You’ve Got Questions - We’ve Got Answers

What You Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

How do I request a vacation pacakage?

You can navigate to the Inquiry Form tab above to request a vacation package. Please remember to complete all the questions and include all of the requested information.



How do I request a consultation?

You can navigate to the Book Online tab above to request a phone consultation to discuss preliminary details of your trip. We will discuss details including the destination that interests you, budget, number of travelers, type of vacation, and any special requests you may have.



Why should I use a travel agent?

Travel agents make travel less stressful. When booking a vacation, destination wedding or honeymoon, the last thing a traveler should have to do is worry. They save you money…
Travel professionals have access to special discount codes and promotions through suppliers. They often can save an additional amount or provide clients with a dining or spa credit that wouldn’t be available when booking through an OTA. …and time.
In a 2016 survey of more than 1,200 consumers, nearly one-third spent in excess of four hours, over multiple days, planning their own vacations. Travel advisors create a custom itinerary, pulling together flights, transfers, accommodation, tours, visits, meals and exclusive visits based on your preferences—so you can spend your time on other things. They don’t charge hidden fees.
Many agents don’t charge fees at all, and those who do are up-front about the cost. They advocate on your behalf.
A Washington state family, as TMR previously reported, received an email a few weeks before its $874 vacation was cancelled due to overbooking. After hours on the phone, Holly Parsons walked away with $500 in Expedia vouchers and three nights in a Holiday Inn Express. They provide personalized attention.
OTAs provide a one-size-fits-all service, not taking into account the numerous variables that are in play. Travel advisors tailor their services to their clients’ individual needs. Have concerns? They’ll talk you through them. Need a hotel that can cater to your allergies? A travel advisor can speak to hotel managers to make sure it’s taken care of. They offer insurance.
From guaranteeing your hotel is available to knowing if the excursion company is legitimate, booking through a travel agent ensures travelers will not get duped. And they provide insurance for medical emergencies and trip cancellations. They’re there 24/7.
Travel agents are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They’re there with you throughout the booking process and follow up afterward. On the other hand, contacting an OTA’s customer service line often means wading through a chain of people. Parson said she spent six and a half hours over three days speaking with Expedia’s customer service department. They’re specialists.
Agents have a personal understanding of your interests and insight into a specific destinations and segments of travel, like LGBT or destination weddings. A good travel agent spends time getting to know the customer and so can make recommendations tailored to what you want to do.



Identification Required for Travel

Do I need to obtain a passport to travel?

We encourage all travelers to have a passport. Passports are required for all international travel and cruises. All domestic travel require a state id or birth certificate. You should also know that some state IDs and Drivers License will no longer be enough to travel domestically in 2018. Please read below for more information from the US Department of Homeland Security. Identification Adult passengers 18 and over must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.

  • Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. passport card
  • DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
  • Permanent resident card
  • Border crossing card
  • DHS-designated enhanced driver's license
  • Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
  • HSPD-12 PIV card
  • Foreign government-issued passport
  • Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
  • Transportation worker identification credential
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  • U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
ID requirements at the checkpoint will change beginning Jan. 22, 2018. Learn about REAL ID, read the FAQ or factsheet. A weapon permit is not an acceptable form of identification. A temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification. Children TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. Contact the airline for questions regarding specific ID requirements for travelers under 18. Forgot Your ID? In the event you arrive at the airport without valid identification, because it is lost or at home, you may still be allowed to fly. The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint. You may be subject to additional screening, to include a patdown and screening of carry-on property. You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if your identity cannot be confirmed, you chose to not provide proper identification or you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process. TSA recommends that you arrive at least two hours in advance of your flight time. If your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint.



What is a REAL ID?

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards. States have made considerable progress in meeting this key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission and every state has a more secure driver’s license today than before the passage of the Act. For more information on the REAL ID Act, visit https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs



Travel Insurance

Do I need travel insurance?

We recommend that you purchase travel insurance for each trip that you take. You never know when an emergency will arise and you will need to cancel or change your trip. We recommend traveling with a sense of ease and comfort knowing that if an emergency arises you are covered. Also, many vendors offer a lower deposit with the purchase of insurance.



Fees

Do you charge for your services?

Luxury Vacations reserves the right to charge a "Plan to Go Fee" for all clients that require extensive research to prepare a quote. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs for more information about the "Plan to Go Fee".