The travel industry has changed in recent years. Many suppliers have reduced commissions or eliminated them altogether, as in the case of most airlines. Charging a fee for service allows me to provide quality personal attention without having to focus so intensely upon commission rates and sources. It also allows me to assist travelers who prefer to or who may have already booked their travel themselves.

Please note that the initial contact and consultation is always free of charge. While I do charge for my services, there is never a charge for time spent getting to know you and your unique needs.

Also, if you prefer to book direct online, there is no consulting fee when you book your travel through one of our partner sites featured in the sidebar.

Basic Consulting fee: $75 per trip

This includes basic destination and trip research, your personalized trip briefing package and follow-up with suppliers after your trip if required. This fee is payable after the initial consultation and before I begin detailed research and planning work. The basic consulting fee is billed online using Paypal; I do not need or want to see your credit card information until after you have a complete itinerary in your hands and you are ready to book.

Please note that the basic consulting fee may be applied towards the purchase of a qualifying vacation package or cruise of at least five nights.

As a service to travelers who prefer to book your own travel online or elsewhere, upon payment of my basic consulting fee I will review your travel plans and purchases, make recommendations which may enhance your trip, and prepare a personalized trip briefing package.

In some unusual cases, very extensive itineraries requiring additional research and consulting time will be billed appropriately. You will be notified of any need for additional research time and its estimated amount in advance.

Ticketing fee

Domestic: $25 per ticket.
International: $35 per ticket.
A round-trip ticket or a ticket with multiple flight or rail segments counts as one ticket if it can be processed and ticketed as a single transaction. This fee will be waived for tickets issued in conjunction with a qualifying vacation package or cruise of at least five nights.

Ticketing change fee

$25 per ticket plus the fee imposed by the airline or railroad for ticketing changes. If the airline or railroad imposes no fee you may request one free change; subsequent changes will be $25 per ticket. Rebooking into the least expensive available airfare category at the time tickets are issued does not count as a change.

Ticket delivery fee

For Amtrak tickets delivered by FedEx to customers who will be boarding their train at an unstaffed station, $15 per order within the United States.

For other tickets and travel documents which must be forwarded by express delivery, actual shipping charges plus 20% service fee.

30 Day Restriction for New Customers

Due to the proliferation of credit card fraud on the Internet, I do not book travel for new customers when less than 30 days remains from the ticketing date until the date travel is due to start. If this restriction applies to you it may be lifted in these ways:

• For customers in the Houston area, if I meet with you personally and verify a valid signature and photo ID.
• If you are referred by an existing customer who knows you personally and can verify your identity.
• If you pay by wire transfer ($20 additional fee) or by certified U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank (allow 5 business days AFTER receipt to clear).
• Business customers with an established business presence using a credit card in the name of the business are exempt.