Everything you need to know about planning a trip in 2024

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By Christopher Elliott

If you’re ready to plan a trip, you’re probably asking yourself if you should hire a travel advisor or go it alone.

Answering that question used to be easy. You picked up a phone and called your travel agent. Today, agents call themselves travel advisors and almost every trip starts online. And now there’s artificial intelligence (AI), too. 

How do you find your way around this new world of travel?

In this guide, we’ll answer a few questions:

  • What’s the best way to book a trip?
  • How do I plan a trip?
  • How do I resolve a travel problem?

Here’s everything you need to know about planning a trip.

What is a travel advisor?

A travel advisor is a seller of travel and tourism services on behalf of airlines, car rental companies, cruise lines, hotels, railways, and tour packagers. Here’s my guide to finding a travel advisor.

A few years ago, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) announced that it had rebranded as the American Society of Travel Advisors. It’s a nod to the transition from order-takers to travel experts. However, many veteran advisors still refer to themselves as agents. I’ll use the terms interchangeably in this article.

How about artificial intelligence (AI)?

AI is quickly becoming a part of the travel landscape. For example, you can use Bing’s “Vacation Planner” option to find a destination that suits your interests and plan an itinerary. Bing is powered by the latest version of ChatGPT and is excellent at identifying what you want. It will also refer you directly to the travel company’s website to book the hotel or airfare yourself. Is it as good as a travel advisor? It depends. For some DIY travelers, it might be easier. For others, not so much.

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What’s the difference between a human travel advisor and an online agency or AI?

A brick-and-mortar agency is one that relies on a person for most transactions. An online travel agency (OTA) or AI is largely automated and conducts most of its transactions online.

Human travel advisors cringe when you refer to a site like Expedia as an “online” travel advisor. They also draw distinctions between the terms “travel agent,” “travel advisor,” and “travel counselor.” These labels are meaningless to most travelers. I’m sticking to the basic “travel advisor” term to describe a human agent and “online travel agency,” or OTA, to describe a site. (AI doesn’t care what you call it.) 

Planning your trip with a travel advisor

You should definitely consider planning your trip using a travel advisor if the following are true:

  • You want a professional to assist you with your travel arrangements. That’s particularly true during a time of crisis, like post-9/11 or post-pandemic.
  • If you don’t have the time to pull together a complex itinerary and need a person to do it for you, or if you need someone to help you while you’re on the road.
  • If you want access to special fares or prices that only an agent has, or if you need the expertise of an agent for a special event or trip, like a destination honeymoon or anniversary cruise. (Note: these special rates are not always the cheapest. Be sure to shop around and compare prices.)

What are the two kinds of DIY bookings?

Travelers who act as their own agents are known as DIYers, or Do-It-Yourselfers. For independent travelers, being a DIYer is a point of pride. But among travel advisors, DIYer is often a term of derision. These travelers make rookie mistakes, like booking the wrong dates, or forgetting their visas. They also cut out a person or company that could potentially help them if they have a problem.

A direct self-booking means you’re dealing with the company, which is to say you’re buying a ticket directly online, on the phone, or in person. You might still have the protection offered by your credit card, but there’s no intermediary handling or processing the transaction. You’re flying solo.

Booking through an online travel agency means you’re buying travel through a third party, usually a website like Booking.com or Expedia. It’s similar to a self-booking in that it’s fairly automated, but there’s a company acting as an intermediary. That can be helpful. (It can also be detrimental. For example, if there is a last-minute problem with an airline ticket, the company through which you booked the ticket must actually make any changes. If you booked the fare yourself with the airline, you can make the necessary changes.)

When should I book myself?

  • If it’s a simple transaction, like a train ticket, a point-to-point plane ticket, or a hotel room.
  • If you enjoy researching the best deals and like the flexibility of being able to book your trip whenever you want to, even at 3 a.m., in your pajamas.
  • When you know enough about a destination or a product that you don’t require the advice of an expert, and can easily resolve any disputes directly with the airline, car rental company, cruise line, or hotel.

When should I use a travel advisor?

Human travel advisors remain an excellent resource for travel information, special offers, and recommendations. An agent can either work for a large, established agency, such as American Express, AAA Travel, or Travel Leaders, or they can be freelancers. Collaboration is also key when it comes to using a professional travel advisor. A good travel advisor will offer advice, advocacy, access and accountability.

When you need to talk to a person

Many travel advisors have real offices (brick-and-mortar agencies) with real office hours, and you can make an appointment to speak with one. Some agencies with retail storefronts are capable of offering services like 24-hour assistance, which is more typically associated with large corporations that have call centers. If you like doing business with a person you’ve met, a human travel advisor is a terrific option. Note: Some agents work remotely; they’re also known as home-based agents. If such an agent lives close by, they can arrange to meet you if you need to discuss your travel plans in person.

When you require highly specialized advice

The best travel advisors spend a career honing their expertise on particular geographic areas and forms of travel. Look for certificates offered by organizations such as The Travel Institute, which not only certifies the agent’s expertise but also refers you to an agent with the know-how you need.

If you have a unique interest

Need to plan a special trip? Chances are, there’s an agent that specializes in the kind of vacation you’re hoping to book, from a cruise to a theme park. For example, if you’re into luxury travel, you’ll want to check out an agent belonging to the Virtuoso agency network or Signature Travel Network. Other agents specialize in disability travel (look for membership in the Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality).

How do I choose the best travel advisor?

Look for an affiliation with a trusted brand. If you see an AAA or American Express logo on the door, that’s a good sign. It adds a layer of accountability to the process, and may give you access to additional resources that a no-name agency might not have, such as a 24-hour phone number to call if you get into trouble. More importantly, you can appeal any decisions to a corporate office, if necessary.

Ask for references

A competent travel advisor should be happy to provide you with a llist, including contact information, of clients who are willing to provide a reference.”  reader probably doesn’t care about the agency having to ask permission. At the very least, they should be able to offer credible testimonials from past clients.

Verify their professional memberships

Most legitimate travel agencies belong to either the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) or the Association of Retail Travel Agents (ARTA). These memberships signal that your travel advisor considers himself or herself to be part of the agency community, and holds to certain baseline ethical and business standards.

Look for their accreditation

Two main “degrees” are used to certify travel agency expertise. The Certified Travel Associate (CTA) is a designation for agents in selling, customer service, and communication, and doesn’t require any previous experience. The Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) designation is for agents with at least five years of experience, and focuses on leadership, business development and management skills. If your agent has a CTA or CTC designation, it’s a good sign.

Ask to see their Seller of Travel number

Many states require all sellers of travel to register with the Attorney General’s office and to display the registration number on all advertising. That’s no guarantee that the company is reputable, but a lack of a valid registration can mean trouble. California has some of the strictest rules when it comes to sellers of travel. If you’re using an agent based in California, ask to see their registration acknowledgment, a one-page document issued by the California Attorney General’s Seller of Travel Registration Unit. 

Check their ratings

Individual travel agency businesses are often rated by their customers on the BBB site. While BBB ratings can be manipulated, and often favor the business, a low or failing grade can be a sign that the agency with which you’re thinking of booking a trip won’t meet your expectations. Note: Don’t be suspicious just because an agency doesn’t have a BBB rating. After all, you have to pay to belong to the BBB. But if it has a bad rating, then of course it is suspicious.

Do a gut check

You know if you like someone. If you feel “off” or just disconnected from the agent, look elsewhere. You are preparing to spend a lot of money for a bucket-list vacation, and you need to have someone helping you who is on the same page.

I’m taking a cruise. What’s with all this alphabet soup?

Ah, travel advisors and their acronyms. When it comes to cruise industry accreditations, that’s particularly true. For example, if you are considering a cruise, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the primary accreditation organization. It certifies members based on years of experience, comprehensive testing, and ship visits. The Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) is the first step, followed by the Master Cruise Counselor (MCC), and then the Elite Cruise Counselor (ECC). ASTA also certifies agents for specific destinations as Destination Specialists (DS), or for specific lifestyles (LGBT or elder travel) as Lifestyle Specialists (LS). (Don’t forget to check out our ultimate guide to cruises.)

How do I know an agent isn’t right for me?

No comprendo

Some agencies cater to a very specific market or niche. If the storefront is in another language, and the people at the front desk don’t speak your language, you’ve probably stumbled onto one of those agencies. Note: If you’re traveling to that country, it may still be a great deal — some of these agencies offer low “bulk” airfares to certain destinations — but it’s probably not the place to book your honeymoon.

The agent doesn’t listen

Travel advisors should work for you, so when one doesn’t listen to your wants and needs, and tries to book a vacation that isn’t right for you, maybe it’s time to look elsewhere. More on that in a minute.

The agent is “certified” through an organization you don’t recognize

Some unscrupulous organizations allow anyone to buy a certification without any training or knowledge. If you see a certification you don’t recognize, find out if anyone can buy their way into the program. If that’s the case, don’t walk away, run!

How much does an agent cost?

Always ask about the cost of an agent before you start planning. Many upscale agencies may charge by the hour or a percentage of the overall sale, and a few even require a retainer before they will provide you full access to their services. Many will charge a plan-to-go fee, which is often waived when you book your travel. Such fees ensure “tire kickers” don’t eat up valuable agent time. Find out before you sit down to plan your dream vacation.

How is my travel advisor compensated?

A travel advisor’s advice isn’t free, even if you don’t pay anything for it upfront. It helps to understand how your travel advisor is paid.

By you

When you buy something through an agent, you will probably pay a transaction fee of anywhere between $50 and $100, depending on the type of booking. This covers only a fraction of the agent’s actual costs. As a result, the agent’s loyalties rest primarily with the travel companies with which they book, rather than with you, the client.

By the travel companies

Airlines, car rental companies, cruise lines, and hotels sometimes compensate your agent with various types of commissions and bonuses. They can range from an outright sales commission of between 5 and 12 percent (and sometimes higher) to a bonus for exceeding a sales quota.

Is my agent telling me the truth?

You can ask your travel advisor about his or her compensation, and some will tell you. Others feel that their actual remuneration — at least the part that comes from a hotel or cruise line — is none of your business, and they might be offended if you persist in asking. But who pays your agent is important, because it means your agent probably is beholden to that entity. A great agent is not a slave to commissions. That person wants happy, repeat clients, who will spread the word to family and friends, leading to more business. But mediocre agents will follow the money — and chances are, you’re not paying them enough to ensure their loyalty.

Is my agent telling me everything I need to know about a product?

Travel advisors can be swayed in the same way you are — by ads in trade magazines, by user-generated reviews and by word-of-mouth recommendations. Be wary of buying products that may benefit the agent, but not you.

For example, many large agencies have preferred-supplier agreements that mandate agents book with a certain airline or hotel. These arrangements are supposed to benefit everyone. The agents are rewarded for sending a lot of business to one company, and the company reciprocates by offering a lower rate. But it isn’t always a win-win. The best agents simply ignore these policies and try to find their clients the best travel product, which is as it should be.

What’s a FAM trip and why should I care about it?

Travel advisors are sometimes invited on FAM trips — all-expenses-paid visits to a place for “familiarization” purposes. While they can make your agent more knowledgeable about a destination, they may also unduly influence a travel professional’s recommendations. After all, who wouldn’t want to repay their generous hosts? (Travel writers who accept “comped” trips face similar pressures, but that’s another discussion.)

Even if your agent skips the FAM, there are other ways of influencing a professional. Destinations and the suppliers of products are known to throw big parties, where there’s plenty of free food and booze, in an effort to curry favor with agents. It doesn’t always work, and the best agents take the free shrimp and Chardonnay and then do what’s best for you. But as a practical matter, FAMs and receptions can predispose less ethical agents to recommend a particular property or product.

In the end, none of this may matter. If you didn’t like a vacation that you booked through an agent, you have the option of not using that travel advisor the next time you need to go somewhere. The threat of you taking your business elsewhere is a powerful incentive to keep an agent focused on keeping you happy.

What should I reasonably expect from a travel advisor?

  • A competent agent should be available to you before and during the booking to answer any questions about your upcoming trip. The agent should also be available after your trip if you have any questions.
  • A reliable travel advisor should be able to keep you posted on any deadlines for making payments and getting the necessary paperwork to travel. However, you alone are responsible for meeting all those requirements, not your agent.
  • A good travel advisor should support you during your trip, if not with a 24-hour phone number you can call, then by phone or email, during regular office hours. It is reasonable to expect an agent to help you when something goes wrong while you’re on your trip, instead of pushing you off on the airline or cruise line. Remember: Your agent is being compensated for this work. The top agents monitor the progress of your trip and try to fix the problems before they happen. If you find one that does, you’ve got a keeper.

How do I resolve a disagreement with a travel advisor?

A dispute with a travel advisor can quickly turn into a personal conflict. If you’ve chosen the right agent, then that person should have something called Errors and Omissions insurance to protect them — and you — from problems like a name or date typed into the reservation system incorrectly.

If you have a problem with an agent, go to the person first, and try to resolve it. Why? Because it gives the agent through whom you made the purchase a chance to fix the problem. Some travel companies will only deal with the agent on a reservation, so it may be impossible for you to fix the problem by dealing directly with the company.

Remember these essential strategies:

  1. The sooner you say something, the better.
  2. Put your grievance in writing if it can’t be fixed quickly.
  3. Politely appeal to a manager or supervisor.

What are your remedies with a travel advisor?

With a travel advisor, you have several remedies at your disposal that you don’t when you’re at odds with a travel company. For example: the threat of taking an agent to small-claims court can help move your problem closer to a resolution. Some states, notably California, also require travel sellers to be licensed. Reporting an agent to state regulators can also persuade him or her to find a fix. As a last-ditch effort, you can dispute your credit card charge, or report the agent to his or her trade group. Organizations such as ASTA have ethics codes that, if you can show they were violated, could result in disciplinary action being taken against the agent. Normally, ASTA doesn’t remove agents for disciplinary issues, it just fails to approve their membership renewal.

Competent travel advisors are worth their weight in gold. They know how you like to travel, and can anticipate your needs before you ask. In the rare event they make a mistake, it’s fixed quickly and without costing you anything extra. But finding a great agent can be a challenge. In a world where agents are being swayed by bonuses, commissions, and free trips, some are in the business for all the wrong reasons. If you have the misfortune of working with a bad agent, it probably goes without saying that you are better off on your own.

How do I book my own trip?

Most travelers don’t distinguish between self-booking — dealing directly with a travel company — and booking a trip through an online travel agency. Indeed, human travel advisors often refer to online agencies as vending machines for travel. I’m going to handle independent bookings together in the following section because they are functionally similar. Where there are differences, I’ll point them out.

What does an online travel agency offer?

Online agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com, Expedia and Priceline can be an attractive option for travelers who are comfortable booking online, even if they have a minimal level of knowledge about the travel industry. Among the benefits:

  • Access to almost-real-time airfares and hotel rates. No need to call a travel advisor and ask for a fare quote.
  • The ability to package airline tickets, hotel accommodations, and rental cars in one place.
  • Availability of aggressive discounts on travel products thanks to the agencies’ economies of scale. OTAs will buy blocks of rooms or flights at deep discounts and then resell them to you.

What are the biggest mistakes travelers make when self-booking?

Without an agent to help you through the process, you could make one of several rookie mistakes when buying travel. Here are the most common ones, and how to prevent them.

Wrong date or time

An easy mistake to make, and far too common. The pull-down menus can be confusing, especially if you’re dealing with a European site, which formats Year-Month-Day instead of Month-Day-Year. Foreign calendars also often group Saturday and Sunday at the end of the week, so it’s easy to click on a square you believe is Friday and have it actually be Saturday. Also, remember that when you’re booking a hotel, you’re checking in one day but spending the night, so you’re staying until the next day. Also, DIYers frequently confuse a.m. and p.m. A 24-hour clock can confuse them, too. 

The fix: Verify your times, dates and airports before and after you click the “buy” button. Under federal rules, you normally have 24 hours to cancel your airline ticket (unless you’re within seven days of departure).

Incorrect name on a reservation

If you can’t spell your name right, you probably shouldn’t be anywhere near a computer. Remember, the name on your airline ticket must be an exact match. “Frank” instead of “Francis” or “Bob” instead of “Robert” could screw up your vacation. If you’re traveling internationally, the name on the ticket must match your passport exactly.

The fix: Double-check the name on your itinerary against the required documentation before and after you click the “buy” button.

Not shopping around

One of the biggest benefits of using a website to buy travel is that you can compare prices. If you’re pressed for time — and if you don’t really care how much money you spend — then find a travel advisor, and let that person book the most convenient itinerary. Otherwise, you owe it to yourself to check multiple sites for the best bargain. Certainly the three major OTAs, but also a site like Kayak.com, which searches multiple sites for the best deal.

The fix: If you’re booking yourself, do your homework. Visit at least one competing website (and preferably two) before making a booking decision.

Not doing basic trip research

When you book something online, everything is up to you. That includes not only making  sure you have all required passports and visas, but also ensuring your own security. A travel advisor can help guide you through these essential aspects of your trip, but when you self-book, you’re entirely on your own.

The fix: If you’re not prepared to at least look up your passport expiration date and visa and consult the State Department site to ensure your safety, maybe you should use an agent.

Failing to read the terms of your purchase

If you’re booking online directly through a company, the terms will be available on its website. Airlines have a contract of carriage, and cruise lines and hotels have a ticket contract, both of which can be found online. They outline your rights to a refund, and the terms of your purchase. Similarly, your OTA has terms and conditions that outline what it will, and won’t, do for you. Finally, each purchase may come with its own terms, which are displayed before you book.

The fix: Read everything. If you don’t, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise.

Should I clear my browser’s “cookies” when I’m planning my trip?

Yes. Although the major online travel agencies deny they do this, the technology exists to use your browsing history to show you a higher (or lower) price, based on your past online behavior. Don’t let that happen. Always clear that data by erasing the “cookies” on your web browser, or by browsing anonymously.

What do these airport codes mean?

A lot more than you think. Don’t assume you know the three-letter airport code, because chances are, you’ll get it wrong. Even professional travel advisors sometimes do. For example, what’s the airport code for Chicago’s airport? Did you say CHI? Sorry, that belongs to Chaoyang Airport in China. Chicago’s is actually ORD. No, that’s not Orlando’s city code. Orlando’s is MCO. Told you it was confusing. Look it up, or you could end up at the wrong place.

What do I need to know about planning my trip through an online agency?

Even though online travel agencies would like you to believe you’re receiving all of the benefits of working through a travel advisor, the truth is slightly more complicated. OTAs are large organizations that can offer some of the benefits of a human agent, but not all. Here are a few key differences:

It’s optimized for making online purchases unassisted

The online agency — as the name implies — is meant to be used online. Call an OTA, and you are asking for trouble. I’ve handled far too many “wrong name” cases that were the result of a language barrier involving an offshore phone agent or poor phone reception. At the same time, automation can be your friend. Many online agencies have superior notification systems to let you know when your reservation changes. They can be better than an agent — when they work.

It’s a bureaucracy

The major OTAs are huge companies with international footprints. While that can be a good thing when the company is trying to negotiate a volume discount for its customers, it can be a disadvantage when you’re looking for personal attention, or even a quick refund.

Additional restrictions may apply

Don’t assume that the terms of a purchase made directly through a travel company will be the same when you book through an online travel agency. This is particularly true for so-called opaque sites like Hotwire and Priceline. Those purchases are generally nonrefundable.

So, why use an online agency? Because technically, you still have the ability to call on your OTA to advocate for you when something goes wrong. For many travelers, it’s like having the best of both worlds: a large company that can negotiate aggressive discounts and be in your corner if something goes wrong. Still, we mediate many cases where the system doesn’t work and customers are stranded at the airport without flights.

How do I resolve a dispute with an online travel agency?

Online travel agencies have sophisticated “customer service” departments designed to send form responses or read scripted responses over the phone. Cutting through these “I can’t help you” divisions is sometimes a challenge. Don’t get me wrong: Many common problems can be resolved by phoning your OTA. For example, if you’ve made a booking error, or your flight’s been canceled, calling your online agent is absolutely fine.

Get everything in writing

OTAs do record some of their calls for “quality assurance purposes” but they don’t make the recordings available to you. Get a record of your communication in writing. For more information on the dispute resolution process and blazing a paper trail, see this guide to fixing any consumer dispute.

Take screenshots

The companies are keeping records. The OTAs record every keystroke, and if necessary, can provide screenshots that show your reservation. If you want to protect yourself, you have to be vigilant, too. Record everything.

Don’t take “no” for an answer

Often, when you ask to escalate something to a manager, they’ll tell you it’s impossible to appeal something. That’s nonsense. We list the names of the top executives for the major OTAs on this site. Failing that, you can always dispute your credit card charge — if you paid with a credit card.

What do I need to know about planning a trip with AI?

Increasingly, using an AI to plan travel isn’t an “either/or” question. Many travel agencies already use AI for everything from booking tickets to customer support. But when most consumers think of using AI, they think of turning to an actual AI like ChatGPT or Bard, for personalized travel recommendations.

Here’s what you need to know about AI and travel:

It’s a well-developed recommendation resource, but not perfect

AI can already analyze your past trips, interests, and social media to suggest destinations and activities you’ll like. But mostly, it just waits for you to give it your preferences and then makes recommendations. The most popular AIs, including ChatGPT and Bard, already can offer advice and even send you to a site to make a booking. However, the days of, “You tell me what you want, and I’ll take care of it” are not quite here yet. For that, you still need a human travel advisor.

Despite its limitations, AI is an excellent trip planning tool

AI-powered booking tools can save hours during the trip planning process. Indeed, many human travel advisors already use AI to handle the more cumbersome tasks of travel planning — but don’t tell anyone! Instead of a long time searching for flights, hotels, and rental cars, AI can generate a set of options based on your budget and preferences. Check the AIs at Booking.com or Expedia (ExpediaBot) if you need quick advice. 

AI is being used in customer service

AI-powered chatbots can answer easy questions, suggest solutions, and handle booking changes instantly. However, the chatbots are still relatively simple and can’t handle complex tasks, like asking for advice about which routing is better on a flight or train trip. Again, human agents are far more efficient at doing that. But AIs are catching up.

Note: I’ve used AI to plan my trips, but found there are significant limitations. For example, when planning a complex itinerary in the Caribbean, ChatGPT did not understand what I meant by “double back.” It sent me zigzagging between destinations instead of from one to the next. And Bard could not plot the trip on a map because it said it didn’t support “driving directions.”

What do I need to know about planning my trip directly?

Increasingly, travel companies want you to buy their product directly through their website, or at a ticket counter. This reduces their expenses — there’s no need to pay a fee or commission — and gives them access to your personal information and spending data. That’s worth a lot to them. Here are a few more issues you should know about before booking directly.

You’re the “perfect” customer

Let’s not kid ourselves: Someone who cuts out the middleman is the ideal customer. You should expect anything from bonus miles to preferred seating or room assignments for bypassing an agent, and if not, then at least a big “thank you.”

The information comes from a “firsthand” source

When you deal directly with a travel company, they’re responsible for providing you with accurate information about your purchase. No blaming the travel advisor. So, in a sense, the reservation numbers or record locators you receive from the company are slightly more reliable than when they come from a third party.

Got a problem?

Only one place to go. Yep, that’s right. If something goes wrong, you can’t lean on your travel advisor or OTA. You’ll have to go directly to the company. As a last resort, you can always dispute your credit card charge.

These tips should get you well on your way to a successful vacation. Have a great trip!

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Christopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can't. He's the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes three nationally syndicated columns. He also publishes the Elliott Report, a news site for consumers, and Elliott Confidential, a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can't solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter. He is based in Rio de Janeiro.

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