Despite Anger, Web Can't Keep Travel Agents Down

Travel agents are back.

Frustrated with the recent rash of sold-out hotels and airline seats, travelers are discovering that for all the hype, booking websites are losing some of their edge, especially when it comes to high-end locations. The result is the comeback of travel agencies after a decade of decline.

Written off as dinosaurs not so long ago, agents are seeing a welcome bump in business, with the 2006 average weekly sales per agent location up 15 percent over the year before, according to SmartMoney. Traveler frustrations have led to the comeback because agents are more likely to find the best airline tickets and get on the phone with a problem hotel.

To survive in recent years, many travel agents also have become specialized, with some offering adrenaline-fueled adventure trips, others pricey safaris. Other agents go after even thinner slices of the travel pie, with specialties ranging from twins-only cruises to kosher dude ranches, said SmartMoney. But fair warning: Such expertise comes at a price. Some agents charge anywhere from $150 to redeem a frequent-flier award to a $500 consulting fee for arranging customized trips.

Agents Have Upper Hand

For everyday travelers, traditional travel agencies often have the upper hand when it comes to dealing with travel hassles. They have connections at hotels and motels that can get you a lot of things you can't get on the Internet, and they can deal with problems in a much more personalized and timely manner.

But for all the perks and special treatment offered by this new breed of agent, there's some old baggage for travelers to contend with. Agents still earn commissions, and suppliers still woo agents with discounted or free trips and incentive specials. But that's often offset by deals they can access that the typical traveler can't.