If you decide to work with a travel agent in planning your next vacation, you can generally expect to enjoy your trip more because of the great perks and knowledgeable service experienced agents can give you, you may even be able to save some money as well.

A travel agent who is experienced and knowledgeable about the industry in which they work knows how to get the best out of your destination. Whether it’s by finding cheap flights, comfortable but inexpensive otels, or locating those hard-to-find tickets for exclusive events, your travel agent will work for you.

So if you do decide to work with an agent, it definitely pays to find the best. But how can you spot a good agent? Here are some tips and things to look for that will help you identify a good travel agent.

Ask family and friends for recommendations

This should always be your first step when choosing a travel agent. Ask people you can trust for their opinions, they’re more reliable than reviews and testimonials you might read on the internet. You don’t have to base your results on their opinion, but asking for recommendations might give you a head start in locating an agent.

Check out the agency before talking to an agent

A good agent might very well be working at an inferior agency, so look around when you visit each one. Look for an agency that is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents (which means it has been operating for three or more years under its current ownership) and is accredited to several airlines.

Look for an agent with experience in the industry

There’s nothing wrong with choosing a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, young agent who is relatively new to the industry, but if you really want the very best travel agent choose someone who has been at their job for at least a few years.

Time in the industry isn’t the only important factor. You may also consider the number of clients the agent has worked with and their general volume of work. Some agents might have spent twenty years in the industry, but have a relatively low volume of work. Others might book dozens of trips every year, and may have much more extensive industry knowledge.

When you’re checking out your prospective travel agent’s experience, look at the number of trips they’ve booked as well as the number of years they’ve been working in the industry.

Find an agent with experience in booking trips to your destination

If you’re planning on a trip to an exotic or obscure location, finding a travel agent with experience in booking trips to that specific area can be particularly important. Any travel agent can book you a trip to pretty much anywhere, but what do they know about the destination itself? If you’re planning a trip to go rock-climbing in the Swiss Alps, a travel agent who has only booked trips in the United States won’t be able to help you plan your trip as well as someone who has experience with European destinations.

Test your agent’s knowledge by asking the right questions

You don’t have to book your trip with the first travel agent you find, so don’t fall into the trap of visiting an agent for information and leaving with your trip booked. It’s your money that’s paying for the trip, so you have every right to keep searching until you find the right agent for you, the agent that makes you feel comfortable.

Take the opportunity to find out more about the agent as well as your destination. For example, you can ask them about their industry experience, commission rate, what they know about your destination, and whether they have traveled to your destination.

Possible questions to ask include:

• What’s the best time to travel to your destination? When are the peak and off-peak seasons?

• What travel documents will you need when traveling to your destination? Is there anything else you need to travel, such as vaccinations?

• Does the agent offer travel insurance with the trips they book? Will you get a refund if your trip is cancelled?

• Can they suggest some ways in which you can reduce the costs associated with your trip?

• What activities can they recommend at your destination?

If you really want to work with a good travel agent, it’s important to find someone who knows about the location in which you are traveling, someone who has actually been there. Asking questions like these will help you determine whether your agent has specific knowledge about your destination.

Don’t expect your agent to know the answers to everything you ask, but at the very least they should be willing to find out the answer to any question you may ask.

Take note of the questions that the agent asks you. They should be asking questions that show they’re interested in what your needs and desires are for the trip, rather than seeming more interested in simply selling you a package deal that might not be right for you.