I don’t always charge fees. At this point in my career, I have a good sense of when something will be easy and when something will be more complex. But when I do charge, my fee is an investment in your travel experience. This model also helps me put together the best trip for you, instead of prioritizing the partners that pay the biggest commissions. My fee covers:

• My time and expertise: I dedicate countless hours to researching destinations, negotiating with suppliers, and creating a personalized itinerary that meets your unique needs and preferences.

• Pre-trip preparation like customized day-by-day itineraries, destination tips, and even packing or tipping guidance.

• Smart ways of doing things that save you money: If I can humble brag for a second, I’m very good at this travel planning stuff! And I am quite analytical when it comes to investing your money in a trip. Visiting the Warner Bros. Studios in London for a Harry Potter tour is a great example of this. A lot of travel agents will book you on an expensive bus tour. I have a much better way of doing this that will save you money, although it’s not commissionable to me. My planning fee covers scenarios like this so I can act in your best interests instead of always considering my bottomline.

• Providing restaurant recommendations. It takes time to put together the right suggestions for each client I work with. I consider distance from your hotel and your tastes.

• Booking train tickets and ferry bookings: These reservations require coordination and precision, but come with zero commission for me.

• Peace of mind: Knowing you have an expert travel advisor on your side provides peace of mind throughout the entire travel planning process.

Charging a fee ensures that I can pull together you travel plans in the best possible way, ultimately resulting in a more rewarding and stress-free travel experience for you.

It’s hard to comment on another travel agent’s model. If I’m just booking a cruise or hotel for a client, I usually don’t charge anything. But most things I do are thoughtful and customized to my clients; they are not off-the-shelf packages. In these instances, I charge. This covers my time in customizing the itinerary, making the right choices for you, and it also cements our relationship. Truthfully, in the old days, I worked on a lot of trips that never happened or trips where the clients never responded to their proposal. Charging a small upfront fee keeps my business more focused. And it also helps me prioritize the best options for your trip instead of the partners that pay the biggest commissions.