FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I try my very best to find you the best price for your money keeping in mind that I want you to have a grand adventure and not a trip. I also always go the extra mild and research all my sources to find out who is offering the best deals rather than just use the same booking accounts each time. When using my services, you will never pay me directly out of your pocket. My services are paid by the booking sources that I use to find your deal. Finally, if I can't find you the adventure you are looking for - for the price you want to spend, I will tell you.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I usually request a call or email before I send a quote. While there is a good amount of information that comes with the request from Thumbtack, there are usually a few things missing that I need to know before I can send a quote. Examples of this is for number of people one of the categories is 3-5. This makes a difference sometimes for number of rooms needed. Also there is no place for ages and it often makes a difference in tours and prices depending on age. After I have qualify the candidate with those extra questions, that is when I go to work. I take all the information into consideration, including budge, dates of travel, type of experience looking for, length of time available, and I will usually come up with 3 quotes to share with the client. I send 3 as generally, more than 3 is an overload and becomes very difficult to make decisions. If the customer just doesn't see what they like, I will go back and try to find one more potential itinerary that will meet all the qualifications requested. When the client finds a tour/location/resort/cruise that they like, I will then send 3 forms via email that are returned to me electronically via secured server. A customer information sheet, a travel insurance waiver, and a credit card authorization form. No charges are ever made without approval from client. Some booking sources allow payments, if a client has chosen a payment plan, I will make payments for said client until the final payment. Once services are paid (if applicable as some sources have client pay at time of service) I will send paper travel documents so that the client has all reservation numbers and vouchers on hand when traveling. I also send travel instructions (especially if traveling out of the country). If the client would prefer electronic, I do have an app that I can utilize so that they can find the information they need on their phone, computer or tablet. I contact all hotels, resorts, airlines, 1 week before travel for all clients to make sure that reservations are in order. While traveling, I am available 24/7 for my clients for any reservation made by Grand Adventures Travel, LLC. (if the client has made some of their own reservations, I am only able to assist them with reservations that show Grand Adventures Travel, LLC as the booking agent).
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am registered with a large host agency (KHM Travel Group) that require all agents to go through training/education courses that not only have business and marketing classes, but also travel and rules and regulations classes, before they will allow you into their agency. I have also taken several specialty courses on destinations around the world. I am currently working on a variety certificates to further my understanding of the world, travel, and the rules and regulations of the travel industry.