COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL
Why Use A Travel Advisor?
2. KNOWLEDGE. The internet has information but how do you decipher what is good in general and good for you. A great advisor can validate your own research, and offer insightful recommendations to tailor each trip to your preferences, interests, and budget. The experience and expertise of a travel advisor ensures that clients will have a superlative travel experience designed to meet their specific needs. They provide ideas you can’t find anywhere else as well as VIP access to special experiences that aren’t readily available. We travel the world scouting and discovering to develop knowledge of specific destinations, specialties and skill.
3. VALUE. A travel advisor has access to the same (and often better) pricing than available online, and can secure VIP benefits, amenities, access, and extras that you can’t get on your own. To quote Warren Buffet, “Price is what you pay; value is what you get.” Our clients rely on us as an advisor to make travel planning more efficient and enjoyable, to save time and money, and to lend expertise that makes a world of difference. We work on your behalf before, during, and after every trip. That’s peace of mind you can bank on.
4. PEACE OF MIND. Like a v1. TIME. Because travel advisors are experts in planning and booking vacations, they can create a wonderful itinerary for you in a more time-efficient way than you could on your own. That’s especially true for complex trips involving groups, multiple stops and several travel providers. People feel that doing their own planning is empowering, and that giving it up will diminish their experience. Our clients decide the level of involvement that’s right for them, and this may even vary from trip to trip. If you enjoy research and planning, you’ll have a professional partner. If you prefer having your advisor handle all the details, they can do that, too. Either way, you’ll enjoy quality, customized service.2. KNOWLEDGE. The internet has information but how do you decipher what is good in general and good for you. A great advisor can validate your own research, and offer insightful recommendations to tailor each trip to your preferences, interests, and budget. The experience and expertise of a travel advisor ensures that clients will have a superlative travel experience designed to meet their specific needs. They provide ideas you can’t find anywhere else as well as VIP access to special experiences that aren’t readily available. We travel the world scouting and discovering to develop knowledge of specific destinations, specialties and skill.3. VALUE. A travel advisor has access to the same (and often better) pricing than available online, and can secure VIP benefits, amenities, access, and extras that you can’t get on your own. To quote Warren Buffet, “Price is what you pay; value is what you get.” Our clients rely on us as an advisor to make travel planning more efficient and enjoyable, to save time and money, and to lend expertise that makes a world of difference. We work on your behalf before, during, and after every trip. That’s peace of mind you can bank on. 4. PEACE OF MIND. Like a valued investment manager, Virtuoso travel advisors are entrusted with managing the most precious of assets – a client’s leisure time. Working with an expert who knows a client’s preferences and the best options for the desired vacation eliminates risk and results in exceptional experiences. The advisor is the client’s partner in planning and booking these treasured travel experiences. Clients can rely on their travel advisor before, during, and after every trip.alued investment manager, Virtuoso travel advisors are entrusted with managing the most precious of assets – a client’s leisure time. Working with an expert who knows a client’s preferences and the best options for the desired vacation eliminates risk and results in exceptional experiences. The advisor is the client’s partner in planning and booking these treasured travel experiences. Clients can rely on their travel advisor before, during, and after every trip.
What Is A Typical Trip Budget?
Every trip we design is unique and customized to client's interest to deliver the best experience. Therefore budgets may vary greatly. We are here to work with you to maximize the best return on your investment. We will discuss an itinerary and budget range that fits your exact travel style and closely consult and advise you on the best options. Pricing can vary depending on time of year, availability and destination.
We specialize in high-end travel and work primarily with five-star hotels & resorts as well as equivalent boutique properties, villas, and safari camps. We do have a limited list of 4-star properties that meet exceptional standards that we recommend based on destination and client interest.
Who Are Your Typical Clients?
You are a discerning traveler, a lifestyle enthusiast, a busy professional, a cultural explorer – you are simply an individual who has the distinct palette for amazing travel and lifestyle experiences. You are a person who invests in yourself and your environment and understands the value of having a professional resource for things that matter. You are intelligent, motivated, social and have worked hard - so your free time is extremely valuable. Travel for you is an opportunity to enjoy, relax, discover, rejuvenate or escape. Your lifestyle experiences are ones that you treasure and want to be memorable.
What Is Virtuoso?
Virtuoso is the leading by-invitation only global network of luxury travel advisors, hotels, tours cruise lines and agencies specializing in experiential travel. As a proud member of this diverse professional organization, we have access to a carefully curated collection of offers and exclusive access into some of the world’s most bespoke experiences. We can offer our clients perks, prices, and value they can’t get anywhere else.
I Like Planning On My Own - How Can You Help?
We definitely aren't a fit for everyone. If using Expedia and other online booking platforms is your joy and scouring the internet for hours gets you going then we are probably not for you. However as proven by the recent global pandemic these online sites left many travelers stranded and out of pocket financially.
Travel Agent Vs. Travel Advisor?
Travel agents are order-takers who perform transactions that their customers request. They book a hotel, flight or rental car, much like the sort of simple bookings people handle themselves online. There is no personal relationship or value added.
What Is Luxury Travel?
- Authentic experiences that enrich travelers’ lives, such as taking part in a cultural tradition with locals.
- An itinerary tailored precisely to the needs and wants of the traveler.
- VIP access to rare privileges, such as backstage access at a sold-out show.
- Discovering an emerging or little-visited destination, including space.
- Exceptional value for the price, which could include extras such as credits and airport transfers.
- Products and services that provide a superior experience, including first-class or business-class air travel, five-star hotels, luxury cruises on upscale lines, and exclusive-use travel such as private jets, yachts and villas.
I Usually Book Through My Credit Card....Is This Different?
Booking hotels through us ensures that you are not just treated as another guests but as a VIP. Our special partnerships and personal relationships with hotels and general managers around the globe allow us to deliver exceptional experiences for our clients that they simply can't receive on their own.
FEES
Statement On Fees & Transparency
LaVon Travel & Lifestyle is a luxury travel consultancy, thus as with any other professional service we do charge fees for our expertise and time. We believe in quality over quantity when it comes to delivering unmatched and quality service. Our clients are our top priority and thus we deliver unbiased and personal travel advice that is based on your personal interest and not driven by the nominal commissions we may receive for a booking. This allows us to adhere to our core values of transparency and honesty.
We understand that one size does NOT fit all for travel planning. Therefore, we have designed our fee schedule to allow you the flexibility in choosing what works best for your personal needs.
Cancellation Policy & Fees
We make every effort to ensure your travel experience is exquisite - and we leverage an extensive network of partner, affiliate and personal relationships to achieve this for you. Significant time and effort goes into designing and managing your travels, however we understand that circumstances change and it may become necessary to cancel your travel plans - this is why we highly recommend protecting your trip investment with an insurance policy. You may be able to add any travel service fee to your claim for potential reimbursement. You will receive a copy of the cancellation receipt to include with your claim documents.
Hotel Only Bookings: 10% per hotel hotel booking (based on base rate)
Other Hotel Booking Options
Custom Itinerary Design
We are experts in designing exquisitely tailored luxury journeys. For multi-destination trips, we discuss your wants and needs for each trip and draw upon our global industry partnerships and knowledge, as well as our experience and connections, to create a full customized itinerary for you. Whether it's an African Safari adventure, Thailand cultural exlporation, South American discovery or Alaskan expidition we will meticulously curate the trip of a lifetime and handle every detail for you.
READY? Please fill out our
Trip Design Request Form to start and then we will can schedule a complimentary 15 minute introductory consult.
By Invitation: A Privé Service
Hotel Concierge Program
Do you book multiple hotels per year?
Our innovative
Hotel Concierge Program was designed with the on-the-go, savvy traveler in mind who desires a trusted resource for booking hotels and the support not available when using online booking engines. The program combines the benefits of our hotel bookng services into a complete value added package that will change the way hotel enthusiasts book their stays.
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Personal Travel Specialist -
Unlimited Hotel Recommendations & Reservations -
Complimentary Add-On Concierge Services -
Trusted COVID Travel Guidance -
Access To Exclusive VIP Amenities -
Personally Managed Booking Experience -
Destination Highlights & Recommendations -
Preferred Rates, Private Promotions & Priority Lists -
Worry-Free Coverage & Support -
Mobile App Itinerary -
Member Only Privileges In Preferred Partner Programs -
Complimentary Award Winning Virtuoso Best of the Best -
$150 Credit On A Custom Itinerary Design (per year)
Air Travel
COVID
COVID & Travel
The world and travel landscape has changed drastically and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. We remain vigilant in keeping up with all the important details and regulations that will be necessary to ensure that when you do decide to travel it can be done safely and without hassle. Now more than ever travelers and industry leaders are expressing the importance of using a trusted travel advisor.
TRAVEL ADVISORS: A SECRET WEAPON DURING COVID-19