Why The Wayfarer Agency is Introducing Professional Fees (And Why It's Long Overdue)

A New Chapter:  Updated Professional Fees Effective Now

Let’s talk about something most people don’t like talking about: Money

And even more uncomfortable?

Talking about paying for a service that people think they can do themselves.

So let’s start with the analogy I’ve used for years...because it’s true, it’s relatable, and frankly, it gets the point across without sugarcoating anything:

Anyone can go online and book their own trip…

just like anyone can go to the store, buy scissors, and cut their own hair.

But that doesn’t mean they should.
And it definitely doesn’t mean the results will be good.

Travel planning today is not the “click and go” process it used to be. It’s complex. It’s time-consuming. It changes weekly. And it requires real knowledge! Not guesswork, not TikTok hacks, not whatever the cheapest website spits out at 2 a.m.

So here’s the bottom line, delivered in classic Nicole fashion:

Nobody...and I mean NOBODY...can work for free.

Not in this economy, not in this industry, and not with the amount of behind-the-scenes heavy lifting it takes to protect your investment and your sanity.

It’s time the pricing reflected that.

Effective Immediately, The Wayfarer Agency will be introducing service fees for all bookings and modifications.

Not because I suddenly felt like adding fees.
Not because “everyone else is doing it.”
But because the work that goes into planning and protecting your trip has real value — and it requires real time, real training, real expertise, and real responsibility.

And yes, I take that responsibility seriously.

Why Fees? Here's the honest truth.

Travel planning today is not just “booking stuff.” It’s comparing dozens of suppliers, watching airfare trends, navigating policy changes, monitoring all the supplier legalities and terms and conditions, troubleshooting issues, and strategically building a trip that actually makes sense for you.

But here’s the part most people don’t realize — and it’s time to say it plainly:

A surprising number of people reach out every single week “just to shop prices.”
They want quotes.
They want options.
They want ideas.
They want full itineraries.
And then… they disappear.

No booking.
No commitment.
No “thank you.”
Just gone.

And while I’m doing all that research (essentially building a custom trip blueprint) I’m doing it for free. In the meantime, a client who is serious about booking may be waiting because I’m tied up doing unpaid work for someone who was never planning to book anything in the first place.

Here’s the part that shocks a lot of people:

Travel advisors don’t get paid to look up prices.
We don’t get paid to research.
We don’t get paid to compare quotes.
We don’t get paid to build itineraries.

We only get paid after a trip books…
and only if the trip actually travels.

So when someone is just price shopping or collecting quotes from ten different advisors like we’re all competing in a free Olympic sport...that is time, energy, and expertise I can’t get back.

And that, right there, is exactly why a fee structure is necessary.

Fees protect my time and availability.
Fees ensure I’m dedicating myself to clients who truly want to travel.
Fees allow me to offer thoughtful, high-level service instead of rushing.
Fees prevent burnout and support sustainability.
And honestly?
Fees ensure that the travelers who work with me are invested in the process — just like I am.

It’s not about nickel-and-diming.
It’s about respecting the work, the time, and the expertise that goes into planning travel the right way.

What This Means for You

At the end of the day, the fee structure allows me to continue delivering what my clients come to me for:

• A planner who is truly invested in their trip

• Expert guidance and honest advice

• Thoughtful, strategic planning

• Clear communication

• Support before, during, and after travel

• A seamless, stress-free experience

• And the peace of mind that someone has your back when things go sideways

My job isn’t just to book your trip.
It’s to protect it.
And these fees ensure I can keep doing exactly that — at the level you deserve.

Here’s the thing…

I love what I do.
I love the people I work with.
And I love planning trips that become lifelong memories.

But passion doesn’t replace a business model, and dedication doesn’t pay the bills.

If you want your haircut to look good, you go to a professional.
If you want your taxes done right, you go to a professional.
And if you want your vacation planned properly without stress, without guesswork, and without all the pitfalls you don’t even know exist - you hire a professional.

That’s what you get when you work with me.
And that’s exactly what these fees represent.