Why We Charge a Travel Planning Fee
At Live Love Drink Travel, we believe exceptional travel is not built by algorithms. It is crafted through personal experience, industry relationships, and meticulous attention to detail.
To deliver curated recommendations, seamless logistics, and dedicated advocacy from start to finish, we charge a professional planning fee for our services. Our travel agent planning fees are listed below, along with exactly what each one covers. Learn more about the value of a travel advisor.
Our Travel Agent Planning Fees
| Service Level | Investment | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Planning | $50 | Ocean & river cruise consultation, stateroom selection, dining arrangements, group coordination, and complete booking management. |
| Land Packages & Custom Itineraries | Starting at $250 | Tailored travel design for domestic getaways, resort stays, and multi-destination land packages built around your specific travel style. (Standard rate for domestic itineraries. Multi-stop international land tours are quoted based on complexity.) |
| Travel Consultation Service | $250 | One-on-one expert advice, route strategy, and custom recommendations for travelers who prefer to handle their own bookings but want professional destination insight. |
What Your Planning Fee Covers
100% Client-Focused Recommendations
We work entirely for you. Our recommendations are based on what best fits your taste, preferences, and budget.
Complete Time Savings
We manage the endless research, vetting, logistics, and fine print so you can focus on the excitement of your trip.
End-to-End Advocacy
We stay in your corner before, during, and after your journey. If schedule changes or unexpected issues arise, you have a direct point of contact working to resolve them.
Personalized Concierge Touches
From securing special dining reservations to coordinating transfers and custom wine or culinary outings, we handle the details that make a trip unforgettable.
The Expertise Behind Your Journey
To ensure you receive the highest level of service, we continually invest in our professional development every single year to stay at the top of the travel industry.
Destination Site Visits
Personal on-site inspections of resorts, cabins, and local tours.
Direct Industry Relations
Direct lines to hotel managers, cruise reps, and boutique guides.
Continuous Education
Annual travel conferences, ship inspections, and specialty seminars.
Travel Agent Planning Fees: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a travel agent charge a planning fee?
Designing a great trip takes real time and expertise. Our planning fee covers the research, vetting, logistics, and personal advocacy we provide, and it keeps our recommendations focused on your preferences and budget. Exceptional travel is built through personal experience and industry relationships, not algorithms.
How much do your travel agent planning fees cost?
Cruise planning is $50. Land packages and custom itineraries start at $250. The Travel Consultation Service is $250. Multi-stop international land tours are quoted based on complexity.
What does the planning fee include?
Your planning fee covers client-focused recommendations based on your taste, preferences, and budget, all of the research, vetting, and logistics, end-to-end advocacy before, during, and after your trip, and personalized concierge touches such as special dining reservations, transfers, and custom wine or culinary outings.
Is the planning fee refundable?
No. Planning fees are non-refundable because they cover the time and expertise we invest in researching and designing your trip, even if you choose not to complete a booking.
Is the planning fee applied toward my trip cost?
No. The planning fee is separate from the cost of your trip. It covers the time and expertise we invest in researching and designing your travel plans, whether or not you complete a booking.
When is the planning fee due?
The planning fee is due after your free consultation, but before we begin planning your trip.
What is the difference between Land Packages and Custom Itineraries and the Travel Consultation Service?
Land Packages and Custom Itineraries is full-service planning, where we design your trip and manage the booking for you. The Travel Consultation Service is for travelers who want our expertise but are not booking their trip with us. You receive one-on-one advice, route strategy, and custom recommendations, and you handle your own bookings.
Can I just book my trip myself online?
Yes, you can. But booking on your own means you handle the research, vetting, and fine print yourself, and you lose the peace of mind of having an expert advocating for you if plans change. Our planning fee gets you our destination knowledge, industry relationships, and a direct point of contact before, during, and after your trip.
