Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Travel advisors are experts and are ready to guide your travel experience. With so many moving parts and the state of travel constantly in flux, you need someone in your corner. 

As travel advisors, we go through rigorous training to learn how to search for the best prices for transportation, lodging, and activities. We also spend time cultivating relationships in the travel industry which translate into cost savings for you. Some of the best deals aren’t available to the public. They’re hidden from search engines and booking websites. However, through partnerships or subscriptions, travel advisors have access to these deals, whether they’re upgrades, lower rates, or all-inclusive packages at a discounted price.

Finally, when you book with me, you can book with a deposit instead of having to immediately pay in full. That means you can choose where to go, where to stay, and what to do without substantial up-front costs.

You'll receive invaluable guidance from an experienced and knowledgeable professional and also enjoy that all-important peace of mind that comes from knowing you're in good hands. You will soon be embarking on the trip of a lifetime!

Complete the Client Information Form in its entirety: be as descriptive as possible in free-text fields. 

Hotels, vacation package companies, cruise lines, car rental agencies, hotels, resorts, etc. all include travel advisor commissions in their published prices. 

I charge an upfront, non-refundable research/planning fee to account for the time researching and designing your trip, but that fee is applied to the cost of your vacation.

Booking travel is only part of a travel advisor's job. We also research, offer expertise, and plan; which can end up being hours upon hours of our time. Time is our most precious commodity and yet so many people are willing to waste it. The fee paid by the client honors the time commitment of the travel advisor and shows us that you are committed to the planning process. 

A $100 non-refundable research/planning fee is required for my services. This fee will cover up to three (3) quotes and will be applied to your deposit if you decide to proceed with booking your trip with me.

No. The research/planning fee is non-refundable. 

Some people just enjoy planning their own vacations. These are probably the same folks who like putting together IKEA furniture. No matter, find your best price and email me the details. As your travel advisor I will either be able to match it or tell you why you're setting yourself up for disappointment. 

The information you provide to me as your travel advisor allows me to personalize your experience and coordinate your flights, transportation, lodging, and activities. 

I strive to provide customers with quotes as soon as possible, however the time it takes to put together a quote can vary depending on many factors. After your Client form is submitted, I will review the information and reach out if anything is missing.

Quotes for individual trips are usually sent to you within 5 business days after the research/planning fee is submitted and you have provided all necessary information. If you are planning a group trip or your trip has complicated parameters (i.e. multiple departing airports and/or travel dates), it can take up to 3 weeks to gather all of your options. 

It is preferred that you have finalized the traveler list, travel location(s), and travel dates before engaging me to begin researching your trip. However, I understand that sometimes things happen that are beyond your control (a person in your group changes his/her mind about going on the trip, your work schedule has changed, etc.) and changes are necessary. 

Changes to your trip parameters can potentially make the research I've done for your trip, up to that point, obsolete. To minimize rework for me, I ask that you inform me of any changes as soon as possible.  

Planning a vacation is a collaborative process between the client and travel advisor: it's not a one and done conversation. Once you complete the Client Information Form and submit your payment for the research/planning fee, I will schedule an initial consultation appointment with you to discuss your needs in detail. 

You can expect me to ask you a lot of questions throughout the planning process about your preferences and budget requirements in order to get an idea on how to craft your perfect getaway. I also expect that you provide me with feedback along the way to ensure everything meets your expectations. 

Once my research is complete, I will email you the quotes and set up time to go over them in detail to answer any questions you may have. Any good travel advisor knows it's not about making the sale, it's about creating happy clients. Happy clients become fans of your company, come back to you every year and recommend your company to others. 

Travel insurance is not required, but it is highly recommended. 

Travel is inherently risky, and so insurance can safeguard you from certain financial losses that often occur while traveling. If you have to cancel your beach rental for a covered reason, for example, trip cancellation/interruption benefits can reimburse you for your non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs (up to the amount of your plan limits). If your snowboarding gear gets stolen during your winter vacation, baggage loss/damage benefits can reimburse you for the loss.  Depending on the plan you choose, travel insurance also can reimburse eligible medical costs in case of a covered medical or dental emergency; reimburse you for losses caused by a covered travel delay or baggage delay; protect you from paying for rental car damage or loss; and help in other situations as well.

Congratulations! You have trusted your travel experience with me, now all you have to do is sit back, relax, and keep a lookout for communications from me on all necessary steps to ensure your vacation goes smoothly. As the navigator of your trip, I will make sure you stay up to date with all travel requirements, itinerary changes, and even reach out to travel suppliers if the price of your trip is lowered. I will ensure you have proper peach of mind throughout the process.