the Cost of Travel Agents

The price is the cost over and above the cost of the travel and hotel package we purchased, i.e. the travel agent rolled her fees into the $2400 price for two weeks in a gorgeous beach house in Mexico at the end of June, and two first class plane tickets down and back.

The travel agent offered a variety of vacation packages, but only one service: getting low prices on complete vacations. The service charges were included in the package price.

So far, so good. We have tickets in hand (with a major airline) and have called the rental's owners to confirm the reservation. Not to mention, we've used her before, and things have gone off without a hitch. The travel agent was polite and enthusiastic, but nobody but us stopped by during the hour or so we were in her office, suggesting she doesn't get much business.

With the proliferation of online travel agents, it's not hard to see why a lot of the staffed travel offices are going out of business. Lower prices and the comfort of shopping in your housecoat. But still it's nice to have a human face and someone on your side who has experience enough to help out if things do go wrong. Nice enough to pay extra for.