FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I do not charge a planning fee for cruise planning, all-inclusive resorts or a simple trip with a single destination. Effective 1/11/2020, I am going to have to implement a refundable planning fee for custom itineraries that include multiple destinations. This will be refunded back to you, the client, when you book your trip with me. These take me on average 8 hours of research and planning. If you do not book the trip, I will retain the planning fee. When you respond to me on Thumbtack, I am charged for your response. I am now financially invested in this exchange between you and me. I would hope that you would allow me the opportunity to earn your business. I'm a travel professional. I do this full time and will provide you with great customer service. This is something you will never get with a discount travel website. I will utilize my supplier contacts to get you the best value for your money. In addition, there are times that my relationships with these suppliers allow me to offer you, my client, additional FREE perks that you cannot find by booking on your own or through a generic website. Why not utilize my professional services and take the hassle out of searching for hours to find the best deals? Allow me to offer you stress-free planning. The only time you will need to lift a finger is to pack your bag for the amazing vacation I just put together for you!
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I find there is no substitute for the spoken word. I believe things get lost in translation through texting and it is so much more personal and easier to get a feel for what someone is looking for through a conversation. Therefore, I want to be able to speak with you on the phone or in-person for our first planning session. This is a "getting to know you" session for both of us. I want you to ask questions of me as well. I am interested to learn what excites you about travel and what your travel pet peeves are. We all have them. I want to know what is on that bucket list of yours so that we can start getting them off the list and into the memory-making phase called" booked travel!"
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
In 1990 I attended a school for aspiring travel agents. While it taught the required basics, there is no substitute for rolling up your sleeves and spending hours researching the perfect "spot" for that client who is looking for you to give them something they never considered until just now. I have many certifications from the training I have taken as well as from the suppliers I work with who require additional certification from travel professionals so that we can better serve our clients. Travel is what I do, Every day. Researching, planning itineraries, site inspections, attending conferences. These are the things I do as a CTA- Certified Travel Advisor.