Why travel agents are making a comeback

Travel industry sources are citing data showing that travel agents are regaining some of the ground they lost to the Internet. Booking travel online has become so complex that increasing numbers of people are turning to professionals for help. And the savvy they provide often outweighs their modest charges.

Only rarely do travel agents have access to deals you can't find for yourself. On the other hand, they can almost always find any deal you can find and they can add extra value to the mix, including:

Expertise The No. 1 reason most consumers use travel agents is to take advantage of their specialized knowledge - destinations, the best deals from where you live, resorts, cruise lines and such.

Time An agent is a big help if you value your time. A five-minute call to a travel agent allows you to avoid many hours of tedious searches online.

Rates Although online booking is easy for buying a conventional airline ticket, more complicated international tickets can be daunting. Moreover, a good agency "rate desk" agent knows about ticketing tricks that you'd never be able to use online.

Problems An agent is your best source of help if something goes wrong - either before or during your trip.Just call your agency or its 24/7 backup and get someone started on a fix right away.

Keep in mind Travel agency services are no longer universally "free." If you want to book an ordinary airline ticket, for example, expect to pay up to $50 a trip. This is because airlines no longer offer agents standard commissions on tickets, but many other travel suppliers still do. Always discuss fees before you enter any agency negotiation.

The best way to locate a good agent is by referral from friends, business associates or family members.

Before contacting an agent, develop your own ideas of experiences, destinations and general prices. That way, you can keep the agent focused and make a sensible evaluation of alternatives the agent proposes.