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

Service Fee Policy

Service fee policy. What it covers, when it applies, what it doesn't.

Our advisory fee is charged separately from airfare — disclosed as a distinct line item, confirmed in your written authorization, and never embedded in the fare.

Why the Fee Exists

Transparent by design.

We charge a separate, transparent advisory fee because we believe every cost you pay should be visible, labeled, and approved before you pay it.

Most travel services embed their revenue into the displayed fare price without separate disclosure. We don't. Our fee is shown as a distinct line item, disclosed at the time we present your options, and charged only after you authorize it in writing.

The fee reflects the specialist's time and expertise: reviewing your request, researching routing and fare options, presenting suitable itineraries, managing the authorization process, facilitating the booking, and remaining available for post-booking support.

What the Fee Covers

When you pay the Travelfirst advisory fee, you are paying for:

  • Initial specialist review of your travel request
  • Research of routing options and fare class availability
  • Itinerary presentation with full pricing
  • Fare condition assessment and disclosure
  • Authorization document preparation and management
  • Booking facilitation through applicable channels
  • Post-booking support for booking reference questions
  • Schedule change review and options guidance
  • Refund eligibility assessment

What the Fee Does Not Cover

The advisory fee is a Travelfirst charge for Travelfirst services. It does not cover carrier-imposed costs:

  • Airline change fees or rebooking penalties after ticket issuance
  • Baggage fees (governed by carrier policy)
  • Seat selection fees charged by the carrier
  • Visa or entry document assistance
  • Travel insurance
  • Airport transfers or ground arrangements
  • Any charges imposed by the carrier after your ticket is issued

Post-booking changes:

If you need to rebook after ticket issuance, an additional facilitation fee may apply depending on the complexity of the change. We will disclose and obtain authorization for any additional fee before proceeding.

When the Fee Is Charged

Stage Fee Status
At submission Not charged
When options are presented Not charged — but the fee amount is disclosed here for the first time
At authorization The fee is part of the total amount you authorize — charged when payment is processed
If you don't proceed Not charged

About the Travelfirst advisory fee:

Our advisory fee is charged separately from your airfare. It is disclosed when we present itinerary options and confirmed in your written authorization request before any payment is processed.

The fee covers specialist review, research, booking facilitation, and post-booking support. It does not cover airline change fees, cancellation penalties, baggage fees, seat selection charges, or any other carrier-imposed fees after booking.

The advisory fee is generally non-refundable once a booking has been completed under your written authorization, except where Travelfirst has made a material error in fulfilling your authorized itinerary. See our Refund Policy for complete terms.

Fee Refundability

The advisory fee is generally non-refundable once a booking is completed. The rationale: the work has been performed.

Exceptions — the fee may be refunded:

  • Material error by Travelfirst in fulfilling your authorized itinerary
  • Booking cancelled before fulfillment began (at our discretion)
  • Circumstances where a refund is equitable at our reasonable discretion

We do not refund the advisory fee because:

  • The airline cancelled your flight (the airline refunds the airfare; the advisory work was completed)
  • You changed your travel plans after authorization
  • You found a lower price elsewhere after booking

For the complete refund terms, including how to request a fee refund assessment, see our Refund Policy.

Questions about our fee structure?