07/15/2025
Ask an Agent Wednesday
Let’s break out of the mid-month slump with a travel question that’s on your mind!
Here’s a question I hear often:
“Why do some travel agents charge fees and others don’t?”
Let’s break it down:
Types of Travel Agent Fees:
1. Service Fee
This covers the time and expertise your agent invests in building a personalized trip—gathering options, making adjustments, communicating with multiple vendors, and working to match your vision with the right experiences.
Think of this like hiring a wedding planner. You wouldn’t expect them to coordinate venues, photographers, and caterers for free—you’re paying for their time, skill, and ability to make the pieces fit.
2. Plan-to-Go Fee
This is similar to a retainer. It’s a non-refundable fee, but in many cases, it can be applied toward your final trip balance or even returned in the form of a post-travel thank-you (like a gift card).
A better analogy? It’s like booking an appointment with a specialist—you’re holding time on their calendar for personalized attention.
3. No Fee
Some agents don’t charge fees because they expect to be compensated through commissions from cruise lines, hotels, or tour companies.
It’s a bit like pulling off the highway and stopping at your favorite rest stop café—they’re there, with the hope you’ll order something. But there’s no charge just for asking.
So why the difference?
Just like any professional, travel agents choose the business model that allows them to balance time, service, and sustainability. Some trips require hours of research and planning before a client ever books—so an agent needs to decide what’s fair for their business and their travelers.
At the end of the day, we love helping our clients create their next best memory!
It’s a little bittersweet when one takes the plan we’ve put together and books it on their own—but that’s part of why some agents charge fees: to honor the time, care, and expertise that go into every itinerary, even when the booking doesn’t happen through us.
Have a question?
Send it my way—you just might see it featured in next month’s Ask an Agent Wednesday!
