Some people enjoy planning their trips and would never think to hire a luxury travel advisor! They enjoy doing extensive research, discovering interesting places, and creating a comprehensive itinerary. However, most people find this completely stressful and second guess all of their decisions.

Do you trust the reviews left by strangers on the hotel you’ve booked?

Will your children actually enjoy this activity?

Were the photos heavily edited to make this destination more desirable than it really is?

Planning a trip can be extremely overwhelming, especially if it is to a foreign country you haven’t visited before. Maybe you have a complex itinerary, such as an African safari. Getting an expert to help with the details makes it a far more seamless (and less stressful) process. That is where luxury travel advisors are crucial!

You may be asking yourself, “Are travel advisors worth the investment?” The short answer: YES. A luxury travel advisor is exactly what you need when you feel stuck or don’t have the time to put in the countless hours of research.

Let’s look into the many benefits of working with a luxury travel advisor:

Save Yourself a LOT of Time

Luxury travel advisors are professionals at what they do. They have an extensive network of relationships with hoteliers and tour operators. They also have access to unique opportunities that you cannot find online. The internet and social media are helpful when researching, but it quickly turns into a rabbit hole! You end up with endless options to sift through and are not sure if the sources are reliable.

Have these people visited the destination often or only once?

Do these people enjoy traveling the same way as you do?

Do they have the same travel budget as you?

Working with a luxury travel advisor means you can close all of the browser tabs on your computer. What do they do? They provide ideal hotel recommendations, organize the complicated logistics, book airfare, and design an itinerary that matches your travel style. They will also provide dining recommendations, beach club suggestions, and travel tips. Your itinerary arrives in a digital phone app that makes traveling a breeze. Say goodbye to the days of frantically searching your inbox looking for confirmation numbers. Sigh of relief!

Get Access to VIP Perks & Elevated Travel Experiences

When you work with a luxury travel advisor, you have access that would not be possible otherwise. Hotel rooms booked via travel advisors are the most likely to receive complimentary upgrades. This means serious savings for you! No credit card company writes to the hotel’s general manager to ensure they know your arrival time or dining preferences. In comparison, a luxury travel advisor has personal relationships with the hotel’s management, so they let them know how to best care for their clients.

Thanks to preferred partnerships with the world’s top hoteliers (Four Seasons, Belmond, Rosewood, etc), you gain VIP perks. All of this comes at no extra cost to you. If you book a hotel room directly on the hotel’s website, you miss out on substantial amenities. A travel advisor can secure hotel credits, complimentary room upgrades, welcome gifts, and free breakfast daily. You are literally leaving money on the table when booking directly through the hotel. All of these things are included at no extra cost when booking your luxury hotel stay with a travel advisor.

A travel advisor elevates your hotel experience. Have you ever felt like a VIP at a hotel? Perhaps they will greet you by name, or the general manager will personally welcome you to the property. Maybe you receive a glass of champagne when you arrive, or a thoughtful surprise in your room. If you book your travel arrangements on your own, it is unlikely you will receive this treatment.

Receive 24/7 Travel Support

One of the greatest benefits is the support you get before and during your travels. For instance, when you use a full-service luxury travel advisor, they will coordinate all of your flights. Should an issue arise — like a cancellation — you have a 24/7 air desk support number to reach out to.

No need to call the airline and wait hours for a customer service agent to pickup. Instead, the air desk expedites your request for a new flight. The air desk can hold your seat on the next flight out before everyone else calling the airline. The can also look into other airline options if you need to completely switch routes.

Additionally, you have a 24/7 in-destination contact. In case of a flight delay, it takes one simple call to your emergency contact. They will inform your driver of the new pickup time and notify the hotel of a delayed arrival time. If you run into issues or have questions, they are always available to assist. It’s invaluable having access to a local who speaks the language fluently and can problem solve the inevitable issues that arise during travel.

Receive Vetted & Reliable Recommendations

Booking a trip is not solely about finding suitable accommodation and flights. A luxury travel advisor will try to maximize your travel experience by selecting the ideal choices for YOU. They may suggest a red-eye flight so you sleep on the plane and wake up well rested. Maybe they advise against a route with too short of a layover to make your connection.

Your hotel selections will also be curated to your own budget and preferences. Have you ever researched hotels for hours and trusted reviews from strangers, only to be let down? A luxury travel advisor will make informed hotel selections based upon your individual taste. Narrowing down the hotel options means that your travel planning is efficient and perfectly suits your own needs.

The internet is is not always the best source of information when researching activities, either. Social media influencers are paid to capture popular destinations and crop out the crowds, so travelers must be weary. You need to be sure of whether or not you can trust your sources. So, your research needs to be extensive if you plan your own travels.

On the other hand, luxury travel advisors have first-hand information and partners based in the country you are traveling to. These partners are local experts that personally vet the experiences and hotels they are recommending. You receive honest and reliable recommendations on activities and restaurants. You also get the inside scoop on what to avoid that may look better online than in reality.

Booking a trip with a luxury travel advisor is one of the best ways to ensure the smoothest travel experience. Your trip is perfectly curated and all of the small details are accounted for. Therefore, you enjoy your getaway, instead of wasting time researching dining or logistics.

If you’re curious what it’s like to work with Unfolded Travels, view our services to learn more about our offerings. Or, fill out our trip inquiry form if you’re ready to start planning!