WHAT IS LUXURY TRAVEL AGENT?
LuxuryTravelAgent.com is a division of Travel by Darcy, a boutique travel agency headquartered in New Hampshire specializing in luxury vacations.
WHERE IS YOUR OFFICE LOCATED?
We maintain a virtual office to accommodate our clients that live in various time zones. The majority of our communication can be done via email and over the phone.
DOESN’T IT COST MORE TO BOOK WITH A TRAVEL AGENT?
Generally, NO! Professional travel agents are trained to save you time and money by asking the right questions to determine the best vacation to fit your personal interests and budget. We guarantee to provide the absolute best value for your vacation dollar. Our rates are generally the same or better than what is offered by the hotel or cruise line directly. The average person visits over 20 websites and spends over 10 hours researching vacation ideas. How much is your time worth? Let Luxury Travel Agent take care of all the details.
DO YOU CHARGE SERVICE FEES?
We do not charge any fees for resort, tour and cruise vacation packages. There is a nominal fee for airline tickets, customized vacation planning, and group requests. Any applicable fees will be advised upfront in our initial consultation.
I’VE NEVER WORKED WITH A TRAVEL AGENT BEFORE. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
Learn more about how this process works here.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DON’T BOOK?
We specialize in complete vacation planning assistance and do not book air or car only requests. We also do not book with companies or hotels that do not work with travel agents. (ie. small bed & breakfast properties, or websites like AirBnB, VRBO, Homeaway etc. ). Our priority is making sure that you have a stress free, memorable vacation experience. That means working only with reputable cruise, tour and package companies that support the travel agent community and offer exemplary service for our clients.
I HAVE A TON OF FREQUENT FLYER MILES, HOTEL POINTS, CREDIT CARD POINTS ETC. CAN YOU BOOK MY TRIP?
Unfortunately, no. If you plan to use miles/points to pay for your trip you need to book directly with the airline or vacation desk that manages your points. Our professional insight and assistance is only for clients that will be booking their trip with us directly.
HOW DO WE KNOW YOU’RE A REAL BUSINESS?
Travel by Darcy (dba LuxuryTravelAgent.com) is registered as an LLC in the state of New Hampshire and fully insured. Darcy Allen is a member of several well known travel industry associations and affiliated with a national award winning agency with over $100M in sales per year. Countless testimonials from real clients can be viewed on our main website, facebook and weddingwire.com.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PICK A TRAVEL AGENT?
The reality is that all travel agents have access to the same information. Agencies may have access to different sales and promotions depending on what destination they are featuring that month. The question then is – how experienced is that agent and do they know how to access that information? Will they know where to go to find you the best value for your vacation quickly and efficiently? Does it take them days to respond to an email? Have they asked you personal questions to determine your individual travel style to best match you with a specific hotel, resort or cruise experience? If that travel agent specializes in Disney vacations as an example, would they be the best match to help you with a luxury tour of Europe? All questions you should ask yourself and the travel agent you are considering using.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK MY TRIP?
If you are traveling during peak season for the destination you wish to visit, booking as early as possible is key. There are often early booking incentives available when you book 3 or more months in advance. If you have specific needs or interests – a special room with a view or an overwater bungalow perhaps – booking 6 or more months is strongly recommended. Further still, many popular European river cruises sell out up to a year in advance! So once you know where and when you want to go and have the funds to pay the deposit – don’t procrastinate! Contact us to get started.
DO I NEED A PASSPORT?
For all international destinations a US passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates is required. Non US citizens need to contact the consulate for the country they are visiting to determine entry requirements. It is the responsibility of the traveler to verify and obtain all necessary documentation needed for your trip. Further, any minors traveling without both legal parents or guardians need to travel with a notarized letter of consent. For more information visit www.state.gov/travel/
WHAT ABOUT THE ZIKA VIRUS?
The Center for Disease Control, CDC has issued a travel alert for specific destinations due to the Zika Virus. Please see the www.cdc.gov website for more information
SHOULD I JUST BOOK DIRECT WITH THE RESORT OR CRUISE LINE?
You could, by why would you? The rate is the same or better using a travel agent. We often have access to package rates, special amenities and payment plans that are not available when you book elements of your trip individually. By using an independently owned travel agent you are also supporting a local business. Book locally, travel globally.
I ALREADY BOOKED MY CRUISE/TOUR, CAN YOU STILL HELP?
It may be possible to transfer your cruise or tour reservation to us if you have booked direct with the supplier within 30-60 days and have not yet paid your reservation in full. Transferring your reservation to us does not change your reservation in any way but allows us to service your requests. You’ll work directly with our agents instead of a random call center agent. If it is not possible to transfer your reservation because you’ve exceeded the time limit or the booking is paid in full and would like assistance planning shore excursions or tours, we are happy to provide Concierge Level assistance for a nominal fee. Contact us for more information.