If you’ve never booked a vacation with a travel agent before, the process can seem a bit elusive. Although vacations can be complicated and have a lot of moving parts, working with me is always going to make the process easier, whether you’re already an expert traveler or not. My level of involvement is totally dependent on your wants and needs. Allow me to demystify the process in 5 easy steps, friends!
1. You reach out – Whether it’s via Instagram DM, text, email or the client interest form linked on my webpage and Insta bio, I am always happy to hear from you and grateful for your support! Maybe you know exactly what you want to book for your vacation or maybe you’re just starting to think about it. I can help you through every phase and stage, as much or as little as you want and need. When you reach out to me, I will typically respond the very same day. You will never wait more than 24 hours for an initial response.
2. Getting the info – I will get some basic information from you so I can assess how to best help you. Some of the initial information I’ll gather may include:
- The number of people in your travel party and their ages
- When you would like to travel and if your dates are flexible or not
- Where you would like to travel or what type of destination you’re interested in if you’re looking for recommendations
3. I will create and provide a quote or proposal – If you know exactly what you’re looking for, I will compile a welcome letter along with a detailed quote based on your exact request. If there are multiple components to your request such as hotel, transportation, and theme park tickets, I will clearly outline the cost of each item and provide any other relevant information such as room details, on site dining/amenities and any optional vacation excursions you may be interested in. I will also let you know what the required deposit is for booking each component. I will typically send this all to you within 1-2 days.
Lastly, I will clearly outline next steps. If you’re a new client, I will provide you with a link to my secure and straightforward registration form where you will provide all the necessary information for me to book your reservation. If you’re an existing client, I will provide a shorter payment request form if/when you’re ready to book.
If you are still in the planning/considering phase of your planning, I will create a vacation proposal with pricing details. It will have much of the same information as a quote, but I will usually provide you with 2-3 options to consider and choose from. I am always happy to adjust these options as much as you like and provide additional options as requested. This process can look different depending on what works for you. We can communicate through text or email or phone/Zoom call based on what you prefer. I will never try to “sell you” on a destination or pressure you to book. I will use my knowledge and expertise to make recommendations that I feel would best suit you and your travel party. I will provide the information in an easy to follow, consolidated format to help you make a decision that excites you!
4. Book it! – Once we’ve determined the perfect vacation, I will secure your reservation(s) and immediately send along confirmation. Depending on the type of vacation and your needs, I will follow up within 1 week to provide a personalized planning guide to outline any further steps in the planning process. For example, if it’s your family’s first Disney vacation, you may need more information on Disney’s offerings, park attractions and a suggested itinerary. You may also want to take advantage of my complimentary services to book lightning lane and dining reservations. However, this is all optional and you are free to do this totally on your own if you prefer.
If your vacation was not paid in full upon booking and a final payment is needed before travel, I will communicate with you on this and process the payment(s) on your behalf. I am also always available leading up to your vacation if you have questions or need to make any changes.
5. Vacation finally arrives! – My services and availability don’t end at booking, friends. I am available to help you throughout your vacation as well. Whether there’s a last-minute change of plans or you want me to take the task of booking lightning lanes off your plate, I’m happy to help! Regardless, I will always ensure you have all the necessary documentation and check in to make sure you’re good to go.
6. Welcome home – I will check in with you after vacation to see how everything went. Many vacation suppliers offer bounce back” discounts if you book another vacation within a certain timeframe and if this is applicable, I will check in to see if you’re interested in booking again.
No matter the size, length or type of vacation, I will always send along a personalized thank you for supporting my small business.
What other questions do you have? Please feel free to contact me any time. Thanks for reading and happy travels!