Travel Planning FAQs

We provide you with a vacation planning Questionnaire or interview to find out what your “vacation vision” is and if you don’t know, we will help you figure it out! Then we start our research to find the perfect vacation options just for you! 

 We are compensated by the hotels, airlines, and tour operators you book through us — but we are only paid after you travel. If you choose not to book with us, or if you cancel your trip, we do not receive any compensation for the time and expertise we've invested (hello, COVID!).

Because of this, and in line with industry standards, we now charge planning fees. Here’s why:

Travel planning is a detailed and time-intensive process. It’s built on years of personal experience and professional expertise. We carefully research destinations, resorts, tours, and transportation options to fit your unique needs, work closely with suppliers, and coordinate every detail to ensure a seamless travel experience. We serve as your advocate before and during travel, liaising with hotels, airlines, and transfer companies on your behalf.

Your final itinerary is thoughtfully crafted to offer you the smoothest, most enjoyable trip possible. If, after we construct your custom itinerary, you choose to go in a different direction or cancel, the planning fee covers a portion of the work we have completed.

• All-Inclusive Individual Planning: One-time, non-refundable planning fee of $25
  
• Non-All-Inclusive Individual Planning: One-time, non-refundable planning fee:
   
  • $50 to $100 for International travel
     
  • $200 to $500 for Domestic travel
     
• Small Group Planning (up to 20 individuals): One-time, non-refundable planning fee of $150
   
• Large Group Planning (Destination Weddings, Escorted Groups, Corporate Incentive Travel):
  $250 to $2,000+ plus travel expenses — highly customized; please contact us for a personalized quote
   

Please note: Rates and planning fee policies are subject to change. Returning clients often qualify for reduced or waived planning fees depending on the scope of travel.

The biggest advantage of booking through our agency is first-hand knowledge and expertise. If your travel advisor hasn’t personally visited the destination they recommend, you can be sure someone within our trusted network has. As an award-winning, certified agency, we’ve built strong, long-term relationships with preferred tour operators and hoteliers. This gives us access to exclusive pricing, added-value offers, and special perks—like room upgrades and VIP services—that you wouldn’t be able to secure on your own.

Most importantly, service sets us apart. We’re not an 800-number or an auto-generated reply; we’re real people who truly care about your vacation experience. Our passion for travel and dedication to our clients shines through in every step of the process. From the planning stage to your return home, we work tirelessly to support you, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience every step of the way.

The timing of your booking depends on the destination! Popular locations like Hawaii or the South Pacific often have limited availability, and during peak travel periods, all-inclusive resorts can sell out well in advance. A helpful tip: commercial airlines typically release flight schedules and pricing about eleven months before your desired travel dates. To secure the best flight options and pricing, it’s ideal to take advantage of early booking promotions and lock in your travel package 9 to 11 months ahead of your trip. 

Unfortunately, prices are not guaranteed until a deposit has been paid and your reservation is confirmed. Airfare and hotel rates can fluctuate frequently, so we recommend reaching out to us as soon as you're ready to book to secure the best available rates. 

While we strive to offer the best rates, we understand that prices can sometimes fluctuate. If you do find a lower price, no problem! Simply send us a screenshot of the lower price you’ve found. We’ll quickly verify the details and, if it’s a true "apples to apples" comparison, we’ll either match the price or do our best to beat it.

However, it's important to note that we do not compete with companies like Costco or online tour operators (such as CheapHotels) because they are not travel agencies. These platforms do not offer the personalized service, expertise, and class of sale that we provide. When you book with us, you’re getting tailored advice, exclusive perks, and exceptional customer service pre, during and post travel that these services simply can’t match.

Fabulous! Once you have chosen your travel package, the next step will be to fill out our   reservation request form. This allows us to put your reservation on hold and send for your review before booking. A  deposit will be needed to confirm your reservation. Deposits and payments can be paid  through our secured payment link with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or AMEX.

For most individual itineraries the balance is due 45-60 days prior to departure. For group reservations the balance is typically due 90 to 120 days prior to departure. We can also set up payment plans in most circumstances.  

Absolutely! We are flexible. You can use whatever credit card(s) you wish to pay for the trip. 

We highly recommend travel insurance! It offers essential protection if you need to cancel or reschedule your trip. Travel insurance also covers unforeseen events such as global pandemics, hurricanes, lost baggage, travel delays, trip interruptions, and medical expenses while traveling abroad. Since American health insurance is generally not accepted in other countries, having a travel protection plan is always a wise choice.

The cost of travel insurance is based on your total travel package and typically ranges from $79 to $450 per person, depending on the coverage and the specifics of your trip.

For your convenience, a travel insurance quote will automatically be included with your itinerary proposal, so you can easily make an informed decision.

If you need to cancel for any reason, you can do so only if you have purchased a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) trip protection plan at the time of booking. It’s important to discuss your specific situation with us before booking so we can recommend the best policy for your needs.

Please note that CFAR trip protection plans must be purchased at the time of booking and are non-refundable once bought. These plans are active immediately from the time of purchase and cannot be added after your trip has been initially booked.

Your travel documents will be prepared and sent to you approximately 2-4 weeks prior to departure. These will be delivered via email for your convenience.

Additionally, we provide a free travel app that includes your customized itinerary and hosts all your travel documents electronically. The app also provides travel tips, destination and hotel guides, answers to frequently asked travel questions, and the ability to message us directly should you need assistance during your trip.