Booking with a Travel Agent or Advisor offers numerous benefits to travelers: expertise on a destination, exclusive amenities and perks, personal 1-to-1 communication, and tailored itineraries, just to name a few. And the industry is growing! New Agents are popping up in every community, and I’m going to help you choose the right (and reputable) Agent to make sure your vacation is truly a dream come true.

Qualifications

Check your Agent’s socials or website for credentials relating to your desired destination. Most Advisors will have their trainings and accreditations listed on their website. Here are a few of the certifications to look for in a Travel Agent.

ASTA

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is a membership organization of Travel Advisors, and it’s members are all bound by a shared code of ethics since 1931. Agencies who are ASTA members are dedicated to continual training on best practices in the travel industry, and you can verify your agency’s membership on the ASTA website, here.

CLIA

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, representing 50+ cruise lines and serving nearly 30 million passengers annually! CLIA members regularly attend webinars and in-person events to stay up to date on the cruising industry, and you can verify your agency’s membership on the CLIA website, here.

Host Agency

This is a big one! For many independent Travel Agents, it is financially advisable to join up with a host agency. Host agencies are a large network of agents, and can negotiate exclusive rates and perks with travel suppliers for its members to pass on to clients. I am a member of Travel Planners International, who offers me continual training and support for me and my clients, but many other hosts walk the line of an MLM, which I would advise against strongly. If you would like to read more about identifying these differences, you can click here.

Supplier Training

Travel Agents are in a constant state of training. Every hotel chain, cruise line, theme park, all-inclusive resort, and more offer their own training program to help us familiarize ourselves with their offerings and booking methods in order to inform our clients. While most worthwhile agents will have completed more of these courses than is worth listing, it is worth asking your travel agent about their training and experience with your destination, and most will happily reply “Yes, I have completed the Disney College of Knowledge”, or “I am a current Bachelor of Adventure holder with Royal Caribbean.” The names might sound funny, but the knowledge is key in ensuring you have the best vacation possible.

Testimonials

Lastly, testimonials are key. Ask friends or family that have booked with an agent about their experience, or look for testimonials online about travelers’ experiences with your agent. If you are working with a newer agent, you might ask them directly about trips they have planned in the past and see if they have any clients who would be willing to vouch for them. Good Travel Agents LOVE to share stories of past trips with you (that is why we are here after all!), but hearing it directly from the traveler will give you the true picture.

It is also very important to clarify your cancellation options BEFORE YOU BOOK, a good agent should keep you informed anyway, but make sure to ask and clarify before putting money down.

There are many additional factors when choosing your travel agent, but this should give you a great start in qualifying your travel planner before it is too late! Let me know your travel stories, good or bad, in the comments below and be sure to check back often as I’ll be posting more Travel News and guides in the coming weeks.