Travel advisors get paid commissions on their bookings so why should they charge fees? Since Covid began, more travel agents have started charging fees. They could range from $100 up to $1000 and more depending on the number of travelers, if it is group travel, the destination and so many more factors.
Why do travel advisors charge fees?
Most of our work is done on the front end. We spend hours researching a vacation for a client as we want the perfect vacation for them. Then many times we get ghosted by the client. They take what we give them and think they could save a penny or two and book on their own. Those are the first people to contact us when their flights get canceled and they need help. By charging a nominal fee, that shows the travel advisor that these clients are truly interested in working with them and they understand the value of the travel advisor.
What is that value?
We not only look for the best pricing but we are also your “concierge” before, during and after the vacation. We know the resorts that will Covid test on site for your return to the States. We know which resorts will quarantine you on site should you test positive for Covid. Picture testing positive the day before you are supposed to leave for the US and the hotel tells you that they don’t allow travelers testing positive for Covid on their grounds and you need to find another place to stay. Yes that has happened and until the US drops the return Covid test requirement, that is something travel advisors think about it and offer you the resorts that allow you to quarantine on site.
Some more reasons for fees, if you book with the travel advisor and cancel the trip, all those hours of work are for nothing as the travel advisor does not get paid their commissions. So that nominal fee assures that the travel advisor will receive some compensation for their time.
You are paying for their expertise. Anyone can go on the internet and book travel but these advisors have been to the resorts/hotels or have extensively researched them. Just as paying for an accountant’s expertise rather than doing your own taxes.
We know that many people work all year to save for one week of vacation. It is a time for you to unwind and relax. If you book on your own and there are flight delays/cancellations or issues at the hotel, do you want to spend your time on the phone trying to rectify the problems? Or do you want to contact the travel advisor to handle everything for you? If you are spending thousands on that vacation or if you are hosting a destination wedding, that nominal fee by the travel advisor may just be worth it.
JZW Travel Blog 