Using a travel agent for your next vacation can be beneficial in many ways. Travel agents can make recommendations about the best time of year to visit a particular place, how much time to allow for delays and the obscure places to eat and shop at your destination. Using a travel agent can reduce the amount of time you spend researching your vacation and can reduce the cost if you know the steps to take. Follow the steps below to use a travel agent to book your next vacation.
Select a travel agent. Do an Internet search for travel agents in your area. You will have several to choose from, so make a list of the ones that you want to contact. Compare at least five travel agents.
Call each agent on your list and tell them you want to negotiate for their services for your next vacation. If they are willing to negotiate, set up a meeting. If they are not willing to negotiate, then go on to the next agent on your list.
When you get to the meeting, tell the agent that you want to pay them on an hourly basis, usually $60 to $90 an hour.
Tell the agent that you want the lowest rates possible and that any commission that they get should be taken off of your bill. This will eliminate any possible conflicts of interest during travel planning.
Book your vacation. Be sure to let your agent know of any preferences that you have other than the lowest rate possible. Be sure to tell them when and where you are going and if the dates are flexible for a lower rate.
