Frequently Asked Questions
Why work with Creosote Journeys? Why use a travel advisor?
Travel planning can be stressful and time consuming when it should be exciting and anticipatory. For many people vacation planning is often delayed in lieu of higher priority tasks and when the time come to travel; either the trip isn’t quite what you expected, you weren’t able to secure what you wanted or perhaps never materializes at all. In light of COVID-19 pandemic, the value of a travel advisor has never been more important. We take the hassle and guesswork out of the planning process. We want your vacation to be amazing and do all the hard work to make it happen. We also want you to be safe and if something does go wrong, be on your side as an advocate to navigate making it right. Imagine not having to worry about arranging travel, hotels, meals, and excursions or scouring the internet for deals. You can get what you want without having to coordinate all of the details yourself. That can end up saving you a lot of time.
What if I don’t know where I want to go? OR I have already started but am feeling overwhelmed with the planning?
If all you are certain is that you want to take a trip but are not sure where to start, let us help! Through our affiliation with the invitation-only Virtuoso network we receive information on exciting and emerging destinations daily, as well as access to promotions and value dates not available to the general public. As we get to know you and your travel style - we can make customized recommendations to plan a truly memorable holiday.
OR
If you into the planning process and feeling overwhelmed with all of the choices- we would be happy to jump in and offer assistance. We tailor each journey to your specifications and meet you wherever you are.
OR
If you into the planning process and feeling overwhelmed with all of the choices- we would be happy to jump in and offer assistance. We tailor each journey to your specifications and meet you wherever you are.
I am not sure I am a luxury traveler, do you work with all budgets?
Absolutely! The definition of luxury is different for each person. As we get to know our clients on a personal level we are better able to understand what luxury means to you and how to tailor your vacation base on this. With a little creativity and flexibility we can create amazing itineraries for any budget. Many people assume that they cannot afford to work with a travel advisor because they think it will be more expensive- when in reality we offer incredible value and choice. It is our job to stay on top of promotions and special dates. To understand the difference between all of the options. We are often able to confirm the same unrestricted rates you book directly with a cruise, airline or hotel but include many value-added perks such as breakfast for two, resort, spa or food & beverage credit, upgraded room, early check-in or late check-out to name a few.
What type of clients do you work with?
Solo travelers, couples, guys/girls getaways, families/multi-generational groups to name a few. Think active adventure or spa/wellness getaways, beach relaxation, reunions, honeymoons, milestone birthdays and anniversaries, bachelor or bachelorette escapes or just time away with yourself. With nearly 20 years of hotel sales experience, we also work with small group corporate and leisure travel; everything from your church group taking a cruise to a corporate retreat or incentive trip. We also love the growing trend of mixing business and pleasure into one trip. Our passion is in the details and ensuring that each trip is tailored to the wants and needs of the individual or the group. Flexible, adaptable and paying attention to priority #1- our clients.
How does it work? What can I expect?
Contact us to start the planning process. We begin by asking you to complete a basic questionnaire, provide your preferred communication method (phone, text/whatsapp/social messenging, email or a combination) and to provide us as any details on your next trip or your travel goals in general. We then set up a free phone consultation to answer any additional questions you may have and get to know you personally which allows us to better be able to understand what is important to you. Some people enjoy a jam-packed schedule while others are more spontaneous and like flexibility. No matter your travel style, we can plan as many or as little details ahead of time.
We begin the planning process by taking into consideration your wishlist, budget and dates of travel to create a customized itinerary that covers all the components (flights, trains, transfers, meals, special activities and anything else you want to incorporate). We then present you with options for review, modify as necessary, finalize and provide the necessary documents, information and useful links so you are prepared and ready for your trip. We are always available as a point of contact before, during or after your trip for any questions or assistance needed. To further enhance your experience, we provide a link to the itinerary management tool, AXUS, which consolidates everything into one single app at your fingertips.
We are looking to build lasting relationships with our clients throughout the years so the post-trip feedback is especially important. And referrals are gold!
We begin the planning process by taking into consideration your wishlist, budget and dates of travel to create a customized itinerary that covers all the components (flights, trains, transfers, meals, special activities and anything else you want to incorporate). We then present you with options for review, modify as necessary, finalize and provide the necessary documents, information and useful links so you are prepared and ready for your trip. We are always available as a point of contact before, during or after your trip for any questions or assistance needed. To further enhance your experience, we provide a link to the itinerary management tool, AXUS, which consolidates everything into one single app at your fingertips.
We are looking to build lasting relationships with our clients throughout the years so the post-trip feedback is especially important. And referrals are gold!
Why not just book online?
Travel is a personal experience and since many people only take one or two vacations a year- all the more reason to make the most of it. We save you the time and trouble of searching through all the options and create a personalized itinerary that suits your travel preferences. We also stay on top of promotions, value-dates and read all the fine print and are a single point to pay all the fares. For family or group travel, we act as a one-stop shop for all communication and collection of payment and other necessary information. A travel advisor understands that changes frequently happen, know how to work with complex itineraries and communicate all special needs and requests. Most importantly if something happens during your travels, you have a personal contact to reach out to directly to get the trouble sorted out. Good luck trying to receive anything but the call queue through an online travel agency (OTA). Coming from a hotel background; these travelers are allocated the least desirable rooms and are the first to be re-accommodated if the hotel is oversold.
We are not just transactional, we care about the long-term relationships we develop with our clients.
We are not just transactional, we care about the long-term relationships we develop with our clients.
What about loyalty programs, points and mileage?
We take note of all your loyalty programs and status and include this information when making bookings so you receive credit and due recognition. If your status provides you with additional benefits that cannot be combined with an offer - we will always present all options so you can make a decision.
If you have already booked any portion of your trip using points, mileage or otherwise we are happy to jump in and assist where needed with booking the additional components. Or if you want us to make a booking using your points or miles, we are happy to offer our services but note that a booking fee for this service may apply.
If you have already booked any portion of your trip using points, mileage or otherwise we are happy to jump in and assist where needed with booking the additional components. Or if you want us to make a booking using your points or miles, we are happy to offer our services but note that a booking fee for this service may apply.
Do you charge fees?
For hotel bookings where you have a location in mind or you simply want us to book a Virtuoso hotel for you (to receive the wonderful benefits), we do not charge fees. If you need some assistance in researching and selecting a hotel, booking fees start from $25.00 per stay. Airline ticketing fees start from $25.00 per person each way. Cruise planning starts from $50.00 per person per itinerary. Travel planning fees to cover 2 people for up to 7-nights starts from $250.00. The more complex the itinerary or number of people traveling will affect what we charge. The reward for you is a return on your investment, incredible value and the benefit of our partnerships and access. We are always happy to have an initial complimentary consultation to determine if our services are a good fit and answer any questions you have. There are never any surprises as we will clearly communicate any fees in advance of booking and are very flexible with the fees depending on many variables.
How do we get started?
