online themselves. However, according to the BLS, the growth in business management is expected to grow 4% in the next 10 years.

What Skills Does a Travel Agent Need?

A career in this industry requires a travel agent to have a definitive skill set, with some of the key skills being:

• Interpersonal skills.  Travel agents will constantly be interacting with clients in-person, over the phone, and through email. In turn, they need to be strong verbal and written communicators, empathetic, and understanding of the individual needs of each client.
• Organization.  Because they may be juggling trips for several clients at a time, travel agents must be highly organized and capable of effectively managing a high volume of booking information.
• Problem-solving.  Travel logistics are inherently complex where issues can pop up at any given time. Great travel agents have a knack for handling incidents and quickly resolving problems while maintaining their poise.
• Attention to detail.  It’s easy to mix-up things like flight departure and arrival times, hotel check-ins, and transportation rentals, which is why travel agents need to be detail-oriented.
• A firm understanding of technology.  This career is heavily reliant on technology like travel booking platforms and appointment scheduling software. Travel agents not only need to have a firm grasp of this technology but be willing to continually learn about new developments and iterations. 

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Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

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Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Travel Agent

Here's what you should know before becoming a travel agent.

If you're someone who spends your days scanning flights , loves hotel rewards points, and in general, is a fervent traveler, you've probably wondered how to become a travel agent.

And, while it's true that living in the age of Expedia means travel agents are not as vital as they once were, people use them a lot more than you might think. Just because travelers aren't calling up an agent every time they need to book a quick flight doesn't mean they don't want to consult an expert for a big trip. This holds especially true when it comes to honeymoons or experiential trips that have a lot of moving parts — coordinating tour companies , translators, or multiple resort stays, for example. It's often easier to leave the logistics to someone else: travel agents.

You don't need a specific employment background to become a travel agent, so if you're looking for a fresh career start, that's totally OK. You have to start somewhere on your path to becoming a travel agent, and the sooner you jump in, the sooner you'll build your client base. On the other hand, if you're hoping to parlay your experience in a semi-related industry, be it marketing or hospitality, that can help because you'll have even more context for your new gig. Either way, this can be a rewarding career path (with some fun perks), so here's what you need to know to become a travel agent.

Formal Training Needed to Become a Travel Agent

While some four-year colleges, community colleges, and trade schools offer tourism certifications, it is not a requirement for those trying to become travel agents. Certificates of tourism can be very helpful, but so can previous training in marketing, hospitality, or even event planning. Ultimately, your knowledge of destinations, sales, itinerary planning, and booking software will be crucial for your career as a travel agent.

In terms of the training time you need to put in before becoming a fully-fledged travel agent, it depends. You could start your career right after high school, or you could put in one to four years to earn a certificate, associate's, or bachelor's degree in tourism. Of course, you could also change course from a related job, and morph your experience as, say, a destination wedding planner into a career as a travel agent.

Training Programs Available

You could take classes with a company like The Travel Institute to earn your certification. Not only will they teach you the basics of planning itineraries, but they'll also make sure you're learning about new cultures, world geography, and experiences you can have all over the world. They'll also help you decide what business route you want to take.

How to Become a Travel Agent: The Logistics

Becoming a travel agent will likely mean starting your own business . On the plus side, it requires relatively little overhead. If you're becoming a small business owner by opening a yoga studio, for example, you will need to rent a space, deal with permits, buy supplies, build a website, and pay yoga teachers and someone to work the front desk. However, if you're starting a travel agent business, you can operate from your living room and there aren't nearly as many upfront costs.

You will have to think about what type of business you want to become. Do you want to incorporate or become an LLC? Would you rather be a sole proprietor? Incorporating takes the most effort, and is often the most expensive. Becoming an LLC is a good happy medium because it can help protect you as a business entity without having as many associated costs. Small business owners typically become an LLC to protect their personal assets. If you get sued as an LLC, someone can come after your business holdings, but can't come after your house, car, or personal savings.

If you choose to remain a sole proprietor (which doesn't require any fees or legwork), you are essentially a freelancer or independent contractor. You can be an LLC and an independent contractor, too — they aren't mutually exclusive. If you want to be an independent contractor, it likely means you're working as part of a larger host agency, which is smart to do when you're starting out as a travel agent. Down the road, you can also own a travel agency franchise. Owning a franchise might come with more overhead costs, and that would be a reason to incorporate.

If you're an independent contractor, you should know that your taxes aren't going to be as straightforward as a full-time employee's might be. You may have to start keeping track of your business expenses, as you might be able to write them off. You also might not get things like health benefits from your employer. As you plan your new career, consider sitting down with an established travel agent to ask them some logistical questions: Where do they get their health insurance? How do they keep track of their income and expenses? Do they use an accountant to do their taxes? While meeting with the travel agent, you can discuss the pros and cons of working for a larger agency, too. If you're not sure how to get in touch with other travel agents, consider using social media, like LinkedIn or even Instagram.

What to Think About When You Become a Travel Agent

Once you've secured work as a travel agent, you'll want to think about how you can earn more money and distinguish yourself from other agents. Here are three things to consider as you start your career.

Making Commissions: If you're working for a larger travel agency as an independent contractor, how do commissions work? Make sure you have this conversation early on before accepting the position. When you're starting out, you want to make sure the commission rate you're receiving is similar to the industry standard.

Growing Your Client Base: How do you make more money as a travel agent? Clients, clients, clients. You want happy customers who will return to you every time they want to book a travel experience. You'll want to keep your clients happy by finding them great deals, curating unbelievable experiences for them, and simply being great to work with.

Establishing a Niche: This is by no means a requirement for becoming a travel agent, but as you establish your career, you may want to consider focusing on a specific niche. For example, perhaps you're someone who focuses on honeymoon travel , luxury travel, or adventure travel . Your niche can help you attract clients, and it can be anything in the travel realm, as long as there's a need for it.

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Table of Contents

How much does a travel agent cost?

Do travel agents get discounts on flights, how can a travel agent help me, smart money move: book with the right credit card, how do i find a good travel agent.

With a few keystrokes, you can find cheap travel deals on the web. But travel agents can do that and more.

Often, travel agents receive deals directly from hotels and tour operators that you may not have access to. They also have contacts with resorts and hotels, so they can bargain for better deals. But just how much do travel agents cost? Some people assume that travel agents are expensive, which may keep them from using their services. However, that's not necessarily true.

Regardless if you go with a travel agent or plan on your own, it can be a smart money move to book with a credit card thats earns rewards on your bookings and helps you avoid foreign transaction fees if you end up traveling abroad.

The cost of using a travel agent is generally marginal, and often, they won't charge you at all. Much of their money comes from commissions the hotels and wholesalers pay them. Before you decide to book with a travel agent, inquire whether or not they charge fees.

Also, if you’ve booked a trip with a travel agent and for whatever reason need to cancel, they might be able to help get the refund more directly.

» Learn more: How to become a travel agent

Generally not, and especially not for short distances. For the most part, any discount you'd get from using a travel agent would be for a combined package. Still, it never hurts to ask if your travel agent can get you a deal on your flight.

If you're traveling internationally — especially to a country you've never visited — a travel agent can be a useful resource in helping you plan your trip. They can manage all of your booking needs, which can be easier than juggling a long itinerary that includes flights, hotels and excursions on your own.

Group travel is another common situation that can benefit from an agent's assistance. Coordinating bookings across multiple parties can get confusing. A travel agent can keep things organized, negotiate with services and personally work out any complications that may arise. Rather than trying to reserve rooms in the same hotels and seats on the same flights with multiple credit cards and names, let a travel agent do that work.

Travel agents can also be helpful by providing destination advice. Many specialize in particular destinations and can offer insight as to how you should structure your visit. Agents can direct you to the services, facilities and entertainment that best align with your interests and needs.

» Learn more: Other things a travel agent can do that a search engine can't

Whether you decide to use a travel agent to book your trip (i.e. flights, accommodations, excursions, cruises, car rentals, etc.) or plan the whole trip on your own, consider what credit card makes the most sense for your vacation.

If you're going abroad, use a card that waives foreign transaction fees so that you can avoid those fees. Also consider credit cards that include complimentary travel insurance so that you can be protected on your trip if things go awry.

Here is a sampling of cards that include travel insurance and also waive foreign transaction fees. These cards also earn rewards on travel, which you can redeem in various ways.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• 5 points per $1 on travel booked through Chase.

• 3 points per $1 on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout), select streaming services and online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).

• 2 points per $1 on other travel.

• 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

• 10 points per $1 on Chase Dining, hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Chase.

• 5 points per $1 on air travel purchased through Chase.

• 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining not booked with Chase.

• 5 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 spent per year.

• 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

The cards listed above all carry annual fees, especially given all the perks they provide.

If you don't care about the perks listed and simply want a card with no annual fee that waives foreign transaction fees, check out this list of options .

Several websites can help you track down and contact suitable travel agents. TravelSense.org , part of the American Society of Travel Advisors, allows you to search by some useful parameters including specialty and geographic location.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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Hard Rock Hotels RKON Travel Advisors Program

Welcome to RKon, Hard Rock Hotels’ curated Travel Advisors program. 

With resort and urban locations in unique destinations around the globe, Hard Rock Hotels are internationally recognized as a leader in the hospitality industry with J D Power recognizing our iconic brand for 3 consecutive years as number one among Upper Upscale Hotels in North America.  Hard Rock Hotels cater to the modern traveler who seeks a reprieve from traditional, predictable hotel experiences. From inspiring music to authentic memorabilia, innovative signature restaurants to electrifying public spaces and one-of-a-kind brand programs, Hard Rock is redefining globally what a lifestyle destination experience can be.

PROGRAM DETAILS

At Hard Rock Hotels, we value our relationship with Travel Advisors around the globe. Enjoy special rates, personalized service, and more when you choose Hard Rock Hotels.

• Enjoy special rates just for you, including up to 40% off the daily rate for eligible stays
• Earn up to 10% commission on eligible rates
• Discover  our Unity TM by Hard Rock global loyalty program where you can book commissionable rates for your clients while they earn and redeem incredible rewards doing what they love

Have questions? We’re happy to help with general reservations, commission inquiries, and more. Contact  [email protected] and we’ll get back to you within 48 hours.

We partner with Michelin-starred chefs to talented up and comers to create a concert for your taste buds.

From our in-room music amenities program to the best in live entertainment, we make musical memories daily. 

At Hard Rock, we believe wellness has a rhythm, a melody and a beat.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do i make a booking online for a client, how many rooms can i book online, what travel accreditations are accepted.

You can book Hard Rock Hotels with an IATA/TIDS/CLIA/TRUE industry code. Your code gives you access to the best available rates.

Is there a Travel Agent Help Desk?

Do travel agents earn commissions, do you pay commission on taxes and resorts fees.

No, commission is calculated based on accommodation costs net of any fees and taxes to the hotel country.

Do you offer a Travel Agent rate?

Is there a booking limit for travel agent personal stays.

Yes, 2 rooms max per booking per Travel Agent. No max usage per year.

Do Travel Agents earn commission on special agent rates?

Special discounted rates for travel agents are non-commissionable. 

Will I earn Unity Points or Tier Credits on my Travel Agent Rate?

No, the exclusive Travel Agent Rate is a non-qualified rate. Unity Points and Tier Credits will not be earned on this rate. Unity Points and Tier Credits will be earned on qualified incidental spend during the stay.

Will I receive my Unity hotel benefits on my Travel Agent Rate?

Yes, Travel Agents will receive their Unity hotel benefits when staying on the Travel Agent Rate.

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• Section 5 - Poliomyelitis
• Section 5 - Perspectives : Rabies Immunization

CDC Yellow Book 2024

Author(s): Ryan Wallace, Brett Petersen, David Shlim

Infectious Agent

Transmission, epidemiology, clinical presentation.

INFECTIOUS AGENT: Rabies virus

Worldwide, except Antarctica Some countries categorized as rabies virus–free are endemic for related viruses (e.g., Australian Bat Lyssavirus)

TRAVELER CATEGORIES AT GREATEST RISK FOR EXPOSURE & INFECTION

PREVENTION METHODS

Avoid direct animal contact and animal bites

If bitten, seek immediate medical attention and appropriate postexposure prophylaxis

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease

DIAGNOSTIC SUPPORT

Rabies is a fatal, acute, progressive encephalomyelitis caused by neurotropic viruses in the family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus . Numerous, diverse lyssavirus variants are found in various animal species throughout the world, all of which can cause fatal human rabies. Rabies virus is by far the most common Lyssavirus infection in humans. Tens of millions of potential human exposures and tens of thousands of deaths from rabies occur each year.

The normal and most successful mode of rabies virus transmission is via the bite of a rabid animal. Rabies virus is neurotropic; it gains access to the nervous system through exposed peripheral nerve synapses in bite wounds. The virus travels from its point of entry along peripheral nerves to the central nervous system (CNS), where viral replication increases exponentially. Rabies virus then migrates from the CNS back to the peripheral nervous system (PNS) into, among other tissues, the salivary glands. Rabies virus secreted in saliva allows the transmission cycle to repeat. Viral shedding typically occurs just days prior to onset of clinical signs in infected animals and humans; early clinical signs can be nonspecific, however, and public health professionals should conduct a thorough risk assessment to determine if medical care is indicated.

Exposure of highly innervated tissues (e.g., those in the face and hands) can increase the risk for successful infection, and exposures occurring closer to the CNS (e.g., head, neck) can potentially shorten the incubation period. In addition to saliva, rabies virus can be found in CNS and PNS tissue, and in tears. Infection from non-bite exposures (e.g., organ transplantation from infected humans) has occurred, but human-to-human transmission generally does not occur otherwise.

All mammals are believed to be susceptible to rabies virus infection, but terrestrial mesocarnivores and bats are major rabies virus reservoirs. Dogs are the main reservoir in many low- and middle-income countries, and the epidemiology of the disease differs between regions and countries. All patients with mammal bites should be medically evaluated to ascertain if rabies postexposure prophylaxis is indicated.

Bat exposure anywhere in the world is a cause for concern and an indication to consider rabies postexposure prophylaxis.

Lyssaviruses , the causative agent for rabies, have been found on all continents except Antarctica. Rabies virus is classified into 2 major genetic lineages: canine and New World bat. These 2 lineages can be further classified into rabies virus variants based on genetic differentiations and on the reservoir species in which they circulate. Regionally, different viral variants are adapted to various mammalian hosts and perpetuate in dogs and wildlife (e.g., bats, foxes, jackals, mongooses, raccoons, skunks).

Canine rabies remains enzootic in many areas of the world, including Africa, parts of Central and South America, and Asia. In addition to rabies virus, the Lyssavirus genus includes 14 other viruses that all cause rabies disease. Non–rabies lyssaviruses are found in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe; although non–rabies lyssaviruses have caused human deaths, these viruses contribute relatively little to the global rabies burden compared to rabies virus.

Timely and specific information about the global occurrence of rabies is often difficult to find. Surveillance levels vary, and reporting status can change suddenly because of disease reintroduction, emergence, or disruptions in surveillance operations. The rate of rabies exposures in travelers is an estimate, at best, and might range from 16–200 per 100,000 travelers.

After viral invasion of the PNS and then CNS, clinical illness in humans culminates in an acute, fatal encephalitis. After infection, the asymptomatic incubation period is variable, but signs and symptoms most commonly develop within several weeks to months after exposure.

Pain and paresthesia at the site of exposure are often the first symptoms of disease. The disease then progresses rapidly from a prodromal phase (fever and nonspecific, vague symptoms) to a neurologic phase characterized by anxiety, paralysis, paresis, and other signs of encephalitis. Swallowing muscle spasm can be stimulated by the sight, sound, or perception of water (hydrophobia). Delirium and convulsions can develop, followed soon thereafter by coma and death.

Approximately 80% of people with rabies will manifest with classic encephalitic disease in which fever, hydrophobia, hyperactivity, and spasms eventually progress to paralysis and coma; this progression corresponds to “furious” rabies in animals. Another 20% of people can present with paralytic rabies, in which paralysis often first involves the bitten extremity and then progresses as an ascending paralysis, ultimately leading to coma; this is the equivalent of paralytic or “dumb” rabies in animals. Once clinical signs appear, patients die quickly in the absence of intensive supportive care.

Diagnosis can be made in a patient with a compatible exposure history and a classic clinical presentation ( Box 5-05 ). Clinical suspicion and prioritization of differential diagnoses can be complicated by variations in clinical presentation and a lack of exposure history, however. Because several weeks to months could have elapsed since exposure, and an accurate exposure history can be difficult to elicit, patients might not discuss potential rabies virus exposures with friends or family, and clinicians might not initially consider the possibility. As a result, rabies diagnosis in the United States is almost always missed at the first clinical encounter.

Definitive antemortem diagnosis requires use of specialized diagnostic methods on multiple specimens, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), saliva, serum, and skin biopsies taken from the nape of the neck. Because the probability of virus and antibody detection varies over the course of illness, sequential sample collection is indicated if initial testing is negative but clinical suspicion remains high. Finding rabies virus antigen or nucleic acid in any antemortem sample confirms the diagnosis.

A thorough review of all medical care provided to patients prior to sample collection is necessary to correctly interpret some diagnostic test results. Recent reports, for example, have described how human-derived products (e.g., intravenous immune globulin [IVIG]) administered to patients can be a passive source of high concentrations of donor-derived Rabies lyssavirus–neutralizing antibodies (RLNAs); in the absence of an accurate history of prior, recent IVIG administration, finding RLNAs in serum can incorrectly suggest a diagnosis of rabies. In unvaccinated encephalitic patients, however, the presence of rabies virus–neutralizing antibodies (particularly in CSF samples) confirms the diagnosis. See more information on diagnostic testing .

Rabies is a nationally notifiable disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is designated as the national rabies reference laboratory for the United States, along with the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Rabies and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Rabies Reference Laboratory. In this capacity, CDC performs public health testing for domestic and international health agencies, for both human and animal rabies diagnoses. Clinicians submitting samples to CDC for rabies testing must first consult with program staff, obtain approval, and complete the requisite paperwork; see step-by-step instructions .

Box 5-05 World Health Organization, human rabies case definitions

Clinical case definition.

A person presenting with an acute neurologic syndrome (encephalitis) dominated by forms of hyperactivity (furious rabies) or paralytic syndromes (paralytic rabies) progressing toward coma and death, usually by cardiac or respiratory failure, typically within 7–10 days after the first symptom if no intensive care is instituted. Symptoms include any of the following: aerophobia, dysphagia, hydrophobia, nausea or vomiting, paresthesia or localized pain, localized weakness.

HUMAN RABIES: SUSPECTED

A case compatible with the clinical case definition.

HUMAN RABIES: PROBABLE

A suspected case plus a reliable history of contact with a suspected, probable, or confirmed rabid animal.

HUMAN RABIES: CONFIRMED

A suspected or probable case confirmed in the laboratory.

No evidence-based “best practices” approach to treating rabies patients is available. Most cases are managed with symptomatic and palliative supportive care. Survival after the clinical phase of rabies virus infection is incredibly rare, but case reports continue to provide insight into potential therapeutic options, and experimental treatment regimens continue to be investigated. To date, early and robust production of rabies virus–neutralizing antibodies has been the primary factor associated with rare reports of survival. Rabies is still considered universally fatal for practical purposes; not getting bitten in the first place is therefore the most important prevention measure. For those who are (or who suspect they might have been) bitten by a rabid animal, urgently taking the other prevention measures described next is the only way to optimize survival.

Travelers can best prevent rabies by learning about infection risks and the need to avoid bites from mammals, especially high-risk rabies reservoir species; consulting with travel health professionals to determine whether preexposure vaccination is recommended; knowing how to prevent rabies after a bite; and knowing how to obtain postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), which might involve urgent importation of rabies biologics or travel to somewhere PEP is available. Not seeking PEP or receiving inadequate care likely will result in death from rabies. See a list of pretravel rabies precautions .

Avoid Animal Bites

Avoiding bites is truly the best prevention measure for rabies. Although rabies can be completely prevented by appropriate postexposure care, obtaining that care and worrying about its effectiveness can be nerve-racking for patients. Warn travelers going to rabies-enzootic countries about the risks for rabies exposure. Counsel them to stay away from all free-roaming mammals, including puppies and kittens, and to avoid contact with bats and other wildlife.

Children are at greater risk for rabies exposure and subsequent illness because of their inquisitive nature and inability to read behavioral cues from dogs and other animals. The smaller a child’s stature, the more likely they are to experience severe bites to high-risk areas (e.g., the head and face). Also contributing to the higher risk for children is their attraction to animals and the possibility that they might not report an exposure.

Bats & Other Wildlife

Besides rabies virus, other bat-associated pathogens include Histoplasma spp., coronaviruses, and viral hemorrhagic fever viruses (see Sec. 4, Ch. 7, Zoonotic Exposures: Bites, Stings, Scratches & Other Hazards ). Educate travelers to avoid handling bats or other wildlife and to consider using personal protective equipment (PPE) before entering caves where bats are found. Many bats have tiny teeth, and the wounds they inflict might not be readily apparent. Warn travelers that any suspected or documented bite or wound from a bat should be grounds for seeking PEP.

In many low- and middle-income countries, dogs stray freely in cities; encourage travelers to remain vigilant. Inadvertently approaching puppies when the mother is near, stepping on sleeping dogs, walking into dogs, or getting too close to dogs fighting or protecting food sources can provoke biting behavior.

Travelers bitten by a dog once are almost never bitten a second time, validating the observation that with proper awareness, bites can be avoided. Scanning for dogs on the street can become second nature for experienced travelers and expatriates. Knowledgeable travelers (even those never bitten) can travel for decades without ever having a dog bite.

Nonhuman Primates

Although nonhuman primates (NHPs) are rarely rabid, they are a common source of bites, mainly on the Indian subcontinent. In most instances, wild NHPs cannot be followed up for rabies assessments, and PEP is recommended for bite victims. Awareness of this risk and simple prevention are particularly effective: advise travelers not to approach or otherwise interact with NHPs or carry food while NHPs are near, especially those that have become habituated to tourists (see Sec. 4, Ch. 7, Zoonotic Exposures: Bites, Stings, Scratches & Other Hazards ).

Preexposure Prophylaxis

Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) does not eliminate the need for additional medical attention after a rabies exposure, but it simplifies PEP (see Postexposure Prophylaxis later in this chapter). PrEP might also provide some protection when an exposure to rabies virus goes unrecognized, or PEP is otherwise delayed. Travelers who complete a recognized PrEP immunization series (see Revised Vaccine Schedule later in this chapter) or who receive full PEP are considered previously vaccinated and do not require routine boosters. Routine testing for rabies virus–neutralizing antibody is not recommended for international travelers who do not otherwise fall into the frequent or continuous risk categories ( Table 5-17 ).

Table 5-17 Rabies preexposure prophylaxis recommendations—United States, 2022 1

1 Source: Rao AK, Briggs D, Moore SM, et al. Use of a Modified Preexposure Prophylaxis Vaccination Schedule to Prevent Human Rabies: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:619–27 ( www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7118a2.htm ).

2 Exposure type and nature of work or travel are the most important variables to consider when determining a person’s risk category. Perform risk categorization on a case-by-case basis; examples provided are intended as a guide only.

3 Consult local or state health departments about local disease biogeography.

4 Primary immunogenicity peaks 2–4 weeks after completing the recommended primary 2-dose PrEP vaccine series. People who are immunocompetent are expected to mount an appropriate response, and checking titers is not routinely recommended. Before people with altered immunity participate in high-risk activities, confirm a rabies antibody titer ≥0.5 IU/mL ≥1 week after booster vaccination (but ideally, 2–4 weeks after completing the recommended series). Individual facilities set their own rules regarding laboratory-confirmation of acceptable antibody titers for personnel.

5 Need for boosters is based on long-term immunogenicity, the ability to mount an anamnestic response to rabies virus >3 years after completion of the primary 2-dose PrEP vaccine series.

6 Unrecognized exposures: exposures that a person might not know occurred (e.g., a small scratch sustained during an inconspicuous breach in personal protective equipment might go unnoticed by a laboratorian testing neural tissue from rabid animals or by a field biologist conducting ecologic studies on bats).

7 Recognized exposures: bites, scratches, splashes, etc., that are unusual for a person (e.g., bat contact) or painful (e.g., raccoon bite or scratch).

8 Provide a booster dose of rabies vaccine when rabies antibody titers are <0.5 IU/mL. For people who are immunocompetent, checking antibody titers to verify booster response is not recommended. For people with altered immunity, verify antibody titers ≥1 week (ideally, 2–4 weeks) after each booster dose of vaccine administered. 9Includes people who: handle bats; have regular contact with bats; enter high-density bat environments (e.g., biologists who enter bat roosts or collect suspected rabies samples); perform animal necropsies (e.g., veterinary pathologists who frequently perform necropsies on mammals suspected to have had rabies). People for whom the frequency of handling rabies virus–infected tissues is low, or the procedures performed do not involve contact with neural tissue or opening of a suspected rabid animal’s calvarium, could consider following the recommended immunization schedule for RISK CATEGORY 2 rather than RISK CATEGORY 1.

10 Sustained risk: elevated risk for rabies virus exposure >3 years after the completion of the primary 2-dose PrEP vaccine series.

11 Rabies virus is unlikely to persist outside a dead animal’s body for an extended time due to virus inactivation by desiccation, ultraviolet irradiation, and other factors. Risk of transmission to people who handle animal products (e.g., hunters, taxidermists) is unknown but presumed to be low (RISK CATEGORY 5); direct skin contact with saliva and neural tissue of mammals should be avoided regardless of profession.

12 Includes veterinarians, technicians, animal control officers, and their students/trainees; people who handle wildlife reservoir species (e.g., wildlife biologists, rehabilitators, trappers); spelunkers.

13 PrEP considerations for travelers include: (1) Will the person be participating in occupational or recreational activities that increase their risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals (particularly dogs)? and (2) Will the person have difficulty getting prompt access to safe postexposure prophylaxis (PEP)? For example, will they be in rural areas or visiting destinations where PEP is not readily available ( www.cdc.gov/rabies/resources/countries-risk.html ).

14 Unless the recipient has altered immunity, checking titers after recommended booster doses is not indicated.

15 For example, short-term hands-on animal care volunteers, or infrequent travelers with no expected high-risk travel >3 years after their primary 2-dose PrEP vaccine series.

Abbreviations: IM, intramuscular; IU, international units; PrEP, preexposure prophylaxis

Recommended Traveler Categories

Recommendations for preexposure rabies vaccination can be made for certain international traveler categories based on multiple factors: the occurrence of animal rabies in the destination country; the availability of anti-rabies biologics; the traveler’s intended activities, especially in remote areas; and the traveler’s duration of stay. A decision to receive preexposure rabies immunization might also be based on the likelihood of repeat travel to at-risk destinations or long-term travel to a high-risk destination. Consider PrEP for animal handlers, field biologists, cavers, missionaries, veterinarians, and some laboratory workers. Table 5-17 provides criteria for PrEP. Regardless of whether PrEP is administered, encourage travelers to purchase medical evacuation insurance if they are going to areas where the risk for rabies is high (see Sec. 6, Ch. 1, Travel Insurance, Travel Health Insurance & Medical Evacuation Insurance ).

Revised Vaccine Schedule

In the United States, PrEP previously consisted of a series of 3 intramuscular (deltoid) injections of human diploid cell rabies vaccine (HDCV) or purified chick embryo cell (PCEC) vaccine given on days 0, 7, and 21 or 28. Based on recent changes in WHO recommendations and the availability of empirical studies, the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviewed its own recommendations for PrEP and approved a 2-dose preexposure regimen, given on days 0 and 7 ( Table 5-18 ).

The advantages of the revised schedule are that it is less expensive and easier to complete prior to travel. There are no data on how long this 2-dose series provides protection, however. Because of this uncertainty, travelers with a sustained risk for rabies exposure should either have a titer drawn or receive a third dose of vaccine within 3 years of the initial series. Travelers unlikely to visit an at-risk destination after 3 years require no further titers or boosters unless they have a subsequent exposure.

Table 5-18 Preexposure immunization for rabies 1

1 People who are immunocompromised by disease or medications should postpone preexposure vaccinations and consider avoiding activities for which rabies preexposure prophylaxis is indicated during the period of expected immune compromise. If this is not possible, immunocompromised people at risk for rabies should have their antibody titers checked after vaccination.

2 Every attempt should be made to adhere to recommended schedules; for most minor deviations (e.g., delays of a few days for individual doses), vaccination can be resumed as though the traveler were on schedule. Travelers with a sustained risk for rabies exposures should either have a titer drawn or receive a third dose of vaccine within 3 years of the initial series. Travelers unlikely to visit an at-risk destination after 3 years require no further titers or boosters unless they have an exposure.

Abbreviations: HDCV, human diploid cell vaccine; IM, intramuscular; PCEC, purified chick embryo cell

Vaccine Safety & Adverse Reactions

Advise travelers they might experience local reactions after vaccination (e.g., erythema, itching at the injection site, pain, swelling), or mild systemic reactions (e.g., abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, muscle aches, nausea). Approximately 6% of people receiving booster vaccinations with HDCV experience systemic hypersensitivity reactions characterized by malaise, pruritis, and urticaria. The likelihood of these reactions is less with PCEC vaccine.

Wound Management

If wounded by an animal, travelers should clean all animal bites and scratches with copious amounts of soap and water, povidone iodine, or other products with virucidal activity. Inform travelers that cleaning bite wounds immediately (or as soon as possible) substantially reduces the risk for rabies virus infection, especially when followed by timely administration of PEP. For unvaccinated patients, delay suturing any wounds for a few days. If suturing is necessary to control bleeding or for functional or cosmetic reasons, inject rabies immune globulin (RIG) into all exposed tissues before closing the wound. Use of local anesthetics is not contraindicated in wound management.

Postexposure Prophylaxis

Travelers who received preexposure prophylaxis.

For previously vaccinated people, PEP consists of 2 doses of modern cell culture vaccine given 3 days apart (days 0 and 3), ideally initiated shortly after the exposure. The booster doses do not have to be the same brand as the one used for the original preexposure immunization series. RIG should not be administered to people who were previously vaccinated, because it can lead to a diminished immune response to vaccine and provides no benefit to the recipient.

Travelers Who Did Not Receive Preexposure Prophylaxis

Rabies immune globulin + rabies vaccine.

For unvaccinated people, PEP consists of RIG administration (20 IU/kg for human RIG [HRIG] or 40 IU/kg for equine RIG) and a series of 4 injections of rabies vaccine over 14 days; immunocompromised patients should receive 5 doses over a 1-month period ( Table 5-19 ). After cleaning the wound, inject as much of the dose-appropriate volume of RIG ( Table 5-19 ) as is anatomically feasible at wound sites. The intent is to put RIG anywhere saliva might have contaminated the wounded tissue.

Once initiated, rabies PEP should not be interrupted or discontinued because of local or mild systemic reactions to the vaccine. If an adverse event occurs with one of the vaccine types, consider switching to the alternative cell culture vaccine for the remainder of the series. Antihistamines or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications taken before vaccination can help reduce mild adverse reactions in people with a history of such reactions.

Table 5-19 Postexposure immunization for rabies 1

Abbreviations: HDCV, human diploid cell vaccine; IM, intramuscular; PCEC, purified chick embryo cell; RIG, rabies immune globulin

1 Begin all postexposure prophylaxis with immediate, thorough cleansing of all wounds with soap and water, povidone iodine, or other substances with virucidal activity.

2 Every attempt should be made to adhere to recommended schedules; for most minor deviations (e.g., delays of a few days for individual doses), vaccination can be resumed as though the traveler were on schedule. When substantial deviations occur, assess immune status by serologic testing 7–14 days after the final dose is administered.

3 For people not previously vaccinated against rabies, PEP consists of both RIG and a series of rabies vaccine injections.

4 Immunocompromised patients should receive 5 vaccine doses. The first 4 vaccine doses are given on the same schedule as for an immunocompetent patient, and the fifth dose is given on day 28; patient follow-up should include monitoring antibody response. For more information, see Rupprecht et al., www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5902a1.htm .

5 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 4 postexposure vaccine doses, on days 0, 3, 7, and 14, unless the patient is immunocompromised, in which case a fifth dose is given at day 28.

6 Defined as preexposure immunization with HDCV or PCEC, prior postexposure prophylaxis with HDCV or PCEC, or prior vaccination with any other type of rabies vaccine and a documented history of positive rabies virus–neutralizing antibody response to that vaccination.

7 RIG not recommended.

Rabies Immune Globulin: Availability & Timing

HRIG is manufactured by plasmapheresis of blood from hyperimmunized volunteers. The total quantity of commercially produced HRIG falls short of worldwide demand, and it is not available in many low- and middle-income countries . Equine RIG, purified fractions of equine RIG, and rabies monoclonal antibody products might be available in some countries where HRIG is not. Such products are preferable to no RIG.

If access to RIG is delayed but modern cell culture vaccine is available, start the vaccine series as soon as possible, and add RIG to the regimen ≤7 days after the first dose of vaccine was administered. After day 7, RIG is unlikely to provide benefit, because antibodies from the patient’s own vaccine-derived immune response should be present.

Because rabies virus can persist in tissue for a long time before invading a peripheral nerve, a previously unimmunized traveler who sustained a bite suspicious for rabies should receive full PEP, including RIG, even if a considerable length of time has passed since the initial exposure. If there is a scar, or the patient remembers where the bite occurred, an appropriate amount of RIG should be injected in the area.

Rabies Immune Globulin: Dilution

If the wound is small and on a distal extremity (e.g., a finger, toe), use clinical judgment to decide how much RIG to inject to avoid complications (e.g., ischemia) due to local distention of the digit or digits. Administer any remaining dose intramuscularly at a site distant from the site of vaccine administration. If wounds are extensive, do not exceed the dose-appropriate volume of RIG. If the indicated volume is inadequate to inject all wounds, you can dilute the RIG with normal saline to ensure sufficient volume to inject all wounds. The one exception is the newer more concentrated version of HRIG (HyperRAb 300 i.u./ml), which requires using dextrose 5% in water (D5W) as the diluent. RIG dilution is particularly important in children whose body weight might be small in relation to the size and number of wounds.

Rabies Immune Globulin: Safety & Adverse Events

The incidence of adverse events after the use of modern equine-derived RIG is low (0.8%–6.0%), and most reactions are minor. Because such products are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration, however, their use cannot be recommended unequivocally. In addition, unpurified anti-rabies serum of equine origin might still be used in some countries where neither human nor equine RIG is available.

Contraindications & Precautions

Pregnancy is not a contraindication to receiving PEP. In infants and children, the dose of HDCV or PCEC for PrEP or PEP is the same as that recommended for adults. The PEP RIG dose is based on body weight ( Table 5-19 ).

Rabies vaccines were once manufactured from viruses grown in animal brains; some of these vaccines are still in use in low- and middle-income countries. Typically, travelers can identify brain-derived vaccines, also known as nerve tissue vaccines, if they are offered a daily large-volume injection (5 mL) for approximately 14–21 days. Because of variability in the potency in these preparations, which might limit their effectiveness, and the risk for severe adverse reactions, advise travelers to decline these vaccines and to travel to a location where acceptable vaccines and RIG are available.

Variations in Postexposure Prophylaxis

Different PEP schedules, alternative routes of administration, and other rabies vaccines besides HDCV and PCEC might be used abroad. For example, commercially available purified Vero cell rabies vaccine is an acceptable alternative, if available. Other rabies vaccines or PEP regimens could require additional prophylaxis or confirmation of adequate rabies virus–neutralizing antibody titers. Encourage travelers to take photos of the rabies PEP products they receive and to be conscious of the vaccine storage conditions and corresponding administration schedule. This information is necessary for health care providers to determine whether additional vaccines or titers are indicated. Clinicians can obtain assistance managing complicated PEP scenarios from experienced travel medicine professionals, health departments, and CDC ([email protected]).

Health care providers are justifiably concerned about getting everything right when trying to prevent a disease that is virtually 100% fatal, leading to overconcern about small variations in the administration of rabies vaccines. Modern-day cell culture rabies vaccines are highly immunogenic, however, and postexposure rabies vaccine schedules have been developed to provide the quickest onset of endogenous antibodies, which is why these vaccines are given on such a short schedule.

Make every effort to adhere to a recognized ACIP or WHO schedule. Variations of days to weeks are unlikely to diminish the immune response to vaccination but could delay the onset of protection. Numerous schedules and routes of administration have been recognized by international health authorities and have been shown to be highly effective at preventing rabies.

CDC website: Rabies

The following authors contributed to the previous version of this chapter: Ryan M. Wallace, Brett W. Petersen, David R. Shlim

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