Although you can save a significant amount of money by making your own travel plans, you often can get even better deals by using a travel agent. The key is to find a travel agent that knows how to find the best prices on flights and hotels.
Find out if the agent has the certified travel counselor or C.T.C. certification. In order to get this, she completed travel courses and has worked as a travel agent for more than 5 years. This certification guarantees an experienced agent with a better knowledge of the industry and securing good prices.
Question the agent's recommendations. Most travel agents work on commission and will recommend the higher priced tours in order to earn more money. To check if the agent is looking out for your best interests, inquire about the reasons behind the agent's recommendations. You'll have to judge the legitimacy of his answer.
Learn about the different software programs used by the travel agent. She'll have the ability to get you a better deal by checking several different reservation systems and fare checkers. Top reservation systems include Worldspan, Sabre and Apollo.
