How I Work

From first enquiry to welcome home — here's what working together looks like.

How It Works — The Short Version

Planning a trip with me is a personal process. It starts with understanding what you actually want — the pace, the priorities, the kind of experience you're looking for — and builds from there. I work with a small number of clients at a time, which means you have my full attention from first conversation through to the moment you come home.

Below you'll find my service tiers, the planning process step by step, and a note on flights and trains. If you have questions that aren't covered here, the FAQs page has more detail — or you can simply get in touch.

Service Tiers

  • Hotel Only Bookings

    For the traveler who knows where they want to go and where they want to stay. You bring the destination — I handle the booking.

    Includes:

    –  Booking of your chosen hotel

    –  Preferred partner rates and VIP perks where applicable. Perks vary depending on the hotel

    –  Pre-arrival briefing — I communicate your preferences and arrival details directly to the property

    –  Booking confirmation and reservation management


    Service: Complimentary

  • Single Destination

    One destination. The right hotel in the right neighbourhood, the key logistics handled, and a starting point for how to spend your time.


    Includes:

    – Initial conversation to understand your preferences, travel style, and priorities

    – Hotel research and curated recommendation — up to three options with my reasoning for each

    – Hotel booking - preferred partner rates and VIP perks where applicable

    – Airport transfers or rental car research and booking

    – Shortlist of suggested experiences as a starting point

    – Restaurant recommendations and reservations on request

    – Tour and experience recommendations and bookings on request

    – Concierge coordination on request — spa bookings, special occasion arrangements, dietary requirements communicated to properties

    – Pre-departure information — entry requirements, practical notes, what to know before you go

    – Electronic travel documents


    Service Fee: $250

  • Multi-Destination

    Two or more destinations, or a single destination requiring significant coordination. Everything in Tier 2 applied across all stops.


    Includes:

    – Everything included in Tier 2, across each destination

    – Multi-destination research — hotels, pacing, and routing between stops

    – Transfers between destinations — flights, trains, or private transfers researched and coordinated where appropriate

    – Shortlist of suggested experiences per destination

    – Itinerary structure — a clear overview of how the trip flows across all stops

    – Restaurant recommendations and reservations on request

    – Tour and experience recommendations and bookings on request

    – Concierge coordination on request across all properties

    – Supplier coordination across multiple properties

    – Optional pre-departure call to walk through the full itinerary

    – Complete electronic travel documents — all confirmations and itinerary in one place

    Service Fee: $500 up to three destinations. Fee on enquiry beyond that.

  • Groups, Weddings & Retreats

    Group trips, destination weddings, room blocks, corporate retreats — anything operationally outside the scope of a standard trip. Every group engagement is scoped and priced individually.

    Includes:

    – Initial consultation to understand the group, the occasion, and the scope of work

    – Destination and hotel research appropriate to the group size and requirements

    – Room block negotiation and management

    – Group transfer coordination

    – Individual party planning within the group framework

    – Extension planning for parties traveling beyond the group dates — additional fee per party

    – Restaurant recommendations and reservations on request

    – Concierge coordination on request

    – Pre-departure information and documents for all travelers

    – Communication managed through the lead contact throughout

    Service Fee: Fee on Inquiry - dependent on scope of work.

A note on flights —

I work with the FORA Flights team to assist clients with premium economy, business, and first class bookings for US-originating itineraries or routes that connect through the US. Economy bookings and points redemptions are best booked directly with the airline.

The Planning Process

1.

You get in touch

Fill in the enquiry form on the contact page — or send me an email. Tell me where you're thinking of going, when, and who's traveling. As much or as little detail as you have at this stage is fine.

2.

I review your enquiry and confirm the planning fee

I'll respond within two business days. Once I have a sense of your trip, I'll confirm which tier applies and share the planning fee. The fee is stated upfront — before any research begins — and is non-refundable.

WHAT WE CAN BOOK

  • ACCOMMODATION

    Elevated Hotel Booking – Enjoy exclusive VIP perks, priority upgrades, and premium service at luxury hotels worldwide.

    Private Homes & Villas – Private residences for those who prefer a home-away-from-home experience, ideal for families or long stays.

    Cruises, Expeditions & Private Yacht Charters – Explore destinations by sea, from luxury cruises to private yacht charters and unique expedition trips.

    Safari Experiences – Guided safaris offering immersive wildlife encounters with a focus on conservation and comfort.

  • TRANSPORTATION

    Airport Transfers – Convenient, pre-arranged transfers to and from your destination.

    Private Drivers – Personal drivers for day trips, sightseeing, or business needs.

    Rental Cars – Access to premium rental cars at any destination.

    Trains – Scenic rail journeys, including luxury and high-speed options.

    Charter Yachts & Boats – Custom day or multi-day charters to explore beautiful coastlines.

    Helicopters – Helicopter transfers and sightseeing with stunning aerial views.

    Private Jet Charters – Customized private jet experiences for ultimate privacy and ease.

  • TICKETED EXPERIENCES

    Tours & Private Guides – Private, curated tours led by knowledgeable local guides.

    Sports Games/Events – Premium seats and priority access to major sports events.

    Concerts – Access to concerts and shows with VIP seating.

    Museums & Exhibits – Priority access to cultural experiences, exhibits, and galleries.

    Lift Tickets – Arrangements for ski resort lift tickets for a hassle-free experience on the slopes.

  • RESERVATIONS

    Restaurants – Bookings at dining spots and sought-after bars.

    Spa Services – Luxury spa appointments to unwind and rejuvenate.

    Private Shopping Appointments – Personalized shopping experiences with expert styling.

    Golf Tee Times – Tee times at premier golf courses worldwide.

    Coaching - Golf, Tennis & Ski Lessons – Private or group lessons tailored to your skill level.

  • SPECIAL REQUESTS

    Gear Rental – Rental equipment for outdoor activities, skiing, water sports, and more.

    Nanny Services – Trusted childcare services for family-friendly travels.

    Destination Photographer – Capture unforgettable moments with a professional photographer.

  • GROUP BOOKINGS

    Room Blocks - Reserve hotel room blocks for easy group accommodations.

    Group Transfers - Organize smooth, tailored group transport.

    Group Activities & Experiences - Plan unique group activities and outings.

SERVICE FEES

At Sarah Payne Travel, our professional fees ensure the high level of attention and expertise our clients expect. They reflect the time, research, and industry knowledge invested into crafting tailor-made travel experiences, as well as the ongoing support we provide throughout the entire planning and travel process.

Independent Recommendations
While travel advisors do earn commissions from bookings, our goal is to find the best options that perfectly suit you, regardless of whether a particular hotel, tour, or experience pays a commission. The planning fee allows us to recommend what’s genuinely best for you without compromise.

Customized Research
Crafting the perfect trip involves meticulous research to align with your unique preferences, budget, and needs. The planning fee directly acknowledges the time and effort invested in discovering and vetting the most suitable options for an unforgettable experience. This includes detailed insights into the best activities, must-see sights, and restaurant recommendations, all of which require considerable time and expertise.

Time Investment
Planning a seamless trip is more than a task; it’s a significant time investment. Hours are spent on research, coordination, and communication with clients and suppliers to ensure every detail is covered and every part of your journey is stress-free and enjoyable.

Risk Mitigation
Travel can involve unforeseen challenges, from last-minute cancellations to unexpected weather or changes in plans. By charging a planning fee, we ensure our time is fairly compensated for the expertise we bring in mitigating risks and handling any issues that arise, providing you with peace of mind every step of the way.

Protection Against Client Cancellation
We understand that plans change, and sometimes trips need to be canceled. The planning fee serves as a protective measure to ensure our time and effort are compensated, even in cases of cancellation. Cancellations often result in additional workload, and this fee helps maintain the sustainability of our services while ensuring we can continue to offer a high level of care to all clients.

Terms and Conditions

All service fees are charged upfront and are non-refundable. These fees cover the time and expertise involved in delivering professional travel services, including researching, coordinating, and crafting a fully customized travel experience tailored to you.

Any deviations from our standard planning scope—such as changes in group size, increased itinerary complexity, additional revisions, or rebooking canceled trips—will incur additional planning fees. We aim to be upfront and transparent about our terms, conditions, and any additional fees that may apply.