Q: I have an AMEX Platinum credit card. Why would I use a travel advisor over their services and portal?
A: With Amex, each time you call the 1-800 number on the back of your card, you get a ‘luck of the draw’ travel professional on the other end of the line. Sure, the 5x points per $1 spend on fully prepaid bookings (only) are great but, with Amex, you’re interacting with a travel agent. With Belle Voyages, you’re working with a travel advisor. And just like Amex, I can get you hotel room upgrades, daily breakfast, and that coveted food/beverage/spa credit.
Q: I keep seeing the name “Virtuoso” mentioned, even beyond this website. What is it, anyways?
A: Great question! Virtuoso is a 'by invitation only' portfolio of the globe’s most highly coveted properties, means of transportation, experiences, and partners who are vetted and re-evaluated for their standards of excellence within the industry. This provides you, the client, with exclusive access, amenities, and benefits only unlocked via our network. Through our coalition, we can provide you with unparalleled access to the world's most luxurious and curated travel experiences.
Q: Does Belle Voyages charge a travel planning fee?
A: Yes. To retain our services, there is a cost structure in place to assist with our time spent on research, collaboration between us and our global network of partners, reservation booking(s), itinerary-crafting, travel design, and concierge services. While each journey obviously varies, on average, we typically spend about 20-40 hours working on a large trip from the initial discovery/client intake call to the day of departure. For our clients, paying a nominal fee with the knowledge that their entire trip will be customized and vetted, coupled with the fact that they’ve got someone who will be their advocate/concierge throughout the planning and trip phase, is well worth it!
Q: Speaking of fees, I thought you earned commission from each booking. Is that not true?
A: Yes, I do earn a commission from most bookings. That said, we are not paid (our commissions) until you, the traveler, complete your stay/excursion, etc. So for folks who book out a year or two in advance, I am not paid, in some cases, up to three-months post your return!
Q: I don’t think my trip will be so big as to require concierge services. Are you able to help me with a one-off flight or hotel booking?
A: Absolutely! No matter the size, big or small, we can help you with all-things-travel-related.
Q: I am totally capable of booking everything myself. I mean, I’ve done it plenty of times before. Why should I work with a travel advisor?
A: Think of travel advisors like financial planners: They’re trusted, knowledgeable sources who help shape and support big decisions. Travel is an investment, and it can yield an incredible return on life!
Q: Fine, but what exactly can a travel advisor do that, with some research, I couldn’t? Hello, isn’t that what Expedia and Google Flights is for?
A: With luxury travel, it’s all about what - and who - you know:
We can call the General Manager at the hotel you’re about to check into in Paris to see if an upgrade is available. We’re on a first-name basis; you, on the other hand, probably are not.
If a hotel’s website says it’s fully booked, there’s a good chance that we can still secure a reservation for you. And, if your flight gets canceled or delayed, we can probably get you on another one faster than you can. Bottom line: Travel advisors have way more connections than you!
When we are not working (i.e., after-hours), there's almost always a 24/7 service number you can call. That is one of the things that really distinguishes a travel professional from the internet; whether it's a flight cancellation, issues at a hotel, an unexpected illness, or a train/ferry strike abroad, a travel professional has the best connections and can quickly jump in to assess the situation and navigate the roadblocks to find a solution. We literally hold your hand until you return home to ensure a successful trip.