How We Work

Let’s get started! Here’s our Trip Planning Process:

We are happy to work with you! However, before you engage us, please consider that we specialize in 4- & 5-star travel experiences. We offer custom designed trips designed to create “wow” memories for you and your traveling companions and we work with reputable travel suppliers like tour and adventure companies, cruise lines, hotels and resorts around the globe and superior guides who know their regions thoroughly.

REACH OUT

  • With your trip interests, number of travelers, dates and budget, reach out to us by email, phone or Calendly. 
  • We offer you a Complimentary 30 minute phone consultation to make sure we are the right fit for your travel plans.

JOIN ACTIVETRAVELS

  • Go to our website, www.activetravels.com and pay our $75 per household membership fee to activate your ActiveTravels membership and receive:
    • a subscription to our monthly travel newsletter chockful of inspirational travel ideas
    • a chance to win hotel night giveaways with our biannual raffles
    • membership in a community of like-minded travelers
    • full-service, high-touch travel assistance from booking flights, offering travel insurance quotes and our itinerary app so you can access your day-to-day itinerary while traveling
    • our travel questionnaire to fill out so we understand you and your traveling companions needs, wants and passions

PROPOSAL

  • After you’ve joined and outlined your travel desires, we will design a customized travel proposal either with an in-country tour operator or will contact the best options for your group tour, cruise, hotel and/or resort experience. 
  • We’ll offer our proposal in a timely manner to you via email.

COLLABORATION

  • Review the itinerary and work with us to tweak it to fit your idea of the best trip possible with your budget in mind.
  • Collaborate with ActiveTravels via email, phone or text to make your proposal just right.

DEPOSIT

  • To confirm a trip, a timely deposit is crucial as pricing and availability can change very quickly.  Each deposit is trip dependent and will be explained at this time.
  • We will offer you an insurance quote and country entry requirements, if applicable.

TRIP CONFIRMATION

  • Final payment is due according to travel supplier’s requirements, usually 60-90 days prior to travel.
  • Schedule a call with us to walk through your itinerary 30 days prior to ensure you have your questions answered and you are ready for your trip.
  • Your travel documents will be delivered electronically within 1-3 weeks prior to your departure.

DURING TRAVEL

  • Both ActiveTravels and our in-country partners will be available for support during your travels as necessary.

FEEDBACK & FOLLOW UP

  • We hope you will take the time to offer feedback both positive and negative and your reviews of your experiences upon your return. It ensures we know what you like and don’t like for your future trips. And it helps your fellow ActiveTravels members.
  • We’d like to hear what’s next on your bucket list and start this whole process again!

We believe in clear and transparent costs.

Our commission is built into the trips you take. That doesn’t mean your costs are higher. On the contrary, we usually find lower prices through our Virtuoso Network. We are also able to get built-in amenities like complimentary breakfasts, room upgrades, spa passes, and/or vouchers toward meals that you will not be able to get by booking online yourself.

Many airlines no longer give commissions to travel consultants. So, if you would like us to book flights, we need to charge a fee or we don’t get paid for our work.

The only other time we would charge a service fee is when you request that we provide a detailed Dream Day™ itinerary, a day-to-day offering of our favorite activities in your destination, restaurants, and hotels based on your interests. Take it from a travel writer who’s been designing trips around the globe for over 20 years, these itineraries take time to develop. We love to do it, but we need to charge a fee for our time.

That said, these are the only fees you’ll ever see from us:

Domestic & International Flights $75 per person for booking.

  • ActiveTravels Dream Day™ Itineraries include a personalized detailed itinerary including hotels, logistics, activities, and restaurant recommendations. Fee options are as follows and please note costs can be shared by all travelers:
    • JAUNT (a shorter trip with 1-2 destinations and up to 7 days): $500 per trip
    • TRIP (a bit longer trip with 1-4 destinations and up to 8-12 days): $750 per trip
    • JOURNEY (extended trip from 13-17 days): $1,200 per trip
    • VOYAGE (any customized group trip (over 10 people): $1,400 per trip
  • Group Tours, Cruise, Hotel and Resort Planning
  • No fees are charged for these services There are many benefits to booking these services through ActiveTravels!
    • We have valued relationships with tour operators, cruise lines, hoteliers and resort owners worldwide. We can get you VIP services and perks that you can’t find online
    • We can plan your pre and post tour or cruise time and can help you with all logistics, flights, insurance, and other details

No! And, often, we can get you even better rates than what you see online. Sometimes, we can get you a room when that hotel website says there is no availability. Not to mention, by working with us, we are often able to get you upgrades and help you with your special requests. How? The travel business is a “people to people” business. We have been fortunate to have made successful working relationships with hoteliers, tour operators and tour guides around the world and we will make these connections work for you.

Excellent Customer Service! We’re here for you, every step of your trip, from the planning stage to problems that may arise on the road, to hearing your tips for other clientele when you return. Try getting that from Orbitz, Expedia, or Priceline.