FAQ’s & Resources

Most Asked:

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why book thru you vs on line?

Oh, the allure of a google search! But, you are simply seeing what advertisers want you to see. And, when you check in, you will receive only what is listed on line. Nothing extra. We have the the preferred relationships, personal contacts and a long history with preferred providers around the globe. Those hotels will give JJT bookings priority over DIY bookings in every way; better rooms, better amenities, better attention because they know we are communicating your experience to our our network after you return (a bad trip review in our network affects thousands of travelers - and cannot be amended or pushed down on the .com platform)

You understand the importance of a tax advisor, an interior designer and even a hair stylist. You can do it yourself; but, you appreciate access to their sources, their expertise and their talent. Booking travel in the luxury market is much the same: we have the best resources, the skill set to understand the travel logistics and a collective knowledge to meticulously craft your itinerary so you return home refreshed, you time is not wasted and you have received VIP treatment from start to finish.

what specifically is in it for me?

  1. Time, Time, Time

  2. Personalized travel to YOU

  3. Your advocate to work thru any issues, 24 / 7

  4. Extra perks not available at other .com sites or loyalty programs

  5. True VIP status

  6. No faux, insta-fake or on-line assault weeding thru digital noise. Authentic un-google-able library of resources

  7. Global collective of advisors who are constantly traveling and connecting eye to eye with providers. You get our personal experience as advice.

  8. Seamless travel experience

  9. Essential post C-19, we have timely and accurate travel information and advisories accumulated from our vast network

  10. So important, we say again, differently, ‘cause we got you …

 
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I already have status, and membership at other sites. why use you?

At the crux of it, I knew I had to start a travel advisory after trying “all” sorts of platforms to book my own travel. Why do airfare rates go up each time you search? A certain platinum card books hotel reservations via Expedia? Another membership-only program has a lot of outdated content on their recommendations list. It’s hard to trust any of it (not to mention have the time to weed thru the digital noise).

Now, as we move thru the affects C-19 had on the globe, the travel landscape will be dramatically altered, and you will need advice from real boots on the ground, real in person conversations and a stringent method to constantly vet providers so your travel investment is safe, and you can trust the advice.

Other Questions

do you only do “big” trips?

We do your trip. As much or as little as you like, from one night’s stay to a trip around the world. We do have a range of typical budgets, however. To fully take advantage of the service we provide (connections to our highly vetted suppliers), expect a nightly hotel budget of $450 - $1000 per room. We are also happy to book a hotel for VIP perks, just shoot us an email for details.

when do you charge your fee?

Once we have identified we are a good fit for one another in our Discover More call, you will be charged our advisory fee to cover our design time, access to our resources and vetted providers.

do you only use Virtuoso hotels?

We like to recommend from the large network of properties and suppliers that we trust - in and out of Virtuoso. And, we like to suggest properties that offer you extra perks and status. But, we will only suggest what is best for YOU; even if it is not in our network.

what happens if I cancel?

From start to finish, we will be advising you of cancellation policies, deadlines and components that are non-refundable. Our fees are non-refundable. However, travel insurance can protect your investment should unintended and unknown factors cause you to cancel your trip.

how far in advance do we plan?

It depends. Some locales require as much as 18-24 months to secure. But, 6-9 months out is typical. What we want to avoid is offering you an itinerary when you are not ready to book as our customized itinerary options may not be available later. If you need to noodle destinations or plot a trip timeline, we can do that anytime. But, we prefer to design and build your proposal only when you are ready to proceed with bookings.

are fees and costs transparent?

All JJT fees are fully transparent and disclosed ahead of time. A custom crafted itinerary can be broken out by cost; however, should your best itinerary will be a package arrangement with one of our wholesale suppliers, we may not be able to break out the costs of each component. These suppliers are thoroughly vetted and trusted and used only when it is a win/win for your particular trip.

can you book an apartment?

We have have access to a vast list of apartments and villas around the world. However, some .com platforms may offer properties we cannot vet or honestly suggest (especially after the effect C19 has had on the world). We will be careful when selecting apartments so you will not be swindled or disappointed.

can I use points?

Yes, but there are some variables to consider. During our first call, we can discuss the viability and any fees associated with managing loyalty or frequent flier points. We often find that some points are better spent on things other than travel where a dollar of points is really a dollar of value.

what will my itinerary look like?

After our Discover More call, you will be given an initial itinerary, deeply researched to match your tastes and desires for your trip. We will review and tweak together and after all is confirmed you will receive a detailed PDF copy of your itinerary, usually 2 weeks prior to departure, along with access to a mobile app which also holds all your details.

what are “festive” rates?

December 20 -January 3 is the busiest time to quote travel. And, we highly encourage clients to book their holiday trips by May 31st prior. Due to the added time, attention and demand, JJT charges additional fees to book festive travel depending on when we book. Jan - May = $550/wk for 4ppl domestic, June - Aug = $650/ wk Sep - Oct 15= $750/wk. After Oct 15, please contact for availability / rates.

do you provide travel insurance?

We not only provide ability to quote you insurance options; we highly encourage you secure a safety net of insurance when booking your travel. If you chose not to purchase insurance, from our quotes or elsewhere, we will ask you to sign a waiver acknowledging your choice.

what if I don’t know my budget?

I am guilty of this one as I often want to know what it will take to have an amazing adventure somewhere before allocating funds to it. The beauty of having someone to noodle with you, advise you, steer you is that we can figure some things out together. Typically, hotels where we have our best access and bevy of amenities do fall in the $650 - $1500 range, per hotel room/ night. If that is a range you usually fall into, let’s start a conversation.

Resources

Passport / Government Resources:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html/passport_1738.html

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

https://cibtvisas.com/?login=33680

https://www.clearme.com/

Helpful Links:

http://www.flightview.com/TravelTools/default.asp

https://www.seatguru.com/

https://www.faa.gov/

https://weather.com/

https://www.bing.com/maps/

https://mapmaker.nationalgeographic.org/

https://apply.joinsherpa.com/ (C19 interactive map)

Industry Info Links:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2020/01/26/5-reasons-why-you-need-a-travel-agentmore-than-ever/#14526f385343

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/travel/luxury-for-less-travel-agents.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryannanderson/2019/10/09/a-world-of-knowledge-reasons-why-smart-travelers-need-smart-travel-agents/#b409a4a365ad

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-advisors/index.html

Where Will Your Next Trip Take You?