Best Air Fare Deals - 6 Questions to Ask a Travel Agent Before Booking a Trip

Be sure that your travel agent is a good match for you by asking these questions. Each agent is different, however. Preventing travel headaches and getting the best value, saving time, finding out the ins and outs of a destination, travel agents are indispensable resources for planning complicated trips.

What is the agent's specialty? 1.

Problem-free trip, can provide solid advice that will be crucial to booking a rewarding, such as cruises, an agent who narrowly specializes in a destination or certain products.

Work with a Caribbean travel specialist, if you're traveling to the Caribbean. The same concept goes for travel agents. You wouldn't go to a podiatrist to treat a toothache. Is the agent a cruise expert? Does he or she frequently book groups? Does the agent specialize in adventure tours or culinary trips?

Has the agent traveled to your destination? 2.

An agent who has been to the destination can make informed recommendations to steer you in the right direction. An agent who has actually traveled to the place where you want to go will know first-hand about the activities in which you plan to participate and the hotels in which you plan to stay. There's no substitute for first-hand knowledge.

What are the agent's fees? 3.

It is a good idea to find out the fees and deposits up front so there are no surprises, still. Planning expertise and work, advice, expect to compensate the agent for his or her time. Or earn a commission, charge a flat rate, such as a flight, agents may charge a fee for each service.

Does the agent have special relationships with travel suppliers? 4.

Find out if your agent is one of them. And express check-in available only to agents who have negotiated them or to agents who have elite status, discounted parking, car rental agencies and tour companies often make perks such as upgrades, hotels. Travel agents can often get you perks that are not available to the general public or published on the Internet.

What happens if something goes wrong? 5.

An agent should be there for you even after the trip is booked. Does the agent get back to you promptly when you call or email? Is he or she easy to reach? It is also helpful to pay attention to how the agent interacts with you. Find out how your agent responds to problems when they occur and what his or her policies are. The weather may be uncooperative; a flight may be canceled. Inconveniences are sometimes unavoidable.

What questions does the agent have for you? 6.

Choose an agent who is receptive to your priorities, also. Make sure that your travel agent has the right information about you to make the best recommendations.

You will be offered a trip that is the best match for you, in the end. You should be asked a number of questions from whether you prefer fine dining establishments or street vendors to what type of hotels you like best, even if you request something as simple as a four-day trip to Rome.