What Are the Benefits of Booking Flights Through a Travel Agent (And Why You Probably Shouldn’t Do It)
Let’s be honest—traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Whether you’re heading to a dream vacation, visiting family, or embarking on an adventure to somewhere new, booking flights is one of the most important first steps in your trip. And while some people swear by the expertise of travel agents, others are increasingly booking their own flights. So, should you use a travel agent to book your flights, or are you better off doing it yourself?
As a mom of four, I can tell you that I’ve had to learn how to make travel arrangements quickly, efficiently, and—most importantly—affordably. Over the years, I’ve done everything from booking solo trips for myself to planning family vacations, and I can confidently say: You do not need a travel agent for booking your flights. And in this post, I’m going to tell you exactly why.
But before I dive into the reasons why booking flights without a travel agent is your best bet, let’s first explore how a travel agent could technically be useful in your flight booking process. Spoiler alert: there aren’t too many reasons!
Benefits of Booking Flights Through a Travel Agent
Some folks swear by using a travel agent to book their flights. Whether it’s the allure of having someone else handle the details or just the convenience of delegating the process, using a travel agent does have some supposed advantages. But let’s take a closer look at what those “benefits” really look like.
1. Expertise and Experience
Travel agents are trained professionals, and they’ve usually been in the game for years. They know the ins and outs of the airline industry, from which airlines are most reliable to which booking strategies will get you the best deals. They also have access to exclusive tools that can help find you a flight, often using software that compares different routes, prices, and options.
However, with the rise of online booking platforms, the need for travel agents has significantly diminished. Websites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak do all of this and more, and they do it in real-time, without the need for an intermediary.
2. Convenience for Complex Itineraries
If you’re booking a multi-stop flight or need to make several changes, a travel agent can be helpful. Travel agents are skilled at handling complicated itineraries, and they can often find you the best deals for multi-destination trips.
But the truth is, you don’t need a travel agent to handle complex bookings. You can easily search for and compare multi-leg flights yourself. Websites like Rome2Rio allow you to plot complex travel routes, helping you visualize how to get from one place to another with multiple stops, and sometimes even by different types of transport. These tools let you compare prices, dates, and routes with just a few clicks—and you get instant results.
3. Group Booking Discounts
Travel agents often have access to group discounts, whether you’re booking a trip for a family reunion, a wedding group, or a work retreat. They can sometimes secure lower prices for groups of people traveling together.
But here’s the catch: group discounts are often available directly from airlines or hotels. Websites like Expedia and Booking.com often have promotions or special deals for families and large groups. You don’t have to rely on a middleman to take advantage of these discounts.
4. Handling Special Requests
If you have special requests—like a specific seat preference, dietary requirements, or need to arrange for assistance—travel agents can often help with those details. They may have direct contacts with airlines or hotels that allow them to make arrangements on your behalf.
However, many airlines allow you to make these requests directly when you book your flight. Whether it’s requesting a special meal or asking for a seat with extra legroom, you can usually add these details on the airline’s website during the booking process. The whole process is quick and easy, and you’re not paying anyone a commission to make a request that you could handle yourself.
5. Price Monitoring and Alerts
Travel agents can also monitor flight prices for you and notify you when prices drop. This can be especially helpful if you’re trying to book a flight far in advance and don’t want to constantly check prices.
But with tools like Hopper and the price alert feature on Skyscanner, you can do this yourself—for free. These platforms send notifications straight to your phone or email when prices drop, allowing you to book at the perfect moment. No need to pay a travel agent to monitor prices when these services do the job for you.
Why Booking Flights Yourself is the Better Choice
Now that we’ve covered how a travel agent can technically help with booking flights, let’s talk about the real reason most of us choose to book our own flights. As a busy mom of four, I can tell you: the freedom, flexibility, and savings of doing it yourself are unmatched. Here’s why:
1. You’re In Control
When you book flights through a travel agent, you’re relying on someone else to understand your needs, preferences, and schedule. If they get something wrong, it can be a headache to correct. By booking your flights yourself, you have complete control over every detail.
Whether it’s selecting your preferred time, finding the best deal, or changing your flight, you don’t have to worry about an intermediary. You’re calling the shots.
2. Better Deals and More Savings
Let’s talk about the most important thing: money. When you use a travel agent, they usually take a commission from the booking. Plus, they may add service fees that can hike up the total cost. Booking flights yourself through a site like Google Flights or Momondo is usually cheaper because you’re cutting out the middleman.
And because you can compare prices across different websites, you’re more likely to find a better deal that fits your budget. Booking directly through the airline’s website is also often cheaper than booking through a third party.
3. Flexibility
Travel agents often book flights as part of a package, which can limit your flexibility. You may be locked into a specific set of dates, times, and routes, and changing them could come with additional fees.
When you book flights yourself, you have the freedom to change plans as needed. Airlines like Southwest allow for free changes to flight dates (with some conditions), and booking platforms like Expedia offer flexible cancellation options that let you make changes at no extra cost.
4. Access to Real-Time Information
Travel agents may take time to respond to your requests, and their availability can be limited. When you book your flights on your own, you have immediate access to real-time flight availability, pricing, and updates. If your flight is delayed or canceled, you’ll get instant notifications, and you can act fast to book a new flight.
5. Better Research Tools
Let’s face it—travel agents just can’t compete with the power of modern search engines. When you book flights yourself, you have access to tools like Skyscanner or Kayak, which allow you to see every possible option and compare prices across multiple airlines and booking platforms.
These websites provide user reviews, filter options (e.g., non-stop flights, best deal, flexible dates), and even offer predictions on whether prices will go up or down. Travel agents simply don’t have access to the breadth of information you can find with these tools.
6. Avoiding Unnecessary Fees
Travel agents are paid for their services, and that often means you’re paying for convenience that you might not need. With modern tools and booking websites, you can access everything you need without paying any extra fees. Plus, booking on your own gives you the opportunity to choose the best flight deal without being upsold on add-ons like seat upgrades, travel insurance, and other extras you may not need.
Final Thoughts: Why You Don’t Need a Travel Agent to Book Your Flights
As tempting as it may be to outsource the job of booking flights to a travel agent, the truth is that you can do it all yourself—and probably do it better. From finding the best deals to maintaining flexibility and avoiding unnecessary fees, booking flights on your own is often the smartest choice.
There’s a wealth of information available at your fingertips, and with a little patience and research, you can find flights that match your schedule, budget, and preferences. And you don’t have to pay a commission for the privilege of having someone else make those choices for you.
So, next time you’re planning a trip, don’t waste time or money on a travel agent. Head to your favorite flight comparison website, do some research, and book those tickets yourself. Your wallet and your sense of adventure will thank you. Happy travels!
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