do travel agents get free trips

It's Official, Our Leads Program and Booking Portal With Over 750,000 Hotels Has Launched For Our Agents. Learn More

Travel Agent Resources

Do travel agents travel for free.

X (Twitter)

By Courtney Eisen

July 27, 2023

As a travel agent, one question that often comes up is whether or not we get to travel for free. The answer is yes, but it's not as simple as it seems. There are certain considerations and nuances involved in this aspect of our profession. In this article, we will explore the topic of travel agents traveling for free and shed some light on the matter.

Fam trips: a toxic subculture.

FAM trips, which stands for familiarization trips, are offered to groups of travel agents from multiple agencies. These trips provide an opportunity for agents to explore different destinations and properties. However, there is a toxic subculture within the travel agent community that solely focuses on hopping from one FAM trip to another. These agents use these trips as a way to socialize and network with other agents rather than genuinely learn about the destinations they visit.

Suggested Article: Travel Agent FAM Trips Explained

Unfortunately, hotel general managers and key staff often view these agents as individuals simply looking for a free vacation. As a result, when these agents need a favor from the hotel, they are less likely to receive exceptional treatment. It's important not to adopt the mentality of wanting something for nothing. LuxRally Travel, for instance, discourages group FAM trips for their agents as it goes against their values of professionalism and class. Instead, they encourage agents to focus on growing their business and providing excellent service to their clients.

Free Travel With Purpose

On the other hand, there are instances where travel agents can travel for free with a purpose. Let's say you have sent a significant amount of business to a particular hotel without having visited it yourself. In such cases, it would be perfectly acceptable to request a visit to get a better feel for the property and engage in revenue-centric discussions with key personnel like the General Manager or Revenue Manager.

Suggested Article: How Much Do Travel Agents Make?

However, it's crucial to strike a delicate balance. Understand your value to the hotel and what you can reasonably ask for. If you consistently send guests who book the most expensive penthouses and suites, then it's fair to expect a suite for yourself. But if your clients are not big spenders, be mindful of the burden you may be placing on the hotel. Consider the occupancy levels and be content with a free regular room if that is what is offered.

Real Familiarization Trips

For top-performing travel agents who have built a significant book of business and have high-spending clients, there is another level of free travel available. If you have a reputation for bringing tremendous volume to properties or are considered one of the top agents for a particular brand, hotels may welcome you with an upper-level suite. This allows you to test the property firsthand and assess its suitability for your clients.

Suggested Article: How to Become a Luxury Travel Advisor

During these visits, your purpose extends beyond personal enjoyment. You evaluate the staff's service quality, the food, and accommodations, and even tour the penthouses to create a walk-through video for your clients. It's an opportunity to ensure that the property meets the high standards expected by your clients and to maintain your reputation as a trusted advisor.

In summary, yes, travel agents can travel for free through hotels and cruise lines, but it must be done with a clear purpose of generating revenue for both the agent and the property. Respect for hotels and cruise lines is essential in this industry, as your reputation and relationships with General Managers and Global Sales Directors play a crucial role in making significant strides. Remember, the travel industry thrives on favors, so use them wisely and responsibly.

Do all travel agents get to travel for free?

Not all travel agents get to travel for free. However, they have many opportunities to secure free travel if they take the initiative and get their IATAN card. The chance for free travel depends on factors such as the agent's performance, client base, and the relationship they have with hotels and cruise lines.

How can travel agents ensure they are taken seriously by hotels, cruise lines, and other vendors?

Travel agents can ensure they are taken seriously by maintaining professionalism, focusing on growing their business and providing exceptional service to their clients. Building strong relationships with hotel General Managers and Global Sales Directors is crucial for gaining respect in the industry.

Can travel agents request specific accommodations during their free trips?

Yes, travel agents can request specific accommodations during their free trips, but it's important to strike a balance and consider their value to the hotel. Agents who consistently bring high-spending clients may be able to request suites, while others should be content with regular rooms based on availability and occupancy levels.

More Resources

Why You Should Be a 24 Hour Travel Agent

How Do Travel Agents Make Money?

How to Start a Travel Agency From Home

More From Forbes

23 companies that help you travel the world for free (and might pay you, too).

If you’re willing to do a little work while you’re on vacation, these companies will help you get most — if not all — of your travel costs covered.
Share to Facebook
Share to Twitter
Share to Linkedin

English speakers willing to spend a week talking with foreigners can get a free vacation to Spain or ... [+] Germany with Diverbo. (Courtesy of Diverbo)

Think you can’t afford to go on vacation? Think again.

A Wisconsin-based teacher and author with a passion for Spain, Abbey Algiers looks for inexpensive ways to take trips on her summer holidays. So when she discovered Diverbo , she couldn’t believe it. Diverbo offers free vacations for English speakers willing to spend a week mingling with foreigners in Spain or Germany to help them practice their language skills.

“It’s the best-kept secret on the planet,” she says.

Algiers spent a week chatting, enjoying Spanish tapas and wine and bonding with fellow travelers. The setting couldn’t have been more perfect: La Alberca, a tiny village four hours west of Madrid. The best part? Apart from paying for the flight there, the trip didn’t cost her a cent.

READ MORE: "Ranked: The 20 Most Dangerous Places to Live"

With Diverbo, you can travel for free to a village like La Alberca, Spain. (Photo courtesy of ... [+] Shutterstock)

Algiers loved it so much, she has done Diverbo two more times and is currently traveling in Portugal with a friend she met on her first trip. "This is a legit way to make lifelong friends from around the world," she says.

Diverbo is part of a growing trend: companies that are giving new meaning to the phrase “business trip.” If you’re willing to do a little work while you’re on vacation, these companies will help you get most — if not all — of your travel costs covered. Some will even pay you a stipend or a salary. It’s a trend that is taking off, especially among young female travelers who are new to the workforce and looking for affordable vacation options or for millennial women in search of ways to give back while on vacation.

A free trip and a chance to see the world? Sign us up! Read on for 10 ideas and 23 companies to check out right now.

Practice English

Speak English? You’re in luck. Diverbo recruits English speakers to help foreigners in Spain and Germany practice their language skills. Even better: Diverbo prefers if you don’t speak Spanish or German. There’s not much downtime — you’ll spend most of the day "working" in small villages near Madrid, Munich, and Frankfurt. But it’s not a hardship: There are group dinners, parties, and even theater performances. There’s also an offshoot of Diverbo for teens.

READ MORE: "Why You Should Skip Iceland And Go To These 9 Under-the-Radar Places"

Christina from Austria is a Wwoofer, willing workers on organic farms. She's pictured here in Ty'r ... [+] Eithin farm, South Wales. (Photo by In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images)

Work On A Farm

Sue Coppard was a London secretary who volunteered on a farm with some friends back in 1971 and thought the idea was so great that she turned it into a business: WWOOF , which stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. The company has recently been rediscovered by a new generation of travelers that craves getting dirt under their fingernails. Here’s how it works: Farm owners post help-wanted ads on the site, and you can apply to do anything from sowing seeds to making cheese to gathering herbs. In return, the farm pays for your accommodations and food (you usually need to cover the flight). Volunteers typically work a few hours a day, then get time off to explore. There are opportunities everywhere from Costa Rica to Cambodia.

Working with an elephant and son in Thailand. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Are you willing to put in a little sweat equity on your next vacation in exchange for free meals and accommodations? The sharing economy has resulted in innovative resources for work-exchange programs. Workaway and HelpX connect travelers with locals around the globe looking for volunteer help. You could find yourself working for people like Alex and Allie , who own an eco-lodge in the Northern Thai mountains near Chiang Mai where they rescue elephants and support human rights. Or Pamela , who has a house in Provence and wants assistance gardening and cooking. Or there's Rick and Lindy , a couple who needs workers for their cattle farm in New Zealand. Generally, volunteers work four or five hours a day, five days a week, then have the rest of the time to themselves. It's a great way to affordably see a new place and live like a local.

Work In the Adventure Space

Want to spend a week or two skiing and snowboarding — and get paid to do it? The website AdventureWork lists jobs in the adventure space, some long-term postings but others for vacationers looking for a free trip. For instance, PGL hires ski reps at its resorts in France, Italy, Austria and the U.S. to accompany school groups. In exchange, PGL covers your room and food, in-resort expenses, lift passes, board hire and gives you a small stipend of $229 (£175).

Organize A Trip

Now here’s a sneaky way to get a free vacation: Plan a trip for a group of your friends or family. Many travel operators will cover your costs if you function as a trip leader. The rules change depending on the company, but as an example, YMT Vacations will give you a free vacation if you enlist 12 people to take a trip with them; if eight of the guests book their flight through YMT, your airfare is also covered. Other companies offering free trips to group leaders include Grand Circle Cruise Line , Select International Tours , All Abroad Travel and Merit Group Travel .

Host An Educational Trip

Are you a teacher who wants to take your students on a trip so that they can immerse themselves in what they’ve just studied? A number of educational travel companies provide free trips to teachers in order to get them to host trips for students. (Many will even throw in a free training trip beforehand, so that you can learn the ropes of hosting and guiding.) Some of the best outfitters include EF , CHA Educational Tours , and Explorica .

Heritage Greece invites young Greek adults to come "home" on a free trip. (Photo courtesy of ... [+] Shutterstock)

Explore Your Roots

Are you lucky enough to have roots somewhere else? Your home country might want you to come back and connect with your culture. For instance, the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation runs ReConnect Hungary to get young Hungarian-Americans ages 18-28 to take a two-week trip to learn about their history and traditions. The program covers airfare from New York to Budapest and two weeks of accommodations, meals, transportation, entertainment and programming. Countries with similar programs include Heritage Greece , aimed at accomplished college students of Greek heritage. Birthright Armenia reimburses expenses for Armenians ages 20-32 who will intern or volunteer for at least two months for a variety of organizations, including media outlets and NGOs. Love Boat Study Program is for people of Chinese or Taiwanese descent, ages 16-27. And Birthright Israel has helped over 500,000 Jewish young adults travel for free to Israel since the company was founded in 1999.

Take Your Nursing Skills On The Road

If you're a nurse, you can go mobile and travel for free to places like Florida or Hawaii — and get paid for it. The site TravelNursing.org offers opportunities around the country, with assignments lasting eight to 26 weeks. Compensation varies based on your skill level and the type of position you're filling, but a traveling nurse can make as much as $10,000 a month, with food and housing often covered.

Become A House Sitter

Are you open to taking care of someone's home – or even their pet — while on vacation? You might have a free place to stay for offering your services. Companies like Trusted Housesitters and HouseCarers connect travelers and people in need of sitters around the world.

Teach English

If you're willing to teach English as a foreign language to non-English speakers, you can pretty much write your ticket. Some of the best resources for job hunters include TEFL.com and ESL Cafe , which list salaried jobs across the planet in search of your skills (typically, you don't need to speak the home language). This isn't something you'd do for a week-long vacation: Postings generally range from nine months to two years. Still, it's a great way to have an extended (paid) vacation.

• "The Ultimate Paid Time Off: 17 Companies That Will Give You Money To Travel"

• "Ranked: The 20 Most Dangerous Places to Live"

• "Bucket List Travel: The Top 50 Places In The World"

• "Why You Should Skip Iceland And Go To These 9 Under-the-Radar Places"

Editorial Standards
Forbes Accolades

Credit cards
View all credit cards
Banking guide
Loans guide
Insurance guide
Personal finance
View all personal finance
Small business
Small business guide
View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

Do Travel Agents Save You Money?

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Table of Contents

How much does a travel agent cost?

Do travel agents get discounts on flights, how can a travel agent help me, smart money move: book with the right credit card, how do i find a good travel agent.

With a few keystrokes, you can find cheap travel deals on the web. But travel agents can do that and more.

Often, travel agents receive deals directly from hotels and tour operators that you may not have access to. They also have contacts with resorts and hotels, so they can bargain for better deals. But just how much do travel agents cost? Some people assume that travel agents are expensive, which may keep them from using their services. However, that's not necessarily true.

Regardless if you go with a travel agent or plan on your own, it can be a smart money move to book with a credit card thats earns rewards on your bookings and helps you avoid foreign transaction fees if you end up traveling abroad.

The cost of using a travel agent is generally marginal, and often, they won't charge you at all. Much of their money comes from commissions the hotels and wholesalers pay them. Before you decide to book with a travel agent, inquire whether or not they charge fees.

Also, if you’ve booked a trip with a travel agent and for whatever reason need to cancel, they might be able to help get the refund more directly.

» Learn more: How to become a travel agent

Generally not, and especially not for short distances. For the most part, any discount you'd get from using a travel agent would be for a combined package. Still, it never hurts to ask if your travel agent can get you a deal on your flight.

If you're traveling internationally — especially to a country you've never visited — a travel agent can be a useful resource in helping you plan your trip. They can manage all of your booking needs, which can be easier than juggling a long itinerary that includes flights, hotels and excursions on your own.

Group travel is another common situation that can benefit from an agent's assistance. Coordinating bookings across multiple parties can get confusing. A travel agent can keep things organized, negotiate with services and personally work out any complications that may arise. Rather than trying to reserve rooms in the same hotels and seats on the same flights with multiple credit cards and names, let a travel agent do that work.

Travel agents can also be helpful by providing destination advice. Many specialize in particular destinations and can offer insight as to how you should structure your visit. Agents can direct you to the services, facilities and entertainment that best align with your interests and needs.

» Learn more: Other things a travel agent can do that a search engine can't

Whether you decide to use a travel agent to book your trip (i.e. flights, accommodations, excursions, cruises, car rentals, etc.) or plan the whole trip on your own, consider what credit card makes the most sense for your vacation.

If you're going abroad, use a card that waives foreign transaction fees so that you can avoid those fees. Also consider credit cards that include complimentary travel insurance so that you can be protected on your trip if things go awry.

Here is a sampling of cards that include travel insurance and also waive foreign transaction fees. These cards also earn rewards on travel, which you can redeem in various ways.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

• 5 points per $1 on travel booked through Chase.

• 3 points per $1 on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout), select streaming services and online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).

• 2 points per $1 on other travel.

• 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

• 10 points per $1 on Chase Dining, hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Chase.

• 5 points per $1 on air travel purchased through Chase.

• 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining not booked with Chase.

• 5 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 spent per year.

• 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

The cards listed above all carry annual fees, especially given all the perks they provide.

If you don't care about the perks listed and simply want a card with no annual fee that waives foreign transaction fees, check out this list of options .

Several websites can help you track down and contact suitable travel agents. TravelSense.org , part of the American Society of Travel Advisors, allows you to search by some useful parameters including specialty and geographic location.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Insurance Benefit: Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

[Limited Time] New Cardholders Can Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ Value

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

✈️ Our Nerds say it's "nearly a must-have for travelers " because of its big sign-up bonus, high-value points and money-saving perks like hotel credit and rental car insurance.

🤑 Better yet, it's offering one of the best bonuses ever right now, only for a limited time...

Protect Your Trip »

Is a travel agent worth it the pros and cons.

Travel experts agree there are several advantages to hiring a vacation planner.

The Pros & Cons of Using a Travel Agent

Married couple with baby son in modern travel agency talking to a travel agent.

Getty Images

Need to pivot your trip plans but don't want to deal with the extra time, money and hassle of rebooking flights and accommodations on your own? That's just one area where a knowledgeable travel agent (also commonly known as a travel advisor) can help.

Read on to discover the other benefits – as well as the downsides – of using a travel agent, so you can confidently decide whether or not a travel agent is worth it for your next trip.

The Pros of Using a Travel Agent

Travel agents can save you money – and get you other perks.

"In some cases, you'll actually get a better deal by working with a travel agent," says Jackie Steele, travel expert at MagicGuides . "This could be in the form of a cruise onboard credit (free spending money to use on the ship), access to special agency/group rates, or even just learning about a discount you qualify for but weren't aware of." The best agents will even keep an eye on new discounts as they're announced and apply them to your trip even after you've booked, he notes.

Travel agents handle all the details

Hotel room? Booked. Dinner reservations? Made. Tour tickets? Ready to go. A travel agent handles every detail of your vacation itinerary. "The traveler still gets to be involved in the fun part of dreaming up ideas and providing their travel wishes, while we take and perfect them," says Jessica Parker, founder of Trip Whisperer .

Molly McShea, owner and travel advisor at McShea Travel , points out that travel agents can also help with timing logistics. "Travel agents know how many days should be spent in each destination, which tours go together, and how many things you should do in a day," she says, adding that crafting an itinerary can be challenging if it's not something you regularly do. Additionally, travel agents can help you choose the best time to visit your preferred destination(s) based on seasonality and your budget, and sift through travel insurance policies to find the best option for your needs.

Travel agents can provide local expertise

"A travel advisor's industry connections and relationships provide added value to their clients," says Valerie Edman, a luxury travel advisor and agency owner at Cultured Travel LLC. She says when working with a travel agent, travelers gain access to a global network of connections including:

In-destination specialists who work exclusively with travel advisors and can connect travelers with unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences they wouldn't otherwise know about
Exclusive experiences not available to the general public

You'll avoid surprise fees

When deciding if a travel agent is worth it for you, remember this: A reputable agent can guarantee you won't encounter any surprise fees on accommodations and activities once your trip is booked.

You'll have someone to troubleshoot unexpected travel issues

A travel advisor is essentially your personal vacation concierge. "Because they've been around for so long, agents really know what to look for," says Christopher Elliott , a consumer advocate and journalist. "Travel agents are among the first to know about flight cancellations and delays , making it easy for them to rebook itineraries right away."

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

The Cons of Using a Travel Agent

It might not be your cheapest option.

There are some instances when it makes more sense to plan your own trip. "If you're planning a quick flight from New York City to Los Angeles, it's easy enough to book it yourself online directly or through a third-party booking site," says Elliott. "If you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip or bucket list honeymoon , that's when you call the experts."

You'll have less flexibility in your itinerary

The upside of working with a travel agent is having someone plan an epic vacation for you based on industry knowledge and local expertise. But this can also be a downside in the event you discover an activity you'd like to do or a restaurant you'd like to try that isn't on your pre-planned itinerary. If you alter your plans, you risk losing money; plus, the time it takes for you and your travel agent to coordinate your change of plans may not be worth the hassle.

You still have to do some research

It's important to find an agent you can trust, which means you still have to do some of the vacation planning. For this part, Parker recommends picking up the phone. "Lots of people avoid or don't pick up the phone as much anymore," she says. "That's where you get the high-touch service, tone of voice, excitement or concerns to manage." She advises to look for the following red flags:

No fees: " Travel advisors are charging planning fees more now or increasing them, so the client knows more confidently than ever, we work for them, not the suppliers with the best commissions," Parker explains. "There are a lot of things that are non-commissionable and the advisor's time and expertise shouldn't be given away for free, either. That's the best way to show an advisor takes their business seriously."
Limited options: If you work with someone who is inexperienced or has an incentive to book you with a certain supplier, they may not be prioritizing your best interests. "It's important to check if they are with a larger consortia, accreditations and network, typically listed on their website and signatures," says Parker. "That level of mindshare doesn't come with a lone advisor unless they have many, many years of experience."
Slow response times: If communication is delayed, that's a sign they may be too busy to plan your trip – but again, this is something you can avoid by having the right conversations early on.

Edman suggestes starting your search with the American Society of Travel Advisors . "ASTA-verified travel advisors are committed to the highest industry standards and have verifiable industry knowledge so consumers can feel confident in working with them," she says.