Get answers to the most common questions and learn how to plan with me.
WHY SHOULD I BOOK WITH A TRAVEL PLANNER? Planning the perfect vacation can feel overwhelming and take up a lot of your valuable time. That’s where I come in — to make the process smooth, enjoyable, and tailored just for you. At A Suite Experience Travel, I handle every detail and guide you through each step with personalized care. Using my personal travel experience, trusted industry insights, and ongoing education, I design custom itineraries that fit your unique preferences and travel style. Your input is essential. I listen carefully to your ideas and requests, ensuring your vacation reflects what you truly want. My priority is your satisfaction, making your planning experience not just easy but also fun and exciting.
HOW DOES IT WORK? Planning with me is easy and fun! Whether you know exactly where you want to travel or need a bit of inspiration, I will help guide you while providing professional, personalized attention, and superior service to create the most memorable travel experience.
To start, we can email or schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation call to review your travel wish list. (Be sure to plan ahead as I have limited planning hours and my schedule fills up quickly!) You'll want to come with some plans in mind like destination, preferred and alternate dates of travel and budget. From there, I will begin researching the best options to piece together a package based on your preferences. I will share a few sample itineraries with you, and we will begin to narrow down all options. Once you choose the best package that suits you, the rest is up to me to secure all aspects of your package and get you confirmed and ready for travel.
From there, I will check in with you every so often leading up to your departure with reminders, such as: - Excursion and Dining Reservation reminders (cruise and land, made by guests) - Final Payment reminders - (typically sent 2 weeks prior to departure. Note - I do not accept final payments 1-3 days prior as we need time to be able to process. Payments not accepted on final payment date.) - Cruise online check-in reminders - Upcoming Travel reminders - Final travel documents (including airline check-in detail to be completed by guests, transportation detail, and entry requirements where applicable.)
WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED TO START PLANNING? To begin research, I will need some basic information. Simply fill out my request form on my website, call or email me directly. Here are some things I will need to know:
Budget: Having a budget in mind is most important as my packages range from moderate to high-end luxury. "Unknown or flexible budgets are not accepted as I customize your vacation plans based on preferences that fit within your budget."
Dates: Dates are very important. Please share your preferred dates of travel with an alternate option. "Flexible or month by months ranges are not accepted." (ex: Jan-May or anytime in the winter won't do.)
Preferences: Consider what you would enjoy or prefer not to have as part of your vacation. If you prefer an adult only, all-inclusive compared to a family-friendly resort or boutique luxury hotel. Do you love the thought of Aruba but not Jamaica? Do you want to cruise but only from a local port because you won't fly? These are things I need to know.
Passports: Do you a hold a valid passport or will you be obtaining? Passport requirements vary by country, however, general rule of thumb is that you should have at least 6 months post your return home date validity and a few blank pages. Cruising: While passports may not be required for all closed loop cruises departing from US ports, it is HIGHLY recommended. All European cruises require passports.
These important factors are a few of the examples that will help me focus on specific destinations and pricing options for your vacation. If you're splurging on a luxury getaway or traveling on a moderate budget, I’ll create the best package that fits for you and we work together to sort through options and make it a reality. I work directly with Tour Operators & Cruise Lines to customize itineraries, specifically tailored to you and your travel companions.
PLANNING I plan all services with Preferred Vendors and Tour Operators who offer us specially negotiated and contracted rates for airfare, accommodations and tours, therefore, all pricing is provided as complete packages and will not be publicly itemized with guests.
Please note that I focus exclusively on the destinations listed on my website and shared on my social media pages. My expertise, education, and passion are centered around these specific areas, allowing me to provide exceptional service and tailored experiences. While there are many beautiful places in the world, I believe in specializing to ensure I can deliver the highest quality of planning and support. If you inquire about a destination for which I do not offer planning services, I will recommend connecting with another travel planner who specializes in that destination. This ensures you receive the best possible guidance and support for your travel needs.
I do not offer the following planning services:
Air-only or car rental-only bookings
Short stay packages under 4 nights
Tours and Excursions only
Airport Parking reservations
Airbnb or VRBO properties unless specially contracted with our vendors in the Caribbean (ex. villa rentals). Please inquire for more information about specific villa properties.
US Domestic travel planning services (Exceptions are: Hawaii, Disney and Universal Packages).
HOW DO WE PAY FOR OUR VACATION? I gladly accept most major credit cards. Credit card payments are processed via phone or a secure email payment link. Cash, check, PayPal and Venmo are not accepted.
ARE THERE FEES TO PLAN A VACATION? My planning services come at no upfront cost to you. I’m compensated by the resorts, cruise lines, and tour operators after your trip is booked. I ask that quotes and planning requests come from clients ready to move forward so I can provide the best personalized service.
BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS: IMPORTANT! When you place a deposit with me, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions set forth by each tour operator and supplier involved in your trip. This includes all services booked on your behalf such as tours (including their duration, start and end times, and meeting locations), accommodations (including bedding configurations), transportation details, and any portions of your trip where you may be traveling independently. I provide a detailed outline of these terms for your review. By submitting your deposit, you acknowledge and accept these terms. Please note that after final payment, no refunds or penalty-free adjustments are permitted.
WHAT IF I NEED TO MODIFY MY RESERVATION? Not to worry! Give me a call or send an email. I will handle any modifications or cancellations on your booking for you prior to your departure. I offer onecomplimentary voluntary change after deposit. Thereafter, there will be a fee of $100 fee per change for all other voluntary changes. (ex. changing departure dates, flights, resorts/hotels, etc.)
Please be aware carriers may incur additional fees or penalties direct from the airline, tour operator, resort, or cruise line. Please review cancellation and modification policies in advance.
WHAT IF I HAVE DELAYS, CANCELLATIONS OR ISSUES WHILE TRAVELLING? IMPORTANT! Prior to departure, all guests will be provided phone and email contact information through our Tour Operators for in-destination issues or concerns. (for example: flight delays or cancellations). The in-destination representatives are readily available 24/7 (particularly when we are not available or offices are closed) and will assist in addressing the issue in a timely manner.
Flight issues: If you encounter any flight problems during your vacation, there are steps you can take to get back on track as quickly as possible. All delays and/or cancelled flights should be handled by the guests directly with the airline - via ticketing agents, customer service line or via the airline’s app, to promptly assist you. The airlines have complete control over the flight schedules, however, please also utilize the in-destination travel phone lines, as provided, to notify them particularly if the delay or cancellation may impact transportation, hotel stay or cruise. Next, please email to notify me of any major disruptions so I am aware and may follow up as necessary.
If you are in-destination and are not satisfied with a particular service or have a complaint, please address your concerns with the resort front desk, concierge or management, a cruise staff member or tour guide directly -while you are onsite. If guests need to file a formal complaint post-travel, please do so as you feel necessary. This is the sole responsibility of the guests to initiate and follow up, particularly if the goal is to obtain compensation or a refund.
If you have an emergency while travelling, (for example a health emergency with an urgent need to change travel plans), after you can seek care, please utilize the emergency contact phones that will be provided to you prior to travel so they may assist in rearranging travel plans however necessary. Please alert me via email or phone to notify our office of the emergency so I am aware and can follow up as necessary.
All Travel Insurance Protection/Coverage inquiries and claims are at the responsibility of the guest.
ALL PASSPORT OR OTHER ENTRY REQUIREMENTS ARE AT THE RESPONSIBILTY OF THE TRAVELER FOR THE COUNTRIES THEY ARE ENTERING.
HOW DO WE CONTACT YOU? In my role as a travel planner, I adopt a flexible working approach more reminiscent of a consultant rather than adhering to conventional hours and my planning hours are limited. Each trip is uniquely curated, tailored to your specific preferences and needs. For inquiries related to new quotes or adjustments to existing itineraries, I kindly ask for your patience, with a 48-hour timeframe for a thoughtful and comprehensive response. Your understanding ensures that I can allocate the necessary time and attention to address your travel requirements effectively.
While I work remotely and do not have a storefront, I provide planning services through email and phone and do not offer in-person meetings. Though I'm not accessible around the clock, rest assured you will be taken care of during travel and provided emergency contacts via email or phone from my preferred vendors prior to your departure.
READY TO PLAN? Visit the Contact page on my website and fill out my contact form with your details so I can reach out to you for additional details. In a busy, digital world, Email is the easiest for many! Still like to chat on the phone? Call me! 518.670.3095. Social Media - Send me a Facebook or direct message on Instagram. *For initial contact only. Travel details, itineraries and pricing will not be discussed. Note responses may be delayed.
*Please note that during peak travel planning season, responses may be delayed beyond 48 hours. A SUITE EXPERIENCE TRAVEL At A Suite Experience Travel, I take pride in being much more than your typical online booking agency. While I don't consider my company simply a best deal or lowest price shopper; I am a dedicated travel planner, committed to crafting exceptional vacation experiences for my valued clients.
As an individually owned and managed business, I invest extensive time in researching and curating packages with our preferred vendors, ensuring that I offer you the very best in vacation planning. My goal is to create unforgettable and well-planned vacations for you, delivering a level of insight, experience, and service that you won't find on a website or with an online agency or big box store. I take exceptional care of my clients, and my dedication to your satisfaction means you can book with confidence, knowing the true value of our expertise and personalized service. Many of my clients return year after year, a testament to the positive experiences I have created. I look forward to assisting you in making your travel dreams a reality.
I love hearing from my satisfied clients. Click here to see my 5-star reviews and what my travelers are saying about A Suite Experience Travel. Have you planned with me before and would like to leave a review of my services? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to leave a google review or visit myFacebook page!
I value your interest in A Suite Experience Travel and appreciate the opportunity to plan for you!