Air & Ground: Pricing & Policies
When you work with Happy Tails Travel you are entrusting us with the care and well-being of a family member. We take our job very seriously and will do whatever it takes to get your furry family member safely where they need to be!
Air Travel
Our air pricing consists of 4 – 6 main components, depending on the service needed:
- Air Travel Consultation Fee (priced per pet)
- Ticket Purchase Fee
- Mailed VIP Pet Packet
- Pet’s Airfare which is based on their weight in their crate
- Vet Packet (Hawaii & International travel)
- Customs Clearance (International travel)
To get an estimate for air travel, fill out a pet travel form.
Air Travel Consultation | 1st Pet | 2nd Pet | Each Additional Pet |
Continental U.S./Alaska/Puerto Rico | $425 | $325 | $325 |
Hawaii | $500 | $400 | $400 |
Flight Nanny | $450 | $400 | $400 |
Roundtrip Continental U.S./Alaska/Puerto Rico | $800 | $600 | $600 |
Airfare (per Pet) | |||
Continental U.S | $450 – $1,900 | ||
Alaska/Puerto Rico | $550 – $2,100 | ||
Hawaii | $600 – $2,000+ | ||
Ticket Purchase Fee | |||
Based on Airfare Price | $40 – $90 | ||
Mailed VIP Pet Packet | |||
Subject to Carrier | $50+ | ||
Vet Packet/Application (For Hawaii) | |||
Based on Service Needs | $200+ | ||
Customs Clearance Fee | |||
Based on country of origin and number of pets | $850+ | ||
Rush, Weekend & Holiday Fees | |||
Subject to notice and travel day | $200 – $500 |
Air Pricing Components
Air Travel Consultation
This is the base fee that pays for our time while we research, prepare for, and schedule your pet’s relocation from start to finish. This fee does not include your pet’s airline ticket, the travel crate, or any other costs associated with your pet’s travel.
Airfare & Ticket Purchase Fee
The biggest factor in price is typically your pet’s weight in their crate. Therefore the larger and heavier your pet is, the more expensive the airfare will be. The airlines vary in their pricing structure.
Airport Transportation
We work with a network of pet travel professionals across the world to provide safe and seamless transportation to and from the airport for both domestic and international travel. We are able to arrange for transportation on one or both sides for a complete door-to-door pet service. Prices are based on the pick up or drop off location being within an hour of the airport.
There is a one time $75 Handling fee per city where we need to arrange boarding, crate purchase, customs clearance, transportation, or vet services. If you do not require additional services, you will not be charged the Handling fee.
Pet Travel Packet
The Pet Travel Packet includes physical copies of your pet’s travel documents, crate tags, stickers, and a special gift for your pet. You will also receive a customized electronic Pet Travel Packet that will be emailed to you before your pet’s flight.
Vet Packet
The Vet Packet includes all of the documents your pet needs to travel abroad. These include a pre-filled health certificate, application, pre-paid Fed Ex mailing to/from the USDA, and money order for the USDA endorsement.
Customs Clearance
Pets arriving from an international flight must be cleared through customs upon their arrival. This process includes making sure your pet has the correct paper work to enter the country, collecting the paperwork that travels with your pet upon their arrival, bringing it to the customs office for final approval, and bringing it back to the airline cargo facility so they may release your pet. This process can take between 1 – 4 hours. Additionally, most airlines charge a release fee for pets being picked up from an international flight.
Ground Travel
freight express line offers pet ground travel as an alternative to air travel.
Our ground pricing consists of 2 main components:
- Ground Travel Consultation/Planning Fee
- VIP Private Ground Transport (based on mileage/timing)
To get an estimate for ground travel, fill out a pet travel form.
Ground Travel Consultation | |
Travel Planning Fee – Standard Transport | $400 |
Travel Planning Fee – Rescue Rate for Shelter Animals | $350 |
Travel Planning Fee – Roundtrip | $700 |
VIP Private Ground Transport (per Vehicle) | |
*Under 500 miles served based on location, availability and situation | TBD |
500 – 4,000 miles | $1,150 – $6,600 |
Additional Handler (3 – 5 pets) | |
Subject to mileage | $800 – $1,500 |
Ground Pricing Components
Ground Travel Consultation
This is the base fee that pays for our time while we research, prepare for, and schedule your pet’s relocation from start to finish. It includes your Pet Travel Specialist working with our trusted drivers to arrange for your pets’ safe and comfortable ground transportation. This fee does not include the price of the transport itself, which is based on mileage, or any additional services needed.
Ground Transport
The price of your pet’s transport which is primarily based on mileage and/or timing. The price includes all expenses such as payment for the driver’s time, gas, wear on the vehicle, and the following:
- Private door-to-door transportation
- Transportation in heated/air-conditioned Sedans, SUVs, Mini Vans, or Cargo vans, based on the pets traveling
- Communication from the driver throughout the trip
- Comfort stops, walks, and potty breaks along the way (every 2 – 4 hours, unless more frequently requested)
- Overnight stays in pet-friendly hotels, if needed
- Medication administration, as required
- Feeding, adhering to your pet’s schedule at home
- Any of your pet’s belongings, including bedding, toys, treats, regular food, etc., are encouraged to make the trip with them
Payment Methods
PayPal, Apple Pay, Cash App, Zelle, Venmo etc. Service does not commence until Travel Consultation fee is collected/paid.
Refund Policy
Air Travel
If you cancel within 24 hours of submitting your signed contract, we will refund your Air Travel Consultant fee minus a $150 administration fee.
No refunds will be given more than 24 hours after submitting your signed contract and no refunds will be given for rush services. Should there be any circumstances that preclude the planned shipment of your pet or should you have a change of plans or change of mind after 24 hours, we will extend our service agreement for a period of six months from the date of receiving your signed contract.
Ground Travel
Should you decide to cancel within 24 hours of submitting your signed contract, we will refund your initial payment fee minus a $150 administration fee, as long as a driver has not been assigned or is in route.
No refunds will be given after 24 hours of receiving your signed contract or once a driver has been assigned. After the 24-hour period, should there be any circumstances that preclude the planned shipment of your pet, we will extend our service agreement for six months from the date of receiving your signed contract.
Freight Express Line Privacy Statement
Client information submitted to freight express line is used for no other purpose than to understand and fulfill the client’s pet transportation needs. We do not sell, trade, or rent any client information.
Accordingly, client information submitted to freight express line. is passed to third parties only as necessary to obtain flights or other related pet services (such as boarding), for TSA related security protocol, and only after the services of Happy Tails Travel, Inc. have been engaged and agreed upon. Otherwise, all client information submitted to Happy Tails Travel, Inc. is kept confidential.