There's a question we'd rather you ask us upfront than wonder about later.
How do you make money?
It's a fair question. The travel industry has a complicated relationship with transparency, and we want to work differently. Here’s the breakdown…
Two ways to work with us. Two different things.
Jet Lag & Curry offers two distinct services. They serve different purposes, work differently, and the fees we earn are different too. Below, we explain the options.
Option 1: Asia Travel Advisory — Jet Lag & Curry
This is what we built JL&C on. Providing content & advice, fee-based expertise in Asia with particular expertise in Japan, Thailand, and Singapore — no commissions, no kickbacks, no hidden incentives.
You pay for our time and knowledge. That's the entire model. We recommend what we genuinely believe is best for your trip, because our income doesn't change based on what you book or where you stay.
Our advisory services range from a $95 one-hour food consultation to our signature Bespoke Asia package — fully customized, VIP-level planning across multiple sessions.
Option 2: Worldwide Travel Advisory & Bookings — through our Fora Travel affiliation
Kevin is also a registered independent travel advisor through Fora Travel (SOT# 2151995), a host agency for independent advisors. In that capacity, he can book hotels and travel for clients globally — not just Asia.
Here's how it works: hotels (and other vendors) pay travel advisors a standard commission (typically 8–15%) as a thank-you for the booking. That commission is built into the hotel's pricing — you don't pay more because Kevin booked it. In many cases, booking through a Fora advisor actually unlocks amenities or perks you wouldn't get booking directly.
Kevin earns a commission on Fora bookings. He will always tell you when that's the case. For more info see his website here.
Why offer both?
Because they serve different needs — and we think you deserve access to both.
JL&C's advisory expertise is where our credibility lives: 65+ combined trips, deep culinary knowledge, real relationships on the ground. That expertise is worth paying for, and keeping it commission-free keeps it honest.
But many of our clients also need help with the mechanics of travel — hotels, logistics, the details. Kevin's affiliation with Fora means he can help with that directly, without sending you elsewhere, and without compromising the integrity of JL&C's advisory recommendations. They're separate roles. We keep them that way.
What this means for you
When you're working with JL&C on advisory, our only incentive is to give you the best possible advice for your trip. We have no stake in where you stay or what you book.
When Kevin makes a booking through Fora, he'll tell you. You'll know a commission is involved, and you can factor that in accordingly.
We think that's how a travel business should work. If you ever have questions about which mode you're in or how a recommendation is structured, just ask.
Ready to get started?
Book a free discovery call — 20–30 minutes, no obligation, no pitch. Just a conversation about your trip and how we can help.