How to Choose a Travel Agent
Where to look, what the credentials mean, how to check registration and how advisors are paid. Or let us match you with a verified specialist.
Match Me With a SpecialistHow to Choose a Travel Agent You Can Trust
Knowing how to choose a travel agent saves money, time and stress. A good advisor knows destinations and suppliers, spots problems before they happen and is there when something goes wrong. A poor one, or a fake one, can cost you a vacation. Travel Agent Locator is a consumer guide to finding the right person: where to look, which credentials mean something, how to check state registration, how advisors are paid, and the questions and red flags that matter.
We are not a directory of paid listings. When you are ready, we will match you with a verified specialist for your kind of trip.
Near Me or Remote?
Whether a local advisor matters, and where to look either way.
Credentials That Count
CLIA, ASTA, IATAN, The Travel Institute and specialist designations, explained.
Registration Check
California, Florida, Washington and Hawaii require sellers of travel to register. How to check.
How Agents Are Paid
Commissions, planning fees and what to ask so there are no surprises.
Questions & Red Flags
What to ask in the first conversation, and when to walk away.
Cruise & Disney Specialists
Finding an advisor who specializes in cruises or Disney vacations.
Five Steps to the Right Advisor
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Define the trip | Destination, dates, budget, who is going and what matters most. Specialists differ by trip type. |
| 2. Find candidates | Referrals, professional association directories, supplier recommendations, or a matching service like ours. |
| 3. Check credentials | Specialist training, association membership and, where required, seller-of-travel registration. |
| 4. Talk first | A short call shows how well they listen, how they are paid and how they work. |
| 5. Get it in writing | Quotes, inclusions, payment schedule, cancellation terms and any fees. |
What a Good Advisor Does for You
- Listens first, then suggests options that fit, not just what pays the most.
- Explains the total price, including taxes, fees and what is not included.
- Knows the fine print: cancellation penalties, deposits, insurance options and entry rules.
- Watches for price drops and promotions after you book, where suppliers allow changes.
- Helps when flights are cancelled or plans change during the trip.
Cruise Planners and Becoming an Advisor
For cruises in particular, our sister sites go deeper: Personal Cruise Concierge walks through what a personal cruise planner does from first call to homecoming, and Ask a Cruise Specialist explains why and when to use a cruise specialist. If you are reading this because you would like to become a travel advisor yourself, Be a Travel Advisor is the place to start. For staying safe from travel scams in general, see Travel Is Safe.
Common Questions
Do travel agents still exist?
Yes. Many now call themselves travel advisors, and many work from home offices or small agencies rather than storefronts. They plan cruises, tours, honeymoons, family trips, group travel and complicated itineraries.
Does it cost more to book through a travel agent?
Often it does not, because many advisors are paid commission by the travel suppliers. Some charge a planning or service fee, especially for complex trips. A good advisor tells you about any fee before starting work.
How does your matching work?
You tell us about your trip on the Official Travel Directory quote form. We pass it only to a verified specialist suited to that kind of trip, who contacts you with free quotes. There is no obligation to book.
Skip the Search: We Will Match You
Tell us about your trip and we will match you with a verified specialist who knows that kind of travel. Verified specialists close more trips because they know their subject, and you get a planner who has done it before, at no cost to you. Our free travel deals newsletter brings offers and trip ideas by email.
Travel Agent Locator is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote through the Official Travel Directory, we match you with a verified travel specialist who plans the trip with you personally — not a call center. Meet Mister Cruise →
More From Our Travel Network
We Will Match You With a Verified Specialist
Tell us about your trip. We pass it only to a verified specialist for that kind of travel, who sends free quotes with no obligation.
Match Me With a Specialist