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How to Find a Good Travel Agent

Credentials are voluntary but still telling. Here is what the common ones mean, and what matters even more.

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Learning how to find a good travel agent is partly about reading credentials. Travel is not a licensed profession nationwide, so letters after a name are voluntary, but they still tell you something: that the advisor invested time in training, belongs to a professional body or specializes in a type of travel. Here is what the common ones mean.

Credentials and Memberships Explained

Credential or body	What it signals
American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA)	A trade association for travel advisors. ASTA awards a Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) certification and offers consumers a search for member advisors.
IATAN	Issues the IATA/IATAN ID Card that identifies working travel professionals. The individual card is separate from an agency’s accreditation.
CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)	The cruise industry association. Its cruise counselor certifications, such as Accredited Cruise Counsellor and Master Cruise Counsellor, signal cruise training and ship inspections. CLIA has been redeveloping some designations, so ask what an advisor holds.
The Travel Institute	Offers professional certifications including Certified Travel Associate (CTA), Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) and Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE), plus specialist courses.
Destination and supplier specialist programs	Tourism boards, cruise lines and tour companies train advisors on their destinations and products. Useful when the program matches your trip.

Credentials Are a Start, Not a Guarantee

Training shows commitment, but the best predictor of a good experience is relevant experience. An advisor who has booked a dozen African safaris is more useful for your safari than one with general certificates and none. Ask how often they book your kind of trip, whether they have traveled there themselves, and for references from clients with similar trips.

Registration is different from credentials: in states that require sellers of travel to register, it is the law, not an option. See our seller of travel registration page for how to check.

Two people at a table with documents and a folder — Ask what an advisor’s training covered and how often they book trips like yours.

Signs of a Good Travel Agent

Asks plenty of questions before suggesting anything.
Explains options and trade-offs, not just one product.
Is open about fees and how they are paid.
Puts quotes, terms and payment schedules in writing.
Talks about travel insurance and entry requirements without being asked.
Is reachable, and tells you how to reach them during the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do travel agents need a license?

There is no single national license for travel agents in the United States. A few states, including California, Florida, Washington and Hawaii, require sellers of travel to register. Professional certifications are voluntary.

What is an IATAN card?

The IATA/IATAN ID Card is an industry credential that identifies a person as a working travel professional. It is separate from an agency’s own accreditation. Having one shows the person works in the trade; it is not a guarantee of service quality.

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