Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The planning fee is nonrefundable and pays for the service of drafting the initial itinerary with up to three edits. Additional services are available when booking through Travel by Marisa.

Travel agents are compensated with a commission from the vendor only after the client completes their trip. Consequently, all the significant hours of work required for intricate trips remain uncompensated, unless a planning fee is charged.

If a potential client decides not to book a trip or cancels their reservation, all the work hours invested remain uncompensated. As a result, many agents charge non-refundable planning fees to safeguard their time and expertise.

According to Travel Weekly, as of 2023, over 70% of travel agents charge fees.

The average American reviews on average 277¹ pieces of content and spends 10 hours doing research² prior to booking. This is before the additional time taken to sort out logistics, a daily schedule, tours, and transportation. Most of those hours would be returned back to you to do something you enjoy more.

Sometimes, yes, and sometimes no. As agents and members of various travel consortiums, we have access to different benefits, often in the form of extra perks that are not available to the general public. When you book with an Online Travel Agency (OTA), they may either reduce their commission to lower the price or charge the same price you would pay if you booked directly with me, but keep the commission for themselves. Additionally, we possess numerous tips and tricks to save money and enhance the purchasing power of your travel dollars. However, online booking engines are not designed to optimize for maximum convenience and value.

My objective is not to find you the most affordable deal or spend more than necessary to fulfill your travel aspirations. Since I charge a planning fee upfront, if an excursion I know would be ideal for you doesn’t pay any commission or a hotel offers a lower rate compared to its competitors, I will include what I believe is a great fit for you. Agents who solely rely on commission are incentivized to book with vendors that provide substantial compensation, even if there are better options available.

For instance, consider a financial advisor who receives a flat rate instead of better compensation from certain funds. This could create a conflict of interest.

Booking with a travel professional offers several advantages. We have years of travel experience, having visited various destinations and countries across multiple continents. Personally, I have been traveling since I was six weeks old and have visited five continents, over 35 countries, and 38 states. While I haven’t been to every place, it’s on my bucket list!

As your personal travel advisor, I’m here to answer any questions or provide assistance before your trip. There’s no need to call in and wait on hold to ask a question or make a change—that’s my job. I handle any component booked with me.

One advantage of booking with me is access to dedicated agent-only customer service numbers that often don’t come with the long hold times you’d encounter when managing your own booking. Remember during the height of COVID, attempting to cancel arrangements often resulted in excruciatingly long hold times, if you could even get through. There were even stories of vendors simply taking their phones off the hooks and closing up shop. When you book on your own, you have the buying power of your trip and the status of a valued client of 1.

If something happens when we make a call or file a complaint, my host agency, with its thousands of agents and millions of dollars of buying power behind every call and issue resolution, has your back.

Additionally, depending on availability and location, I can access a consortium network of travel professionals not available to the general public. I don’t rely on posted reviews to research components; instead, I can reach out to one of the thousands of agents nationwide who are always traveling and on the ground.

During your trip, if I’m unavailable due to a time change or scheduling issue, you’ll have access to dedicated help lines that are open 24/7 with customer service representatives ready to assist you. Depending on the vendors you’re booked with, many also have in-country on-the-ground resources to contact and work with in case of an issue or emergency.

The travel industry is a thrilling adventure that offers endless excitement and glamour. But it also comes with its fair share of challenges. With the rise of social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and the popularity of travel influencers, more and more people are jumping on the travel bandwagon. But here’s the thing: the low entry barriers have led to a mix of agents and advisors with varying levels of expertise.

So, if you’re looking for a fantastic travel experience, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. **Check their travel experience:** While not every agent is an expert in every destination, travel is a skill that grows with experience. Look for an agent who has been to the places you’re dreaming of.

2. **Know your travel style:** Not all agents specialize in the same things. If you’re planning a family vacation to Europe, it might not be the best idea to work with an agent who only does cruises or all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean.

Remember, a great travel experience is all about finding the right person to guide you through your journey. So, take your time, do your research, and choose an agent who you feel comfortable working with. Your travel dreams will thank you!

I’ll take a look at booking domestic travel on a case-by-case basis. Unless there’s a group or a special need, domestic travel usually doesn’t require the level of complexity that would necessitate an agent. Most of the trips TBM has worked on for domestic travel are Theme Parks (like Disney and Universal), National Parks with multi-state components, or even Alaska and Hawaii. These domestic trips are often more complex and need extra knowledge to be successful.

Travel insurance is automatically included in every quote I send out. Just like you’d insure your car or home, it’s a smart move to protect your vacation. The coverage options vary, from basic protection to Cancel for Any Reason. We can chat about these options during the booking process.

If you decide not to get travel insurance through Travel by Marisa, you’ll need to sign a release that waives all liability in case you need to cancel or reschedule any travel bookings, or run into any problems during your trip that make you want to change or cancel them.

Unfortunately, your current agent is the one on record for your reservations, and they’ve invested time and resources into your booking. Contact them and clearly state your concerns, the assistance you still need, and your expectation of a timely completion.

If you’d like to discuss future travel needs after your trip, reach out to me for a complimentary consult call.

Yes and No. Since you booked directly, I can’t call my dedicated numbers to help you. For example, if you booked a cruise with Royal Caribbean and want a price adjustment because the fare dropped, I can’t advocate for you since I’m not the agent on record.

If you’ve booked your air and hotels but need help with tours, excursions, must-see sites, transportation, and logistics, reach out to me. I can advise you hourly and may also book and manage these components.

Note: During busy times, especially in spring and early summer, I may be unavailable for hourly consultations. Most of my time is dedicated to managing complete trips for clients. 

Depending on my availability, I can assist with the research design and itinerary. However, most clients opt to hire an advisor due to the time, effort, and support they provide.

Depending on my availability, I may advise you on the best flights and hotel options on an hourly fee basis. The client is responsible for booking using personal points/miles and is aware of any penalty clauses for changes and cancellations.

Airbnb exclusively serves consumers. I can recommend other home rental platforms based on your vacation needs.

Consider your needs, budget, and comfort level with the destination before choosing a private apartment or home rental. Airbnb historically was often more affordable, but prices have risen. Fees, including administrative and cleaning costs, now often exceed traditional hotel and Aparthotel prices.

Rental contracts often require chores before checkout, which some clients didn’t appreciate. Private rental homes may lack on-call staff, especially in non-English-speaking destinations. They also vary in security and customer support for issues.