Travel Planning Fees Explained
The Value of a Travel Advisor
Why We Charge Planning Fees
Your vacation deserves more than a booking... it deserves expert planning.
When you work with a professional travel advisor, you’re not simply paying someone to make a reservation. You’re investing in expertise, personalized research, thoughtful planning, and having an experienced professional in your corner.
Our advisors spend hundreds of hours each year building that expertise through destination training, supplier education, ship inspections, resort visits, industry conferences, and firsthand travel experiences. We continually invest in learning so we can recommend experiences based on knowledge not just what appears in a search result.
Our planning fees compensate us for the professional time and expertise required to plan your trip.
They allow us to research options, compare alternatives, create customized itineraries, coordinate complex arrangements, manage airfare, and provide personalized support throughout the planning process.
They also allow us to help with travel services that may not provide compensation to a travel advisor. Rather than limiting the time and attention we can dedicate to these arrangements, our service fees allow us to provide the same level of care across your entire trip.
What You’re Paying For
- Peace of mind. From the first conversation to the final details of your journey, you have a knowledgeable professional helping you along the way.
- Expertise. We know the destinations, cruise lines, resorts, tour operators, and travel products we recommend.
- Time. We do the research and coordination so you don't have to spend hours searching, comparing, and figuring out the details yourself.
- Personalization. Your vacation is planned around your preferences, priorities, and travel style—not a one-size-fits-all itinerary.
- Problem-solving. Travel doesn't always go according to plan. Having a professional who understands your trip and can help you navigate changes can be invaluable.
Our goal isn't simply to book your vacation. It's to help you make the most of it.
Fee Structure
Custom Itineraries
$150 per 7 days of travel (per booking)
This fee applies when we create a fully customized itinerary that requires individual research, planning, and coordination rather than booking a pre-packaged vacation. Examples of custom travel include, but is not limited to:
- Multi-city itineraries
- Customized rail journeys
- Tailor-made international travel
- Vacations combining multiple travel styles or suppliers
Cruise and Pre-packaged Planning Fee
$50 per booking (credited back upon booking)
Pre-packaged vacations such as cruises, escorted tours, all-inclusive resorts, and vacation packages are credited to your booking.
Flight Management Fee
$40 per traveler, per flight reservation
This fee applies to airfare booked and managed by our associates. It covers the professional time required to:
- Research and compare flight options
- Coordinate schedules and connections
- Monitor airline schedule changes
- Assist with operational changes before departure
This is a flat fee regardless of the airfare purchased. This fee does not apply when airfare is purchased as part of a cruise, escorted tour, vacation package, or all-inclusive resort package where air arrangements are managed by the supplier.
Non-Commissionable Components
15% of the component cost
Some travel services do not provide compensation to travel advisors. When arranging these components, a professional service fee equal to 15% of the total component cost will be charged. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Rail tickets
- Theatre and entertainment tickets
- Sporting event tickets
- Certain sightseeing tours
- Other non-commissionable travel services
This fee allows us to provide the same level of planning, coordination, and support for these arrangements as we do for all other aspects of your vacation.
Cancellation Fee
$35 per traveler
Should you choose to cancel your reservation, a cancellation service fee of $35 per traveler will apply. This fee is separate from and in addition to any cancellation penalties, supplier fees, forfeited deposits, or other charges assessed by airlines, cruise lines, hotels, tour operators, or other travel suppliers.
Note: Dream Vacations is a network of independent franchise owners, specific fees can vary by franchisee. Always confirm pricing directly with your specific travel advisor before booking.
