I chose to use a travel agaent because of the complexity of our itinerary. She did save us some money (couldn't tell you how much), but more valuable was the grief she saved us by rebooking us when a domestic flight got cancelled. She even got us our refund on the cancelled flight!

For the peace of mind, and the seamless trip, I would have been willing to pay extra (although I probably shouldn't admit that!!)

We always plan our own (incl Argentina; Uruguay and Chile last Oct/Nov), but TAs are fine when booking cruises.
M

It's funny that you post this as I have been wondering the same thing. I always book on my own. It seems many people on this forum recommend using a travel agent for Argentina but I have done all my onw research quite easily.

I also inquired with 3 travel agents regarding flight costs from Ba to three different places. The travel agents price was no better than booking on my own.

It does seem, however, that if there are problems such as a flight cancellation, a travel agent can help.

On other forums there are several people that suggest booking flights within the country upon arrival and also renting a car rather than hiring a guide for $120 a day. You are able to rent a car for $45 with unlimited miles. That is what I plan on doing!

Cheers!

Changes in airline rules over the past year have removed the financial benefit of working through a local travel agent. Under the old rules, foreigners who purchased a ticket within Argentina at least 10 days prior to departure qualified for lower fares. A local travel agent could serve as a proxy and buy tickets for foreign travelers at this reduced rate. The rules have changed now, so that all foreigners are charged the same, whether tickets are purchased within Argentina or abroad.
There might still be some advantage if a local agent has access to certain packages...but this is by no means assured.
Many local agents do still have access to great rates for hotels, particularly when they send a large volume of business to that hotel....but I would check on line prices first, to use as a basis for comparison.

Hello claire_david2:

Why use an agent when you can plan your own trip?

Well, I have happily done so for Argentina and Chile and am very glad that I did. Same for Portual and Spain.

I can not give you a dollar amount of what we saved but we did get better prices through the agent than we could have on our own.

Not for air or cruise but certainly on accommodation where up to a 30% overcharge for foreigners is not uncommon.

We also saved on grief. Our agent was excellent when we had minor difficulties as well as with local knowledge.

We also enjoyed at least two spots on our last trip to Argentina/Chile because of her expertise.

One was my request for accommodation in Puerto Montt. Our agent suggested that we stay at Puerto Varas a few kilometres away and 200% nicer and more enjoyable which we learned once we were there.

A second was my request for accommodation in Valpaeriso. She advised Vina del Mar, almost across the street from our intended stay and again at least 200% better.

Enjoying our tour is more important than the money so that saving was most appreciated.

I am retired and like to research our travel. First I go to our local library and take out all the available books for our chosen destination. After looking through them, I then purchase a current issue of my book of choice.

With my own book in hand, I read it through, cover to cover and highlight [yellow marker] those spots of interest to us plus stick a post it note to the page.

Next, I photocopy a large enough map of the country and plot those points of interest with brief side notes at the edge of the map page.

Now I can plan a logical route so I do not run back and forth and can get the most efficient trip.

Now I contact the agent and tell her what I am interested in seeing/doing and my planned route. I ASK FOR FURTHER COMMENTS.

With my route selected, I write up an itinerary on my computer listing the locations of choice, points of interest at each spot, the restaurants I learn about and other data I might want such as information site locations and so on.

I add data as I find it on the web forums, agent comments and any other reliable data.

I try then to estimate how long I will want to be at each place. I rely on the agent to advise on travel times between locations.

Now I am in a position to have the agent make arrangements but before booking accommodations, I want the web sites of those places so I can see for myself what they advertise, not that what they say need be believed. I do not intend to book on my own.

I want the agent to book my travel but do I plan my own? Well, I think so.

I hope that the agent can make a decent profit from her activity, otherwise why whould she want to go to the work and cost to book for me?

Do I save dollars? I think so.

Do I get the trip I want, Yes I think so. For me, that is more important than the few dollar difference I might save on some bargain [that I later become sorry for].

How does that sound to you?

So far I have not been disappointed.

Sometimes I know the country that I am travelling to and will make all of my own arrangements but that is more rare than common.

Woodie

For me...it was distance and time. I usually completely research and organize every detail via books and the web but in the case of our first trip to Argentina, I was having difficulty getting responses...had issues getting my arms around itineraries and options. I used an agent for an itinerary outside BA and was well worth it!! ...a process of giving up some control for peace of mind.

I don't know if using a travel agent on my Argentina trip saved significantly in terms of money; but, she made the trip a pleasure. I highly recommend Cintia Stella of WOW! Argentina. She guided me in making my choices and handled the glitches (delayed connecting flights) when they arose. I only had a limited amount of time and I didn't want to waste a single second of it dealing with hassles.
I normally do all my own planning, but this was a special trip and Cintia made it perfect.

The best now days is to visit with a TA that specialized in one area...that is when they become very handy!!

Most of the time they make about 15% average for every booking at each hotel, rent a car, etc..

We normally travel independently.
We used a S. American specialtist for this first trip to the area.
It took considerable hassle out of visiting 4 cities over two weeks to have hotels arranged and be greeted and taken to the airport in each city.
And we had a contact in each city for questions and advice.
Not sure of the extra cost but great for a first time visit. Next time we will do on our own because we now know the customs.

Im a Tourism Guide and you can ask me, I'll try to do the best for you! my e-mail is emn50@hotmail.com

I am new around here, but we just returned from Bs As where we used an agent. I would say it is not necessary per se, but we were happy with ours.

Think of it this way: if someone were visiting your city for the first time do you think you could provide valuable information on what to see and do, or where not to go?

I don't know where you live, but I bet you know more about your city than a visitor!

We used a travel agent (Cintia Stella of WOW! Argentina) and benefited in several ways:

1- Unlike the big bus tours of the major European capitols, their "tours" are very small and tailored to your interests and schedule. This allows for much more 2-way conversation and a richer travel experience. Also, there is no feeling of regimentation that one might have with a large group tour.

2- Their planning saves you valuable time while actually in Argentina. In other words, you don't have to take valuable sightseeing time to figure out what your next step will be and how to get there. You still go where you want, when you want, but it is planned, by you, in advance, and there is less wasted time.

3- You have someone ready to render emergency assistance if a glitch threatens your travel plans. This did happen to us and our travel agent was available on a Saturday night to step in and make all the necessary adjustments to our itinerary. This is somewhat difficult to do when you don't speak Spanish. The peace of mind we gained was much appreciated.

One of our fellow stranded passengers was due to return to the United States late that evening, but the delayed Aerolineas flight from Iguazú to Buenos Aires prevented him from making his international flight connection on Continental. Aerolineas did not want to compensate him in any way for what had happened, but his travel agent got them a good hotel room for two nights in Buenos Aires, at no cost to the travelers. It is clear that his travel agent had some clout with the airline.

I know there are many fine travel agents in Buenos Aires, but our experience with Cintia Stella of WOW! Argentina was very positive and professional. We would definitely use her again for a future trip.

If a traveler is only going to Buenos Aires and not going to have time to do any out of city traveling is it still necessary to have a travel agent? I usually do all of my own bookings and have not in recent years found that travel agents are necessary or provide a savings. Is it different for Argentina?

U can plan everything on your own for a trip to BA. Hotels can all be booked via the internet or if need be u can call. If you're interested in any day tours etc, u can also do that via the internet or upon arrival. I think sometimes the TA's have deals with various hotels and they can save u some $$ if you book thru them. Some TA's also charge a fee for their services so that offsets any savings u might get with their hotel discount.

Hello clair_david2:

Why use a travel agent?

First let me tell you that I am not nor have ever been a travel agent or in the travel business.

Your post appears to focus on cost and saving money and I am certainly in favour of saving money.

BUT

Money is only half of the bargain. What you get for that money is the other half.

I like to do my own travel research and I spend quite a bit of time and effort doing so. AFTER that, I present my plan to an agent I hope is good. Now their expertise is to help me get what I want and am paying for is the other half of the bargain.

I may or may not save a bit or spend a bit more but in the overall, I hope to get what I want and am paying for.

Let me say it this way. If I were a motor mechanic, would I want to take out my own appendix? Would I prefer to hire an expert?

I see a good travel agent as that expert for my travel.

Up to now, I have mostly [never 100%] been satisfied with a travel agent.

Their income is derived from sales commissions and if need be, from fees that I pay directly to them.

More than once, I have followed some specific recommended item and later been very happy to have had that expert's advice.

No agent can decide what you personally like. That is why I do my own research first, pick out some of my travel plan and then get an agent to advise and book.

I do believe that they earn their money. If they are not good, I will not use them again nor will I recommend them on this and other boards. I hope to get the same information from other travelers.

I like to use an agent at the place or country I want to travel to. They should know their own back yard.

That is my take on using a travel agent.

Woodie