Question 1

Aren't travel advisors a thing of the past?

Accepted Answer

JBT is a modern travel agency, making the experience of planning and booking trips less stressful. My deep relationships with hotel and travel partners allow me to give you the best trip possible. I work with clients to plan, book, and support their travel, making sure they get the most value for their time and investment while also being there to problem solve and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. I can help you book everything from a staycation hotel booking to a bucket list safari.

Question 2

How do you differ from other travel advisors?

Accepted Answer

Great question! First and foremost, I approach every trip as if it were my own — with careful attention to detail, thoughtful itinerary design, and a belief that the planning should be part of the fun. I've studied abroad, lived abroad, worked abroad, traveled for business, traveled solo, traveled as a couple, traveled with 3 kids, traveled with multiple generations, traveled with friends - you get the idea - so I'm familiar with the unique challenges and opportunities that each of these travel scenarios present. This isn't my first rodeo.

I’m a member of nearly every major luxury hotel preferred partner program, including Four Seasons Preferred, Rosewood Elite, Bellini Club by Belmond, Langham Couture, Accor Preferred, Hilton for Luxury, Hyatt Privé, IHG Destined and Virtuoso. These partnerships allow my clients to enjoy valuable benefits such as daily breakfast, resort credits, VIP upgrade priority, and special recognition at many of the world’s best hotels.

I’m also backed by my host agency, FORA Travel, which supports a global community of travel advisors. This means you not only receive my expertise, but also that of advisors in my network who live and travel in every part of the world. Through these travel partnerships and advisor relationships, I’m able to advocate for my clients, unlock special perks, and coordinate seamless experiences with trusted travel partners around the world.

Equally important, I continually invest in destination training and travel myself so I can provide well-informed recommendations. The result is a travel experience that feels effortless, personalized and thoughtfully designed from start to finish.

Question 3

I enjoy planning my travel. I don't need an advisor.

Accepted Answer

I get it!  The beauty of working with me is that you can be as involved as you'd like to be.  You can still do the research and come to me when you're ready to do the actual booking. I can add on the finishing touches (supplemental experiences, airport transfers, access to the upgrade, the free breakfast, or the rooms that adjoin) and make sure you're getting the best value. Did you know that I have a system that monitors my refundable hotel bookings and automatically notifies me if the price drops, so we can cancel and rebook at the lower rate? Plus, I'll pull the details together into a digital itinerary so you have everything  in one easy-to-find place and I'll be there to support you through your reservation and travel.

Question 4

Can't I book the same thing on my own?

Accepted Answer

Could you book the same hotel online? Sure, these days you can do most anything on your own.  Will you receive the same value and experience as you would working with JBT? Definitely not.

I have relationships with hotel, cruise, and tour partners that allow me to secure the best experience for my clients. At a hotel or resort, my relationship gives you free breakfast, hotel credit, top priority for room upgrades, early check-in and late check-out, and sometimes even preferred rates.

I'm living and breathing travel every day, so I'm always looking at industry trends, new property openings, geopolitical concerns, etc. that it's often not practical for someone outside the industry to stay current on.

Plus, for a hotel booking where you know your destination and dates, there is no fee for my services!

Question 5

Can't I just book with AMEX or Chase?

Accepted Answer

Guess what? I have the AMEX Platinum and other high-end travel credit cards too!  I love utilizing travel rewards.

We can work together to maximize your benefits (we aren't leaving that $300 credit on the table) but I'll let you in on a little secret: booking with me means that even if AMEX offers the same perks at a property, my clients are  prioritized for room upgrades before credit card customers. Why?
Because the travel industry is all about relationships and our team has built meaningful partnerships with hotels around the world (4,500+ to be exact).  I am part of nearly every major preferred partner program including Four Seasons Preferred, Hilton for Luxury, Hyatt Privé, IHG Luxury and Lifestyle, Virtuoso Travel, and more. These selective, invitation-only programs are cultivated by hotels to reward agencies who deliver consistent, high-quality clientele. What does this mean for you? Beyond getting priority ahead of Amex customers for room upgrades, you will earn hotel loyalty points when booking through JBT and you'll be flagged as VIP guests prior to your arrival. Cue bespoke welcome amenities and hyper-personalized attention.

These relationships with partners, hotel managers, and staff  mean I have a direct line to the places and people who take care of your stay. Why does this matter? My personal relationships mean I can quickly and effectively address any issues or concerns that may arise during your trip and resolve them in real time. You'll get the highest touch, personalized experience possible - no call centers here.

And, you can still pay with your AMEX, Chase, Citi, etc. card so you get all the benefits of personalized service and still earn points, can utilize their travel protection, etc. Win, win!

Question 6

Why did I find a lower price when I looked myself?

Accepted Answer

Working with me isn't a discount service, it's a value add service. I will always work with hotel partners to get you the best rates AND the best experience. You might be able to find the cheapest room possible on online platforms, but did you know that room is a really undesirable category, has a super restrictive cancellation policy, and/or you won't earn points or loyalty rewards? Plus, that cheap rate often isn't once taxes and fees show up later in the booking. By working with me, you'll have insight into all of these things to make sure your experience is the best it can be. And if the rate you've found online is in fact the best, I can also book that for you, while flagging you as a preferred VIP guest with the hotel directly.

Question 7

This sounds too good to be true. How do you get paid?

Accepted Answer

I’m often asked how travel advisors are compensated and I'm happy to be transparent with my clients. For hotel only bookings, I receive a commission directly from my travel partners on the back end. Hotels pay a portion of your rate to marketing channels, such as Expedia, Amex, or in-house marketing efforts, depending on how you book. When you book with me, the hotel pays that amount to me instead, so you're supporting a small business in addition to getting perks. I truly appreciate when clients give me the opportunity to be a part of their travel planning.

For Tailored and Bespoke trips, I charge a non-refundable travel planning fee. You can view my advisor service options and fees here.

Question 8

What if I don't need a full itinerary, but am just doing a simple hotel booking?

Accepted Answer

I'm happy to help! Yes, many clients seek advisor services for more complex itineraries, but if it's travel related, I can likely help.  Hotels, cruises, safari, rental cars, airport transfers, tours, activities - no inquiry is too small.

I'm able to add value on nearly all premium or luxury bookings with perks via my preferred partners, but I've helped clients with road trip overnights in small towns, suburban extended stay hotels for family emergencies, rental cars, and always try to help if I can.

Question 9

Do you book villas or rental homes? How about airbnb or VRBO?

Accepted Answer

I work with a curated network of vetted villa and home rental partners to ensure a consistent, high-quality experience. I don’t book Airbnb or VRBO properties, as individually managed listings don’t offer the same level of vetting, reliability, or support. I’m always happy to source options through trusted partners so you have the right experience from start to finish.

Question 10

Do you offer travel insurance? Do I really need it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and yes. Travel insurance offers protection for the investment you've made in your travel plans should something unexpected happen before or during your trip, including trip delay or interruption . So often we see illness or injury, severe weather, airline issues or geopolitical instability derail plans through no fault or choice of the traveler.

My preferred travel insurance partner is Faye. They offer a user friendly, fairly priced insurance product including the gold standard "cancel for any reason" insurance that offers you the most protection (but must be purchased within 2 weeks of making a deposit on your trip). This protection gives you full peace of mind for any non-refundable aspects of your trip. Look forward to 24/7 assistance, emergency medical coverage, trip delay coverage, baggage care and more. You can also supplement your plan with add-ons.

It's best to buy travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your trip. That way, you'll be protected against unexpected events that might cause you to delay or cancel. And if you buy within 14 days of your initial trip deposit, you'll be eligible for Faye's full range of coverage protection, including coverage of pre-existing medical conditions. If you do not purchase Faye travel insurance within 14 days of your initial trip deposit, there won’t be an option to purchase the Cancel For Any Reason add-on or be eligible for pre-existing medical conditions coverage.

I also work with other insurance providers, such as Allianz, if you are interested in one of their offerings, like their annual plan.

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