There’s something I want to share — not as a sales pitch, but as honest insight into what it really means to work with a travel advisor.
One question that often comes up is: Why do some travel advisors charge a fee while others do not?
The answer is simple — every advisor structures their business differently.
Currently, I have stepped back from charging planning fees. That could change again in the future, because this is a business, and like any business, it has to make sense financially. But for now, when you work with me, there is no upfront fee.
Here’s what many travelers don’t realize:
Whether or not your travel advisor charges a fee, they do not get paid by the supplier until after you travel.
They are paid by the supplier — the hotel, cruise line, tour company, etc. — at no additional cost to you.
And here’s the important part:
That supplier keeps the commission themselves if you book directly with them and not through a travel advisor.
So whether you use a travel advisor or not… you are paying for one.
The only difference is who you choose to support.
What Happens When You “Shop” Your Advisor
If you work with a travel advisor who does not charge a fee, they spend time:
- Researching properties
- Comparing suppliers
- Checking promotions
- Confirming availability
- Answering questions
- Customizing your itinerary
And then you decide to take that quote and book it yourself?
That advisor makes nothing.
No compensation.
No commission.
No payment for hours of work.
Imagine going to your job, putting in the time and effort, and then being told you won’t be paid for it.
That is exactly how a travel advisor feels when a client ghosts them and books on their own.
And when you do that, the commission doesn’t disappear — it simply goes to a large corporation who you book your trip with, like Expedia or Marriott International, instead of supporting a small business.
“But I Found a Cheaper Price…”
If price is your only objective, you may not fully understand the value of a travel advisor — and that’s okay. Many people don’t understand the value until they need one.
Until a hurricane changes their destination plans.
Until flights are grounded for 24 hours.
Until a snowstorm cancels departures.
Until they spend hours on hold trying to rebook with thousands of other travelers.
That’s usually when someone says:
“I wish I had used a travel advisor.”
We’re Not Just Travel Agents
We are advisors.
We:
- Visit properties and destinations
- Build relationships with hotel contacts
- Attend supplier trainings
- Stay current on industry changes
- Know which suppliers are best for which type of vacation
- Match experiences to individual clients
Not every vacation is the same.
Not every traveler is the same.
And that’s exactly why working with an advisor matters.
This Is Our Career
Travel advising isn’t a hobby.
It’s not “just booking trips.”
It’s a profession. One we take seriously. One we invest time, training, and energy into.
And like anyone else, we deserve to be paid for the work we do.
So the next time you work with a travel advisor and then see a “shiny deal” online, pause for a moment.
Ask yourself:
Would I want to work for free?
If the answer is no, then give your advisor the opportunity to match it, explain it, or improve it for you.
Support small businesses.
Value expertise.
Understand the difference between price and value.
Because when things go smoothly, it feels easy.
But when they don’t — that’s when a travel advisor becomes priceless.
JZW Travel Blog 