rates travel agency

Host Agencies
Accelerator Course
Travel Jobs
Travel Agent Chatter
Etiquette & Rules
Privacy Policy

200+ Travel Agent Rates in 2024 [+PDF Download]

One of the biggest perks of becoming a travel agent is the wealth of travel experiences you have access to. As a travel agent, if you take vendor training, or reach a supplier's sales threshold you unlock travel agent rates for personal travel, special perks, amenities, and access to FAM (familiarization trips) .

The career outlook for a travel is great , plus it's an amazing way to see the world! (And if you still think travel agents don't exist, definitely read the previous link as you may be surprised that travel agencies book a larger share of travel than online travel agencies in the US!)

But the big question is, what are these discounted travel agent rates, and how do travel agents access them? We've got it all together for you in one handy dandy little download.

HAR's Travel Agent Rate PDF download includes details on 200+ supplier discounts! The download includes information on travel agent rates, special discounts, and special reward programs — all exclusive to travel agents (and maybe your friend or family :) ).

Not only that, but the download lists eligibility details and links to the travel advisor portal so you can register your travel agency. You can view the full PDF below!

But of course, this article is so much more than a travel agent rates download!

We'll cover:

what different kinds of travel agent discounts are out there,
how to qualify a supplier's travel agent loyalty or reward program,
and elaborate on some of the top travel agent hotel discounts

⭐️ HAR ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS: ⭐️

Different Types of Travel Agent Discounts
8 Things to Know about Travel Agent Discounts
200+ Travel Agent Rates (It’s Bonkers!)
Questions to Ask About Travel Agent Rates & Discounts

Travel Agent Hotel Rates

IHG (International Hotel Group) Travel Agent Rates
Hilton Hotels Travel Agent Rates
Hyatt Hotels Travel Agent Rates
Marriott Hotels (formerly Starwood)
Travel Agent Airline Rates
How to Become a Travel Agent (if You’re Not One Already)

Different Types of Travel Agent Rates & Incentives

Every supplier is going to have a different kind of travel agent rate or loyalty program. Some are complicated. Some are simple.

Here’s what you can generally expect in terms of travel agent discount programs:

Point Systems: Depending on the vendor, point systems offer you just that — a certain number of points per night booked. Points allotted will likely vary by tier of property. If you book a luxury property, you’ll get more points. Travel agent point systems, while somewhat complicated, are great for flexibility. It levels the playing field and operates like an amped-up client-facing rewards program.
Cash Incentives: Some vendors will offer travel agents hard cash for bookings (e.g. you get $25 for every room night booked). This isn't a rate or discount, but it's definitely an incentive!
Straight-up Flat Discounts: Some travel agent discounts are simple—you get a certain percentage off your stay. Easy peasy.
Special Reduced Rates: Because you’re a travel agent (or because you love to travel), you know that suppliers have peak seasons, different classes of properties, rooms, etc. Many suppliers will issue reduced rates exclusive to travel agents, outlining what the cost is for a different room category, itinerary, sailing date, etc.
Traveling for Free: Free travel is not the norm. There are circumstances travel agents may get a free cruise, a free theme park ticket, or free nights at a resort (etc.). This typically happens after a travel agent completes a vendor’s training program or if you're a top sales person of that supplier/brand.
Group Travel Rates : I’m not going to go deep into group rates, since this is something that (believe it or not) is typically offered in addition to travel agent rates. If you book a certain number of people on a trip or cruise (or a certain number of nights stay) you get a free credit you can use for yourself or for a client. (e.g. for Globus brands, you can receive travel agent discounts ranging from 25% - 100% depending on itinerary, group size, and when you book.)
Familiarization (FAM) Trips: In my mind, FAM trips are more of a travel agent perk than a travel agent discount or rate. FAMs are free or deeply discounted trips offered to travel agents (or travel professionals) to educate them about a product or destination. Here's a great explainer of FAM trips .

Suppliers want to keep travel agents happy! Many will have some combination of these perks above.

8 Things You Need to Know About Travel Agent Rates & Discounts

Here are a few things to know about what to expect when you're shopping for travel agent discounts:

1. You Need an Accreditation Number to Get travel agent Discounts

You need to be a travel agent to access travel agent rates and discounts. What makes someone a travel agent? An accreditation number . . . whether you get your own or align with a host agency .

2. Travel Agent Discounts are for Active Travel Agents

Beyond having an accreditation number, you need to sell travel. I know this may seem incredibly obvious, but oftentimes vendors will only offer travel agent rates or perks after you reach a certain sales threshold.

3. A Niche Will Help You Get More Travel Agent Bonuses & Rates (Here’s Why)

Part of developing a travel agent niche is getting a pulse on who your preferred suppliers are. When you begin to get a handle on what suppliers you love, you can focus your time and energies on learning those suppliers inside out.

This will help you establish the deep product knowledge and supplier relationships required to be a successful seller. In turn, you'll have access to more travel agent discounts and rewards as your sales increase.

4. You Often Need to Complete a Vendor Certification to Get a Discount

If you’re completely new, you’re not going to have a long scroll of past sales to help you access travel agent rates. But don’t worry. Many suppliers offer special rates, FAMs, or even free trips once you complete their training programs.

You'll want to make sure you stay current on supplier certifications so you can keep up with their updates and offer your clients the most recent info. Suppliers want you to love their brands and they know you gotta experience it yourself to love it!

5. Rules Most Likely Apply

Travel agent discounts are often saddled with long terms and conditions and/or fine print. This fine print may be peppered with info like blackout dates or that rates are subject to change (without asking for your permission). Unsurprisingly, travel agent rates are non-commissionable.

6. Travel Agent Rates and Programs can Change

Yep. They can and do. So when you read about specific travel agent discounts below, be sure you always check directly with your supplier/ BDM (Business Development Manager) for the most updated travel agent discount policy!

7. Q: If You Book Under a Host agency, Will You Get Your Discount?

Yes. When you set up your logins on host portals, suppliers will know which agent booked what and you’ll get your due glory.

When you set up your logins on host portals, suppliers will know which agent booked what and you’ll get your due glory.

An exception is Disney. For Earmarked Disney agencies (Disney's top selling agency program), it's the accrediting agency that will receive the allotted theme park tickets and travel agent rates to distribute among their agents. So ask your agency how that works if you want to get in it. That said, there are still incentives for solo Disney advisors who complete the College of Disney Knowledge! (Just check out the download !)

8. If you get bonuses, you may need to pay taxes on it

Any point system that can be exchanged for cash may be subject to taxes if you earn more than $600 in bonuses. Don’t ask me. Ask your accountant and make sure you know the tax implications of points you cash in.

Travel Agent Rates & Discounts that Will Make Your Brain Explode 🤯

Let's be honest with ourselves, this is probably why you're here for! To find more information on the travel agent rates, click on the link in the cell.

Also, things change. While we update this annually, check directly with the supplier for the most current travel agent rates and discounts.

Questions to Ask About Travel Agent Rates

You'll likely have questions about a supplier's travel agent rates. One thing to stress is that only asking about a supplier's discounts for travel agents is... well, it's tacky. Bottom line: Your first communication with a vendor should not be about their travel agent rates.

Your first communication with a vendor should not be about their travel agent rates.

These rates are for travel pros who are serious about their trade and want to increase sales. Make the effort to educate yourself on the product, let your BDM (business development manager) know your plan to help increase your sales for their product, and THEN you can ask about the travel agent rates.

If you’re really wanting to compare different rates and programs, here are a few questions you to think about, some of which are in the download above!

What travel accreditations are accepted? (TRUE may not be accepted everywhere)
Are there companion benefits?
Do you need to complete supplier education to secure the rate? If so, how often do I need to renew or recertify (if at all)?
Are there other eligibility requirements?
What's the sales threshold to attain travel agent rates or benefits?
Does belonging to a host agency impact my benefits?
What are typical blackout dates or seasons?
How long do I have to redeem my travel agent benefits (if it’s a point system)? When do they expire?
How do I request or access these benefits?

I'm going to do a deeper dive into a few travel agent hotel rates. There are a zillion different properties so I'm including just a few here. They offer a good idea of what kind of rates travel agents can expect from hotels.

You may be able to find better travel agents rates if you book the hotel through a tour operator.

Keep in mind that these hotel programs listed below are hotel-direct. Advisors seeking discounted hotel rates will need to book them directly through the hotel (rather than booking via a tour operator).

Another thing to note is that hotels with education programs typically will offer the best travel rates (above a standard travel agent rate).

(International Hotel Group) IHG Travel Agent Rates

IHG is linked and included in our download above . Yay! IHG offers a baseline discount of 35% off their Best Flex Rate to travel agents. Not to0 shabs!

Here are a few more details.

IHG offers a baseline discount of 35% off their Best Flex Rate.

But IHG often has offers beyond their base discounts, induing higher discounts on room rates, discounts on spa services, and other fun stuff. At the time of writing this, IHG had special offers that ranged from 35% - 50%.

If you're a travel agent, accessing IHG's travel agent rates is easy. Here's how:

You need an ARC, IATA, TIDs, or TRUE number to set up an account with IHG. If you're a travel agent employee and you don't have a travel ID card, you can provide a letter on agency letterhead from agency management verifying your agency employment.
To book IHG's travel agent rates, you need to login to your IHG travel agent account . If you don't have one, you can register here .

IHG Brands with travel agent rates:

IHG is the parent company for whole lotta hotel brands. Their IHG travel agent rates extend to:

Crowne Plaza
Candlewood Suites
Holiday Inn
Holiday Inn Club Vacations
IHG army hotels
Hotel Indigo
Atwell Suites
InterContinental
Holiday Inn Express
Holiday Inn Resorts
Staybridge Suites

Marriott Travel Agent Rates

Marriott acquired Starwood in 2015. So if you're looking for Starwood's travel agent rates, look no further than Marriott. Marriott has two different types of travel agent rates. Here's the rundown:

1. Marriott Travel Agent Rates

Marriott's travel agent rate is their blanket travel agent rate program which isavailable to any accredited travel agent with a valid IATA, ARC, CLIA or TIDS accreditation number . It's worth noting that Marriott does not accept TRUE number s.

The travel agent rate varies depending on availability, hotel category, and season. Marriott's travel agent discounts run up to 50% , but you can typically expect less. (At the time of writing this, the discounts ranged from 10-15% when I searched my hometown.)

Marriott's travel agent rate offers can be used to book up to two rooms for unlimited nights (depending on availability)

Marriott's travel agent rate offers can be used to book up to two rooms for unlimited nights (depending on availability).

Here's how to take advantage of Marriott's travel agent rate offers:

1. To access Marriot's rates, travel agents need an IATA ARC, CLIA, or TIDS number (and the ID to prove it when you check-in).

2. Search Marriott's travel agent rates here (Main menu>Promotions>Travel Agent Rate Search).

3. Log in/register to make a booking!

2. Marriott's Fam-Tastic Travel Agent Rates

Marriott's Fam-Tastic program is designed less for personal leisure and more to provide an opportunity for agents to familiarize themselves with properties (hence the name).

For Marriott's Fam-tastic program, advisors can reserve one room for four nights maximum.

This program is only available to Marriott's preferred travel agencies . You can visit host profiles and drop them a note in the Q&A section to ask if they are a preferred Marriott agency.

Marriott's FAM-tastic rate offers deeper discounts than their standard travel agent rate but with more requirements. In addition to fulfilling the requirements for a standard travel agent rate, other requirements include:

Marriott Bonvoy membership
Complete Core Hotel Excellence! (HE!) classes
Fulfill HE! continuing credits every year
Have an updated Marriott International (MI) Partner Privileges profile

Here's how to access Marriott's FAM-tastic rates:

1. Log into your Marriott Partner Privileges account .

2. To redeem your Marriott Fam-Tastic rates: Main Menu> Hotel Excellence> Access Fam-Tastic

MARRIOTT Brands with travel agent rates:

Here are a list of Marriott's brands that have a travel agent rates program (sorry, but you're not going to find the Ritz Yacht Collection here) .

AC Hotels by Marriott
Aloft Hotels
Autograph Collection
Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts
Courtyard by Marriott
Delta Hotels
Design Hotels
EDITION Hotels
Element by Westin
Fairfield by Marriott
Four Points by Sheraton
Gaylord Hotels
Homes & Villas by Marriott International
JW Marriott Hotels
Le Méridien
The Luxury Collection
Marriott Executive Apartments
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Marriott Vacation Club
Moxy Hotels
Protea Hotels by Marriott
Renaissance Hotels
Residence Inn by Marriott
The Ritz-Carlton
Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Sheraton Hotels and Resorts
SpringHill Suites
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
TownePlace Suites
Tribute Portfolio
Westin Hotels

Hilton Travel Agent Rates

Hilton travel agent rates include 50% off newly opened properties and up to 25% off other properties in Hilton's portfolio.

Keep in mind that Hilton travel agent discounts are off full price, not Hilton Honors discounts, pay in full, or other discount prices like AAA or AARP.

Agents can book two rooms for a seven-night maximum at Hilton travel agent rates.

Agents can book two rooms for a seven-night maximum at Hilton travel agent rates. Below is an example of what it looks like on the user end. You can search the hotels with Hilton travel agent rates here .

Here's how you can book Hilton's travel agent rates:

Travel agents need an IATAN accreditation (and an ID card upon check-in) to access Hilton's travel agent rate. Agents outside the US need a valid ID.
Go to Hilton's travel agent site and click "Special Rates" then select the "Travel Agents" option.

Beyond Hilton's travel agent rates, they also offer the Unlimited Rewards program to their travel advisor partners, which awards you .50¢ to $2.00 per night stay you book for your clients. (This also applies to Avis and Budget car rentals as well.)

Just remember that if you start racking up the dough through Unlimited Rewards, you may need to report the income to your springtime friend, the IRS.

Hilton Hotels brands with travel agent rates:

Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
LXR Hotels & Resorts
Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Canopy by Hilton
Signia Hilton
Curio a Collection
Tapestry Collection
Embassy Suites
Motto by Hilton
Hilton Garden Inn
Hampton by Hilton
Tru by Hilton
Homewood Suites
Home2 Suites
Hilton Grand Vacations

Hyatt Travel Agent Rates

While Hyatt's site advertises travel agent discounts up to 50% , you'll most likely find that large of savings at the more expensive properties in their collection. Similar to their friends at Marriott, Hyatt does not offer travel agent rates to agencies with TRUE accreditation .

There's a 2-room booking limit for Hyatt travel agent rates, with no room night cap.

There's a 2-room booking limit with Hyatt travel agent rates. However, they do not cap the number of room nights if the rate is available.

Here's how to book Hyatt's travel agent rates:

Agents must have a CLIA, IATAN, or TIDs (for agents outside the US) accreditation number and ID card. (Outside US, agents need an IATA/TIDS).
Agents must be a World of Hyatt member. ( Create account )
Search/ book Hyatt travel agent discount rates . (You can also use corporate ID code 4469)

HYATT Brands with travel agent rates:

Here's a list of Hyatt brands that offer travel agent rates:

Caption by Hyatt
Thompson Hotels
Hyatt Centric
Grand Hyatt
Hyatt Regency
Hyatt Zilara/Hyatt Ziva
Hyatt Place
Hyatt House
The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Destination Hotels
Joie de Vivre

Travel Agent Airline Discounts

I'm going to take a deep dive into travel agent airline discounts. Why? Travel agent airline discounts are more complicated to access for a smaller reward .

Here's why . . .

These travel agent airline rates are typically referred to as "AD50" or "AD75," signifying 50%-75% airline discounts for travel agents. At first, this seems like an amazing discount.

But as you’ve probably guessed, travel agents do not get 50-75% off their airline tickets. Otherwise, so many people would want to become a travel agent that our website would break :)

Without going too deep into the weeds, here's why these airline discounts can seem misleading at first.

Airlines break seats down into many different fare classes . All these fare classes have different pricing and rules attached to them. Among other things, the fare classes help the airline understand if you paid full fare or a discounted rate, if you’re in first class/business class/economy class, if you’re doing one way or round trip, and lots of other details.

Even at 50-75% off, Y fare class seats usually cost more than the other economy tickets available.

When it comes to travel agent airline discounts, the AD50 and AD75 discounts apply only to Y-fare class seats, which are full-fare economy seats. Essentially, they’re the most expensive economy-class tickets possible. Even at 50-75% off, Y fare class seats usually cost more than the other economy tickets available.

Not only are AD50 and AD75 discounts often more expensive than other economy tickets available, but there are also more hoops to jump through to access them. Airlines that offer these flight discounts will often have stringent eligibility requirements and detailed terms and conditions required to even request them.

According to seasoned corporate travel advisor and owner of Pioneer Travel, Mike Edic, "By the time you figure out the 'discounted' price, you can still purchase a real ticket for a lot less." Edic elaborated that these rates are seldom cheaper unless it's a last-minute booking (where all that remains are those pricey, full-fare Y-class seats).

Want to Become a Travel Agent? Try HAR's 7-Day Setup Accelerator Course

The one thing that all travel agent rates, promotions, loyalty programs, and discounts have in common is that you have to be a travel agent.

HAR's 7 Day Setup Accelerator course walks you through step-by-step how to start your agency. The best part is, it comes with the support of a team that's help thousands of people become travel agents, and the accountability to make sure you keep going!

Holy Moly! Thank You!

I almost found myself on the dark web looking for travel agent rates. Google only gets you so far . . . that is until it got you to this article.

But here’s a list of fab industry professionals who picked up the slack for Google (brace yourself, it’s a long list!): Bonnie Lee at Travel Quest , Summer Corbitt at Uniglobe , Guy Young and Priscilla Odoom at Insight Vacations, Josh Mahon at Rocky Mountaineer, Maria Triantos at Celestyal Cruises, Jim Tedesco at Apple Leisure Group Vacations, Mike Edic of Go Pioneer Travel, and all the stellar travel advisors who weighed in on Steph Lee’s FB page.

This is a living, changing, breathing document . . . Do you have a favorite travel agent rate or reward program? Holler in the comments!

About the Author

Mary Stein has been working as a writer and editor for Host Agency Reviews since 2016. She loves supporting travel advisors on their entrepreneurial journey and is inspired by their passion, tenacity, and creativity. Mary is also a mom, dog lover, fiction writer, hiker, and a Great British Bake Off superfan.

Agent Tools
Experienced Agents
Resource Downloads
Travel Agent Basics
Travel Industry Basics

Global Travel

CYBER WEEK SALE: Get an EXTRA $25 Gift Card + a 8 Day / 7 Night Vacation. Expires 12/1!

2-FOR-1 MEMBERSHIP SALE! Buy any annual membership and get one. PLUS, get a a Mexico vacation. Offer expires this FRIDAY!

1-800-250-7912
[email protected]

Unlock Exclusive Travel Agent Rates: How to Get the Best Discounts

When it comes to travel, everyone loves a good deal. Whether you’re planning a relaxing beach getaway or an adventurous mountain retreat, saving money on accommodations and other travel expenses is always a welcome bonus. That’s where travel agent rates and discounts come into play. These exclusive offers are designed to provide travelers with significant savings and added perks that are not typically available to the general public.

In this article, we will delve into the world of travel agent rates and discounts, exploring the benefits they offer, ways to access them, tips for maximizing your savings, and common questions that often arise. So, grab your passport and get ready to unlock a whole new world of travel savings!

Overview of Travel Agent Rates and Discounts

Travel agent rates and discounts are special pricing arrangements that hotels, resorts, airlines, and other travel suppliers offer exclusively to travel agents and their clients. These rates are significantly lower than the retail rates available to the general public, allowing travelers to enjoy substantial savings on their vacations.

By working closely with travel agents, suppliers can fill empty rooms, seats, and other travel inventory, while travelers receive unbeatable prices and added benefits. It’s a win-win situation for both parties involved. Travelers can take advantage of reduced accommodation costs, exclusive add-ons, upgrades, and access to special packages, while suppliers can ensure their inventory is utilized efficiently.

Now that we have a clear understanding of what travel agent rates and discounts are, let’s dive into the benefits they offer.

Benefits of Travel Agent Rates

Traveling can be an exhilarating and transformative experience, but it often comes with a hefty price tag. This is where travel agent rates come into play, offering a multitude of benefits that can help you save money while enjoying a luxurious getaway. From lower accommodation costs to exclusive add-ons and upgrades, and access to special packages, let’s delve into the enticing advantages that await savvy travelers.

Lower Accommodation Costs

One of the most enticing aspects of securing travel agent rates is the potential for drastically reduced accommodation costs. Imagine being able to stay at high-end hotels or resorts that would otherwise be outside your budget. Travel agents have access to exclusive deals and negotiated rates with various lodging establishments, enabling them to pass on significant savings to their clients. Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic beachfront villa or a cozy boutique hotel nestled in the heart of a bustling city, travel agent rates can make these dreams a reality while keeping your wallet happy.

Exclusive Add-ons and Upgrades

When booking your trip through a travel agent, you gain access to a world of exclusive add-ons and upgrades that can enhance your overall travel experience. Travel agents often have special partnerships with airlines, cruise lines, and tour operators, allowing them to secure additional perks for their clients. Picture yourself savoring a complimentary spa treatment at a luxurious resort, enjoying priority boarding on a flight, or indulging in a room upgrade with breathtaking views. These exclusive benefits not only add a touch of luxury to your trip but also create lasting memories that you’ll cherish for years to come.

Access to Special Packages

In addition to lower accommodation costs and exclusive add-ons, booking with a travel agent opens the door to a treasure trove of special packages. Whether you’re seeking a romantic honeymoon getaway, a family-friendly adventure, or an adrenaline-fueled escapade, travel agents have the expertise to curate tailored packages that cater to your specific interests and preferences. These packages often include a combination of accommodations, transportation, and activities, bundled together at a discounted rate. By taking advantage of these travel agent rates , you can unlock a world of possibilities and embark on unforgettable journeys that are perfectly tailored to your desires.

So, if you’re yearning to explore the world without breaking the bank, travel agent rates are the secret sauce to making your travel dreams a reality. From pocket-friendly accommodations to exclusive add-ons and the allure of special packages, these benefits are sure to elevate your travel experience to new heights. So pack your bags, embark on your next adventure, and let the savings and luxury unfold before your very eyes.

Ways to Get Travel Agent Rates

Become a travel agent.

One of the most effective ways to unlock exclusive travel agent rates is to become a travel agent yourself. By pursuing a career in the travel industry, you gain access to a wide range of perks and benefits, including discounted rates on accommodations. Not only will you be able to explore the world while assisting others in their travel endeavors, but you’ll also have the opportunity to take advantage of incredible savings.

To embark on this exciting journey, you can become a travel agent through various avenues. Many reputable organizations and companies offer training programs and certifications that equip aspiring travel agents with the necessary knowledge and skills. By enrolling in these programs, you’ll gain valuable insights into the industry, learn about different travel products and services, and ultimately be well-prepared to cater to the needs of your clients.

If you’re eager to dive into the world of travel without extensive training, you may consider becoming an independent travel agent . This route allows you to operate your own business, providing personalized services to travelers while enjoying the flexibility to set your own rates and commissions.

Join Travel Agent Associations

Another way to access exclusive travel agent rates is by joining reputable travel agent associations . These organizations bring together travel professionals from around the world, providing a platform for networking, education, and industry updates. By becoming a member, you’ll gain access to a plethora of resources and benefits, including special discounted rates on accommodations and travel packages.

These associations often have partnerships with various hotels, resorts, and travel suppliers, enabling their members to enjoy preferential rates and exclusive offers. Whether you’re a seasoned travel agent or just starting out, joining a travel agent association can significantly enhance your ability to secure the best discounts for your clients and yourself.

Utilize Travel Agent Booking Platforms

In today’s digital age, travel agents have a plethora of tools at their disposal to streamline their operations and secure the best deals for their clients. One such tool is the availability of travel agent booking platforms , which are specifically designed to cater to the needs of travel professionals.

These platforms not only provide access to a wide range of accommodations but also offer travel agent discounts that are not available to the general public. By leveraging these platforms, travel agents can search for the best rates, compare options, and book accommodations seamlessly. Additionally, these platforms often provide additional benefits such as exclusive add-ons and upgrades, further enhancing the overall travel experience.

Build Relationships with Travel Suppliers

Building strong relationships with travel suppliers is a key strategy for travel agents looking to unlock exclusive rates. Travel suppliers include hotels, resorts, airlines, car rental companies, and tour operators. By establishing a solid rapport with these suppliers, travel agents can negotiate favorable rates and access exclusive discounts.

One effective way to build relationships with travel suppliers is by attending industry events such as trade shows, conferences, and seminars. These events provide opportunities to meet representatives from various travel companies and establish meaningful connections. By fostering these relationships, travel agents can gain insider knowledge, stay informed about upcoming promotions, and ultimately secure the best rates for their clients.

In conclusion, there are several ways to unlock exclusive travel agent rates. Whether you choose to become a travel agent , join travel agent associations, utilize travel agent booking platforms, or build relationships with travel suppliers, each approach offers unique advantages. By combining these strategies and staying proactive in your quest for savings, you’ll be well on your way to accessing the best discounts available in the travel industry. Happy travels!

Tips for Maximizing Travel Agent Rates

When it comes to maximizing your travel agent rates, there are a few key strategies that can help you make the most of your savings. By following these tips, you can ensure that you are getting the best possible discounts on your accommodations and travel experiences.

Plan in Advance : One of the most effective ways to secure the best travel agent rates is to plan your trips in advance. By booking early, you can take advantage of early bird discounts and secure the best available rates. This is particularly important if you have specific travel dates in mind or if you are planning to visit a popular destination during peak travel seasons. By planning ahead, you can avoid last-minute price increases and ensure that you are able to secure the accommodations and packages that best fit your travel needs.

Be Flexible with Travel Dates : Another tip for maximizing your travel agent rates is to be flexible with your travel dates. By being open to traveling during off-peak seasons or on weekdays, you can often find significantly lower rates. Many hotels and travel suppliers offer special discounts and promotions for travelers who are willing to be flexible with their travel dates. By considering alternative travel periods, you can save a substantial amount of money without compromising on the quality of your travel experience.

Compare Rates and Packages : When it comes to getting the best travel agent rates, it’s important to compare rates and packages from different suppliers. While one supplier may offer a great discount on accommodations, another may have better deals on flights or activities. By taking the time to compare rates and packages, you can ensure that you are getting the best overall value for your money. Utilize online travel agent booking platforms that allow you to easily compare prices and offerings from different suppliers. This way, you can make an informed decision and secure the best possible rates for your travel plans.

Leverage Loyalty Programs : Many hotels and travel suppliers offer loyalty programs that provide additional benefits and discounts to frequent customers. If you frequently travel to the same destinations or stay at the same hotel chains, it can be worthwhile to join their loyalty programs. These programs often provide exclusive access to special rates, upgrades, and other perks. By leveraging loyalty programs, you can maximize your travel agent rates and enjoy additional savings on your trips.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you are maximizing your travel agent rates and getting the best possible discounts on your accommodations and travel experiences. Remember to plan in advance, be flexible with your travel dates, compare rates and packages, and leverage loyalty programs to make the most of your savings. Traveling doesn’t have to break the bank, and with the right strategies, you can enjoy incredible experiences while staying within your budget.

For more information on how to become a travel agent and unlock exclusive travel agent rates, visit Global Travel .

Common Questions

As you delve into the world of travel agent rates and discounts, you may find yourself with a few burning questions. In this section, we will address some of the most common queries that travelers have regarding this enticing opportunity.

Are travel agent rates available for all destinations?

Absolutely! Travel agent rates are available for a wide range of destinations, from bustling cities to serene beachside retreats. Whether you dream of exploring the streets of Paris, lounging on the pristine beaches of Bali, or embarking on an African safari, there are travel agent rates available to suit your desires. From popular tourist hotspots to off-the-beaten-path destinations, travel agents can unlock exclusive discounts and benefits for a variety of locations across the globe.

Can anyone book travel agent rates?

While travel agent rates were originally designed for those working in the travel industry, they are not limited to travel agents alone. Nowadays, many hotels, resorts, and airlines extend these discounted rates to a wider audience, allowing anyone to take advantage of the savings. Whether you are a travel professional, a frequent traveler, or simply someone looking for a great deal, you can book travel agent rates and enjoy the benefits they offer.

How much can I save with travel agent rates?

The amount you can save with travel agent rates varies depending on the destination, property, and time of year. On average, travelers can expect to save anywhere from 10% to 50% off the regular rates. These discounts can translate into significant savings, especially for longer stays or when traveling with a group. By accessing these exclusive rates, you can enjoy a luxury experience at a fraction of the cost.

To better understand the potential savings, let’s take a look at a hypothetical scenario. Imagine you are planning a week-long vacation to a popular beach destination. The regular rate for a luxury beachfront resort is $300 per night. However, with a travel agent rate, you could potentially secure a discount of 30%. This means you would only pay $210 per night, resulting in a total savings of $630 for the duration of your stay.

It’s important to note that the savings can vary significantly depending on the specific property, time of year, and availability. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to compare rates, packages, and promotions to ensure you are getting the best possible deal.

Now that we’ve addressed some common questions, let’s move on to the exciting topic of maximizing your travel agent rates to make the most of your travel experiences. But before we do that, let’s take a moment to recap what we’ve learned so far.

In conclusion, unlocking exclusive travel agent rates can be a game-changer when it comes to planning your next vacation. Not only do these rates offer lower accommodation costs, but they also provide access to exclusive add-ons, upgrades, and special packages that are not available to the general public.

By becoming a travel agent or joining travel agent associations, you can tap into a world of discounted rates and benefits. Utilizing travel agent booking platforms and building relationships with travel suppliers further enhance your chances of getting the best deals. These strategies enable you to save significantly on your travel expenses, leaving you with more money to indulge in memorable experiences during your trip.

To maximize your savings, it is important to plan in advance and be flexible with your travel dates. This allows you to take advantage of the best rates and availability. Additionally, taking the time to compare rates and packages across different platforms ensures that you are getting the most value for your money. Lastly, leveraging loyalty programs can provide you with additional perks and savings.

While travel agent rates may not be available for all destinations, there are numerous options to choose from across the globe. Whether you’re dreaming of a tropical beach getaway or an adventurous mountain retreat, there is likely a travel agent rate waiting to be discovered.

It’s important to note that travel agent rates are not exclusive to travel agents alone. Anyone can book these rates, making them accessible to all travelers looking to save money on their journeys. So, whether you are a seasoned traveler or a novice explorer, you can take advantage of these discounts and enjoy the benefits they offer.

When it comes to how much you can save with travel agent rates, the answer varies depending on various factors such as the destination, time of year, and the specific deal you secure. However, it is not uncommon to save a significant amount, sometimes even up to 50% or more on accommodation costs.

In summary, unlocking exclusive travel agent rates is a smart strategy for any traveler looking to maximize their savings and make the most of their vacation. By utilizing the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you can embark on your dream trip without breaking the bank. So, start exploring the world of travel agent discounts and uncover the incredible opportunities that await you.

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.

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

Best Hotel Booking Sites

Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Solo Travelers

The Best Budget Hotels in Miami Beach of 2024

Best Dreams Resorts

Best Budget Manhattan Hotels

Best Walt Disney World Resort Hotels in Orlando

The 9 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in Mexico in 2024

Best Las Vegas Hotels for Couples

Best Online Sites for Booking Cheap or Discounted Airline Tickets

Best London Budget Hotels

Best Car Rental Companies of 2024

The Best Oceanfront Virginia Beach Hotels

Best Budget Disney World Hotels

Best Hawaii All-Inclusive Hotels

Best Disneyland Hotels

Saving Money on Your Summer Vacation

curate the best

Hyatt helps you curate client travel experiences that exceed all expectations.

As a travel advisor, enjoy special rates, personalized service, and more when you choose Hyatt.

We understand how important demonstrating care for your clients is to your business. Every day, with every interaction, Hyatt teams go above and beyond so you can deliver the best experiences imaginable.

Enjoy special rates just for you , including up to 50% off the daily rate for eligible stays. Click here to book travel for yourself .
Mention our perks , like free Wi-Fi in Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide, and free breakfast at participating Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels.
Partner with our dedicated teams —together, we'll help deliver to your clients personalized service that goes above and beyond.
Work with an on-site planner to host industry groups with the Entertainment Set—a customizable package with special offerings including VIP treatment and multi-tour booking benefits.
Earn 10% commission on eligible rates (use chain code HY in the GDS).
Discover our World of Hyatt loyalty program —book commissionable rates for your clients while they earn points toward free nights, airline miles, and more.

Have questions? We’re happy to help with general reservations, GDS automation assistance, commission inquiries, and more.

We invite you to explore the brand bar below to learn about each of our brands. Please click each brand logo to learn more.

Click the button below to book travel for your clients.

Select Dates and Guests

Hyatt’s Commission Statement Hyatt hotels and resorts will pay 10% commission to approved travel agencies for all Eligible Rates worldwide. “ Eligible Rates ” means certain rate plans communicated to Travel Advisor as commissionable. The Eligible Rate applies to the portion of the room rate paid by the guest. Commission does not apply to incidentals, taxes, mandatory fees, e.g. resort fees or gratuities. Special discounted rates for travel advisors are non-commissionable.

Commissions for stays at Hyatt’s hotels and resorts will be paid for each night stayed at an Eligible Rate, up to the first 29 consecutive nights of a guest’s stay. Back-to-back stays within a 24-hour period at a single Hyatt hotel are considered one stay. Unless otherwise agreed, Commission is not paid on convention bookings, government rates that are net/non-commissionable, any internet-only (not including Hyatt.com) rate programs, Hyatt gift cards and rates booked through online travel agencies.

Please contact Onyx customer service for additional commission payment information, including the dates commission checks were issued, client changes which affect commission payments and questions regarding no-shows.

All commission payment inquiries must be submitted within 9 months of the guest’s check-out.

Onyx Phone: 1.214.396.3280 Email: [email protected]

Due to the law in Turkey, money cannot be sent without an invoice. Therefore, travel agents must apply for their commission. Travel agents must send an invoice dated on the day of the check out and addressed on the invoice as:

This is for invoice only:

Goktrans Turizm Ve Tic As Buyukdere Cad. Dogus Han No. 42/3 Mecidiyekoy Istanbul Turkeyit managers

Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Miraval®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Centric®, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Ziva™, Hyatt Zilara™, Thompson Hotels®, Destination by Hyatt™, Alila®, Caption by Hyatt, JdV by Hyatt™, World of Hyatt® and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation, its affiliates or licensors. ©2020 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

Offers on hotel rooms delivered directly to your inbox

You will receive news and marketing regarding Hyatt offers via email based on the information we collect in accordance with our Privacy Policy .*

*(excludes S. Korea)

Find & Reserve

Special Offers

Travel Agent Rate Search

The Travel Agent Rate is available to all accredited travel agents with a valid IATA, IATAN, CLIA, ARC or TIDS number. Rates are subject to availability and valid credentials are required for check-in, please view the FAQs for more details.

Find a Hotel

1 Room : 1 Adult , /Room 0 Children /Room

(Age-based rates may be available)

Government & Military
Senior Discount
Corporate / Promo / SET#

Hotels For…

Deals & packages.

Your version of Microsoft Internet Explorer is not supported for secure online transactions. Would you like to update your IE browser?

All Hotels & Resorts
Select Guest Overview
Member Benefits
Member Tiers
Select Planner
Terms and Conditions
My Reservation
#My Reservation
#Select Guest

Make a Reservation

Where are you going?

I have flexible dates

Special rates

Senior Discount (ages 55+)

Government/Military

Select Guest® member? Use free nights

Redeem your Select Guest free nights! If available, multiple free night certificates may be used for a single stay, however each certificate must be booked separately. Once your first reservation is confirmed you will be prompted to reserve additional nights on a separate reservation.

Travel Agents
Travel Agent Rates
VIP/Help Desk
Sample Itineraries

Travel Industry Rates

Omni Hotels & Resorts’ travel industry rate can be booked through your GDS or on our website by clicking the "book now" button below.

This rate is available at participating hotels throughout the U.S. and Canada. To book the travel industry rate in the GDS, please use the following Rate Qualifier:

Worldspan : Use P-TVL

Apollo : Use C-TVL

Sabre : Use RC-T

Amadeus : Use SR-TVL

Please note the following when making reservations:

Must present proper identification (IATAN, ARC, TIDS or CLIA identification card) upon check-in
Must be one travel agent for each room booked at the travel agent rate
Rates are subject to availability and subject to change
Rates are non-commissionable
Please qualify your availability using the appropriate qualifier code in the GDS
Agent is required to complete a site inspection of the property (excluding meeting space unless requested by the agent) while in house in order to receive the travel agent rate. Site inspections can be set up at check in.

We look forward to seeing you soon at Omni Hotels & Resorts!

Protect Your Trip »

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

Married couple with baby son in modern travel agency talking to a travel agent.

Getty Images

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.

The Best Luggage Brands

Tags: Travel , Travel Tips

World's Best Places To Visit

# 1 South Island, New Zealand
# 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

The Best Carry-on Luggage

Erin Evans , Rachael Hood , Catriona Kendall , Amanda Norcross and Leilani Osmundson April 17, 2024

The Best Hard-sided Luggage Picks

The Best Yellowstone National Park Tours

John Rodwan April 17, 2024

The Best Rome Colosseum Tours

Laura Itzkowitz April 17, 2024

Best Alaska Tours

Lyn Mettler April 16, 2024

The Best Fredericksburg Wine Tours

The Best Personal Item Bags

Rachael Hood April 16, 2024

The 17 Best Costa Rica Tours

Lyn Mettler April 12, 2024

Skip to main content
Skip to header right navigation
Skip to site footer

milepro | travel like a pro!

travel smarter....travel like a pro!

Marriott Travel Agents: What you need to know about "Fam-tastic" Rates?

Marriott Travel Agent Rates: Save 50% with Fam-tastic Rates!

What Travel Advisors need to know about Standard Travel Agent Rates vs. the deeply discounted Marriott Fam-tastic Rates.

What is the Marriott Fam-tastic Program?

Fam-tastic travel agent rate requirements:, how to book a marriott “fam-tastic” travel agent rate, how to book a standard marriott travel agent rate, marriott travel agent rates – how much can you save as travel agent, marriott hotel excellence program, marriott travel agent benefits, travel agency owner benefits, terms of the marriott fam-tastic program, hyatt travel agent rates: how advisors save up to 50% at hyatt, ihg travel agent rates: how travel advisors save 50% with ihg, hilton travel agent rates: how advisors save 25-50% at hilton, frequently asked questions.

In this article, we dig into the Marriott travel agent familiarization program, called “Fam-tastic”, and review how to qualify for these deeply discounted rates vs. a standard Marriott Travel Agent rate. It’s more complicated than you might think.

Here is everything you need to know about Marriott Travel Agent Rates.

“Fam-Tastic” is Marriott’s rate familiarization program, which allows registered travel agents to book special rates at Marriott properties across the globe. It’s a way to let travel agents see Marriott properties at discounted prices so they can promote them to their customers.

The Fam-tastic program is recognized as the industry’s premier travel agent familiarization rate program and is offered as an exclusive benefit to qualified travel consultants who have successfully completed the Hotel Excellence! Core training and the current year’s annual Continuing Education are employed by a valid ARC/IATA/TIDS/CLIA agency.

The Fam-tastic rate is a discounted rate that varies by brand and is subject to availability based on Marriott’s Travel Agent Rate Ratio Policy .

Qualifying travel agents are eligible to book Fam-tastic stays (maximum four nights per stay, one visit per participating hotel per calendar year) at participating hotels.

Marriott Travel Agent Rates vs. Fam-tastic Rates:

It’s important to note that Marriott has two different types of discounted travel agent rates:

The “Fam-tastic” Travel Agent Rate, and
The Standard Travel Agent Rate.

Any registered travel agent can book a standard travel agent rate. However, If you want to book a “Fam-tastic” rate there are some additional steps you need to go through.

To qualify for Fam-Tastic discounted rates and benefits, travel agents have to do the following:

Complete the Hotel Excellence! Core training.
Complete the latest Continuing Education training.
Ensure your profile has been updated.
US advisors must also have a valid IATAN VER or CLIA EMBARC ID number added to their Hotel Excellence! profile.

“Fam-Tastic rates are for the exclusive use of active accredited travel agents who are graduates of Hotel Excellence! and have completed the current year’s continued education training (“Travel Agents”). Fam-Tastic rates are designed to afford travel gents the ability to familiarize themselves with Marriott hotels and resorts. Fam-Tastic rates may not be used by anyone other than the travel agent. For clarity, Fam-Tastic rates may not be used by a travel agent’s family, friends, clients, or any other third party. As soon as a your Hotel Excellence! dashboard indicates that you are “Qualified” for Fam-Tastic, stays can be booked immediately.” Marriott

Fam-Tastic rate reservations must be made in advance and can only be made via marriott.com/travelagents .

You’ll need to Log in with your MI Partner Privileges credentials. If you meet the requirements to qualify for the Fam-Tastic rate, the booking page will appear, and you may continue to search and book your Fam-Tastic reservation.

Standard Travel Agent rates are much easy to book. You just need to go to the Marriott booking page and book a room with the Marriott travel agent rate code (“TVL”).

Enter code “TVL” in the “Corporate/Promotional Code” box under the “Special Rates” section of the Marriott booking page
Then enter your travel destination, and dates and hit the “find hotels” button to reveal the results.

The process is the same as when you book a room with a Marriott Corporate Code or a Marriott Employee Discount Rate .

That said, you will still need to provide travel agent credentials when checking in, so this is not a rate code just anyone can use.

Here are the credential and ID requirements for using the Marriott travel agent rate code:

At the time of hotel check-in, the travel advisor must provide appropriate credentials. For travel agents associated with a US agency: an IATAN photo ID Card or CLIA EMARC Photo ID Card is required. For travel agents associated with an agency outside the US or for advisors associated with a AAA location: a valid photo ID and a business card or employment verification letter on the letterhead of their agency are required.
If the appropriate credentials are not presented at check-in, the hotel will charge the travel advisor the Travel Agent rate or the lowest rate available to the general public for each night of the stay.

I must admit that I was surprised at how little you actually can save with these rates. There are a couple of issues:

Many Marriott hotels don’t offer them, however, most of the resorts in vacation destinations do offer travel agent rates.
The savings are not that big. I have seen anywhere from 10-40%, depending on location and time of year.

Don’t get me wrong, a 10-40% discount is still saving, but I would have expected the travel agent rates to be in the 50% or more discount range to motivate advisors to check out the properties and promote them to their customers. Here are a couple of rate examples:

Example 1: New York City

Example #2: Hawaii

If you want to book a Marriott Fam-Tastic rate, you are going to need to familiarize yourself with Marriott’s travel agent training program.

Hotel Excellence! (HE!) is Marriott’s online library of training for travel advisors and is a key component of Marriott’s Preferred Travel Agency (PTA) program.

The training covers hotel industry knowledge, sales tips, Marriott International’s portfolio of brands, pricing and commission policies, and more. Plus, qualified Marriott Hotel Sales Specialists gain access to Fam-Tastic rates, their lowest industry rates, so you can experience the brands for yourself.

Exclusive access to Fam-Tastic rates at thousands of Marriott International Hotels worldwide .
Receive dedicated eNewsletters on our latest news, openings, and more.
CEUs for maintenance of The Travel Institute’s CTA/CTC certification, the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies certification, or CLIA credits.
Access Tools and Resources to help you sell our brands.
Receive enhanced commission as a Preferred Travel Agency (PTA).
Provide award-winning training to your travel agents.
View your agency’s status with Marriott from your dashboard once logged in.
Easily complete annual requirements for the Preferred Travel Agency program.

What’s the difference between Standard Travel Agent Rates and Marriott Fam-Tastic Rates?

There are a couple of key differences between the two Marriott travel agent rates including:

The discount is typically higher for the Fam-tastic rate.
You can only book 1 room (4 nights maximum) at the given property with a Fam-Tastic Rate, but you can book 2 rooms with a standard travel agent rate and stay as long as you want.
You can only book a Fam-Tastic rate at a participating Marriott International property one time per calendar year. Standard Travel Agent rates do not have this limit.
You have to go through additional training to qualify for a Fam-Tastic rate, whereas any accredited travel agent can book a Travel Agent Rate.
You can only book a Fam-Tastic rate through the Marriott Travel Agent portal, whereas you can book a standard Travel Agent Rate through the Marriott website.
Reservations for the Fam-Tastic rate must be made upon logging into hotelexcellence.marriott.com .
The rate is available at participating properties for a minimum of one (1) night and a maximum of four (4) nights per stay.
Rates are subject to availability and black-out dates. Advance reservations are required.
Travel agents may book a maximum of one (1) room per stay using the Fam-Tastic rate.
There is no limit on the number of stays the travel advisor may book in a calendar year using the Fam-Tastic rate, provided that the travel advisor may only use the Fam-Tastic rate one (1) time per calendar year at each participating property.
Rates will be shown in USD or local currency and do not include taxes, gratuities, resort or destination fees, or other mandatory fees.
The rate applies to one standard guest room based on double occupancy.

Reader Interactions

The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see?

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2023 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

Images of nature around the mountains and lakes of Slovenia as seen on the Exodus Travels' Lakes and Mountains of Slovenia walking tour

With trips on every continent, Exodus Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Travels to a friend).

These small group tours operate with only around 12-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari.

Exodus Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium.

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

A Taste of the Sweet Life in Slovenia

Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

Groups of hikers walking and camping around the mountains of Kilimanjaro with World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more.

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more.

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender.

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route .

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures

People visiting famous sites around China with the G Adventures' China Express group travel tour

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,124 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $559 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $800.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available.

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget.

8 Trending Destinations to Visit in 2023

Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination.

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan.

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes.

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Shots from around Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and accommodations provided by Intrepid Travel's Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good.

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 7 million dollars to over 130 community organizations.

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-29 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters on Intrepid Travel’s Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip which includes time with the mountain gorillas of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

The 10 Best Sites to Book a Cruise

Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Aerial shots of various islands and coastlines around the Croatia and Dalmation Islands and shot of sailboat belonging to Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings.

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure.

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour .

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Shots of the interior and exterior of the Ocean Adventurer ship and shots of nature around Antarctica as seen on the Chimu Adventures' Antarctica Fly Cruise

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination.

For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina). Can’t stay long? Book one of Chimu Adventures’ scenic flights to Antarctica , which fly as far as the south pole in one spectacular 16-hour day.

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

Program These Numbers Into Your Phones Before Traveling Internationally

Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Collage of images from the For the Love of Travel Lapland Tour

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome).

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to nearby destinations like Mexico or Denver—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Collage of shots from DuVine's Holland Bike Tour

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips.

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes.

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Collage of images from the different cities involved in the Abercrombie & Kent Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

Book Your Stay With SmarterTravel Hotels

For independent explorers who don’t want to miss out on these amazing destinations, book your hotel stay for a great rate with SmarterTravel Hotels .

You Might Also Like:

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From

Don't see a fare you like? View all flight deals from your city.

Today's top travel deals.

Brought to you by ShermansTravel

Porto to Lisbon: 7-Nt, Small-Group Portugal...

Indus Travels

Greenland: Luxe, All-Incl. 11-Nt Exploration Small-Ship...

Swan Hellenic

Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati

Trending on SmarterTravel

Travel Advisor Discounts for Personal Travel

Don't miss out on exploring our vacation discounts for Travel Advisors:

Enjoy 50% off the best available rate at any of our newly opened properties
Receive up to 25% off the remainder of Hilton’s worldwide portfolio of brands
Offer valid for two rooms and at participating properties only

Credit cards
View all credit cards
Banking guide
Loans guide
Insurance guide
Personal finance
View all personal finance
Small business
Small business guide
View all taxes

11 Best Travel Insurance Companies in April 2024

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that travelers need to be prepared for the unexpected — from a pandemic to flight troubles to the crowded airport terminals so many of us have encountered.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care or a policy that includes extreme sports, these are the best travel insurance providers to get you covered.

How we found the best travel insurance

We looked at quotes from various companies for a 10-day trip to Mexico in September 2024. The traveler was a 55-year-old woman from Florida who spent $3,000 total on the trip, including airfare.

On average, the price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $126.53. The costs displayed below do not include optional add-ons, such as Cancel For Any Reason coverage or pre-existing medical condition coverage.

Read our full analysis about the average cost of travel insurance so you can budget better for your next trip.

However, depending on the plan, you may be able to customize at an added cost.

As we continue to evaluate more travel insurance companies and receive fresh market data, this collection of best travel insurance companies is likely to change. See our full methodology for more details.

Best insurance companies

Types of travel insurance

What does travel insurance cover, what’s not covered, how much does it cost, do i need travel insurance, how to choose the best travel insurance policy, what are the top travel destinations in 2024, more resources for travel insurance shoppers, top credit cards with travel insurance, methodology, best travel insurance overall: berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

ExactCare Value (basic) plan is among the least expensive we surveyed.
Speciality plans available for road trips, luxury travel, adventure activities, flights and cruises.
Company may reimburse claimants faster than average, including possible same-day compensation.
Multiple "Trip Delay" coverage types might make claims confusing.
Cheapest plan only includes fixed amounts for its coverage.

Under the direction of chair and CEO Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has been around since 2014. Its plans provide numerous opportunities for travelers to customize coverage to their needs.

At $135 for our sample trip, the ExactCare Value (basic) plan from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers protection roughly $10 above the average price.

Want something cheaper? Air travelers looking for inexpensive, less comprehensive protections might opt for a basic AirCare plan that includes fixed amounts for its coverage .

Read our full review of Berkshire Hathaway .

What else makes Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection great:

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers available at no extra cost.

Plans available for travelers going on a cruise, participating in extreme sports or taking a luxury trip.

ExactCare Value (basic) plan was among the least expensive we surveyed.

Best for emergency medical coverage: Allianz Global Assistance

Annual or single-trip policies are available.

Multiple types of insurance available.
All plans include access to a 24/7 assistance hotline.
More expensive than average.
CFAR upgrades are not available.
Rental car protection is only available by adding the One Trip Rental Car protector to your plan or by purchasing a standalone rental car plan.

Allianz Global Assistance is a reputable travel insurance company offering plans for over 25 years. Customers can choose from a variety of single and annual policies to fit their needs. On top of comprehensive coverage, some travelers might opt for the more affordable OneTrip Cancellation Plus, which is geared toward domestic travelers looking for trip protections but don’t need post-departure benefits like emergency medical or baggage lost.

For our test trip, Allianz Global Assistance’s basic coverage cost $149, about $22 above average.

What else makes Allianz Global Assistance great:

Annual and single-trip plans.

Plans are available for international and domestic trips.

Stand-alone and add-on rental car damage product available.

Read our full review of Allianz Global Assistance .

Best for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions: Travel Guard by AIG

Travel Guard by AIG

Offers last-minute coverage.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Exclusion Waiver available at all plan levels.
Plan available for business travelers.
Cancel For Any reason coverage only available for higher-level plans, and only reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost.
Trip interruption coverage doesn't apply to trips paid for with points and miles.

Travel Guard by AIG offers a variety of plans and coverages to fit travelers’ needs. On top of more standard trip protections like trip cancellation, interruption, baggage and medical coverage, the Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available on certain Travel Guard plans, which allows you to cancel a trip for any reason and get 50% of your nonrefundable deposit back as long as the trip is canceled at least two days before the scheduled departure date.

At $107 for our sample trip, the Essential plan was below average, saving roughly $20.

What else makes Travel Guard by AIG great:

Three comprehensive plans and a Pack N' Go plan for last-minute travelers who don't need cancellation benefits.

Flight protection, car rental, and medical evacuation coverage, as well as annual plans available.

Pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver available on all plan levels, as long as it's purchased within 15 days.

Read our full review of Travel Guard by AIG .

Best for those who pack expensive equipment: Travel Insured International

Travel Insured International

Higher-level plan include optional add-ons for event tickets and for electronic equipment
Rental car protection add-on for just $8 per day, even on lower-level plan.
Many of the customizations are only available on the higher-tier plan.
Coverage cost comes in above average in our latest analysis.

Travel Insured International offers several customization options. For instance, those going to see a show may want to add on event ticket registration fee protection. Traveling with expensive gear?Consider adding on coverage for electronic equipment for up to $2,000 in coverage.

Be sure to check which policies are available in your state. You will need to input your destination, residence, trip dates and the number of travelers to get a quote and see coverages.

What else makes Travel Insured International great:

Comprehensive plans include medical expense reimbursement accidents, sickness, evacuation and pre-existing conditions, depending on the plan.

Flight plans include coverage for missed and canceled flights and lost or stolen baggage.

Read our full review of Travel Insured International .

Best for adventurous travelers: World Nomads

World Nomads

Travelers can extend coverage mid-trip.
The standard plan covers up to $300,000 in emergency evacuation costs.
Plans automatically cover 200+ adventurous activities.
No Cancel For Any Reason upgrades are available.
No pre-existing medical condition waivers are available.

Many travel insurance plans contain exclusions for adventure sports activities. If you plan to ski, bungee jump, windsurf or parasail, this might be a plan to consider.

Note that the Standard plan ($72 for our sample trip), while the most affordable, provides less coverage than other plans. But it can be a good choice for travelers who are satisfied with trip cancellation and interruption coverage of $2,500 or less, do not need rental car damage protection, find the limits to be sufficient and do not need coverage for certain more adventurous activities.

What else makes World Nomads great:

Comprehensive international travel insurance plans.

Coverage available for adventure activities, such as trekking, mountain biking and scuba diving.

Read our full review of World Nomads .

Best for medical coverage: Travelex Insurance Services

Travelex Insurance Services

Top-tier plan doesn’t break the bank and provides more customization opportunities.
Offers a plan specifically for domestic travel.
Sells a post-departure medical coverage plan.
Fewer customization opportunities on the Basic plan.
Though perhaps a plus for domestic travelers, keep in mind the Travel America plan only covers domestic trips.

For starters, basic coverage from Travelex Insurance Services came in at $125, almost exactly average for our sample trip.

Travelex’s plans focus heavily on providing protections that are personalized to your travel style and trip type.

While the company does offer comprehensive plans that include medical benefits, you can also choose between cheaper plans that don’t provide cancellation coverage but do offer protections during your travels.

Read our full review of Travelex Insurance Services .

What else makes Travelex Insurance Services great:

Three comprehensive plans available, two of which cover international trips.

Offers a post-departure plan geared exclusively toward disruptions after you leave home.

Two flight insurance plans available.

Best if you have travel credit card coverage: Seven Corners

Seven Corners

Annual, medical-only and backpacker plans are available.
Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available for the cheapest plan.
Cheapest plan also features a much less costly Interruption for Any Reason add-on.
Offers only one annual policy option.

Each Seven Corners plan offers several optional add-ons. Among the more unique is a Trip Interruption for Any Reason, which allows you to interrupt a trip 48 hours after the scheduled departure date (for any reason) and receive a refund of up to 75% of your unused nonrefundable deposits.

The basic coverage plan for our trip to Mexico costs $124 — right around the average.

What else makes Seven Corners great:

Comprehensive plans for U.S. residents and foreigners, including travelers visiting the U.S.

Cheap add-ons for rental car damage, sporting equipment rental or trip interruption for any reason.

Read our full review of Seven Corners .

Best for long-term travelers: IMG

Coverage available for adventure travelers.
Special medical insurance for ship captains and crew members, international students and missionaries.
Claim approval can be lengthy.

While some travel insurance companies offer just a handful of plans, with IMG, you’ll really have your pick. Though this requires a bit more research, it allows you to search for coverage that fits your travel needs.

However, travelers will want to be aware that IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Lite is expensive. Coming in at $149.85, it’s the costliest plan on our list.

Read our full review of IMG .

What else makes IMG great:

More affordable than average.

Many plans to choose from to fit your needs.

Best for travelers with unpredictable work demands: Tin Leg

In addition Cancel For Any Reason, some plans offer cancel for work reason coverage.
Adventure sports-specific coverage is available.
Plans have overlap that can be hard to distinguish.
Only one plan includes Rental Car Damage coverage available as an add-on.

Tin Leg’s Basic plan came in at $134 for our sample trip, adding about $8 onto the average basic policy cost. Note that you’ll pay a lot more if you shop for the most comprehensive coverage, and there are eight plans to choose from for trips abroad.

The multitude of plans can help you find coverage that fits your needs, but with so many to choose from, deciding can be daunting.

The only real way to figure out your ideal plan is to compare them all, look at the plan details and decide which features and coverage suit you and your travel style best.

Read our full Tin Leg review .

Best for booking travel with points and miles: TravelSafe

Covers up to $300 redepositing points and miles on eligible canceled award flights.
Optional add-on protection for business equipment or sports rentals.
Multi-trip or year-long plans aren’t available.

Selecting your travel insurance plan with TravelSafe is a fairly straightforward process. The company’s website also makes it easy to visualize how optional add-on elements influence the total cost, displaying the final price as soon as you click the coverage.

However, at $136, the Basic plan was among the more expensive for our trip to Mexico.

What else makes TravelSafe great:

Rental car damage coverage add-on is available on both plans.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage available on the TravelSafe Classic plan.

Read our full TravelSafe review .

Best for group travel insurance: HTH Insurance

HTH Travel Insurance

Covers travelers up to 95 years old.
Includes direct pay option so members can avoid having to pay up front for services.
A 24-hour delay is required for baggage delay coverage on the TripProtector Economy plan.
No waivers for pre-existing conditions on the lower-level plan.

HTH offers single-trip and multitrip medical insurance coverage as well as trip protection plans.

At around $125, the Trip Protector Economy policy is at the average mark for plans we reviewed.

You can choose to insure group trips for educators, crew, religious missionaries and corporate travelers.

What else makes HTH Insurance great:

Medical-only coverage and trip protection coverage.

Lots of options for group travelers.

Read our full review of HTH Insurance .

As you shop for travel insurance, you’ll find many of the same coverage categories across numerous plans.

Trip cancellation

This covers the prepaid costs you make for your trip in cases when you need to cancel for a covered reason. This coverage helps you recoup upfront costs paid for flights and nonrefundable hotel reservations.

Trip interruption

Trip interruption benefits generally involve disruptions after you depart. It helps reimburse costs incurred for flight delays, cancellations and plenty of other covered disruptions you might encounter during your travels.

This coverage can cover the costs for you to return home or reimburse unexpected expenses like an extra hotel stay, meals and ground transportation.

Trip delay coverage helps cover unexpected costs when your trip is delayed. This is another coverage that helps offset the costs of flight trouble or other travel disruptions.

Note that many policies have a total amount a traveler can claim, with caps on per diem benefits, too.

Cancel For Any Reason

Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to recoup some of the upfront costs you paid for a trip even if you’re canceling for a reason not otherwise covered by your standard travel insurance policy.

Typically, adding this protection to your plan costs extra.

Baggage delay

This coverage helps cover the costs of essential items you might need when your luggage is delayed. Think toiletries, clothing and other immediate items you might need if your luggage didn’t make it on your flight.

Many travel insurance plans with baggage delay protection will specify how long (six, 12, 24 hours, etc.) your luggage must be delayed before you can make a claim.

Lost baggage

Used for travelers whose luggage is lost or stolen, this helps recoup the lost value of the items in your bag.

You’ll want to make sure you closely follow the correct procedures for your plan. Many plans include a maximum total amount you can claim under this coverage and a per-item cap.

Travel medical insurance

This covers out-of-pocket medical costs when travelers run into an emergency.

Because many travelers’ health insurance plans don’t cover medical care overseas, travel medical insurance can help offset out-of-pocket health care costs.

In addition to emergency medical coverage, many plans have medical evacuation or repatriation coverage for costs incurred when you must be taken to a hospital or return to your home country because of a medical situation.

Most travel insurance plans cover many trip protections that can help you be prepared for unexpected travel disruptions and expenses.

These coverages are generally aimed at protecting the money you put into your trip, expenses you incur because of travel trouble and costs incurred if you have a medical emergency overseas.

On top of core coverages like trip cancellation and interruption and travel medical coverage, some plans offer add-on options like waivers for pre-existing conditions, rental car collision damage waivers or adventure sports riders. These usually cost extra or must be added within a specified timeframe.

Typical travel insurance policies offer coverage for many unforeseen events, but as you research to select a plan, consider your needs. Though every plan differs, there are some commonly excluded coverages.

For instance, you typically can’t get coverage for a named storm if you bought the coverage after the storm was named. In other words, if you have a trip to the Caribbean booked for Sept. 25 and on Sept. 20 a hurricane develops and is named, you generally won’t be able to buy a travel insurance plan Sept. 21 in hopes of getting your money back.

Many plans also don’t cover activities performed under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any extreme sports. If the latter applies to you, you might want to consider a plan with specific coverages for adventure-seekers.

For numerous plans, a few other situations don’t qualify as an acceptable reason to cancel and make a claim, such as fear of travel, medical tourism or pregnancies (unless you booked a trip and bought insurance before you became pregnant or there are complications with the pregnancy). This is where a Cancel For Any Reason add-on to your coverage can be helpful.

You can also run into trouble if you give up on a trip too soon: a minor (or even multihour) flight delay likely isn’t sufficient to cancel your entire trip and get reimbursed through your plan. Be sure to review what requirements your specific plan has when it comes to canceling a trip, claiming trip interruption, etc.

Travel insurance costs vary widely. The final price of your plan will fluctuate based on your age, length of trip and destination.

It will also depend on how much coverage you need, whether you add on specialized policies (like Cancel For Any Reason or pre-existing conditions coverage), whether you plan to participate in extreme sports and other factors.

In our examples above, for instance, the 35-year-old traveler taking a $2,000 trip to Italy would have spent an average $76 for a basic plan to get coverage for things like trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, etc. That’s a little less than 4% of the total trip cost — lower than average.

If there were multiple members in a traveling party or if they were going on, say, a rock-climbing or bungee-jumping excursion, the costs would go up.

On average, travel insurance comes to about 5% to 10% of the trip cost. However, considering many of the plans reimburse up to 100% of the trip cost (or more) for disruptions like trip cancellation or interruption, it can be a worthwhile expense if something goes wrong.

It depends. Consider the following factors that might affect your decision: You’re young and healthy, all your bookings are refundable or cancelable without a penalty, your flights are nonstop, you’re not checking bags and a credit card you carry offers some travel protections . In that case, travel insurance might not be necessary.

On the other hand, if you prepaid a large chunk of money for a nonrefundable African safari, you’re going on a Caribbean cruise in the middle of a hurricane season or you’re going somewhere where the cost of health care is high, it’s not a bad idea to buy a travel insurance plan. Here’s how to find the best travel insurance coverage for you.

If you’re thinking of booking a trip and not planning to buy travel insurance, you may want to consider at least booking refundable airfare and not prepaying for hotel, rental car and activity reservations. That way, if something goes wrong, you can cancel without losing any money.

Selecting the best travel insurance policy comes down to your needs, concerns, preferences and budget.

As you book, take a few minutes to consider what most concerns you. Is it getting stranded because of flight trouble? Having the ability to cancel for any reason you see fit without losing money? Getting sick or injured right before departure and needing to postpone the trip? Injuring yourself or falling ill while overseas?

Ultimately, you want a plan that protects you, your money and the large investment in your trip — but doesn’t cost too much, either.

Medical coverage. If your priority is having adequate medical coverage abroad, you might want to look for plans with high limits for medical emergencies and medical evacuation.

Complex travel itinerary. If your itinerary has lots of flight connections, prepaid hotels and deposits for activities you can’t get back, prioritizing a plan with the best coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions may land at the top of your list.

Travel uncertainty. If you’re on the fence about a trip and have nonrefundable reservations, you may want to select a plan with a Cancel For Any Reason coverage option, which can help you recoup about 50% to 75% of the costs. This helps provide peace of mind, placing the decision on whether to travel entirely in your hands.

Car rentals. If you’re renting a car, a collision damage waiver is often worth looking into.

The following destinations are the top insured destinations in 2024, according to Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner).

The Bahamas.

Costa Rica.

Antarctica.

In 2022, travelers spent about 25.53% more on trips than they did before the pandemic.

As of December, NerdWallet analysis determined travel prices are 10% higher than pre-pandemic. Each statistic makes a strong case for protecting your travel investment as you plan your next trip.

Bookmark these resources to help you make smart money moves as you shop for travel insurance.

What is travel insurance?

CFAR explained.

Is travel insurance worth getting?

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance.

Here is the list of travel cards offered by Chase that include various forms of travel insurance.

Having one of these in your wallet is a good start to protecting your travel investments and preventing expensive accidents; however, savvy travelers check card terms closely and sometimes supplement with a third-party policy, like from one of the companies above, to better protect themselves.

on Chase's website

• 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.

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

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

• Car rentals: Theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.

• Trip interruption: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.

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

We used the following factors to choose insurance providers to highlight:

Breadth of coverage: We looked at how many plans each company offered plus the range of their standard plans.

Depth of coverage: We considered two data points to get a sense of how much each company pays out for common travel issues — the maximum caps for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims.

Cost: By looking at the costs for basic coverage across multiple companies, we determined an average cost for shoppers to benchmark plan prices against.

Customizability: While standard plans can cover a lot of ground, sometimes you need something a little more personal.

Customer satisfaction. Using data from Squaremouth when available, and Google Reviews as a backup, we can give kudos to companies with better track records from their clients.

No, it doesn’t necessarily get more expensive the longer you wait to purchase. However, as you put off buying insurance, you may lose access to potential plans and coverage options.

In general, buying travel insurance within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

But, generally, many plans do allow you to buy coverage quite close to your departure date.

To get the most out of your travel insurance plan, buy it soon after making your initial prepayment or deposit to ensure you have access to the biggest menu of plans possible.

Select a plan that’s comprehensive enough to cover the travel scenarios you’re most concerned about or likely to encounter but not too expensive or laden with protections you’d never likely need.

Whatever your coverage, thoroughly review the plan so you understand what’s covered and what’s not, plus how to adhere to the plan’s rules for making a claim.

Travelers frequently use phrases like “trip insurance” and “travel insurance,” as well as “trip protection,” interchangeably, but they do mean different things, according to Stan Sandberg, founder of insurance comparison site TravelInsurance.com.

Trip insurance, or trip protection, generally refers to predeparture (or preevent) coverage if you need to cancel. You may see these plans sold by airlines, online travel agencies or even ticketed event sellers.

“You could refer to it as the portion that protects the investment in the trip,” Sandberg says.

A travel insurance plan typically includes that — plus more comprehensive benefits to protect you during your trip, from medical coverage to trip delay and lost baggage protections, and many more elements, depending on the plan.

Though travel insurance is typically not required for international trips, your personal circumstances will play a key role in whether it’s a good investment.

For instance, young, healthy travelers with few prepaid trip expenses embarking on a relatively risk-free trip may not see a need to buy a plan.

Older travelers with complicated itineraries who are visiting destinations where they could potentially fall ill or get injured — or who could encounter bad weather or some other disrupting factor along the way — may want to buy coverage.

Consider a few key questions:

How well would your health insurance plan cover you if you needed to visit a hospital overseas?

How much did you prepay for a hotel or rental car?

How much money would you be out if weather or some other flight issue derailed your itinerary?

Could you afford an unexpected night in a city where you have a connecting flight?

Do you already have a credit card that provides some travel protections?

Your answers to these questions can help you decide whether you need travel insurance for your international trip.

In general, buying travel insurance

within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit

for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

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

On a similar note...

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser .

Moscow Tours

Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022

Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Moscow Kremlin, photo by Walkerssk on Pixabay

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

Accommodation

PRIVATE TOUR

St. Basiils Cathedral, Moscow, Photo by vierro from Pexels

A Week in Moscow

This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.

Weekend in Moscow

This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

Kolomenskoye Tour with transport

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...

Tours by car

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...

Walking tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour

Old Arbat walking tour

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...

Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...

Tour to Kuskovo with transport

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...

Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...

Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...

Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...

Spasskaya Tower,Moscow Kremlin, Russia, image from Shutterstock

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour

Portrait of Leo Tolstoy by Ilya Repin (1887)

The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...

Novodevichy convent, Moscow, Russia, image from Shutterstock

Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...

St. Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, Russia, image from Shutterstock

City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...

City Tour of Moscow

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...

Moscow Metro walking tour

The Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, image from Shutterstock

Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour

KGB Tour with transport

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...

Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

Our travel brands include

Express to Russia

Join us on Facebook

We invite you to become a fan of our company on Facebook and read Russian news and travel stories. To become a fan, click here .

Join our own Russian Travel, Culture and Literature Club on Facebook. The club was created to be a place for everyone with an interest in Russia to get to know each other and share experiences, stories, pictures and advice. To join our club, please follow this link .

We use cookies to improve your experience on our Website, and to facilitate providing you with services available through our Website. To opt out of non-essential cookies, please click here . By continuing to use our Website, you accept our use of cookies, the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service . I agree

Saint Petersburg
Golden Ring
Moscow tours
Siberia and Arctics
North Caucasus
Guided tours
Tour packages
Tips for tourists travelling to Russia
Useful apps to download
Visa and registration
Restaurants and bars
Packing tips
Transport in Moscow

Visit Moscow Tours

Saint Petersburg - Karelia 9 days - 8 nights

Moscow - Saint Petersburg tour package 8 days/7 nights

Moscow - saint petersburg 5 days/4 nights.

Moscow - Saint Petersburg 6 days/5 nights

Sochi tour 8 days/7 nights

Altai tour package 11 days/10 nights

Murmansk 4 days/3 nights

Happy New Year tour package- best price 8 days/7 nights

Baikal tour package 7 days/6 nights

Christmas tour package- best price 5 days/4 nights

Moscow tour package 4 days/3 nights.

Special Winter Edition Tour 8 days/7 nights

Saint Peterburg tour package 4 days/3 nights

Moscow-Kazan-Saint Petersburg 9 days/8 nights

Moscow-Suzdal-Saint Petersburg 9 days/8 nights

Moscow-Saint Peterburg tour package 8 days/7 nights BEST DEAL (15th of MAY-22d of MAY only)

Moscow-sochi tour package 6 days/5 nights.

Moscow - Velikiy Novgorod - Saint Petersburg tour package 9 days/8 nights

Moscow-Saint Petersburg-Baikal lake 14 days/13 nights

Moscow-Saint Petersburg-Sochi tour package 10 days/9 nights

Moscow-Altai tour package 14 days/13 nights

Moscow-Murmansk-Saint Petersburg 11 days/10 nights

Saint Petersburg - Karelia 8 days/7 nights

Moscow tour package 5 days/4 nights including tank riding and Stalin Bunker visit

Moscow-Saint Petersburg tour package 7 days/6 nights including tank riding and Stalin Bunker visit

Magic Ice of Baikal Lake - 7 days / 6 nights

SPA tour package Grozny (Chechnya) 4 days - 3 nights

Hiking tour package Dagestan 5 days - 4 nights

Suzdal and Vladimir Tour

Moscow Kremlin Tour

River Cruise Tour

Driving Tour around Saint Petersburg

Peterhof Tour

Moscow Driving Tour

Moscow in 1 Day (Walking tour)

Welcome to visit moscow tours.

We provide authentic, informative and memorable tour packages and city tours, at very competitive prices. Visit Moscow Tours are available not only in Moscow, but also in other cities: Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Suzdal and Sergiev Posad. We also organise customised individual programs tailored just for you.

Our guests come in large groups, small private groups, as couples or as single travellers. We take care of and treat our guests with respect in a friendly and warm family environment. We show people our beautiful cities with passion and deep knowledge of their history, culture and traditions.

Our guides are extremely hospitable, helpful and well-informed. They are simply the best because only by providing the best services can we make the world fall in love with Russia. And we are very happy when our guests say that they will definitely come back to Russia and that they will tell all their friends how great Russia is! That is what inspires us to put even more dedication and hard work into our tours, knowing that what we do is positive and meaningful.

Our classic tours include tours of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, two main Russian cities.

Moscow is a big and busy megalopolis and Russia’s capital city, where more than 12 million people live and work. Our capital city is happening place; it is mysterious, elegant, luxurious, fashionable, clean and bright, with its unique legends, traditions and events. It is with great pride that we show the Red Square and the Kremlin, our Underground and Tretyakovskaya Gallery, among other stunning attractions.

Saint Petersburg is our second capital, the second largest city in the Russian Federation. This wonderful city has a strong and lively aristocratic spirit, uniquely Russian royal architecture, magnificent museums and theatres. Saint Petersburg bears the royal heritage of Russia, which can be felt in its air, its streets, parks, monuments, museums and citizens. In Saint Petersburg tours, we will take you to the Hermitage, Peter and Paul Fortress, Faberge Museum and Orthodox Cathedrals. We’re sure you will love it!

If you have a few more days to spare, venture into the dreamy Russian countryside in Suzdal or Sergiev Posad. Suzdal is a small town with a population of about ten thousand people, situated on less than 15 square kilometres. This tiny area is home to 53 historic cathedrals, five monasteries and a kremlin. Church domes are visible like mushrooms from anywhere and everywhere in the town like in a fairy tale. No wonder Suzdal is called the ‘Town Museum”. It is definitely worth visiting!

Just try any of Visit Moscow Tours’ tour packages or any individual city tour, and we promise that you will want to come back to Russia again. Russia is huge with countless amazing places to visit. There are so many unique experiences to be had and energies to be felt that one tour is definitely not enough to explore this vast land. It is also a very safe destination to travel, and we have a tradition of warm hospitality. Our people adore and take care of visitors as our own guests, and even if they do not know your language very well, they still try to be helpful and hospitable.

Our guides will show you the most interesting attractions and historical places, taking you on a journey to the past to enjoy stories of medieval times, the Romanov monarchy, the Soviet Era. And of course, we will show you the contemporary life of our country through authentic local experiences.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

IMAGES

Explaining Travel Agent Commissions [Infographic + Charts] (2023)
Online Travel Agency Analytics: Data-driven Insights
Infographic: How business travel prices will rise over 2013
How to Get Corporate Hotel Rates
How Much Do Travel Agents Make?
A List of 200+ Travel Agent Rates

VIDEO

Ecotourism Holiday Packages With Transportation & Discounted Excursions At Travel Agent Prices
Procedural Fairness Letter and Visa Documentation Tips
TV rates in America

COMMENTS

A List of 200+ Travel Agent Rates in 2024
Hilton Travel Agent Rates. Hilton travel agent rates include 50% off newly opened properties and up to 25% off other properties in Hilton's portfolio. Keep in mind that Hilton travel agent discounts are off full price, not Hilton Honors discounts, pay in full, or other discount prices like AAA or AARP.
10 Best Travel Agencies Reviewed by Buyers in 2024
Read 3,740 Reviews. Hotels.com is an online travel agency that specializes in helping people find and book reservations at hotels, condos, bed and breakfasts and more. The company was founded in ...
Unlock Exclusive Travel Agent Rates: How to Get the Best Discounts
The amount you can save with travel agent rates varies depending on the destination, property, and time of year. On average, travelers can expect to save anywhere from 10% to 50% off the regular rates. These discounts can translate into significant savings, especially for longer stays or when traveling with a group.
Special Travel Offers
Top-rated travel agents. Connect with one of our professional travel agents — some of the best-reviewed agents in the nation — to discover how their expertise can truly enhance your journey. 4.98/5. Average Agent Rating by Past Clients. 99.23 %. Recommended by Past Clients. 90,000+. Number of Positive Reviews for Our Agents.
Travel Agent Discounts and Offers
When booking with Hilton, travel agents get special rates, including 25-50% off hotel stays. See our discounts and offers exclusive to travel Agents.
Best Online Travel Agencies
An online travel agency can easily help you find the best airfare, hotel rooms, cruises, and more. These are the best travel agencies to use for booking your next trip. ... 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 ...
Hotel Booking for Travel Advisors
Hyatt Customer Service. (800) 634-3839. Travel Agent Support. (800) 634-3940. Meeting Connection. (800) 522 1100. We invite you to explore the brand bar below to learn about each of our brands. Please click each brand logo to learn more. Click the button below to book travel for your clients.
Lozano Travel
Lozano Travel is a full-service travel agency dedicated to providing our clients with expert trip planning for memorable travel experiences. Since 1996, discerning travelers have trusted our expert travel advisors to help them plan life's most important journeys, from honeymoons and anniversary trips to retirement travel and family vacations. ...
Hyatt Travel Agent Rates: How Advisors Save up to 50% at Hyatt
However, many of these "benefits" are no different from what any World of Hyatt member would receive, like free breakfast at Hyatt Place", so it is a bit of a stretch to position these as special perks for travel advisors. Save up to 50% off the daily rate for eligible stays. Free Wi-Fi in Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide, and ...
AAA Travel
Our team of knowledgeable and friendly AAA Travel Agents are here to help you every step of the way. Plus, as a AAA member, you will enjoy exclusive savings and discounts on everything from passport services to cruises, tours and vacations. Whether you're looking for a relaxing beach getaway or an adventure-packed trip, AAA can help you plan ...
Travel Agent Rate Search
The Travel Agent Rate is available to all accredited travel agents with a valid IATA, IATAN, CLIA, ARC or TIDS number. Rates are subject to availability and valid credentials are required for check-in, please view the FAQs for more details.
Travel Agent Rates
Rates are subject to availability and subject to change; Rates are non-commissionable; Please qualify your availability using the appropriate qualifier code in the GDS; Agent is required to complete a site inspection of the property (excluding meeting space unless requested by the agent) while in house in order to receive the travel agent rate.
Hotel Booking for Travel Agents
Exclusive travel advisor rate. Book your next personal stay and get 50% off at newly opened hotels and up to 25% off at existing hotels within the Hilton global portfolio. Book Travel Advisor Rate.
Is a Travel Agent Still Worth It? The Pros & Cons
Compare the pros and cons of using a travel agent before making your final decision. ... (free spending money to use on the ship), access to special agency/group rates, or even just learning about ...
The Pros and Cons of Online Travel Agencies
After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible ...
Marriott Travel Agent Rates: Save 50% with Fam-tastic Rates!
The Standard Travel Agent Rate. Any registered travel agent can book a standard travel agent rate. However, If you want to book a "Fam-tastic" rate there are some additional steps you need to go through. Fam-Tastic Travel Agent Rate Requirements: To qualify for Fam-Tastic discounted rates and benefits, travel agents have to do the following:
The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023
Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000. Top Trip: If you're pressed for time (or simply don't have the stomach for the Drake ...
Travel Agent Rate
Travel Advisor Discounts for Personal Travel. Don't miss out on exploring our vacation discounts for Travel Advisors: Enjoy 50% off the best available rate at any of our newly opened properties. Receive up to 25% off the remainder of Hilton's worldwide portfolio of brands. Offer valid for two rooms and at participating properties only.
11 Best Travel Insurance Companies in April 2024
Best travel insurance category. Company winner. Best overall. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. Best for emergency medical coverage. Allianz Global Assistance. Best for travelers with pre ...
Guide to Moscow for Traveling to Moscow in 2022
Cheap as Caviar. In Moscow, everything is bargain when with the current foreign exchange rates being what they are. Even caviar doesn't seem so dear when the exchange rate is at 60rub to the dollar, so go on indulge yourself! Take your 2022 vacation in Moscow and have the best of both worlds, with European luxury at very affordable prices.
The 20 Best Moscow Tours for 2022
This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing. $ 941 From/Per person. Details.
Russian Tour Agency
Grand Russia is DMC Travel Agency that offers full range of travel services in the entire country such as visa support letters (tourist invitation letter), transport services - from private vehicles up to 60 pax tourist coaches, professional tour guide assistance, domestic railway and airline tickets, hotel booking services, meals (of any preferences and rare food habits), tailor-made ...
Russian travel agency
The Food Tour by Visit Moscow Tours is a perfect chance to sample all the variety of cuisines of the former Soviet Republics and to understand the Russian customs, traditions and ways of life. You will taste Russian, Ukrainian and Georgian food. Meeting time: from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meeting point:
I'm a Travel Agent: Here Are 6 Hidden Hot Spots That ...
GOBankingRates spoke with two travel agents, Mercedes Zach from ASAP Tickets (part of Trevolution Group) ... "Accommodation options in Porto include boutique hotels, guesthouses and hostels, with nightly rates starting at €50-€100 per person during the summer months." ...
Israel vs. Iran: What an All-Out War Could Look Like
Iran's massive missile and drone attack on Israel, which began in the late hours of April 13, pushed the conflict between the two countries into a potentially explosive new phase. For decades ...