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What Are the Different Types of Travel Agent Fees?

Lainie Petersen
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Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 11,440
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Travel agent fees include fees paid by both consumers and travel agents themselves. Many travel agents charge customers fees to offset the cost of booking travel products that don’t pay a commission as well as for both the time and expense of performing travel research or communicating with vendors to arrange for special accommodations. In addition to consumer fees, travel agents themselves may pay fees in the form of split commissions with host agencies, host agency membership fees or franchise fees. Agencies may also pay membership and credit card processing fees to professional travel organizations.

In most cases, a travel agent will earn the bulk of his or her income through commissions paid by vendors of travel services such as hotels and cruise lines. Some travel vendors, however, don't pay travel agent a commission if he or she books the travel on behalf of his or her client. Since this represents a potential loss to the agent, many charge travel agent fees to consumers for each noncommissioned booking the travel agent must make. For example, most commercial airlines don't pay travel agents commissions anymore, so many travel agencies now charge a small courtesy fee for each booked airline ticket.

Many consumers are expected to pay travel agent fees when booking very complex travel arrangements, particularly if the arrangements require significant research on the part of the travel agent. Some travelers choose to visit exotic destinations or plan long trips to several different places. This type of travel may require the efforts of a professional travel agent to determine visa requirements, book quality accommodations and to arrange for local transportation. Since this can require several hours of work, some travel agents will request that consumers pay travel agent fees to cover the time spent on trip planning. In addition, customers may also be expected to cover any expenses incurred by the travel agent during the research and booking process.

Travel agents and travel agencies may also be required to pay various types of fees. Independent travel agents frequently work with a host agency that provides technological support, access to travel vendors and liability coverage to individual agents. Agents may pay a variety of fees to their host agency to cover the cost of the services that they receive. These agents may also be required to split their commissions with the host agency. Agencies themselves may choose to participate in various professional certification programs or benefit from credit card processing services offered by industry associations. In both cases, the agency will pay one or more types of fees to the organization providing these services.

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Lainie Petersen
By Lainie Petersen
Lainie Petersen, a talented writer, copywriter, and content creator, brings her diverse skill set to her role as an editor. With a unique educational background, she crafts engaging content and hosts podcasts and radio shows, showcasing her versatility as a media and communication professional. Her ability to understand and connect with audiences makes her a valuable asset to any media organization.
Discussion Comments
By browncoat — On Nov 13, 2013

@pleonasm - It can end up being more than a few dollars, particularly if you pick the wrong travel agent and they add on a lot of extra fees. You really have to make sure they are being transparent by doing your own research on top of theirs. It doesn't take very long to look up fares online, as well as tours and other prices.

An agent can be a lifesaver, but they can also cost you a lot more than you need to pay. Their job should be to get you the best trip within your budget.

By pleonasm — On Nov 12, 2013

@Iluviaporos - Most of the time a company that refuses to participate with travel agents tends to be a very cheap airline and not one that I'd want to fly with anyway. In my experience you get what you pay for and flying is one of those experiences that I would rather not skimp in order to save a few dollars.

By lluviaporos — On Nov 11, 2013

It's a good idea to bear in mind that travel agents are paid by airlines to put people on their flights. Now, since they are paid by almost all airlines this doesn't always make a difference, but many of the budget airlines manage to keep their fares down because they don't pay travel agents.

So that means that there might be a cheaper flight available that a travel agent won't show you because it won't be on her system and her company doesn't deal with that airline. It definitely pays to double check before you go to the travel agent so that you know that you're getting good prices for your trip.

Lainie Petersen
Lainie Petersen
Lainie Petersen, a talented writer, copywriter, and content creator, brings her diverse skill set to her role as an...
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