Plan to Go Fees - What They Are and Why You Pay Them

As a travel agent who does several conventions and shows throughout the year, I often hear people tell me that they can't afford to do business with a travel agent. There seems to be some misunderstanding on two major points - 1) how travel agents get paid; and 2) what fees (if any) are charged by travel agents.

The first answer is fairly simple - for most types of travel, to most areas of the world, travel agents are paid a commission rate or fee from the supplier at no extra cost to you. Often if you find a rate listed online - for example, a hotel in Omaha at $199/night - you can contact us and we can book the same room for the exact same price, with the only difference being that the hotel pays us 10% of the rate rather than pocketing it for themselves. There are some exceptions - highly complex itineraries, for example, may warrant a charge on behalf of the additional time and difficulty of the work - but most of the time we receive our pay directly from our suppliers and not from the client. 

The second answer takes a little more explaining.

Years ago (prior to September 11,2001), airlines used to pay commission to travel agents of about 10% of the cost of the air tickets. This benefited the airlines for the new business, and the travel agent was able to add just air-only bookings to their repertoire. This also meant the airlines didn't need to hire as many staff members to run their phone lines, and it meant travel agents had a way to make consistent earnings no matter if they sold a small trip, large trip, business trip, or any other type of trip.

That all changed as airlines moved more toward online booking engines - they began capping commissions, then just flat out got rid of them. Travel agents could still sell air travel, but the only way they would be paid is to charge for a fee - and only some clients felt that the advice and guidance from a travel agent was worth an extra charge.

Other travel industry suppliers followed suit by lowering the commission amounts paid on travel, or by adding in non-commissionable items to their travel packages. For example, a cruise may have a base rate of $299 that the travel agent would be paid 10% on, but then they still have another $200 of taxes and fees that the travel agent does not earn commission on, and they also won't earn commission on the airfare to get to and from the cruise port. 

This has led to travel agents, especially those with smaller and/or home-based travel agencies, to charge fees. Some charge flat fees just on air purchases, others choose not to sell air-only travel, while still others who may or may not charge for air-only travel charge what are commonly referred to as Plan to Go fees - refundable fees that cover the time it takes for a travel agent to research and put together a quote for a client. This fee is used toward the travel package if purchased, or retained by the travel agent for time rendered on services if the client purchases elsewhere. 

As Operation Relax chooses to decline selling air-only travel, we will only address the topic of the Plan to Go Fee. We have one (currently an incredibly low $15 fee that is refunded once you book your travel with us) and feel that it adds to the quality of our service.

The reason behind a Plan to Go Fee is simple - while many travelers are honorable and loyal to a particular travel agent, many others consider using any means necessary to get the lowest price point - including getting a travel agent to build a customized travel itinerary, then going directly to the travel supplier(s) involved and seeing if they can talk them down in price by booking direct (thus meaning the hotel/resort/etc doesn't have to pay a commission to the travel agent). This fee is designed to maintain the integrity of the relationship between the client and the travel agent. It covers our time in the research and planning stages of your vacation, much in the same way you would compensate other professionals (attorneys, accountants, etc). This fee is often refundable or able to be applied directly to your vacation if you choose to book with the travel agent, but is retained if you choose to take your business elsewhere. 

So called "friends" can be the worst enemy of a travel agent. They often ask for advice or even itineraries but often don't follow through in booking as they either change their mind or find a slightly cheaper rate elsewhere. While most people wouldn't consider calling up their doctor or attorney to ask for advice without expecting to pay, those same people often assume that they can do this with travel agents even though travel agents also spend hours and hours to become experts in their field. Most likely it isn't done out of malice or specific dislike for the travel agent, so much as a general lack of knowledge as to how much work is put in by the travel agent and an overall bargain-hunting mindset. 

I could give plenty of examples from many travel agents of instances where they wish they had charged a Plan to Go Fee but didn't and it cost them time (and sometimes money) - but suffice it to say, while most of us in the travel profession truly do see it as a labor of love, we still do need to get paid for what we do. No business can stay open doing work for free. So it's often one of the only ways we can ensure that our time is being devoted to those who are devoted to us. 

I've been asked a few times why I have a Plan To Go Agreement with a $15 refundable Plan to Go Fee. The easy answer is this: I want to make sure that my time can be focused on my clients who are serious about purchasing a vacation, or who have already booked and need additional assistance. Any trip research, if done correctly, takes a large amount of time and energy. If the client chooses not to book, I have no way to recoup the time and energy I spent on their travel request (which took away from the time and energy I could have given to someone else).Thus, my fee helps to cover my time if you choose not to book, or is refunded back to you if you do book with me. I give personal care and attention to all of my clients, usually an average of 10-20 hours per vacation or more! Doesn't that sound worth $15?  
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We understand that our Plan to Go Fee is low in comparison to the industry average of about $100. We felt that being native Midwesterners and understanding the lower wages in this area that we wanted to have a fee that wasn't prohibitive, especially if you are shopping other agents who also charge Plan to Go Fees. We appreciate your understanding and hope that our blog today has created a better understanding of how your travel agents are paid! 

Seen it all in Orlando? Think again!

Have you been to Orlando lately? Even if you have, you might want to take a second look as Orlando continues to expand its offerings for tourists of all ages!

So what else is there to do besides the "big three" theme parks (Disney, Universal, and Seaworld)? Lots, and many of them are right along the major tourism road International Drive! You probably already know about some of them, like Legoland and the Orange County Convention Center, but here are a few that are either opening soon or have just recently opened:

-  Orlando Eye: Yep, just like London, Orlando is getting an "Eye"! It will be a whopping 400 feet tall, making it the tallest observation wheel in the Eastern U.S. The compartments will be air-conditioned and able to hold up to 15 passengers. Before you board, you'll be able to attend a 4D theater experience showcasing Florida landmarks.
- The StarFlyer: Want to have a different viewing experience that keeps you out in the open? The StarFlyer will be a 420-foot swing, the tallest StarFlyer in the world! It's like your favorite carnival ride, just much much taller.
- The Skyscraper: 420 feet isn't tall enough for you? How about a 570-foot roller coaster? The Skyscraper is being described as the world's tallest roller coaster, climbing up past 50 stories and then plummeting at speeds up to 65 miles per hour - yipes! There will be an observation deck for those of you like me who'd rather just allow their loved ones to ride, along with several other ride options in an indoor theme park called the Sky-Plex.
- Madame Tussauds: The world-famous wax museum is setting up a new shop in Orlando, and just like its sisters and brothers around the world, it's sure to be amazing! Never been to one? Check out this quick video I made at the Madame Tussauds in Vegas:

- Sea Life Aquarium: Great for young visitors, this educational Aquarium will feature more than 5,000 sea creatures throughout numerous types of displays, including 180-degree underwater tunnels.
- I-Drive Nascar: This attraction opened in December 2014 and is THE place to go for indoor karting, with electric karts that can go up to 45 miles per hour. There is also bowling and an arcade available for those who don't like to kart.
- Escapeology: Another attraction that opened in December, this themed attraction involves teams of 2 to 5 who must work together to find clues and solve puzzles that allow them to escape a room within 60 minutes. If you love puzzles, crime shows, or just want to do some family bonding, this is a great option for you! Fall in love but run out of themes? Travel to nearby Winter Park (just outside of Orlando) and visit It's A Trap, which hosts similar games but with a more video-game theme.
- Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts: Catch a show and rest your feet after a long day at one of the theme parks at this new community space taking up a full two city blocks.

So, next time you visit Orlando, make sure to ask your travel agent to add on one of these amazing new attractions and add some extra flair to your trip! Don't have a travel agent? We're always happy to take on new clients at Operation Relax! Visit us online at www.operationrelax.com and start planning your next vacation.

Why I'm So Excited About the Quantum of the Seas (and her sister ship, the Anthem)

As a travel agent, I see a lot of cool and exciting places and ships. But none of them has excited me as much as the arrival of Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas!

Ever since the ship was announced a couple of years ago, I've eagerly gobbled up every tidbit of information, each mock design, and all videos discussing what was happening with the build and release.

Then to top that off - they picked none other than Kristin Chenowith to be the Godmother of the ship! :)

So what is it about the Quantum of the Seas (and her identical sister Anthem of the Seas, which will debut in November) that has this travel agent in a tizzy?

1) The Quantum of the Seas is the world's first "smart" ship! It's chock full of technology, from the fastest internet at sea to the Royal IQ app (where you can book dinner reservations, spa appointments, and excursions) to faster boarding by pre-uploading your passport and information to ... wait for it... ROBOTIC BARTENDERS!!! Yep, you can get your favorite shaken and stirred beverage from a cool futuristic robot-thingy.

2) The Quantum of the Seas has SOOOO MUCH TO DO! Sure, it has the features that many of the newer Royal Caribbean ships have, such as a climbing wall and the Flow Rider surf simulator. But now there's also the North Star, which is this orb that rotates out over the ocean with amazing views; the RipCord, an indoor sky diving simulator; and bumper cars - and a slew of other activities within the same area, including skating in a roller skating rink, and a circus training school with a trapeze. There's so many great choices for people of all ages and skill levels.

3) The Quantum of the Seas brings Broadway to the sea! Ok ok, so Royal Caribbean already offers that on other ships, but it will be awesome in the new theater But one offering that the Quantum will have that is new is the Earth Harp, which is the coolest thing to see but impossible to describe. However, I found a video that should help.

4) The Quantum of the Seas has Dynamic Dining - no giant main dining room! Instead, there are four smaller themed dining areas that are still free of charge. There are still restaurants that charge a fee, but you are no longer confined to one area to eat.

5) The Quantum of the Seas is chock full of the best rooms - balconies! In fact, 90 percent of the ship features balconies. And of the rooms that don't have a "real" balcony, many of them have "virtual" balconies - video screens live streaming the ocean that make you feel like you have a floor to ceiling window!

Can you blame me for being excited to get to experience this ship in April?!? It's going to be great! Just a heads up - the Quantum is leaving the US for Asia in May, so if you miss the chance to sail on her you'll have to wait for the Anthem to arrive in November.

The World from your Couch

These days, a TV is a regular staple of our homes. In fact, the average American home has at least 2 TVs, and the average American watching a whopping 5 hours of television each day (which, when considering that most of us work at least 8 hours per day, is a bit ridiculous - it's like watching tv is our part time job on the side!)!

So this means that you have most likely stumbled upon a show that had travel at it's core - maybe The Amazing Race or Bizarre Foods or Rick Steve's Europe. Perhaps you caught a documentary, or a fictionalized movie that got your mind blurring what is real and not real.

Either way, there's one truth - television can help to make the world seem a lot smaller.

However, that comes with a catch - when you watch these shows, you may see many fascinating places, but you aren't really getting the full experience. For example, you can always watch one of my travel videos (like the one below from my visit to Furnas, in Sao Miguel in the Azores), but you won't be able to experience the smoke burning your eyes or have the stench of sulfur choke you while you bravely try to pretend like it's not so bad.


True, that may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I think you understand what I am illustrating - there is often no substitute for getting out and experiencing the world yourself. You may discover that the world is actually a big place filled with fascinating people and extraordinary phenomena, some of which may not be around much longer with the way the climate has been changing.

My challenge to you is to try to get in at least one international trip in your lifetime. It can be something relatively simple - such as a cruise down to the Bahamas where you can try conch fritters for the first time while enjoying island music - or something relatively complicated - like a trip around Europe via rail and car. You can do this with a travel agent (my completely biased first pick for you lol) or maybe turn in your credit card points or book something yourself.

The world really is bigger when you go out and see it firsthand - it's much more fun than settling in for a night on the couch!

Upcoming Show Schedule for 2015 - Come Meet Jess!

Who's that girl? It's Jess! :) Ok, seriously though, have you ever wanted to put a face to the name and meet the owner of Operation Relax? Well, you have several chances to see Jess in person all over Nebraska in 2015!

Operation Relax is proud to be participating in many great shows and events throughout the area this year, providing free travel brochures while selling our travel accessory products (currently HipKlips and Mighty Wallets). Even if you don't want to buy a product, feel free to stop in for a free travel brochure or to talk travel with Jess at any of these shows.

You can also find a continuously updating list on our website: www.operationrelax.com/vacationshop.html . We update the list every two weeks or so with new additions or changes to our schedule.

Hope to see you there!

Show Schedule 2015 (as of 2-4-15): 
- Feb 15  Norfolk Bridal & Prom Extravaganza, Norfolk, NE
- Feb 20-22  Abate Bike Show, Lincoln, NE
- Mar 1  Lincoln Pius X Spring Fling, Lincoln, NE
- Mar 15  Omaha Bridal Showcase, Omaha, NE
- Mar 20-22  Husker Lawn & Leisure Show, Lincoln, NE
- Mar 29  Nebraska Bridal Show, York, NE
- Apr 3-4  Mother of All Garage Sales, Lincoln, NE
- Apr 11  St Wenceslaus Spring Bowtique, Omaha, NE
- Apr 25  West O Spring Boutique, Omaha, NE
- May 8-10  ConStellation 6, Lincoln, NE
- May 16  Woofstock, North Platte, NE
- May 29-31  O! Comic Con, Omaha, NE
- June 12-14  Wizard World, Des Moines, IA
- July 4  Seward 4th of July Celebration, Seward, NE
- July 10-12  John C Fremont Days, Fremont, NE
- Aug 28-Sept 7  Nebraska State Fair, Grand Island, NE
- Sept 18-20 AppleJack Festival, Nebraska City, NE
- Sept 26  Bryan High School Fall Craft Show, Bellevue, NE
- Oct 3  Harvest Arts & Crafts Boutique, Gretna, NE
- Oct 24  St Wenceslaus Fall Bowtique, Omaha, NE
- Nov 6-8  Anime NebrasKon, Omaha, NE
- Nov 21-22  Norfolk Yuletide Market, Norfolk, NE