I’m a Travel Agent: 5 Plane Tickets I Always Buy
Written by
Martin Dasko
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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According to a recent survey from Marriott Bonvoy, a surprising number of Americans plan to travel in 2026, with 91% of respondents stating that they intend to explore at some point during the year. About half (49%) of respondents said they planned to travel more in 2026 than in 2025, and 67% said they would prioritize trips over material purchases.
If you want to take a trip in 2026, you’ll likely want to ensure that you can stretch your dollars and ensure that you get the best experience possible so that you don’t regret spending the money. This is why GOBankingRates consulted with travel agents and other travel professionals to determine what kinds of plane tickets they felt were worth buying.
What five plane tickets do travel agents and experts always feel are worth buying?
Premium Economy Seats
“While costing about 40 to 70% more than basic economy, seats in premium economy offer a smoother and more restful experience,” said Steven Vigor, travel advisor and CEO at Revigorate. “That’s the difference between arriving rested and completely exhausted.”
He believes that spending the money on a better seat means that you’re paying a premium in exchange for a day that you won’t spend on recovering instead of enjoying your vacation. While Vigor acknowledges that basic economy seats can be attractive because they are less expensive, they may come with a hidden cost because these travelers aren’t factoring in flexibility and hidden fees.
“It looks like a great deal, but in reality, you’ll still need to pay for baggage and seat selection, with no flexibility. On long-haul flights, I actively advise against basic economy since the restrictions and discomfort simply aren’t worth it,” he added. Vigor advises his clients to buy plane tickets with built-in flexibility and additional comfort on the flight.
Julian Kheel, a travel expert and founder and CEO of Points Path, elaborated, “I always buy tickets that give me flexibility, because the ability to change or cancel without a huge penalty is far more valuable than saving a few bucks upfront.”
He also shared that pretty much any airfare above the most basic one provides at least the ability to rebook or cancel for a future travel credit without paying an extra fee.
Flights Through Airlines
“Plans change more often than you’d expect, and paying more upfront can actually save you hundreds later,” remarked Vigor. “Not to mention the reduced stress. That’s also why I always book through the airlines directly. If any disruptions occur, direct bookings are much easier to manage.”
The annoying truth is that when you book through a third party, you may get a slightly better deal, but it can be a complete hassle when it comes time to make any changes. Dealing with third parties can be time-consuming, as they have to clear everything with the airline, which adds more communication and layers of management.
Kheel stressed that people will buy flights through third-party agencies, thinking that they’re landing the best deal, but the real savings are available with hotels.
“When you book direct, it’s dramatically easier to deal with changes and refunds, and you don’t really save much, if anything, by booking with another company,” he explained.
Flexible Tickets for International Clients
Christian Petzold, the European travel expert and marketing director at CityTrip Travel, noted that he prefers flexible tickets for international clients.
“Let’s say if a person is traveling from New York to London or even to Tokyo, then the difference of a refundable ticket by $200 to $300 could be justifiable because it permits the changes without the enormous fees that could be at times $200 to $400 for non-refundable tickets,” he elaborated.
He found that Delta and Southwest often present these options in “comfort” or “plus” classes, which can be cheaper after you factor in the add-ons. When you’re flying for long hours and dealing with multiple countries, you want to ensure that you have some flexibility in case anything goes wrong at any point.
Airlines With Strong Performance for Punctuality
Petzold closely monitors flight reliability and recommends airlines such as Alaska Airlines and Singapore Airlines for their high on-time performance on international flights. He emphasized that delays or cancellations can be disruptive, triggering a chain of events such as missed connections and additional hotel costs. When he books flight tickets for international clients, he prioritizes airlines known for on-time flights.
Tickets From Airline With Global Alliances
Petzold finds that tickets from airlines with global alliances like Star Alliance or Oneworld are considered by travelers to be the same as getting points and benefits, which can be redeemed for upgrades, lounge access or future flights. As a result, slightly higher fares become more valuable for frequent flyers who are looking to get the most out of their experience.
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