The Best-Kept Secrets of Travel Agents

Travel agents curate unforgettable vacations for their clients using their industry knowledge — along with a few insider secrets. Often, travel agents have exclusive access to private discounts, memberships, tours, and industry tips that the average traveler doesn’t. We set out to uncover some of the best-kept secrets and expert advice that only the most seasoned travel agents know.

FAM Trips Are More Than a Free Vacation

One of the most coveted perks of being a travel agent is the opportunity to go on “FAM trips,” short for “familiarization trips.” But these all-expenses-paid or heavily discounted vacations aren’t just for leisure. They’re funded by tour operators, airlines, and hotels in hopes that agents will recommend the destinations, hotels, and tours to their clients. 

For example, a relative of mine who is a veteran travel agent with over four decades of industry experience says that some of her most unforgettable FAM trips still influence her bookings today. These experiences range from a thrilling helicopter tour over the mountains of Oahu to a leisurely cruise down Europe’s longest river, the Volga. 

While the cost and inclusions vary depending on the type of FAM trip, most expenses — such as accommodation, transportation, and meals — are paid for by the brand. These exclusive opportunities create lasting brand relationships and instill confidence in agents, allowing them to steer clients toward the best options they can personally vouch for. 

Agents Can Unlock “Hidden” Discounts

Nowadays, many vacationers feel equipped to book their own travel online, but they might not have access to the best discounts. Often, travel agents do. Travel agents are the bargain hunters of the industry, using their insider knowledge to unlock offers you’d never find otherwise. 

According to The Travel Team (a full-service travel provider for corporate, group, and leisure travel), travel advisers leverage their long-term relationships with hotel chains, car rental services, and cruise lines to gain access to exclusive perks and discounts. Finding deals is actually a significant part of their job: “Most travel advisers spend a lot of their time wading through dozens of vendor offers to find the right ones for their clients,” the company explains on its blog.

These types of deals are often time-sensitive, unadvertised, and unavailable to the average customer. If you’re setting out on a group tour, a luxury vacation, or an action-packed getaway, a travel agent could be the key to cutting costs (by hundreds or even thousands of dollars) without sacrificing quality. 

Peak Season Isn’t Always the Best Option

Every destination has its own peak season, but some destinations have multiple busy seasons throughout the year, which can cause problems for unknowing travelers. Seasoned travel agents are experts at pinpointing the best time of year to visit a destination based on cost and experience, creating a perfect balance between the two. 

For instance, a summer trip to the coast of Italy might sound like a dream come true, but an agent may advise you to book during a quieter time of the year (called a “shoulder season”) when the weather is still mild and the crowds are far fewer. “For those who are willing to skip the summer splashiness of … July jaunts around Europe, there’s a lot more ability to stretch a dollar (or euro),” Henley Vazquez, co-founder of Fora travel agency, said in a recent interview with The Points Guy.

Travel agents also know about local events and holidays impacting tourist numbers and costs. For example, Vazquez explained that before and after the 2024 Olympics in Paris, there was a unique opportunity for travelers to save money and avoid crowds during a regularly buzzing summer in Paris, as most tourists (and locals) avoided the city in the weeks surrounding the Olympics. Similarly, Italy will be impacted by the Catholic Church’s Jubilee for the entirety of 2025, with estimates of 32 million pilgrims traveling throughout the country. A travel agent can steer you toward a less busy time to visit. 

Luxury Hotel Programs Offer Agent-Only Access

Any traveler can join loyalty programs at hotel chains like Hilton or Marriott, allowing them to earn points, perks, and upgrades. However, it usually takes an insider to unlock some of the world’s most luxurious hotel memberships. 

The Four Seasons, for example, does not have a public loyalty program. Instead, it operates an invitation-only program called the Four Seasons Preferred Partner program. This program is granted to only the “highest-tier luxury travel agencies,” explains Fora Travel, a network of travel agents. 

By booking through a travel adviser affiliated with this program, travelers receive Preferred Status during their trip. That comes with exclusive perks and amenities at all Four Seasons hotels worldwide, including hotel, dining, and spa credits, along with free upgrades when available.

They Can Handle Airline Mishaps Better and Faster 

Travel is unpredictable, and when significant delays and cancellations happen, getting reimbursed and rebooked can be challenging. For example, a recent flight from Los Angeles to China made headlines when the plane was turned around because a pilot forgot his passport. One passenger told CNN that she received two meal vouchers totaling $30 and filed a claim on the airline’s website, from which she could expect a response in 14 business days. 

Although this is a standard response, it can be frustrating for travelers. However, travel agents can easily navigate these situations thanks to their experience and their relationships with travel providers, which often allow them to secure better refunds and rebookings for their clients.  

“Travel agents are among the first to know about flight cancellations and delays, making it easy for them to rebook itineraries right away,” Christopher Elliott, a consumer advocate and journalist, explained in a recent interview with U.S. News & World Report. Agents receive up-to-date notifications of all clients’ trips — they might know your flight will be canceled before you do. 

Sometimes, travel agents can even obtain higher reimbursement or vouchers through their relationships with airlines, and, if necessary, book a complimentary stay at an airport hotel. Instead of hours of stressful phone calls or navigating airline websites, a travel agent will file claims for you, making a flight cancellation only a minor snag in your getaway.