What should I "charge" for my trip planning services?

[dtuleya]

I am known as the unofficial travel agent at work. People are always asking me to get them good deals on airline tickets, rental cars, WDW trips and finding them great deals on Priceline. Every one of them said I should start a little side business and charge a fee. I love doing it for the warped thrills I get from getting the best deal possible. What do you think I should charge? I suggest that every person I plan something for should have to take me along with all expenses included, but so far nobody has taken me up on my offer.

 

[Pop Daddy]

a doughnut

 

[pumba]

we also are the big disney planners of the city.......husband can talk anyone into Disney.......I kid you not........last winter ....six of the engineers at work had never been to florida let alone Disney....and he talked all of them into going...one of the engineers is a single man and he has gone five times already.....we love to talk and talk and talk about the parks and the hotels and the food........geesh.....there I go again......hahaha

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by dtuleya
I am known as the unofficial travel agent at work. People are always asking me to get them good deals on airline tickets, rental cars, WDW trips and finding them great deals on Priceline. Every one of them said I should start a little side business and charge a fee. I love doing it for the warped thrills I get from getting the best deal possible. What do you think I should charge? I suggest that every person I plan something for should have to take me along with all expenses included, but so far nobody has taken me up on my offer.

-------------------

People have suggested that to me as well, but the downside is that people can get VERY nasty if something doesn't work out to their liking..

At most I would offer to get them LISTINGS of what is available:
Best airfare prices currently being offered.
Several hotels and their rates.
Best car rentals currently being offered.
etc..

I would not actually book anything for them nor would I get involved with making a contractual obligation to Priceline..

For "lists" only I would probably either charge by the hour - or a flat fee..

 

[dtuleya]

I actually just print the information out and then let them make the reservations.

For Priceline, I give them a lesson on how to use it and the site Biddingfortravel.com to get the best price.

I'm really just joking about charging a fee.

 

[clutter]

But a stuffed Mickey might be nice....

 

[HoneyPooh]

If you're doing this for people at work how about lunch? I did all the planning and reserving (with her credit card) for my girlfriend her sister and their families last summer and she and her sister took me to dinner and a movie. If you're a collector you could ask people to bring you back a pin or whatever you collect.

 

[DemonLlama]

I've commandeered several people's Dinsey trip plans (not really -- they were clueless and asked for help!) becuase my next trip is so far away! If they get wise to how much I like doing it, they may start charging ME!

 

[browneyes]

I suggest that every person I plan something for should have to take me along with all expenses included, but so far nobody has taken me up on my offer.

That sounds like what I'd charge for the similiar service. Anyone need me to help them plan a trip to WDW?

 

[S. C.]

I will tell them several tips and less expensive ways to go like AP's & discount codes...then i give them this web site and let them do their own studying up on it.

Although last friday one of the ladies said that her daughter & family were getting on a plane sunday for their first ever disney trip. so i started writing down a few tips for them off the top of my head, by the time i was done i had 2 pages full and this was in a very short time.

I think i must spend too much time on the dis. LOL

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I have become the unofficial Disney expert at work. On the last day another teacher was sent to me by the librarian asking about the teacher discount at the Swan/Dolphin.
I tell people what I can, and usually write down the URL for this site and WDWIG. I know that our favorite waitress at one place had set up the Princess dinner at the GF for her daughter based on what I knew--she missed the 60 days out for the castle, whoops, can't be there at 7AM to hold all of their hands, can we?--and when I get back I need to go there and find out how their trip went.
I also got the best deal I could for a guy at DH's work who needed a plane ticket to CA for a funeral--poor guy, best I could do on SHORT notice (1 1/2 days) was 3 stops each way and $500! But it was his BIL and his sister really wanted him there.
When people go to WDW, just ask for a postcard or a keychain or some little knickknack for your deck---or an antenna ball or something. I wouldn't charge $$ either, just in case things go wrong (some people get upset by rain, for gosh sakes). But I know what you mean--I get a real kick out of getting good deals.
Robin M.