FAQ + Policies

A travel advisor is a professional travel consultant with the resources, connections and expertise to add great value to your travel plans. Travel advisors work in partnership with you to select and plan travel experiences that are tailored to your unique wishes and budget. The benefits of using a travel agent/advisor are many, and you may find you uncover new perks each time you work with your travel advisor. In contrast, some travel agencies with large call centers are often inbound marketing specialists with little to no actual travel experience. They are encouraged to sell certain properties and cruise departures. Their goal is speed and volume – that means taking your order and moving on to the next customer as quickly as possible. The disadvantages of using an online travel agent is that they may not be able to provide guidance or answer questions about the destinations, cruise lines or properties you are interested in. Many times, due to their marketing partnerships they offer “one-size-fits-all” vacation packages.

Your time away from home with family or friends is your most precious resource. You want to take advantage of an expert to help you invest it wisely. The very best travel agents offer great value that adds a richness of experience to your vacations and getaways. Not only will the experience you have on your vacation be enhanced, the planning will also be a much less stressful and time-consuming endeavor for you. Through my status as a preferred partner with virtually every luxury travel provider in the world, I am able to offer my clients preferred rates, amenities, upgrades, VIP status and credits that they cannot access on their own, through the Internet or by booking direct. But don’t just take my word for it, below is a list of recent news stories detailing the advantages and benefits of using a travel agent. Hurricane Sandy’s Lesson to Travelers: Use a Travel Agent Pros and Cons of Using a Travel Agent Here’s Why Travelers are Using Real Travel Agents

Do travel agents charge? Yes, travel agents and advisors are compensated for their time, expertise and the resources they deploy on your behalf. Travel advisors charge planning fees, a model much like architects, interior designers and financial planners utilize. Average travel agent commissions are nominal and fees allow travel advisors the freedom to invest time and great care in your departure. The amount varied depending on your requests. Any added fees are discussed during your free consultation.

Absolutely! Through my status as a preferred partner with the most special hotels in the world, I am able to offer our clients added value and preferred rates at thousands of hotels around the globe. I often hear from clients, “I didn’t want to bother you for a quick hotel booking.” It is my pleasure to manage your travel reservations wherever or for how long you are away from home.

You value rich experiences that are tailored specifically for you or your family. You like to see the world through your own lens, not through an online booking engine meant for the masses. Your destination and length of stay are of little consequence; I cater to all travelers from around-the-world to quick weekend getaways. During our initial consultation, we discover if we’re meant to work together.

There are two main revenue streams for travel advisors: professional planning fees and commission. I charge planning fees because my time, my knowledge, and my skill set are valuable. Many hotels and other travel suppliers pay me commission as a reward for becoming an expert in their brand and bringing them qualified clients. See Services for more information.

Absolutely! Travelers who love researching travel but still want the peace of mind of having a professional at their back are some of my favorite clients. During our initial consultation, we’ll discuss precisely how much you like to be involved in the planning process.

My phone hours are 9am – 1pm Central Time, Monday through Saturday. I also have other times available by appointment.