Short answer: some do, and many don't. Most travel advisors are paid a commission by the hotels, resorts, cruise lines and tour companies they book. Some also charge a planning fee for certain trips. At J.Rich Travel, at this time, I don't charge a planning fee. It's right on my homepage: No Fees Ever.
It's one of the first questions people ask me, and it's a fair one. Nobody wants a surprise bill for help they thought was free. So here is exactly how it works: how advisors get paid, why some charge fees, and what you can expect when you plan with me.
How travel agents get paid
Commission from suppliers
When a hotel, resort, cruise line or tour company gets a booking through a travel advisor, it pays that advisor a commission for bringing it the business. If you book directly instead, the supplier simply keeps that money. The commission is already built into the supplier's pricing, so booking through an advisor doesn't add it to your bill. You generally pay the same price whether you book with me or directly.
Commission is usually earned after you travel, not when you book. Practically, that means your advisor has every reason to make sure your trip actually happens and goes well.
Why I work with Fora
I'm an independent travel advisor of Fora Travel, my host agency. Fora handles the industry credentials, supplier relationships and back-office work. That gives me access to booking tools and partner programs a one-person business couldn't build alone. You still work with me, start to finish. Fora is simply the support behind the scenes, and it doesn't change what you pay.
Why some advisors charge planning fees
Some advisors do charge a planning, consultation or concierge fee, and that's a legitimate business choice. Trade groups like ASTA (the American Society of Travel Advisors) support professional fees, because commissions have shrunk or disappeared for some kinds of travel, and custom planning takes real time. You'll most often see fees for:
- Complex, multi-stop itineraries with a lot of moving parts
- Flight-only bookings. Many airline tickets pay advisors little or no commission.
- Non-commissionable travel, like domestic airline tickets and some boutique hotels
- Ongoing corporate travel management or retainer-style service
A quick note on vacation homes, since they're often lumped in here: many of them can be booked through an advisor. Some vacation homes, including certain Vrbo properties, are available through Expedia and Expedia TAAP, and through Fora's luxury villa and home partners I have access to many beautiful, high-end vacation homes around the world. The same goes for tours: through Fora partners, I can book multiday tours, trips run by DMCs (destination management companies, local experts who handle the on-the-ground details like transfers, guides and private experiences), and day tours and activities through partners like Viator. If a private villa or a guided adventure is what you have in mind, just ask.
Common setups include a one-time consultation fee, a set price per trip, a monthly or yearly retainer, or a fee plus commission. None of these is wrong. Any advisor who charges a fee should tell you upfront what it is and what it covers, before you commit.
Does it cost more to book with a travel agent?
It shouldn't. For hotels, resorts, cruises and vacation packages, you generally see the same price through me that you'd see booking direct. Most of the public discounts and promotions you see online, like seasonal sales and limited-time offers, still apply when you book with me. On cruises, I book at the line's published rates, and any public offers still apply. A few deals, such as some hotel member rates, are only for booking direct, and I'll tell you when that's the case. On many hotels, booking through my Fora affiliation can add perks on eligible stays. I can't promise extras on every trip, because rates and availability change, but I always look.
What you do get every time is the service: I do the research and comparing so you don't have to, give you honest advice on what fits, keep watching for new public promotions after you book, and stay your one contact if plans change.
Perks through partner programs
Through my affiliation with Fora, many luxury and lifestyle hotels around the world offer added perks on eligible stays, such as daily breakfast, a hotel credit or a room upgrade when one is available. Perks vary by property and are never guaranteed, so I'll confirm what applies to your hotel and dates before you book.
Cruises work a little differently. Cruise fares are generally the same as booking directly with the cruise line, but on select non-Disney sailings I'm sometimes able to add onboard credit. Like hotel perks, onboard credit isn't guaranteed and depends on the sailing, so I'll let you know what's available before you book.
What about flights?
Here's my honest take on air.
- Groups: group fares can sometimes be a good value. An advisor can request a group fare from the airline when several people are flying together. Fares usually start low and climb as seats sell, so requesting a group fare early can help, especially when everyone is flying from the same city.
- Individual flights: for one or two travelers, booking directly with the airline is usually the more competitive choice, and I'll tell you so.
- Where I'm glad to compare: some First and Business Class fares, and most international flights. Those are worth a second look, so send them my way.
- Using points? Book through whoever holds your points, usually the airline or your credit card's travel portal. That's the simplest way to get full value from them.
My fee policy at J.Rich Travel
Here's how it works when you plan with me:
- No planning fee. At this time, I don't charge for planning, quotes or booking. I'm paid by the suppliers, so there's nothing extra for you to pay me.
- No change, cancellation or rebooking fees from me. If your plans change, I won't add a fee of my own.
- Supplier policies still apply. Hotels, resorts and cruise lines set their own cancellation and change policies, deposits and payment schedules. I'll walk you through them before you book so nothing catches you off guard.
- Groups and incentive trips: deposit requirements are set by each supplier. For larger groups, the group contract spells out the deposit amount and due dates. I'll review those terms with you before anything is signed.
That holds whether you're planning:
- A cruise: ocean, river or small-ship. If cruising close to home appeals to you, read Supporting Local Businesses Through Cruising: The American Cruise Lines Advantage or Virgin Voyages Food & Fitness.
- A family reunion or national park trip: like Yellowstone for a multi-generational family reunion.
- A friends' getaway: see Budget-Friendly Friends Group Trip Planning.
- Business or incentive travel: see Incentive Trips for Companies, What a $3,000 Incentive Trip Budget Actually Covers and Frequent Small-Group Business Travel.
For more on what working with an advisor looks like, read Why Choose a Travel Agent?
What "no planning fee" looks like in practice
Say you're planning a cruise, a park trip, or a weekend getaway. Here's how it usually goes:
- We talk. I ask who's coming, what matters to everyone, your dates and your budget.
- I research and quote. I narrow the options to ones that actually fit and send you a clear quote.
- You decide. If something isn't quite right, we adjust. There's no pressure and no fee for revisions.
- I book and keep track. I handle the booking, watch payment dates and help with documents.
- I'm there while you travel. If plans change, you have one person to call who already knows your trip.
Questions to ask any travel advisor about fees
Whether you book with me or someone else, these questions give you a clear picture:
- Do you charge a planning, consultation or booking fee? When is it due, and is it refundable?
- Do you charge your own fee for changes or cancellations, on top of the supplier's policy?
- How are you paid on this trip: commission, fee or both?
- Do you book flights, and when is it better for me to book them myself?
- Who do I call if something goes wrong while I'm traveling?
A good advisor will answer every one of these without hesitating.
FAQ
Do travel agents charge a fee?
Some do and many don't. Most advisors are paid commission by the hotel, resort, cruise line or tour company. Some add planning fees for complex or non-commissionable trips. At this time, J.Rich Travel doesn't charge a planning fee.
How do travel agents get paid if they don't charge a fee?
Suppliers pay the advisor a commission for bringing them the business, usually after you travel. If you book directly, the supplier keeps that money, so it isn't added to your bill.
Is it cheaper to book with a travel agent?
For hotels, resorts, cruises and packages, you generally pay the same price as booking direct. On hotels, advisors can often add perks on eligible stays through their host agency's partner programs. On cruises, the fare usually matches the line's published rate. None of that is guaranteed on every booking.
Do travel agents cost more than booking yourself?
Not for commissionable travel. If an advisor charges a planning fee, they should tell you upfront.
Should I book my flights through a travel agent?
For individual domestic flights, booking directly with the airline is usually more competitive. Groups, some First and Business Class fares, and many international flights are worth comparing with an advisor. If you're using points, book through whoever holds them.
Do you charge change or cancellation fees?
I don't charge my own. The supplier's cancellation and change policies still apply, and I'll explain them before you book.
Can I book a Disney vacation through a travel advisor for the same price?
Generally, yes. Disney sets its own vacation prices, and advisors book at those same rates, with access to the same publicly available offers. An advisor can also help you choose dates, resorts or staterooms, add dining and park reservations once your window opens, and watch for new offers that may apply to your booking. Any advisor service fee is separate and disclosed before you book. Prices and offers are subject to change.
Ready to plan, with no planning fee?
Tell me where you want to go, when, who's coming and your budget, and I'll send you the best options I can find. Cruises, family reunions, friends' getaways, business incentives: I'd love to help you plan it, start to finish.
Plan and book with Jolene at J.Rich Travel.
Featured image: Photo by Matthew Stephenson on Unsplash
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