Nigerians do not buy anything without asking questions. We ask the tomato seller where the tomatoes came from, we ask the mechanic what exactly he changed, and we ask the landlord three times about the "service charge". Yet when it comes to booking a trip abroad, some people hand over thousands of naira to a travel agency they met on a flyer and a friend's recommendation. A good travel agency can save you time, money and a lot of stress. A bad one can leave you stranded with a ticket that does not exist. The difference is often just a handful of questions asked before you pay.
This guide gives you 10 questions to ask any travel agency before you book, plus what a good answer should sound like, so you can travel with confidence instead of crossed fingers.
If you are still getting your papers together, read our guide on the documents you need to travel abroad from Nigeria in 2026 first, then come back here to choose who to book with.
Why Choosing the Right Travel Agency Matters
Not every office with a nice signboard and a polite receptionist is a reliable travel agency. Anyone can print a banner, open an Instagram page and call themselves a "travel consultant". We have all seen the page with 40,000 followers and no phone number.
A trustworthy travel agency does more than sell tickets. It confirms your booking, explains the terms, helps when plans change and stays reachable when something goes wrong at 2 a.m. Before you pay anyone, put these questions to them. A good agency will answer without fuss, and a shaky one will suddenly remember an urgent meeting.
The 10 Questions to Ask a Travel Agency Before You Book
1. Are you a registered business, and can I visit your office?
A real travel agency has a registered business name, a physical address and people you can reach. "Come to our DM" is not an office. Ask for the company name and registration details, and check that the address exists. A confident agency will happily tell you where to find them.
2. How can I reach you if something goes wrong?
Trips rarely fail at a convenient hour. Flights get delayed, bags go missing and connections get missed. Ask about support hours, phone lines and WhatsApp. An agency that replies quickly before you pay but disappears afterwards is not one to trust. With Alphaa Africa, you can reach a specialist by WhatsApp, phone or email, and our team is available for support throughout your journey.
3. What is the total price, and what does it include?
Ask for the full amount, not just the exciting headline number. Find out whether it covers taxes, airport charges, service fees and baggage. Nobody likes to hear "oh, that one is extra" after paying. A good travel agency shows fares and fees upfront, and tells you clearly if a price changes before you pay.
4. Can I get a booking reference (PNR) I can verify with the airline?
A ticket is only real if the airline recognises it. Ask for your PNR and confirm it directly on the airline's website or with the airline. Our FAQ explains when you receive your ticket or PNR after booking, so you know what to expect.
5. What are your payment methods and account details?
Be careful when anyone asks you to send money to a personal account. Ask what payment options are available, and make sure the account name matches the business. Secure online payment and clear receipts are good signs.
6. What is your refund, change and cancellation policy?
Plans change. Visas get delayed, weddings move and jobs shift. Ask what happens if you need to change your date or cancel. Get the answer in writing, and read the airline's own fare rules too. A good travel agency explains the terms honestly, even the parts you would prefer not to hear.
7. Can you help with my visa, and what exactly do you do?
Some agencies only sell tickets, while others guide you through the visa process. Ask what is included. Does the agency review your documents, help you complete the forms and advise on supporting papers? Be careful with anyone who promises a guaranteed visa, because only the embassy decides. Our visa assistance service helps you prepare a complete, accurate application, while the final decision always rests with the embassy.
8. Do you handle more than flights?
If you also need a place to stay, an airport pickup or a full holiday plan, it helps to have one team handling everything instead of five different people. Ask whether the agency offers hotels, car hire and holiday packages. One point of contact means fewer missed messages and fewer "I thought you were handling that" moments.
9. Can I speak to someone who has used your service?
Reviews matter, but look for real, specific ones rather than a wall of identical praise. Ask for references or look at customer feedback across more than one platform. Alphaa Africa shares verified traveller reviews from customers in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt on our homepage, so you can see real experiences before you decide.
10. Will a real person help me if I get stuck?
Automated replies are fine for simple questions, but travel gets complicated fast. Ask whether a human travel specialist will pick up when you have a problem, such as a confusing visa form or a fare that does not look right. At Alphaa Africa, a travel specialist takes over when you message us, wherever you are.
Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away
Sometimes the answers matter less than how the agency reacts to your questions. Walk away if you notice any of these:
- Pressure to pay immediately: "The price will go up in ten minutes" is a sales tactic, not a reason to skip your checks.
- Prices far below everyone else: If every other quote is close and one is half the price, ask why before you celebrate.
- Payment into a personal account: A genuine travel agency should be able to explain its payment process clearly.
- No PNR or ticket proof: If they cannot show a booking reference you can verify, do not pay.
- Guaranteed visa approval: No agency controls an embassy's decision.
- Vague or hidden terms: If the refund policy is "we will see", you already have your answer.
Your instincts matter here. If something feels off, take a day to think about it. A good travel agency will still be there tomorrow.
Your Travel Agency Checklist
Save this list on your phone and run through it before you pay any travel agency:
- Registered business with a real, verifiable address
- Phone, WhatsApp and support hours confirmed
- Total price, taxes and fees explained in full
- Booking reference (PNR) shared and verified with the airline
- Payment details match the business name
- Refund, change and cancellation terms received in writing
- Clear explanation of what visa support covers, with no guarantees
- Hotels, transfers and packages available if you need them
- Real customer reviews checked
- A named person you can contact if something goes wrong
Keep digital and printed copies of your receipts, tickets and messages with the agency. If a dispute ever comes up, paperwork will speak louder than "but he promised me on WhatsApp".
Ask First, Pay Later
Choosing a travel agency is one of the most important decisions in your trip, and it deserves the same energy you would give to inspecting a used car. Ask the questions, listen to the answers and notice how the agency handles being questioned. The right travel agency will welcome your curiosity because it has nothing to hide. Take your time, trust the evidence over the excitement, and book with people who treat your trip like it matters, because it does.
How Alphaa Africa Travel & Tours Can Help You Travel With Confidence
When you are comparing every travel agency in town, you deserve a team that answers your questions plainly. Alphaa Africa Travel & Tours combines self-service booking with real human support, so you can search and book flights, add hotels or chauffeured cars, explore curated holiday packages and get visa assistance in one place. Fares and fees are shown upfront, and a travel specialist is always available when you need help.
Have a question for us before you book? Our team is ready on WhatsApp and through our contact page, and you can find quick answers in our FAQs. Go ahead and ask us all 10 questions.
