1. You get better service, at the same (or better) price. Think it’s more expensive to work with a travel agent? Think again! While some agents charge a small fee for their services, they more than make up for it by researching all your options to uncover the best value for your travel budget. Other agents don’t charge additional fees at all—like Wilkie. “Sometimes, I’m even able to get my clients better pricing, thanks to my industry relationships,” she says. 

2. Travel agents unlock special access for you. But it’s not just about the bottom line—it’s about the experience. And travel agents can help you there, too. “We cultivate connections with hotel general managers, travel suppliers, and tourism boards,” explains Wilkie. “These connections often mean our clients get better service. If they treat our clients well, we’ll send more their way!” Travel agents may also have access to tours and experiences you can’t simply find online—like after hours museum visits, private palace tours, and more. 

3. If you’ve got particular needs, specialized travel agents can help you meet them while you travel. Traveling becomes a lot harder for tourists faced with mobility issues, dietary restrictions, and other special circumstances. But travel agents trained to navigate these kinds of circumstances help open the world up for their clients. For example, Wilkie is an Autism Certified Travel Agent and works part-time as a teacher for children with special needs. With her knowledge, she can help families with special needs members plan more stress-free vacations. 

4. You get support while you travel. Missed your flight? Not given the room type you paid for? Don’t call the airline (and get stuck on hold for hours) or argue with the hotel front desk—call your travel agent! “My clients work with me because they don’t want to worry about anything while they travel,” says Wilkie. “If something comes up, I’m working behind the scenes to fix it. They call or email me personally, instead of an automated 800 number.” 

5. You may get special perks and surprises, too! A travel agents’ industry connections often net travelers special perks and complimentary upgrades. Some agents, like Wilkie, will even go above and beyond to make a trip feel extra special. “I like to send my clients special packages before they travel,” she says. “For a celebration trip for recent university grads, I sent each traveler a backpack with a ‘grad trip’ logo on it!”