IF there is a travel agent qualified (and willing/able) to find a good airfare rate, they're not in my town!
When I told the "best" travel agent in a suburb of Dallas (got a dozen referrals for this specific travel agent) told her we needed cheap tickets to denver to get our 5 year old son medical testing/treatment, she told me there are NO cheap tickets, that I'd pay less going directly to the airline website or priceline. She had no desire to even try to find a good bargain, instead insisting that she prefers to do travel for people with a larger budget...
That was my first and only dealing with a travel agent, but I was not impressed. Dont plan to ever contact one again, if that is their attitude. I can put more energy and time in my travel than they will.