The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Travel Consultant

A travel agent or travel advisor is a professional who can help you plan and book your trip. Qualified travel consultants can provide a variety of services, from helping you get a passport to booking airline tickets, cruises, car rentals, hotel rooms, or tours. Travel advisors can also provide information on destinations you can’t find online or with AI — where to go, where to eat, what to see, and perhaps most importantly, what to avoid.

Note: Travel advisors are not free, and travel agents’ financial situation can be complex and controversial. You will pay a service fee between $35 and $250 per trip. I’ll detail the true cost of a travel advisor later.

Do You Need a Travel Consultant?

You might. Here’s when you should consider working with a travel advisor:

If you don’t have a lot of time

A competent travel advisor can help you quickly narrow down your destination options based on your interests and budget. They can research the best deals on flights, hotels, and activities, then book your travel arrangements. If you work with a real expert, that person can create a detailed itinerary with restaurant recommendations and activities, saving you time researching. If you’re pressed for time, hiring a travel advisor can be a great way to save time and stress.

When you want to talk to a living person

Appointment is available for travel consultants with physical offices. They provide the convenience of face-to-face interaction. Some agencies even offer round-the-clock assistance, which is often characteristic of large companies. If you prefer to deal with people you know, a human travel advisor is a great option. Keep in mind that some agents work remotely from home, but you can still meet face-to-face or at least via Zoom.

If you have a special interest

Planning a one-of-a-kind vacation? There may be agents that specialize in the type of vacation you dream of. If you prefer luxury travel, explore the agents affiliated with the prestigious Embark Beyond network. For disabled travel, look for an advisor who is a member of the Accessible Travel and Hotel Association.

When you need expert guidance

The best travel advisors work to stay on top of specific destinations and travel types. They seek accreditation from reputable organizations such as the Institute of Tourism Studies to prove their deep expertise.

If you want to get exclusive offers

Travel agents often have access to offers and discounts that are not available online. These agents often have special relationships with hotels, airlines, and other travel providers through a large network of travel agencies. For example, if you book through a travel advisor, they may be able to offer you a room upgrade or flight discount. Even if they don’t offer any special offers, good travel advisors can sometimes negotiate discounts on your behalf.

If you need an endorser

A competent agent can handle all the details of your trip, from planning to booking. All you have to do is say “yes” and hand over your credit card information. In addition, if something goes wrong, your agent is there to support you and can find a solution to almost any travel problem.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online or Through a Travel Agent?

You may pay a slightly higher fee through a travel agent – but not always. Even after accounting for the cost of a travel agent, a knowledgeable advisor may receive some concessions that are enough to offset the cost of the advisor. Note: Comparing shopping between agents and travel websites is absolutely fine. If you see a great price online, call your agent to see if they can find a lower price. You never know.

How much does a travel agency cost? As I mentioned earlier, the economics of travel advisors are complicated. There are a variety of sources of remuneration for tourism professionals.

1. Commissions: Travel advisors will earn commissions from car rental agencies, cruise lines, hotels, and travel agencies. These costs can account for 5% to more than 15% of the total cost of the trip. If they book a certain number of trips, they can earn a higher commission. These incentives are called overrides.
2. Service fees: As I’ve already mentioned, most travel advisors charge a flat fee for their services. Their price ranges from $35 to $250– which is the typical price range – but I see them priced higher. The fee can be calculated on a per-trip basis, or your agent may charge an annual fee.
3. Consultation fees: Whether you book a trip or not, some travel advisors charge by time. These costs vary widely. Top agencies can charge thousands of dollars. Part-time workers may not charge any fees.
4. Package Fees: If a Trip Advisor offers a package that includes airfare, hotels, and activities, a “Package Fee” may be included that covers their time. Look for this charge on your invoice. It may be a fixed fee or a percentage of the value of the trip.

Before hiring a travel consultant, do the math of the numbers. If you’re planning a simple trip and have plenty of time to do the work on your own, you might be able to avoid hiring a professional. But if you don’t have much time and need to plan a complicated trip, you’ll need an expert.

How to Find a Real Travel Advisor?

Finding a travel advisor is easy. Finding a good consultant is not. Here’s how to start your search:

Through professional bodies

The most commonly used directory is the American Association of Travel Advisors (ASTA), which is the largest professional organization for travel consultants. But if you’re looking for a dedicated trip, you may also need to consult some other professional organizations. For example, if you’re on a cruise, look for membership in the Cruise International Association.

Through the host travel agency

A host organization is a company that provides ticketing, operation, and fulfillment support to travel agencies. Participating in organisers like American Express, Nexion Travel Group, and Travel Leaders can show that your agents are true professionals and will take good care of you. Many host organizations also list their members online.

Through the Alliance of Travel Agencies

Affiliates are a group of travel advisors who share marketing, training, and negotiation resources. These include companies such as Cruise Specialists, Ensemble Travel Group and Signature Travel Network. Joining a consortium also shows that your agent is serious (or very good). Sometimes, the functions of the host institution and the alliance may overlap, so don’t be confused with labels.

Through a travel companion

Ask a friend. Word-of-mouth recommendations can be the most effective way to find a good broker. In addition, you need to take on additional responsibilities due to previous relationships with friends or family.

I Found a Travel Consultant. What to Do?

Now that you know the name of a travel professional who might be able to help, what should you do?

Ask for references

A competent travel consultant should be happy to send you a list of past clients and their contact information. They may need permission from their customers before sharing their contact information, but they should be able to give you credible recommendations. Here are some questions you can ask a potential travel advisor when seeking references:

• Can you give me a list of past clients?
• Would you like me to get in touch with some of your past clients?
• Can you give me testimonials from past customers?

If a potential travel advisor is reluctant to provide you with references, that’s a red flag. A good travel consultant should take pride in their work and be happy to share their clients’ experiences with you.

Verify their professional membership

Most reputable travel advisors are members of professional organizations such as the American Association of Travel Advisors (ASTA) or the International Cruise Lines Association (CLIA). These memberships demonstrate the advisor’s commitment to ethical standards and best practices in the tourism industry. Here are some ways to verify your Travel Advisor Professional membership:

• Ask the consultant to provide you with a copy of their membership card.
• Check the advisor’s website or social media page for membership.
• Contact professional organizations directly to verify the consultant’s membership.

It’s also a red flag if a travel advisor is reluctant to provide you with information about their professional membership. A reputable advisor should be proud of their membership and be happy to share this information with you.

Check the certification of the travel consultant

The most common travel consultant certifications are Certified Travel Assistant (CTA) and Certified Travel Advisor (CTC). The CTA is a lower-level certification for agents with less than five years of experience. Both certifications require passing an exam and meeting certain educational and experience requirements.

If travel advisors are accredited, it shows that they are knowledgeable and experienced in the travel industry. It also shows their commitment to continuing education and professional development. Here are some ways to determine if a travel advisor is accredited:

• Ask the consultant directly.
• Check the advisor’s website or social media page for their certifications.
• Contact the certification body directly to verify the consultant’s certification.

If a travel advisor is reluctant to provide you with information about their certification, this is a bad sign.

Verify their travel seller number

Many states require tour sellers to register with the state attorney general’s office and display their registration number. This does not guarantee that the company is reputable, but the lack of registration can be a problem.

California has some of the strictest regulations for travel sellers. Ask to see the Travel Seller’s Registration Confirmation, which is a one-page document issued by the California Attorney General’s Travel Seller Registry. You can also find information about registering a company on the California Department of Justice website. Here are some ways to determine if a travel seller is registered:

• Ask the seller directly.
• Check the seller’s website or social media pages for their registration number.
• Contact the seller’s state attorney general’s office to verify their registration.

If the travel seller doesn’t give you a registration number, there’s a problem. A reputable seller should be able to share information with you.

Check their Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating

BBB is a non-profit organization that collects customer reviews and business ratings. Although BBB ratings can be manipulated (often in favor of businesses), a low or failing rating is a sign that the agency you’re considering booking travel isn’t meeting your expectations. There are the following things to keep in mind when checking a travel agency’s BBB rating:

• Overall rating: A number from 0 to 100, where 100 is the highest rating.
• Complaint history: A list of complaints filed against the business.
• Response to complaints: How businesses respond to complaints.
• Number of comments: The number of people who commented on the business.

If one travel agency has a low rating or is not qualified, it is best to look for another travel agency. However, don’t be suspicious just because an agency doesn’t have a BBB rating. After all, you have to pay to join BBB.