Are travel agents worth it? Everybody Loves Travel. Kym Emerson, independent travel agent. Lantana, Flower Mound, Texas. Serving anyone wanting to travel.

Travel agents, worth it?  YES!

So, you want to go on a trip.

As usual, you open Google and start looking up various destinations. Or, if you have a particular one in mind, you begin the hunt for cheap flights and decent hotels.

Then you remember that you'll need a rental car.

And you wonder which restaurants have the best ambiance.

After a while, you start to realize just how time-consuming setting up your whole itinerary can be. Yet you haven't even considered your best possible option: the online travel agent.

Aside from simply saving you time, recruiting the help of a travel agent has plenty of other advantages, too. Among these:

THEY'RE PERSONAL.

Your travel agent takes the time to get to know you, your vacation desires, your likes and dislikes, and understand the dynamics of exactly the kind of trip you want to take. Need a family vacation with activities for teens? Check. Want a bachelorette party that pulls out all the stops? Double check. Your travel agent will build you the perfect vacation for exactly what you need—and may even include some surprises along the way!

THEY KNOW YOUR DESTINATION.

One of the best things about working with a travel agent is their knowledge and expertise regarding your desired vacation spot. Whether you're looking for a personalized Disney vacation or an unforgettable European cruise, there's an agent out there who specializes in planning it all.

THEY'LL THINK OF THE THINGS YOU WOULDN'T.

Travel agents do this all the time, so it's normal that they'll think of the things you might simply overlook. For example: Did you know that some countries won't allow you in if your passport has a few too many stamps? Or, what about that small plane you need to take to get to that Greek island? Your travel agent knows all the missing pieces that you don't, ensuring your trip will run smoothly, from beginning to end.

YOU DON'T PAY THEM.

Yes, you read that right! A common misconception is that you pay your travel agent's commission—but in actuality, travel agents get paid a percentage from the vendors that you end up booking with! This means you're really just helping out your travel agent when you look to them for advice and assistance—and what could be more fulfilling than that?

The next time you want to take a trip, consider enlisting the expertise of an online travel agent specializing in exactly where you want to visit. Not only will you receive invaluable guidance from an experienced and knowledgeable professional, but you'll also enjoy that all-important peace of mind that comes from knowing you're in good hands and will soon be embarking on the trip of a lifetime!