When you work with a travel agency to plan your vacation, you can save time, stress and money. The travel agency takes care of all the details in planning and finalizing your vacation, leaving you with more time to pack and dream about your trip.

Of course, there is still a little footwork for you to do. Follow these guidelines to get a better understanding of travel agency services. Find out how to choose a travel agent that’s right for you, which questions to ask, and how to get the most out of working with a travel agency.

Choose a Travel Agency

The first step, of course, is choosing the right agency, and the right agent. It’s important to choose a reputable agency, but remember that there is no accreditation for the travel industry. It’s best to choose a well established agency that’s been in the business for a number of years. It might be tempting to choose a new agency that’s offering cheap deals, but it’s easy to get burned when you work with a company that doesn’t have a good reputation, or hasn’t been in business long enough to develop one.

Questions to Ask a Travel Agency

Next you’ll want to ask some questions to make sure the agent is a good fit for you. Make sure you choose an agent who is familiar with your destination and your preferred method of travel. Ideally, he or she should have knowledge and experience with the location itself as well as travel details. You’re more likely to get a great deal with someone who’s been in the business longer, as he or she will have more industry contacts.

The right agent will never be at a loss for information or resources. So feel free to ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable. If you’ve chosen a good agent, then he or she will have a wealth of knowledge about the industry and about your vacation destination.

Finally, it’s important to ask your agent about all the little details. Will the agent book your rental car and activities in addition to flights and accommodations, for example? Don’t make any assumptions about what your agent does and doesn’t cover; it’s always important to find out for sure.

Things to Tell your Travel Agent

You’ll have to provide your own information too. If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort or going on a cruise, for example, you’ll need to tell your travel agent if you have any special dietary requirements. This isn’t information your agent will ask, so you must make sure the agent knows so they can inform your hotel or cruise ship about your needs.

This is also a good time to let your agent know if you or any member of your travel party has a disability that will require special arrangements. If you’re traveling with someone who uses a wheelchair or another mobility aid, he or she might have special requirements at the hotel. And again, if your travel agent knows this in advance, he or she will be able to ensure that this person has everything they need to be comfortable throughout the vacation. Remember, it’s important to spend time with your travel agent. He or she will need to know all about your needs and wants to plan your perfect vacation.

Budgets and Discounts

If you have planned to spend a specific amount of money on your vacation, and don’t want to exceed your budget, make sure your travel agent knows about this in advance. That way he or she will be able to zero in on travel deals within your price range, instead of looking at accommodations or flights you can’t afford.

Ask your travel agent about discounts and free upgrades, too. Are you planning to take an all-inclusive tour or cruise, for example? If you’re traveling alone, you might be able to get a better deal if you agree to share a double room with another solo traveler. It’s cheaper to split the cost of a double room than it is to pay for a single, so this can be a great way to save money.

Remaining Flexible when Working with a Travel Agency

If you can afford to be flexible about your travel dates, you can save some money on your flights. So let your travel agent know if there’s some wiggle room in your itinerary. Your agent then has more leeway to find you cheaper flights, giving you extra cash to spend at your travel destination.

If you choose your agency carefully, ask the right questions, seek out discounts and stay flexible, your travel agency experience, and your vacation, is sure to be a success.