No payment until authorization · Advisory fee disclosed upfront · Billing descriptor named before payment · Specialist response within 24 hrs

The Process

How booking works at Travelfirst.

The process is sequential and transparent. Nothing happens without your knowledge, and nothing is charged without your written approval. Here's exactly what to expect from start to confirmed ticket.

Three stages. Three different things.

A quote is an itinerary option we've researched and presented. No seat is held. No reservation exists. The fare and availability reflected in a quote are subject to change.

A reservation is what exists after your written authorization is received and payment has been successfully processed. Your booking has been submitted to the fulfillment channel.

A ticket is issued by the operating carrier after the reservation is confirmed through the booking infrastructure. Written confirmation of ticket issuance is sent to you separately.

Travelfirst does not charge payment at the quote stage. We do not consider a reservation complete until payment has cleared. We do not consider your booking confirmed until ticket issuance is verified and written confirmation is sent to you.

Step by Step

A clear process. No surprises.

Here's exactly what happens — from your first message to your confirmed ticket.

1

Submit a Request

It starts with your trip details. Not your card number.

When you're ready, you submit a travel request through our form. We ask for your origin and destination, travel dates, preferred cabin class, number of travelers, and any specific requirements.

This is not a booking. There is no payment at this stage. There is no commitment. You're simply telling us what you need so we can start the research.

We typically acknowledge receipt of your request within a few hours of submission.

What to include:

  • Origin city or airport
  • Destination city or airport (including multi-city stops if applicable)
  • Preferred travel dates and any flexibility
  • Cabin class (economy, premium economy, business, or first)
  • Number of travelers and any traveler-specific requirements
  • Any notes on routing preferences, stopovers, or trip context
2

Specialist Review

A person reviews your request. Not a system.

Once we receive your request, a Travelfirst specialist reviews it. We look at routing options, available fare classes, connection quality, carrier performance on the route, and how the itinerary holds together for your specific situation.

This is the part that takes time — and should. Presenting options that are actually suitable for your trip requires more than a price sort. We consider what you're trying to do, not just what's technically available.

What happens during review:

  • We research routing options across relevant carriers and fare classes
  • We assess connection quality, minimum connect times, and risk factors
  • We identify the most suitable options for your request
  • We calculate the full cost, including base fare, taxes, carrier fees, and our advisory fee
3

You Receive Options

You see everything before you decide anything.

We contact you with the itinerary options we've identified. Each option includes the full routing, carrier, timing, cabin class, fare conditions (including change and cancellation terms), and total cost broken down by component.

Our advisory fee for your request is also shown at this stage — clearly, as a separate line item.

At this point, no payment has been taken. Nothing has been booked. You're reviewing options. You can ask questions, request alternatives, or decide not to proceed — with no obligation.

What you receive:

  • Complete itinerary details (routing, carrier, timing, cabin)
  • Fare conditions — what happens if you need to change or cancel
  • Full cost breakdown (base fare, taxes, fees, advisory fee)
  • Any relevant notes from our review
5

Fulfillment & Confirmation

We book it. Then we confirm it. In writing.

Once authorization is received, we process your payment and facilitate the booking through our fulfillment partners. The ticket is issued by the operating carrier or through the relevant booking infrastructure.

We send you written confirmation of ticket issuance. This includes your booking reference number, the carrier's confirmation details, and a summary of your itinerary.

Keep your confirmation. It is your proof of booking.

What your confirmation includes:

  • Your booking reference (PNR or equivalent)
  • Carrier confirmation details
  • Full itinerary summary
  • Traveler names as booked
  • Confirmation of payment received
  • Contact information for post-booking support
After Your Booking

We don't close the file when the ticket is issued.

Schedule changes happen. Flights get disrupted. Questions come up. We remain available after your booking is confirmed.

What we remain available for

  • Airline-initiated schedule change review
  • Rebooking support and options
  • Documentation questions
  • General post-booking guidance
  • Booking reference and confirmation questions
  • Refund eligibility assessment and process guidance

Reach us at support@travelfirst.us or (888) 992-4455. We respond within 24 hours.

What if something in your confirmation is wrong?

If your written confirmation contains an error — wrong date, wrong routing, wrong traveler name, or any discrepancy from the authorized itinerary — contact us immediately.

  1. Contact us by phone or email with your booking reference
  2. Identify the specific discrepancy
  3. Do not check in or travel on a booking with a known error

We will investigate and work to correct the issue. Corrections are subject to carrier availability and fare conditions. Our ability to correct errors at no cost to you is greatest when identified immediately after booking.

Note: Name errors are particularly time-sensitive. Carriers have strict policies on name corrections. Contact us immediately if the name on your confirmation does not match the traveler's travel document.

What Travelfirst can help with after booking:
  • Booking reference and confirmation questions
  • Airline-initiated schedule change review and options
  • Rebooking guidance and facilitation (additional fee may apply)
  • Refund eligibility assessment and process guidance
  • Documentation questions
What you handle directly with the carrier:
  • Check-in and boarding passes
  • Baggage drop and collection
  • Seat selection changes after booking confirmation
  • Frequent flyer mileage posting queries
  • Same-day flight changes at the airport

For urgent same-day travel issues at the airport, contact the carrier directly. Contact Travelfirst for everything related to your booking record.

Ready to start?

Submit your travel request and a specialist will review it within 24 hours.

Request Travel Options Questions first? Contact us

No payment until you authorize. No obligation when you submit.