Calling all Travel Agents. Do you charge a planning fee? Why or why not?
I had a prospective client, an attorney who wanted me to plan his honeymoon. After batting around a few ideas through email, I gently informed him that there would be a planning fee, which would be deducted from the cost of the trip when he booked with me but is non-refundable otherwise.
The trip he wanted was very expensive and would require a ton of research to make it perfect. I love the research part of my business, but not when they take my hard work to book somewhere else.
The trip he wanted was very expensive and would require a ton of research to make it perfect. I love the research part of my business, but not when they take my hard work to book somewhere else.
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Answers (41-50)
I only charge fees for Destination Weddings but if a honeymoon is intricate I would
We all should but most clients don't get it. I have a hard time with fees. We do the work, give them info and they book online.
Not if they want to do ministry! This is what we do!
Because I have just one rental on my property, I love to make it special at no extra charge.
If you know from the outset that it is going to take a lot of time, I would not continue until you receive a planning fee. If he is an attorney, and it's an expensive trip, he should not have a problem paying. After all, don't attorneys require "retainer fees." If he says something, tell him that!
Only for air and FITs. My clients will be advised up front and credited the fee with final payment.
Yes, absolutely! You are bringing your expertise and time to the table and you need to be paid for that. A true professional who asks you to do this for them will have no problem paying this since they will know the value. If they start to balk, then that is a good sign that you don't want their business since they are going to have you do all the research, present it, and then will go will go on their own and try and do it cheaper. Don't go forward with them until you get a fee. You deserve this!
We do not charge a planning fee. Our goal is to provide a valuable fun experience at a reasonable price.
No, we do not charge a planning fee for individual requests. I qualify the prospective clients prior to any research. I can usually tell if they are tire kickers....
There are not a lot of companies that charge a fee up front. Someone mentioned, Doctors, Lawyers, Coach, Therapists, etc. I have never been charged a fee prior to my services with any of these and would never pay a fee if they asked. The payment is made after I received my service, the same with my business.
However, if I have a large group or a destination wedding that involves a lot of planning and time. We have a contract and a non-refundable fee is charged. Many times the bride/groom or parents change their minds or the entire trip.
I agree , the service fee is your knowledge your time,
we are wholesale company . I always advice my agent to add service fee for their research . client will appreciate the knowledge and the effort when he'll realize he can't make his trip happened without professional travel agent
respect your time and your knowledge and if client disappear. another value one respect your time and effort will contact you .