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Why Use a Travel Agent?

In these days of high technology and online ticketing, is there any reason to use a travel agent? Actually, there are plenty. Here are 10 of them.

Posted Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 5:09 am ET|Updated Tue, Apr 17, 2012 at 2:03 pm ET

Top ten reasons to use a travel agent for planning a vacation:

10. YOU get to boss someone (for once).
9. When you use a travel agent, you are supporting a local business, and that's good for your local economy.
8. Chances are the travel agent has most likely been to where you are going, and can make recommendations; unlike your computer monitor, which will only show you those that paid the most.
7. Time is money, and your local travel agent will save you time by making all the calls for you, preparing your itinerary, and monitoring your booking until you get back.
6. Travel Agents belong to consortiums, which in turn offer you discounted rates on cruises, hotels, car rentals and more.
5. Because of their buying power, travel agents may be able to get favors, or have change and refund fees waived from the vendors.
4. You're at the Airport and the flight is canceled. You can stand in line with 100 people in front of you, call the 800# and be forever on hold, or call your travel agent and get re-accommodated right away.
3. There are still more than 30,000 travel agencies in the U.S., so obviously they are doing something right for their clients.
2. You get to communicate with a real person. Your travel agent knows you and the things that make you satisfied.
1. Without a Travel Agent, you are on your own...