Thinking of Working With a Travel Advisor? Here’s What I Wish More People Knew.
- Tricia DeJarnett

- Aug 2
- 2 min read

When you reach out to a travel advisor like me, I treat it as the beginning of a partnership. I take time to listen, research, compare options, and put together recommendations that are tailored to your goals, your budget, and your travel style. What many people don’t realize is that we are only paid when a booking is finalized through us.
That means if multiple advisors are working on the same trip without knowing it, several people may be putting in time and energy without compensation. It is not always intentional, but it happens more often than you might think.
The truth is, most travel advisors have access to the same rates. The only differences may be small perks like an onboard credit or a room upgrade, and those are often offered by the advisor personally, coming directly out of their commission. So shopping around rarely results in a better deal and often just leads to unnecessary competition and burnout.
This is one of the main reasons many advisors are shifting to a planning and design fee model. It ensures that our time and expertise are respected, even if someone decides not to book. Just like any other professional, we value our work and want to serve our clients with excellence and clarity.
If you are exploring your options, that is completely understandable. Just being upfront with your advisor helps everyone work with more trust and transparency.
And if you are ready for personalized, stress-free travel planning with someone who will treat your trip like their own, I would love to connect. Start by filling out my travel interest form or scheduling a consultation. Let’s create something unforgettable.







