Travel agents are usually an enterprising lot. They are quite dedicated to helping the client book the vacation they request, and they are quite dedicated to making their commissions, after all, that's their living. But, what does that mean for the client that wants discount travel reservations? Well, you'll get whatever "discount" the travel agent wishes to pass along to you as the consumer--nothing more. Why? The agent is driven by commissions, and a lot of discount travel reservations outlets don't pay travel agents for booking their services. Why? They don't want to pay commissions--they'd rather pass the savings directly on to the consumer. There are exceptions, where some discount travel reservations outlets will pay a bounty to a travel agent, but they'd rather not, and some won't allow it. Therefore, your travel agent will steer you away from such places (some travel agents will pass on such knowledge, and if you have one like that--hang on to them tight!). However, for the most part, discount travel reservations are the travel agent's nemesis, and understandably so; but, as a consumer with a limited budget, you'd better get discount travel reservations working for you, even if it means leaving the travel agent behind.