Why Charging Fees Matters
Let’s be honest — if you’re still giving away your time for free, you’re leaving money on the table and undervaluing your expertise.
Charging service fees is one of the most powerful ways to transform your travel business from “helping friends plan trips” into a professional, profitable career.
At Riveting Trips, we coach advisors to treat their knowledge as an asset — because luxury clients aren’t just paying for bookings. They’re paying for access, trust, and peace of mind.
What Are Service Fees?
A service fee (or planning fee) is a professional charge for the time, research, and expertise you provide when designing a trip.
You can think of it as a consulting fee—similar to what an architect or financial planner would charge.
Typical fee structures include:
- Consultation Fee: For initial trip brainstorming ($50–$150)
- Planning Fee: For custom itinerary design ($200–$1,000+)
- Air Ticketing Fee: Per person ($25–$100)
- Group or Incentive Fee: Based on trip complexity or group size
- Change or Cancellation Fee: To protect your time if clients adjust plans
Charging fees also weeds out tire-kickers and ensures clients who inquire are serious about booking.
Why Clients Are Willing to Pay (and Why You Should Let Them)
Here’s the truth: Luxury travelers expect to pay for expertise.
They’re accustomed to working with professionals who charge for service — attorneys, accountants, consultants. Travel planning is no different.
In fact, many high-end clients trust advisors more when they charge a fee, because it signals credibility and confidence.
“If you don’t value your time, neither will they.”
When you charge a service fee, you:
- Establish boundaries
- Elevate your brand image
- Protect your time investment
- Attract higher-quality clients
How to Determine Your Pricing Model
There’s no one-size-fits-all fee, but here’s how to decide what’s right for you:
Step 1: Identify Your Client Base
Are your clients booking luxury resorts and private tours, or mid-range cruises and group trips? Higher-end clients = higher fees.
Step 2: Estimate Time Per Trip
Track how long it takes you to design, book, and manage a trip. Then calculate an hourly rate that feels fair (for example, $75/hour × 10 hours = $750 fee).
Benchmark Industry Standards
Here’s a quick guide:
| Trip type and Average Planning Fee
Weekend Getaway ($100–$250) |
|
| Domestic Luxury Trip
($250-$500) |
|
| International Custom Itinerary
($500-$1,000+) |
|
| Group or Incentive Trip
($750-$2,000+) |
Review Annually
As your expertise grows, so should your fees. Review your structure yearly and adjust upward as demand increases.
How to Present Your Fee Confidently
The key to charging fees successfully is confidence and positioning. Don’t apologize or overexplain — present your fee as a standard part of your process.
Example Script (Riveting Trips style):
“I charge a professional planning fee of $500, which covers my time designing a personalized itinerary, vetting hotels, and securing exclusive Virtuoso amenities for you. Once we finalize your itinerary, I’ll handle all the logistics so you can simply enjoy your trip.”
Then pause. Clients almost always respond positively — or ask how to pay.
Pro tip: Present your fee after a short discovery call. Once clients experience your knowledge and enthusiasm, they’ll see the value.
What to Include in Your Fee Agreement
Put your fee policy in writing. This builds professionalism and protects your business.
Include these essentials:
- Scope of services (planning, booking, post-trip support)
- Non-refundable policy
- Payment terms (due at engagement)
- Validity period (e.g., 30 days from quote)
- Signature line or electronic consent
At Riveting Trips, we provide customizable fee agreement templates for our independent contractors — so every advisor operates like a pro from day one.
How Riveting Trips Helps You Implement a Fee Strategy
We don’t just tell advisors to charge fees — we teach them how to do it with confidence.
Here’s how our host agency supports you:
- Pricing strategy training — sample scripts, packages, and fee calculators
- Sales coaching — learn how to communicate value and handle objections
- Customizable templates — professional fee agreements ready for use
- Mentorship — one-on-one guidance for refining your pricing model
- Luxury positioning tools — to help justify premium rates through branding and Virtuoso access
Our goal is to empower every Riveting Trips advisor to earn what they’re worth — without second-guessing their value.
Ready to Charge What You’re Worth?
Charging service fees isn’t just about money — it’s about mindset. It’s about stepping into your power as a professional and setting the tone for the kind of business you want to run.
Remember: clients aren’t just paying for your time. They’re paying for your taste, your expertise, and the confidence of knowing their trip is in exceptional hands.
Take the Next Step Toward Higher Earnings
You already have the passion. Now it’s time to build the profit.
If you’re ready to elevate your income and independence, join a host agency that gives you the tools, training, and community to thrive.
Ready to start earning doing what you love?
Apply to become a Riveting Trips Independent Advisor and learn how we help new advisors launch and scale their business.
Next Steps: How to Get Started
If you’re craving more meaning, freedom, and creativity in your work life, it might be time to pivot into travel advising.
👉 Here’s how to take the first step:
Complete our application and our team will see if Riveting Trips is the right fit for you.
Start your training and begin building your dream business.
The world is waiting—and so are your future clients. Your next great adventure starts with saying yes to yourself.
About us
Riveting Trips is a luxury travel design agency led by Conde’ Nast Top Travel Specialist Jeanie Colclough. We specialize in crafting bespoke journeys that inspire connection, curiosity, and comfort—for families, executives, and adventurous souls alike.