Luxury travel advisor FAQs

Fees

No planning or booking fees.

Hotel benefits

Preferred partner benefits can include breakfast, credits, upgrade priority, and VIP notes.

Cruises

I help compare lines, ships, cabins, itineraries, inclusions, and booking perks.

Support

You have my cell number while traveling. That matters when plans change.

Do you charge a fee to plan my trip?

No. I do not charge planning or booking fees. I am compensated by travel partners after you travel, similar to the way online booking sites are compensated. The difference is that you get a real person who knows the trip, not just a booking engine.

Is a travel advisor worth it?

Yes, especially when the trip has real money, time, or logistics attached to it. I help you choose the right hotel, cruise, itinerary, room category, and booking path. Sometimes that means a better rate. Sometimes it means better benefits, better support, or avoiding the wrong fit.

Is booking through you better than booking through Amex Travel, Capital One, Expedia, or another portal?

For many trips, yes. Portals can process a reservation, but they do not advise you. I can compare preferred partner benefits, non-public rates, room categories, upgrade priority, cancellation rules, and what happens if something changes while you are traveling.

Can you get better hotel benefits than I can get online?

Often, yes. Through preferred partner programs and advisor networks, I can often add benefits such as daily breakfast, hotel credits, upgrade priority, early check-in, late checkout, and VIP recognition. Exact benefits depend on the property, rate, and availability.

Can you get me a better rate than I find online?

Sometimes the rate is lower. Sometimes the rate is the same but includes better benefits. The goal is not always the cheapest room on the internet. The goal is the best value for the trip you actually want.

What kinds of trips do you plan?

I primarily plan leisure travel: luxury hotels and resorts, cruises, river cruises, expedition cruises, family vacations, group trips, tours, and full itineraries. Luxury does not have to mean formal. It means the trip is chosen carefully for the way you like to travel.

Do you only plan luxury travel?

Luxury is my focus, but I define it practically. For one family, luxury may be connecting rooms and a resort that works for kids. For another traveler, it may be a small-ship expedition cruise, a private villa, or a hotel where the service really matters.

Do you book cruises?

Yes. I book luxury cruises, river cruises, expedition cruises, small ships, yacht-style cruises, and major cruise lines. I help compare lines, ships, cabin categories, itineraries, inclusions, and whether a specific sailing is right for the way you travel.

Can you help with family travel?

Yes. I am a mom of three, so family travel is personal for me. I look for properties, cruises, and itineraries that work for kids without making the adults feel like the whole trip was built around a splash pad.

Can you help with group travel?

Yes. Group trips are one of the places where an advisor can make the biggest difference. I can help with multi-family vacations, family reunions, milestone celebrations, destination weddings, company incentive trips, and corporate retreats.

Do you book flights?

Yes, I can book flights as part of a full itinerary. If you have a strong airline points strategy or prefer to manage flights directly, that can also make sense. We will decide what is best for the specific trip.

How far in advance should I start planning?

For most trips, 3 to 6 months is comfortable. For peak season travel, river cruises, small ships, villas, safaris, festive season, or milestone trips, 9 to 12 months is better. If your trip is last minute, still ask. I will tell you what is realistic.

What does the planning process look like?

We start with a short consultation call. I ask what has worked before, what has not, and what you want this trip to feel like. Then I send tailored options, help you choose, handle the booking, and stay available before and during travel.

What happens if something goes wrong while I am traveling?

You have my cell number. If a flight cancels, a hotel has an issue, or a supplier changes something, you are not starting from zero with a call center. I already know the itinerary and can start working on the problem.

What is the difference between a travel agent and a travel advisor?

The terms overlap. The difference is how the work is done. A travel agent books what you ask for. A travel advisor asks better questions, explains trade-offs, and helps you avoid spending money in the wrong place.

Are you independent, or do you only work with certain brands?

I work through LuxRally Travel and have access to a wide range of preferred partner relationships, including luxury hotel brands, cruise lines, tour operators, and independent properties. LuxRally Travel is a Forbes-endorsed travel agency.

What is the difference between LuxRally Travel, Internova Select, and Virtuoso?

Virtuoso and Internova Select are luxury travel networks that give advisors access to hotel benefits and preferred relationships. LuxRally Travel is the host agency I work through, and we are part of the Internova Select network. What matters for you is that I can access the right preferred program for the property you care about.

Do you work with clients outside Kentucky?

Yes. I am based in Lexington, Kentucky, but I work with clients from around the world. Most planning can be handled by phone, email, and shared documents.

How do I get started?

Send me a note with where you are thinking about going, your approximate dates, who is traveling, and what you want help with. We will set up a call from there.