Forbes Magazine - “The travel agent may get the same rate as you, but in many cases, they get upgrades worth a couple of hundred dollars or more per night, from room class upgrades which are significant to extras like champagne on arrival, free breakfast daily, in some cases even free meals and free spa treatments.”
Huffington Post - “Here's the deal, travel agents receive better rates than the general public, sometimes astronomically so. They also have access to unique tiny lodges and hotels that you will never find on the major booking sites.”
Fodor’s - “Although many cruise lines are trying to use booking engines, most cruises are still booked by travel agents because having a knowledgeable agent can be a godsend. A good agent will not only get you a decent price but also make sure you get the right state room on the right boat.”
Tripology - “A good travel agent will provide you with a broader and more complete range of services than can be found on the Internet. And the ability to conveniently speak with a real person can make all the difference when you have a problem, or need some special advice or assistance.”
Independent Traveler - “The big online travel sites got too smart for their own good; by tidying up and repackaging all the data each according to their own assumptions about travel purchasing, they show us what they think we want to see, but not always what we really want to see. That is, by becoming "online travel agents," rather than mere booking sites, they end up in competition with real travel agents, who can usually do the work better than computers can.”
Forbes Magazine - “The bottom line is that they know more than you do, they are better connected than you, they have access to benefits you can’t get otherwise, they can often beat any other prices available (even online, yes), and after you have planned everything, they provide a safety net during your trip that you simply won’t get by booking yourself or buying insurance.”
US News and World Report - "Having access to a travel agent's insiders makes it just an overall better customer service experience than going at it alone"
Travel Sense - “Like a personal shopper, agents can provide one-stop shopping for travelers who require air arrangements, rental cars, cruise accommodations and hotel stays - with suggestions that are in the best interest of the client, not the supplier.”
Real Simple - “Planning a trip with a travel agent will save you time, money, and frustration.”
Consumer Traveler - “I happily pay a small booking fee to my agent for each flight she books. I call it peace-of-mind insurance. Having a travel agent when things go wrong? Priceless!”