How Do Travel Agents Get Paid When You Don’t Pay a Service Fee?
✨ How Do Travel Agents Get Paid When You Don’t Pay a Service Fee?
If you’ve ever worked with a travel advisor who didn’t charge a fee, you might have wondered: How do they make money? It’s a great question—and one that surprises many travelers.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how it works:
🌿 We’re Paid by the Suppliers
Most travel advisors earn their income through commissions paid by the travel suppliers you book—like cruise lines, resorts, tour operators, and hotels. When you reserve your trip through an agent, the supplier sets aside a portion of the total price as compensation for the advisor’s time, expertise, and support.
This means:
✅ You pay the same price (or sometimes less) than if you booked directly.
✅ The supplier pays your advisor after you travel.
✅ You get professional help without extra costs out of your pocket.
🛳️ What Does That Commission Cover?
Your travel advisor—Justina, the owner of RPM Travel Destinations based in Orlando, FL—spends hours behind the scenes:
Researching options that fit your preferences and budget
Securing the best promotions and added perks
Managing deposits, payments, and confirmations
Keeping you updated on any changes
Supporting you before, during, and after your trip
All of that is included in the commission the supplier pays when you complete your travel.
💡 Why Use an Agent if You Can Book Direct?
Even when the price is the same, a good travel advisor offers something you can’t get from a booking engine:
✔️ Insider knowledge and recommendations
✔️ Personalized service
✔️ Advocacy if something goes wrong
✔️ Time saved from sifting through endless options
For many travelers, the peace of mind alone is worth it.
✨ What About Service Fees?
Some advisors choose to charge a planning fee in addition to earning commissions, especially for complex itineraries or fully customized trips. But many cruise and vacation specialists—like Justina—can help you plan and book your trip with no service fees at all, relying instead on supplier-paid commissions.
It’s a win-win: You get professional guidance and support without paying extra.
📩 Ready to Start Planning?
Justina would love to help you plan your next cruise, resort stay, or theme park getaway!
➡️ For Cruise Vacation Quotes:
👉 Request a Cruise Quote
➡️ For Non-Cruise Vacation Quotes (Disney, Universal, All-Inclusive, etc.):
👉 Request a Vacation Quote
📧 Or email Justina directly:
justina@rpmtraveldestinations.com
Let’s make your next vacation easy, fun, and unforgettable! 🌴✨