Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the following questions are provided below:

1. What are the benefits of working with a Travel Advisor?

2. Why should I book with you instead of an online travel agency (ex. Hotels.com, Expedia, etc.)?

3. Why do you charge a Planning Fee for more complex, custom itineraries?

4. Will you push certain travel options and/or charge me higher rates?

5. But what about my credit card points?

What are the benefits of working with a Travel Advisor?

1. Expertise & Personalization

I value building relationships, not just gaining new clients.

I take the time to understand your unique preferences, budget, & travel style, so I can make personalized recommendations that align with your travel dreams.

2. Save Time & Reduce Stress

Planning trips takes time & coordination, & often takes place in small, disconnected time chunks on nights, weekends, & lunch breaks. This can lead to FOMO (fear of missing out) or even worse, wasted time or money.

I act as your single point of contact, handling the itinerary coordination & important details like cancellation policies, airport transfers, comparing options, excursion booking windows, special dietary needs, etc. to ensure low stress vacation planning & a seamless vacation experience.

3. Access to Exclusive Perks & Upgrades

As a Fora Travel Advisor, I am able to extend the amazing perks & added amenities of Fora's Extensive List of Travel Partnerships (ex. Virtuoso) which may include:

Room upgrades, Early check-in / Late check-out, Spa credits, or Exclusive experiences.

4. Ongoing Relationship & Personalized Service

Over time, we'll develop a great relationship, allowing me to anticipate your needs & create increasingly personalized vacation experiences.

5. Problem Solving & Support

I act as your advocate if things go wrong. For example, communicating with hotels during emergencies & working with on-the-ground partners to ensure a smooth travel experience.

Why should I book with you instead of an Online Travel Agency?

You may think you'll get a better deal booking your travel yourself through an OTA like Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, etc.

But are you really?

Considerations when booking with an OTA:

1. No Upgrades or Amenities

Guests booked through an OTA do NOT receive perks or amenities

2. Lowest Service Priority

Guests booked through OTAs are the lowest priority level for hotels, & may be assigned less desirable rooms & lower priority service from the hotel

3. Hotels prefer to book with travel agents over OTAs. Why?

Hotels have to pay commission, whether to OTAs or travel agents. The amount of commission they have to pay OTAs is much higher than the amount of commission they would pay a travel agent for booking the same room.

Hotels like the more personal relationship and repeat business that travel agents can bring to them, versus the impersonal bookings on an OTA site. They know if a client enjoys their stay at a hotel they have a higher likelihood of booking with them again - this is also why you can often receive extra perks / upgrades by booking a hotel through a travel agent, but not by booking through an OTA. Hotels also know that that same client will tell their travel agent how much they enjoyed the hotel, making it more likely the agent will recommend their hotel to others. Again, that can't happen through an impersonal OTA booking.

4. Limited Call Center Support

OTA customer support is outsourced & limited. If you've ever spent your precious vacation time on hold with a call center, you know how frustrating & what a waste of precious vacation time this is!

Why do you charge a Planning Fee for more complex, custom itineraries?

My goal is to provide you with the best vacation experience possible

Travel advisors make money through commissionable travel bookings. However, sometimes the best option for a client is the low or no commission option. My goal is to provide you with the best vacation experience possible, so in order to eliminate this potential conflict of interest, I charge a Planning Fee. This ensures that I am fairly compensated for the time, effort and expertise I bring to your vacation planning so that I don't have to rely solely on commissions. That means I don't have to chase the highest commissions, and can instead focus on finding the best fit for your vacation needs

Will you push certain travel options &/or charge me higher rates?

NO WAY!

1. My goal is to provide you with the best vacation experience possible

See, "Why do I charge a Planning Fee?" in the above section

2. As an independent professional travel advisor working for a host travel company (Fora Travel), I am not under obligation to "push" specific travel partners or companies

My goal is to provide you with the best travel experience possible, my focus is on finding the best fit for your vacation needs.

Through my association with Fora Travel, I am able to offer exclusive perks and upgrades that are available through their network of travel partners. And, although you won't be able to access these kinds of perks if booking yourself via OTAs like Expedia, etc., you are under no obligation to choose these options.

In addition, unlike some travel agencies, my host company Fora Travel, does not impose minimums / required amounts I need rack up to maintain my contract with them. This means there is no need for me to try to drive up sales or only push high-cost options.

3. Rate transparency is important in a Travel Advisor-Client relationship

Anyone who has ever researched or booked travel knows that hotel, tour, flight, etc. rates vary throughout the year and by provider. Often different rates come with different exclusions, requirements and perks.

For example, a lower hotel rate might be nonrefundable, while one that is slightly more expensive may offer a cancellation window. As your Travel Advisor, it is my job to understand these details and clearly communicate them to you, along with my suggestions / recommendations based on my understanding of your travel goals and budget. In the end, the decision is up to you!

But what about my credit card points?....

1. You can still earn credit card points booking with a Travel Advisor

You can still earn credit card points and hotel/car loyalty points when making bookings with Travel Advisors

2. Advantages of booking with a Travel Advisor

Working with a Travel Advisor ensures you are always working with the same person, one-on-one, every time.

In contrast, credit card companies rotate clients through thousands of agents - there's no relationship building or personalization & you'll never get the same person twice.

Booking with a travel advisor increases your chance of receiving upgrades.

Agencies (like Fora) belonging to preferred partner programs get priority for hotel room upgrades ahead of credit card companies.

3. Recommendation: Redeem Your Points for Airfare

Often travel credit cards offer point transfer bonuses for airlines - this is often the best value for your points!

Let's Talk Vacay!

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