Helping you design your personalized itinerary
Travel Agent FAQ's
Q: Do you charge fees? How do you get paid? A. Great question. There is an assumption that Travel Agents are a more expensive way to book a trip. At our agency, we are most often paid a commission by the supplier (airlines, cruise lines, etc.) at the time of booking or departure. This fee doesn't change the cost of the trip for our clients. Whether you book through us, an online agency (like Expedia) or through the supplier directly, the fee is paid out. So, why not book with us and get the best-personalized service possible?
Q: Do you book group travel or Destination weddings? A. Yes, we book group travel all the time! We specialize in helping groups of all sizes plan their dream trips. From family reunions to corporate retreats, we can take care of all the details so you can relax and enjoy your time away.
Q: What kind of services does Foot in the Explore Travel offer? A: Foot in the Explore Travel offers a variety of services to make your travel experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. We provide full-service travel planning, flight and hotel bookings, car rentals, cruise bookings, tour booking to ensure you get the most out of your trip.
Q: What type of destinations does Foot in the Explore Travel cover? A: Foot in the Explore Travel covers a wide range of destinations across the globe. We specialize in helping you plan and book your dream trip to any destination you desire.
Q. Do I really need Travel Insurance? A. Yes! If you don’t have it through a work plan or another plan, Emergency Medical is a must. One trip on a cobblestone street in Europe could land you in a hospital needing stitches or even surgery to set a bone. Planning to travel with the kids? Cancellation insurance is invaluable if you have to cancel that $10,000 trip to Disney if one of the kids suddenly gets an ear infection and cannot fly. There are so many scenarios that are covered by insurance. We don’t want you to ever have to use it, but we have seen a few instances where it was needed. We strongly recommend that everyone travels with comprehensive insurance for their security.
Q: When does it make sense to use a travel professional? A: All trips are not created equal and yes, there are times where it may make sense to do-it-yourself. Are you planning to go to your cousin’s wedding in Dallas and all you need is a hotel room near the ceremony and reception (no activities, dining recommendations, other travel arrangements required)? That sounds like the perfect time to turn to the internet! Planning to spend two weeks touring London and Paris this summer and you’ve never been there before? That calls for a professional! Someone who can direct you to the best places to stay, the “can’t miss” dining locations the locals love, arrange private tours without the long lines and crowds to the must-see attractions, and make sure that your time (and money!) are spent experiencing the “best of the best” while you are there. Think of it this way… when you are planning a Saturday spent running errands and maybe seeing a movie at the local cinema, you do your hair and makeup yourself. But if you are invited to a black-tie event or special occasion, you’ll plan on having your hairdresser do something special for you and may even book an appointment with a makeup artist to be sure you are looking your best, right? It’s the same with travel plans. When all you need are the basics, going the do-it-yourself route is fine, but for something special… you’ll have a better experience working with a professional! You may even find that you enjoy the extra attention to detail and service you receive from a trusted travel expert so much that you allow him or her to take care of all of your travel planning, no matter how simple it seems!
Q. Do travel agents have access to things that I don’t? Sold out events… better rates at beautiful hotels… airline tickets I can’t find online? A: The answer to this one is yes… and no. Travel professionals develop relationships within the industry that can often open doors that, at first glance, may appear to be closed. They may be able to find tickets to a sold-out event… but don’t wait till the last minute and expect those tickets at rock bottom prices! Through our partnerships, we often have “buying power” that an individual consumer can’t match. Sometimes that means better rates at the resort you are interested in, sometimes the price may be the same, but we can get access to upgrades or included amenities that are not available to the general public! Quite often we can get our clients options like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, room credits, free transportation or other “extras” all for the same price you would have paid if you booked it yourself. It’s crucial to understand travel agents don’t own the resorts, entertainment venues, cruise ships or airplanes. They sell available inventory (rooms, tickets, spaces on an excursion, etc.), but they can’t create new inventory if it doesn’t exist. If your heart is set on an overwater bungalow at a resort that only has 20 available, or orchestra seats to see Hamilton on your anniversary, it’s always best to plan well in advance and give your travel professional time to pull all the available strings in your favor!
Q. What happens if something goes wrong? Does having a travel agent mean I can’t get things fixed right away? A: Quite the contrary! When things go wrong, having a travel professional means having an advocate in your corner to help get things sorted out as quickly as possible. We are often aware of potential “hiccups” in a travel itinerary before you are. It’s not uncommon for a travel professional to have already worked out a solution before you know that a problem exists. When flights get delayed or canceled most travelers will be standing in line frustrated and stressed waiting to get their flights rebooked. Savvy travelers who booked with a travel professional will be relaxing at dinner while their agent works behind the scenes to rebook their flights and rearrange all of their planned activities to accommodate the schedule change. Which sounds more enjoyable? Since we work with large numbers of travelers, our travel partners often give us access to priority service and make sure our clients are taken care of quickly.
Q. When is the best time to contact a travel professional? A: As soon as you are serious about planning your trip. The sooner, the better. Whether it’s last minute or planned 18 months in advance, the more time you can give us, the better! You’ll need to be sure of a few details such as the dates (or date range) you wish to travel, the number of people in your travel party including the ages of any children going with you, your anticipated budget, and an idea of what you’d like to experience. Your travel professional will be happy to recommend specifics based on the information you provide. The one thing every travel professional will ask is that you are serious about the trip you are asking us to plan. Everyone loves to daydream about exotic and luxurious travel, but we dedicate significant time to each itinerary. No matter how far out the travel dates are, we respectfully ask that you only ask us to begin planning for travel you intend to book soon.
Q: Do I have to pay you upfront for my vacation? A: No! The deposit requirements are set by the resorts and the tour operators we book through. Deposit rates vary based on the resort or package you select, and the time you are traveling. The deposit is made via Foot in the Explore Travel directly with the resort or tour operator. At no time does Foot in the Explore ever charge your credit card. This way, you are assured that your deposit is applied directly to your vacation at the time of booking. Most vacation packages require that you pay the balance 45 days prior to your arrival. Again, that payment is made directly to the supplier.
Q: Does it cost me money to get a quote? A: No, it does not cost money to get a quote from Foot in the Explore Travel. Simply fill out our online form or give us a call, and one of our travel agents will be happy to provide you with a free quote for your trip. We look forward to helping you plan the perfect vacation!