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Consumers spend billions of dollars each year traveling. With the convenience of the internet, sometimes it's difficult to find a trustworthy third-party travel service. Sometimes well-recognized names are spoofed, or scammers trick users into thinking they're dealing with the hotel or airline directly.
Before contacting a travel agent:
- Visit BBB.org to find BBB Accredited travel agencies near you.
- Read reviews from previous clients to gauge the reputation of a travel agent.
- Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations.
- Trust your instincts when choosing a travel agent. If something feels off or too good to be true, it's better to err on the side of caution.
Recognizing a good travel agent:
- Takes the time to learn your travel needs, preferences, tastes, budget, and personal limitations, such as medical conditions or phobias.
- Does comparison shopping to find the transportation, accommodations, attractions, and services that will give you the greatest satisfaction at the best price.
- Keeps abreast of new developments in the travel industry that could benefit you, such as price cuts and special deals on airfares and hotels.
- Is highly knowledgeable about attractions and local customs at popular destinations and can provide tips that will help you choose among options and keep your trip running smoothly.
- Will be able to stay current on any travel restrictions or alerts that may arise and impact your travel.
How to find a good travel agent:
- When possible, deal with a local travel agent. Take advice from friends and business associates who use an agent they trust, and always check business profiles on BBB.org.
- Visit or call several agencies to find the one that best suits your needs.
- Consider everything from the office's appearance to the agent’s willingness to listen and answer questions.
- Ask about a specific agent’s professional background. For example, what kind of training or education they have had.
- Contact the American Society of Travel Agents to check if a travel agent you consider using belongs to this organization.
For more information
Find a travel agent near you.
Go to BBB.org/travel to see more tips.
Tips for how to avoid travel scams.
If you're planning on traveling to Canada, check travel advisories.
BBB Atlanta contributed to this article.
