Are Travel Advisers Worth It? Weigh the Pros and Cons for Yourself

Using a travel agent offers benefits like local expertise and trip support, but they’re not always the right choice

an illustration of a couple holding luggage surronded by landmarks and travel related items with a person wearing a headset in the background

Travel advisers specialize in taking the stress out of travel, among other benefits. Using one isn’t the right choice for every trip or traveler.

Loris Lora

Berit Thorkelson,

AARP

Published December 08, 2025

When boomer travelers Bob and Bonni Gumport of San Diego decided to add China to their long list of countries visited, they began their usual research and planning process. It’s something they enjoy. “We realize that [many of our peers] don’t want to have anything to do with any of that. They just want to pick up a phone, deal with one person, get an itinerary, pay the fee and they’re off,” Bob says. “We’re on the opposite end of the spectrum.”

Still, because the language and country were unfamiliar, they eventually looped in a travel adviser specializing in China to supplement their existing plans.

Whether seeking specialized insight, like the Gumports did, or handing over the reins completely for travel planning, the use of travel advisers is on the rise. American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) research shows that half of travelers are more likely to use one now than they were in the past. Working with an adviser also means working directly with a person, which is something older travelers prize. Advisers are typically involved with 59 percent of cruise bookings and 75 percent of tour packages, both popular trip types for older travelers, according to ASTA. But working with a travel adviser is not for everyone. We break down what they are, what they do and whether you should consider hiring one.

What is the difference between a travel adviser and a travel agent?

A travel adviser is a travel agent, rebranded. The shift in verbiage is designed to highlight the role’s evolution beyond trip booking. “An adviser provides more high-level service — expert advice, custom itineraries, a deeper level of destination insight,” says Sonia Bhagwan, an Arizona-based ASTA member and travel adviser at Dream Vacations.

For familiarity’s sake, the terms are often used interchangeably, even by the advisers.

How much does a travel adviser charge?

Our sources’ fees range from $25 to $250 or more per traveler, on top of the cost of the trip. They can be charged per person or per trip, with luxury travel fees potentially heading into the thousands. Advisers are typically paid after a free initial consultation but before delivery of a full initial travel proposal. Some level of service typically continues until the trip is complete.

Advisers also earn commissions from hotels, tours and other suppliers, except for airlines, which now offer little to no commissions. In fact, this loss of revenue, along with the evolving travel landscape, led to the rise of more in-depth services that travel advisers provide.

Some advisers don’t require an upfront fee. Those who do say that their fee ensures reimbursement for work put into the initial proposal and helps broaden their search options. “I won’t be chasing the biggest commission,” says Jessica Parker, a Philadelphia-based luxury travel adviser at Trip Whisperer Agency. “I’m out here chasing what’s going to be the perfect trip for you.”

Working with an adviser often provides access to discounts, promotions, freebies and upgrades that aren’t available to direct bookers. Advisers are usually happy to help find ways to stay within your budget.

Pros and cons of working with a travel adviser

Benefits of working with a travel adviser include:

Streamlined trip logistics. Travel advisers manage trip-planning challenges, including special needs or experiences, multiple households or destinations and remote or international locations. Payment is centralized, as is all trip information, in one document or app that’s accessible to everyone in your group.

Gordon Docking, a boomer from Overland Park, Kansas, and his wife, Susan, have a go-to adviser they work with for the big-budget, multi-location trips they take with two other couples. They all appreciate that transportation is waiting, hotels are expecting them and travel time is perfectly cushioned. “None of us has to worry about all those little details, because they’re just handled, and handled professionally,” Docking says. “It’s worth everything to us.”

Customized insights and preparation. Travel advisers often specialize in specific locations or types of trips, such as cruises or country tours, allowing them to answer questions and share insider information. In addition to destination-specific advice, they often provide guidance on packing, international phone plans, document management and selecting trip insurance.
Trip support and advocacy. The support is usually available 24/7, whether from your adviser or someone in their extended network. Bhagwan has personally helped with issues such as flight cancellations, no-show tour guides and a client who got lost at Downtown Disney while walking from dinner back to the hotel with her grandkids.

This can benefit travelers’ peace of mind and wallet. Kate Newland, an ASTA member and Pennsylvania-based travel adviser at Kate’s World Travel, had a client who was rebooked without his original business-class upgrade. She helped him secure a $3,000 refund. “It’s rare, but if something happens and you tell me about it, I am going to go to bat for you, whether they gave you the wrong room at the resort or something more serious,” she says.

Reasons a traveler might choose not to work with a travel adviser:

Straightforward trips. If your trip is to a single destination or a familiar place with few travelers, you might not need outside assistance. Docking and his travel crew, for example, didn’t consult their adviser for a recent trip to Mexico because they stayed at one hotel and had been to Mexico before.
Budget or points-based travel. Some people love chasing down deals, cashing in accumulated points and piecing together experiences to make the cheapest trip possible. While advisers can save money in many cases, they typically don’t book true budget trips or handle travel within loyalty programs or points. “Nobody can actually work with points except the point holder,” Bhagwan says. However, some advisers can help incorporate reward travel into a broader itinerary.
Independent travelers. Those who prefer to conduct DIY research and travel independently are less likely to benefit from the skills and various group experiences advisers offer.

Is a travel adviser worth it?

Oftentimes, yes. Consider using a travel adviser if you are:

traveling to an unfamiliar destination
traveling with multiple households
incorporating more than one location or lodging
taking a cruise or guided tour
wanting to string together a specialized or themed experience
looking for a human-led turnkey travel experience

Find an adviser who specializes in the kind of travel you want to do. Schedule a few free consultations before choosing someone you trust to turn your vacation dreams into a well-organized, smoothly unfolding reality.

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Berit Thorkelson is a travel writer and editor for aarp.org. She has also written for publications such as National Geographic Traveler, Better Homes & Gardens and The Minnesota Star Tribune’s travel section.