your

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Time is our most precious asset. When you trust us with yours, we will have earned it.

What do your travel design services cost?

We keep our design fees as low as possible so you stay within your budget and still get the trip you crave. Fees range from $150 – $1500, depending on a few things – your destination, complexity, number of travelers, length of the trip, etc.

We are transparent about our fees. We talk about them during your complimentary planning call. And you’ll always get a services quote before we move forward in the travel design process.

Why does Luxury Travel Authority charge for designing our travel experiences?

Well, we are not booking agents, we’re travel experts. Our services go far beyond booking trips. See our shortlist below for more about what our trip design includes.

All professionals charge fees for their services and expertise, and so do we. And we earn it too. One important part of our job is to have and share travel-professional-level knowledge about the places you want to travel, the many ways you can get there, and the unique things you’ll want to do once you arrive. Because this takes your trip from ordinary to extraordinary. Our knowledge spans decades. It includes traditional training, but also practical learning – we’ve explored six continents! And experienced unpretentious luxury in all corners of the world. It’s your insurance that what we recommend gets you the fabulous journey you deserve. We truly are the Luxury Travel Authority!

What does the travel design service include?

Lucky for you, we’re obsessed with trip research and planning. Here’s our shortlist:

Before starting any detailed planning, we have a 20-minute complimentary planning call with you to discuss and agree on the trip idea included with this service.
Includes all trip components – air, accommodations, transportation, experiences, schedules, costs, and much more.
Only proven, go-the-extra mile travel partners who provide exceptional service and genuinely want to make your trip storytelling-worthy. Because you don’t want no-show tour guides or other disappointments. A faceless online booking site could never do that for you.
Considering risk and hassle analysis so the plans we create for you are stressless and seamless – because your entire experience matters to us.
Analyzing costs every step of the way to make certain you’re getting the best value, with lagniappe included
Planning the details and ironing out the logistics, then putting them together like your favorite 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle.
We manage all your trip details and any partner or supplier made changes at no extra charge to you!
Reality checks are also part of what we do. Again, we are transparent – if something you hoped for isn’t doable, we will let you know.
And last, but not least, we secure your reservations for you – (is that really all you thought we did?).

Why else should I use a travel advisor instead of doing it myself online?

Do you know it takes an average of 10-20 hours to do just the research for your trip? Even longer, if it’s a place you’ve never been before or you’re visiting multiple destinations. We know you value your time. Want a simple, stressless planning process? One that results in a truly hassle-free vacation that’s also ideally matched to you? We know you do. Here are a few reasons why Luxury Travel Authority gives you the clear advantage:

We work for you, in your best interest, to give you honest, unbiased guidance. It’s what we value. And it isn’t found with big-box travel agencies or cruise line agents. Luxury Travel Authority creates the trip you want and gets the most value for your vacation dollar.
Our values (see above) motivate us, not commissions. We strive to exceed your expectations and negotiate your best travel options.
We’re your advocate. Because you shouldn’t spend your limited time in vacationland fixing travel problems when they come up.
We’ve built strong relationships with our suppliers and affiliates. You’ll enjoy smoother, more authentic travel experiences. And you’ll have swifter resolutions that will result in minimal disruptions to you.
You’ll save time. We take care of research, planning, and trip management – we’re obsessed – so you can use your valuable time immersed in YOUR obsessions.
Your exclusive extras, insider experiences, and money saved. If you’ve been around this site you know about lagniappe. Sometimes that’s breakfast in bed or an unexpected room upgrade, other times it’s early check-in or a round of golf. Because of this, your trip rises from common to unforgettable. Thrilling you thrills us.

What do you need to start planning my trip?

Our travel preferences form will ask questions about your destination preferences, priorities, interests, budget, and more. Clearly understanding your desires and expectations is an important part of getting you the trip you want – one that’s ideally matched to you.

How do I set up an appointment with you?

When you’re ready to chat about designing your next trip, click here to schedule your complimentary trip planning call on my calendar. Afterward, you’ll automatically connect to, complete and submit a short travel preferences form.

If you need to get in touch for another reason, please email us at hello@luxurytravelauthority.com

To what destinations do you plan travel?

We specialize in planning unpretentious luxury travel to many global destinations and we have destination partners around the world. Tell us what you have in mind.

What trip components do you arrange?

Our services include air travel, accommodations, ocean and river cruises, cruise tours, transportation, local experiences, tours, guides, and more. Whatever Casualux vacation you can dream up, we gotcha.

How far in advance should I plan my trip?

During normal, non-pandemic times, the planning sweet spot is 6-9 months in advance. Today that depends heavily on the time of year and destination. Ask us.

Do you arrange last-minute bookings?

We encourage you to book at least 30 days in advance, however, please reach out to us to inquire about last-minute bookings.

Who do I pay?

You’ll pay the travel design fee directly to Luxury Travel Authority.

All other trip components are paid directly to your vacation provider. To streamline the process, Luxury Travel Authority manages these payments on your behalf.

What forms of payment are accepted?

We and our travel partners accept major credit cards:

Visa, MasterCard, and usually American Express. Alternative methods may be available on a one-off basis, such as wire transfers or PayPal. Please inquire. For your safety and security, our systems are PCI compliant.

Can I work with you even if I’m in a different state?

Sure. We’re a remote service based out of Louisiana and we work with travelers from all over. We also have the required Seller of Travel licenses in Iowa, Florida, Washington, and California. At this time, we are not licensed to serve clients living in Hawaii.

Can I use points to book my travel?

We encourage you to use your miles and points, even though we can’t book for you as part of our services. That said, we have quite a bit of experience with awards travel, and if we’re working together on other parts of your trip, we’ll happily share our knowledge. Once you’ve made your award travel reservations, forward your confirmations to us and we’ll include them in your detailed itinerary.