Are travel agents still a thing?

Yes! In our post-COVID world, people have been flocking back to travel advisors due to so many uncertainties with flights, resort issues, and general mistrust. If you're letting your travel dreams pass you by because of worry, you need an agent! People are traveling more often with large groups. Want to do a family reunion at an all-inclusive in Mexico? Let us negotiate a group rate! Believe me when I say that YOU, personally, do not want to be responsible for making sure your family is doing what they need to do when they need to do it. You'll be the one getting buried in the sand. Let me be the annoying one!

Why should I use you instead of an online travel agency (Priceline, Travelocity, etc)?  

Keep in mind that resorts and hotels have a markup built in that includes a commission. So that commission either goes to a random person online, it goes back to the company, OR it can go into the pocket of a local family who is putting that money back into your community.

Back to the point, this one is EASY! Any one can book your trip, whether online DIY or a local agent. Travel is not what I'm selling here. I am selling service, support, and peace of mind. The advisor aspect of my job is to guide you past all of the online noise and get you the best VALUE for your vacation INVESTMENT.

From our first interaction to your return (and beyond), I am basically in your pocket and at your service. Oftentimes, online travel agencies lure you in with too-good-to-be-true prices that are non-refundable rates, bad room placement, and probably don't include taxes and fees.

And if something goes wrong during your travels, I will fight the battles with you and for you so that you can continue to enjoy your vacation in spite of any bumps in the road.

Will you get me the best deal?

Pre-COVID and COVID prices are a thing of the past, unfortunately. It is difficult to find those insanely good deals now. If there's something out there that seems crazy-low and you want to jump on it, please adjust your expectations accordingly. Fair warning. It may be just what you are looking for, but it may be a HUGE disappointment. That said, I do not specifically search for the lowest possible deals - that is what Priceline and Vacations To Go are for.

What I do, though, once we choose your destination and accommodations, is price check different suppliers prior to booking so that I can get you the best experience for your budget. THAT is true value.

To add to that, the words "luxury", "ultra-luxury", "moderate", and "budget" are very subjective from one person to the next. Opinions on food and alcohol are very subjective. Reading resort reviews can be very confusing, deceiving, and incredibly overwhelming if you're out there navigating your travel plans on your own. This is where choosing to work with an agent often reveals its biggest benefit. Even if we haven't been to a particular resort, we know many agents who have. We have access to the opinions of professionals who have been around the block a time or two and can compare resorts. Legitimately. I mean, if I ate fast food for every meal and never had filet mignon, I'd proclaim that fast food had the best beef, too.

Simply stated, there are some resorts that aren't worth selling at all. Not a foodie? Great, I can find you a resort that excels in other areas, but the food may just be average. If you are, in fact, a foodie, we can look into European Plan resorts known for incredible food. If you're a foodie and you like to drink, we can look for the very best all-inclusive food AND drink options, but expect to pay a premium price for those luxuries. There are no budget resorts that will knock your socks off with food, drinks, amenities, cleanliness, AND service. It's all about managing your expectations and knowing where you're willing to settle for less when considering a moderate or lower budget. 

Are your vacation planning services free?

Our philosophy is that no one should work for free! Your consultation - which is my time to get to know you and your travel needs - is complimentary. If your needs are a good fit with our agency, we can move forward with planning your dream vacation. This is where the fee comes in. I will not hand you cookie-cutter options. Your options will be curated based on your specifications and budget and guided by my professional knowledge.

My fee is non-refundable and separate from the cost of your vacation. This ensures that the time I have invested in curating your trip is compensated. Once you are given your options, you are free to book it with me or shop it online. 

Do I really need travel insurance?

Short answer: Yes. Touching back to the above comment about uncertainties that can strike when you least expect it, insurance is more important than ever. 
Long answer: You do not want to be stranded in a foreign land and have something horrific happen that requires medical attention, have an emergency at home force you to cut your vacation short, or something that forces you to cancel your vacation altogether without the backup of trip insurance. I am not an insurance agent and I cannot go into details regarding coverage, but it will be offered to you by me. If you choose to travel without it, you will have to sign a waiver that states you are declining insurance. Yes, it may cost you a few hundred dollars extra and it downright stinks to pay it... but what is the cost to you if you DO need it and don't have it?

What are some other advantages of working with a travel advisor?

The average person spends 10-20 hours planning vacations on their own. If you read my "About Me" page, you know I am the mom of four boys. Back when they were younger, the last thing I wanted to do was to spend hours on end planning a vacation. Okay, that statement is somewhat of a white lie for dramatic purposes... I LOVE planning vacations, and that is why I'm a travel agent today. But the truth is, I didn't have the luxury of time back then. We can give you your time back!

Some people just don't enjoy the tedium of planning a vacation or trust their own judgment when it comes to choosing where to spend their money. It's my job to be tedious AND make sure your budget is well-spent.

We also come in handy when trying to wrangle a group of friends, family, or co-workers together to go on a trip together. It is no small feat and is really best left to the experts.

I can sometimes get some special amenities or credits for you because of my host agency and Virtuoso travel consortium affiliation. Cruising clients can often get booked into larger groups for better rates.

Speaking of Groups, do you work with large groups?

Yes! A thousand times, YES! Groups are the best way to ensure the best rates and perks! You can book a group - an official group depends on the policies of the hotel, resort, or cruise line based on the number of rooms or cabins - with your family, church, book club, girlfriends, golf buddies, bird watching club, knitting circle... You get the picture! So bring on the groups!

Do you book airfare?

Yes, I can book airfare. However, often I prefer to give you suggestions so that you can book on your own. With all of the upgrading and baggage fees that can apply, it's often just easier for you to be in control of that. If you're booking an all-inclusive package, obviously, flights are taken care of. I do not book flights only.

Will you help me decide where to go?

ABSOLUTELY! That is one of the most fun parts of my job! It can sometimes be overwhelming because the world is just so big! I ask questions that help us get to the root of your vacation desires. You can check out our popular destinations page to get the wheels turning!