FAQs

Answers to your most commonly asked questions.

Services Offered

  • We design custom, seamless, end-to-end, and culturally immersive international travel experiences - crafted with care and sourced through trusted local experts to ensure every detail is exceptional.

    However, there are some types of travel we don’t organize or book:

    • National Park vacations

    • Road trips

    • Domestic (USA) travel (except Hawaii and Alaska)

    • Caribbean cruises

    • Escorted tours

    • Trips without accommodations

    • Corporate travel

    • Certain international destinations where we don’t have a strong local network

    If you’re unsure whether your trip idea fits, just ask! We’ll let you know if it’s within my expertise or recommend an alternative resource if needed.

  • Check out where we plan and book travel on the Destinations page, where we have vetted and quality local partners on the ground for the maximum in service and authentic, cultural experiences while traveling.

  • For Business Class and First Class travelers, yes. We charge a fee of $100 per person. Minimum lead time of 60 days required.

  • No. These services are intended to be peer-to-peer. That is, made by the guest with the host.

    While I do work with a limited set of exclusive-use properties in select locations, the inherent risk of these properties give me pause when working with your most precious asset: your time.

  • In short: No. The service I offer includes hotels only, or end-to-end travel plans inclusive of hotels, transportation, and tours and experiences.

    If you're looking for a great resource for tours, activities, and transfers in different destinations, I recommend checking out the Resources page to book with my partner, Project Expedition. I may earn a small affiliate fee when you book through this platform.

  • While I can’t accept points for reservations as a form of payment, I encourage you to use them! That’s why we earn points in the first place!

    Aside from flights, I’m not able to coordinate reservations with services for which I’m not the agent of record.

    Because I work with specialty partners that offer special amenities and access, your reservations may not earn points, or the full amount of points.

  • Yes, and I strongly recommend it, whether or not you book your trip with me! Check out the Resources page for a quote with my partner, Travel Insured International.

    The cost of travel insurance is dependent on many factors, such as traveler ages, destination, and trip cost. For a general ballpark, consider around 10% of your trip cost for travel insurance. $10,000 trip cost = $1,000 insurance cost.

    I am not a licensed insurance agent, so I cannot interpret policies for you. I can only provide quotes based on the types of coverages you're looking for.

Process and Planning

  • Schedule a phone or video consultation here.

  • A minimum of 45 days notice for any new travel plans for new clients is needed, and these plans must be secured within 14 days.

    We recommend planning most travel 3-7 months ahead, with just a few exceptions. Not sure when to get started? Get in touch and we’re happy to answer your questions!

  • Get in touch to complete the travel questionnaire. This gives us insight into your priorities, preferences, and vision for your trip in order to create our proprietary traveler profile. You may be surprised by what we learn from your answers in order to make truly personalized recommendations that you may not have considered otherwise.

    Information required to make reservations includes:

    • Full government name (as on passport)

    • Phone Number

    • Date of Birth

    • Gender

    A copy of your passport photo page is often required to finalize your reservations.

  • I strive to accommodate travelers with special needs to the best of my ability. While I’m not a specialist in accessibility or special needs travel, I can assist with common requirements like dietary restrictions, mobility considerations, or specific accommodations at destinations.

    For more complex needs, I’ll work with you to identify if I can provide the level of support required or recommend resources or specialists who can ensure your trip is perfectly suited to your needs. My goal is to make your travel experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible, within my capabilities and expertise.

  • I’m committed to creating travel experiences that respect local cultures, protect natural environments, and support the communities we visit. I work with trusted destination partners who prioritize sustainability, such as eco-conscious accommodations, ethical wildlife experiences, and locally owned businesses.

    Whenever possible, I recommend activities that contribute to conservation efforts and cultural preservation. While sustainability is a shared responsibility, I aim to guide you toward choices that make a positive impact on the places you explore—helping you travel with purpose and leave a lighter footprint.

Pricing and Payments

  • We charge a fee because planning custom travel is our profession, not a hobby. This fee reflects the time, expertise, and care we put into researching, organizing, and designing a trip that’s exclusive for you. Think of it as the difference between a one-size-fits-all tour and something made just for you. Worth it, right?

  • In short, no. Creating a quote for a custom trip isn’t as simple as pulling a number off a shelf. It depends on so many factors, like your travel dates, interests, and how you’d like to experience your destination. That’s why we only provide quotes as part of our full-service planning process, where we can give your trip the attention it deserves.

  • Our custom itineraries typically start at $10,000 for two travelers. This ensures we can deliver the seamless planning, high-quality accommodations, and culturally immersive experiences that make your travels truly unforgettable. By investing in a thoughtfully crafted trip, you’ll enjoy stress-free travel tailored entirely to your preferences, with every detail expertly handled.

  • Payment for the Design Service is made directly to Mindset Travel.

    Payments for your travel plans may be made to Mindset Travel, or directly to my partner in the destination. I manage these partner payments on your behalf so all you have to do is authorize your payment through my secure payment portal.

  • Mindset Travel and my partners accept payment by major credit card, including Visa and MasterCard. On some occasions, American Express may not be accepted.

    Discover is not accepted.

    I recommend that you use a credit card for all travel related purchases, not a debit card.

  • We understand that plans can change, but changes and cancellations do affect the level of service we can provide to all our clients. To ensure fairness, the following fees apply:

    • Change Requests: A $50 per person fee applies to any change request made within 45 days of your scheduled departure.

    • Cancellations: A $150 per person fee applies to cancellations made within 45 days of your scheduled departure.

    These fees are separate from any penalties or fees required by our destination partners or suppliers, such as airlines, and must be paid before we process your change or cancellation request.

    For added peace of mind, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to help cover unforeseen changes or cancellations. If you have any questions about our policy or travel insurance options, please let us know.

Logistics and Support

  • Because changes and cancellations impact the service to other clients, we have a limited set of change and cancellation fees:

    • $50 per person for each change request that occurs within 45 days of your scheduled departure.

    • $150 per person for cancellation within 45 days of your scheduled departure.

    These fees are separate from those required by our destination partners and/or suppliers, like airlines. These fees must be paid prior to processing your trip change or cancellation.

  • Mindset Travel is headquartered in Greenville, SC. My services are entirely online, over the phone, and through video chat.

    When you’re traveling, you’ll have phone and email access to my local partners and destination representatives.

  • I’m so glad you asked!!

    Mindset Travel is an independently IATA accredited travel agency. IATA (International Air Transport Association) is the industry-wide recognition of serious, professional agencies. This accreditation requires myriad requirements be met, from financial to ethical to business history. We'll provide this unique code on request for you to verify on the IATA checkacode website.

    I’m a member of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor (VTA), and Certified Travel Associate (CTA). These associations set standards for our responsibilities to our clients, and hold us accountable to them. I hold a host of other certifications and specializations as well, provided by hoteliers, vacation providers, and tourism bureaus.

    Additionally, I have client references and recommendations that I take great pride in.

    Your time is your most valuable asset, and when you entrust me and Mindset Travel with it, you can feel confident that your travel plans are in good hands.

  • When you value your time, want to get your trip plans right, and aim to travel stress-free, my service in partnership with local destination companies is invaluable. I find the best combination of reality meeting expectations. I'm in the know with what’s going on beyond our home bubble, from air traffic to weather to politics and beyond. I organize complicated plans and handle all the details for you. I know how to find answers and resources for your wildest dreams and most special of needs. I know how to wrangle groups of travelers to get on the same page. I solve problems that you didn’t even know existed. And I work with some of the best destination companies in the industry.

    All you have to do is tell me what you’d like to do, see, feel, and spend, and I'll take it from there, integrating your feedback to create an unforgettable trip.

  • During your travels, we rely on our trusted local destination partners to handle disruptions or emergencies quickly and appropriately. They are on the ground, aware of current conditions, and ready to assist you when needed. This ensures you have immediate support from experts who can not only resolve issues efficiently, but are also familiar with your detailed travel plans.

    Here at home, we’re also available to provide guidance during business hours if you need additional assistance or have questions. By working with local partners and maintaining a clear structure of support, we ensure your trip remains as seamless and stress-free as possible so you can focus on enjoying every moment.

Still have questions?