A travel specialist's main revenue is from commissions vendors pay on vacation packages, cruises, and other add-ons. Airlines do not pay a commission.
Many travel specialists will only offer the options that result in the highest compensation for themselves. While it makes sense that the advisor would want to maximize his or her income (after all, when you work, you want to get paid as well), this practice does not lead to the best client experience. That is why I charge an upfront planning fee to cover the time I spent creating your custom itinerary and planning the logistics.
You can be assured that when I present your itinerary, you are receiving the best options for you.
While it is true that you can book your own travel itinerary online, there are a number of reasons to use a travel specialist. The first reason is that a travel specialist will save you time and energy researching the best possible and most reputable tour companies and vendors to get you the best rates. Also when you book online, it does not take into account any current travel restrictions, advisories, or whether or not the place you want to travel to requires visas or not. The second reason is that travel specialists have access to better deals that are not available to the general public and can be an immense value when it comes to coordinating a group booking or a family getaway. The third reason is that travel specialists are always in training to stay up to date on destinations, travel news and updates, and the latest travel trends.