How does a travel agent work?

[gate_pourri]

I am in the planning stages of a multi-city European trip this summer. I have priced out the flights I am most interested in (there is a little bit of leeway in the flights I like ,but not much), but my father told me I should call a travel agent. Do I pay a travel agent to look for my tickets, or just if I book them? I would hate to pay a travel agent for them to come back to me with the same price for all my tickets.

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[LuvBaloo]

We usually get quotes from a travel agent for trips and also do our own research. Often the travel agents can get a better price for some things, but not always. If we can pay the same booking ourselves, or pay the same to the travel agent, then we usually pay the travel agent.

 

[binny]

As a travel agent I can tell you that the only fees you might pay extra for is a service fee. Not all TAs charge this and usually we can find better deals through consolidators than you can find on your own so you would mor ethan make up the cost. Other than that we are paid by the tour company or hotels that you use.

Using a travel agent though means that you have someone who is on your side should something go wrong. You would have someone to fight for you if you have flight or hotel issues and you have someone with knowledge about a certain area that will save you time and energy.

I am not soliciting for business I just wanted to give you information.