Written by Sara Wilson

The key to a stress free vacation sounds so simple – hire a travel agent. It would, according to Stephanie Abrams in travelgirl’s March/April issue, mean access to great deals, great advice and great resources. You would save valuable time, energy and even (can it be true?!) money. And most importantly, you would rest easier knowing you were traveling in professional hands. With a travel agent, ‘hakuna matata’ would be your vacation mantra.
   
Being the savvy travelgirl you are, you’ve undoubtedly heard this grand spiel before. Yet somehow, you’re still not sold – there are more questions you need answered before you hand over the keys to your long-awaited vacation.

What exactly do travel agents do? How do you choose the right travel agent? And how can it really be cheaper for me to hire someone to do the work for me? travelgirl takes a deeper look into the world of travel agents and the answers three questions you’ve always wanted to ask:

What exactly do travel agents do?

Travel agents wear many hats; in fact, this is why you use them. They provide advice on particular destinations, make arrangements for transportation, accommodations and recreation. When appropriate, they may also act as restaurant reviewers, weathermen (or weather-women), and tour guides. In the event you are traveling internationally, your agent would be knowledgeable about currency exchange rates, customs regulations, and required papers, including passports, visas and vaccination certificates.

In short, travel agents evaluate your personal needs and make arrangements accordingly. They are your eyes and ears into a world you have yet to discover – use them and be thankful for their knowledge.

How do I choose the right travel agent?

Travel agent at SRI Travel & Promotion, Ltd. of Atlanta, GA, Rod Porter, says it’s all about your comfort level. “You need to feel comfortable with your travel agent,” Porter says. “Talk to them, feel them out, and make sure they answer your questions well.”
   
A good place to start looking for an agent is among friends or family. See if they can recommend a reliable agent that listens attentively, asks about your taste, budget, and preferences, and is easy to get in touch with.
    
It’s also a good idea to check out different agencies. A few qualifications that most upstanding organizations will have include memberships in the Better Business Bureau and the American Society of Travel Agents.

How is it cheaper to hire a travel agent than to plan my vacation myself?

 Travel agents generally make their money one of two ways: from a salary paid by their employer or from commission on travel-related bookings. “Tour operators generally pay agents’ commission when booking a package,” says Porter. So despite what most think, you personally don’t pay for the travel agent’s services. However, there may occasionally be additional fees for special services, in which case, your travel agent should notify you.

According to Porter, these services would include having to place a lot of long distance phone calls, having to overnight documents like passport or visas, having to wire transfer money to destinations. “We would also add a fee if we arrange for special services like a guide or escort to get you from one airport to another airport in the same city, for example in London,’ he said. “We may arrange a language specialist to assist with a group that speaks several different languages. Or a client may want to redeem some type of points for their vacation to include air, car, hotel, cruise or tour. The only way we get paid then is to charge the client a fee for our time."
 
Industry suppliers also give travel agent’s access to “insider deals” that the general public doesn’t have. Couple the agent’s special prices with the time you save and you’ll suddenly find yourself wondering why you didn’t hire an agent in the first place.

Here’s to your next vacation travelgirls, worry-free.

Sara Wilson is a senior at Salem College and was a travelgirl intern for January 2007. She is majoring in Communication, minoring in English and Creative Writing, and plans on graduating in May of this year.