How to Outsmart a Travel Agent: A Guide to Booking Flights

You want to travel, but you’re determined not to pay those "outrageous" service fees to travel agents? Welcome to our short but absurd guide on how to turn your travel agent's life into an action movie—with you as the lead star!

Step 1: Demand the Best Flight Deals

Start with a confident call to the travel agent. Explain that you want to fly to three different destinations and demand at least ten options for each. These should include various airlines, time combinations, and layover stops. The travel agent will surely appreciate your pursuit of the "perfect" flight.

Step 2: Ask Complex Questions

After receiving the offers, dive into the questions: "Does this airline offer extra legroom?" or "How much luggage is included in the lowest fare?" Don’t forget to insist on options with complimentary snacks and drinks, even if the ticket is for a low-cost airline. If a friend has shared a "hack" for saving money, make sure to try it here too, even if it involves endlessly tweaking the search.

Step 3: Contact Airlines Directly

Armed with the information from the travel agent, it’s time to act. Call the airlines directly and start negotiating: "If I book with you, can I get a free seat selection?" or "Can you guarantee I’ll sit by the window?" If that doesn’t work, you can always vent on social media about how you’ve been "robbed."

Step 4: Confirm You Made the Right Choice

After securing a ticket directly from the airline, here’s what you might discover:

• Extra charges for seat selection, luggage, and priority boarding have doubled the initial ticket price.

• Your name is misspelled on the ticket because you rushed during booking. The correction fee is almost as much as a new ticket.

• The flight is canceled at the last minute, and you weren’t notified because your contact details were entered incorrectly.

• The flight is delayed by five hours, leaving you stranded at the airport with no access to amenities.

• The departure or arrival airport has been changed last minute, and the new one is 200 kilometers away.

• Your luggage is lost, and the only help you receive is a complaint form and a promise to "investigate" within the next 30 days.

And this is where you remember: the travel agent could have handled all of this. Instead of leaving you to battle bureaucracy on your own, they would have:

• Accurately checked and entered your details during booking.

• Informed you promptly about changes to your flight or airport.

• Provided alternatives for canceled or delayed flights.

• Coordinated the recovery or compensation for your lost luggage.

• Saved you hours of waiting on hold with airline customer service.

The climax comes when you realize you missed out on included perks like free airport transfers or more convenient flights offered in the original package. The total cost has now doubled, but the feeling of "saving" is priceless.

Conclusion: Why Use a Travel Agent

After all the effort, botched bookings, and unforeseen expenses, you begin to understand why travel agents charge a fee. They not only organize your trip but also save you time, nerves, and money. Next time, just relax and let the professionals handle it.

And remember: trying to outsmart a travel agent isn’t easy, but it’s definitely entertaining… for them, when they share your story with their colleagues!