+ WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TRAVEL AGENT AND A TRAVEL ADVISOR?

A travel agent handles bookings and is paid a commission by the hotel, airline, and/or tour operator for the booking a client makes. Did you know that Expedia and Travelocity are travel agencies? Like us, they must be certified and licensed. This means they get paid while YOU do all the work!

A travel designer or consultant does everything a travel agent does and much, much more. In addition to building original itineraries and offering concierge services, working with a travel designer gives you access to destinations and one of a kind experiences that are not available online. Not to mention preferred upgrades, perks, and advantageous pricing.

+ WHAT IS BROWNELL TRAVEL AND WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Brownell is the oldest and most prestigious luxury travel agency in North America. Through our affiliation, we have access to the world’s best in luxury travel and have developed personal relationships with the movers and shakers of the most recognized luxury travel suppliers in the world. Did you know that less than 2% of all applicants to be Brownell affiliates are actually accepted? It is truly an elite community of advisors.

When you have the Brownell tag on your reservation, our partners tend to shine their shoes a little brighter and stand up a little straighter. Brownell Travel is a member of all luxury hotel branded elite membership programs – Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Rosewood Elite, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club, Dorchester Diamond, etc. Guest preference for hotels - upgrades, waitlists, etc. – start with the hotel branded program, followed by Virtuoso/Signature/Amex with the priority given to the highest rate. Direct bookings (hotel call in or website) are next, followed by bookings via travel advisors who are not affiliated with the hotel branded program or a consortium.

Booking with a Brownell advisor is not just about the amenities, those are available from other advisors and credit card companies. Guests who work with a Brownell advisor receive top recognition and access OVER and ABOVE all other guests.

+ WHAT IS VIRTUOSO AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Through our affiliation with Brownell Travel, a Virtuoso member, RH Travel Design belongs to a global network of the top luxury travel advisors and travel providers in the world. Each member, from advisor to experience provider, is thoroughly vetted through a rigorous application process before being accepted.

Virtuoso and Brownell are two influential channels through which we develop and maintain our relationships with our partners around the world and are powerful sources for staying up to date on the latest travel trends, the hottest destinations, global issues, and educational material.

This means that when you connect with us about your trip, we are more likely than not going to be working with a friend and close colleague to provide a bespoke experience for you and your family.

We have the "in" to get you VIP status and are able to work quickly with our connections to make it right when something goes wrong.

+ WHAT IS YOUR SPECIALTY?

We specialize in building custom itineraries for people who travel internationally and often as a family. While we have helped clients with everything from beach honeymoons to far-flung expedition trips, we have particular expertise in the following areas:

• International family travel, particularly to Europe and the UK
• Culinary and wine forward itineraries
• Culturally interactive travel
• Western European and Mediterranean destinations

We are designated travel specialists in the following destinations and types of travel:

• France
• Spain
• Portugal
• England & Scotland
• Chile & Argentina
• Family, Multi-Generational, & Celebration Trips
• Golf
• Culinary Travel

+ DO YOU HAVE A MINIMUM TRIP BUDGET REQUIREMENT?

Our focus is on the higher-end traveler who values a personal touch, custom recommendations tailored to his/her tastes, and authentic travel experiences above shopping for a great deal.

The bulk of our relationships are with destination partners who specialize in, and are able to deliver on, the type of exceptional, experiential travel that is meaningful to our clients. Our clients are names with a story behind their trip versus simply a reservation number.

Our current minimum budget for a custom itinerary design for new clients is $20,000, BEFORE airfare/jet charter. If you are looking for a custom itinerary of 7 nights or less or are a solo traveler, our daily minimun is $900 per adult, per day.

For hotel-only based trips, most of the hotels we work with will have a minimum nightly room rate of at least $600, BEFORE the addition of taxes and fees, however this will vary greatly by destination and your dates of travel.

+ WHAT IF I ONLY NEED HELP BOOKING ACTIVITIES OR TRANSFERS?

At RH Travel Design, we do not book a la carte activites or logistical components such as planes, trains, and automobiles when accommodationsa are booked outside of our agency. We design full programs where we are able to manage every detail from start to finish. We pride ourselves on seamless travel and bespoke travel programs for our clients, working hand in glove with our destination partners across ALL components of a client's itinerary. When a major component like accommodations are booked outside of RH Travel Design, we are unable to leverage our relationships and expertise to ensure the best fit logistically, stylistically, or financially for your home away from home.

+ DO YOU OFFER TRAVEL INSURANCE?

Yes! In fact we highly recommend it. We offer various protection plans depending on your desired level of coverage.

+ CAN I REACH YOU WHEN I'M ON MY TRIP?

Absolutely! Our clients enjoy 24/7 care no matter what time zone they may be visiting. We are here for YOU. Our local desk is always on standby to assist with anything from last minute itinerary requests to lost passports, and everything else in between. Prior to departure you will be given access to our private client hotline.

+ WHAT HAPPENS IF MY FLIGHT IS CANCELLED OR DELAYED DUE TO WEATHER?

Let us know immediately! If we have booked your flights for you, we will work directly with the airline to get you back on track. We will also coordinate with your destination to organize any necessary reservation changes, itinerary modifications, or ensuing ground transportation needs.

+ ARE YOU PAID A COMMISSION?

We are a fee-based travel design firm and not a traditional commission based agency. Although many hotels, resorts, and cruise lines do pay a commission to our agency, we also work with exclusive boutique and top independent luxury travel brands that do not. We are not incentivized to steer our clients to hotels, cruise providers, our tour operators based on contests, promotions, kickbacks, or the promise of higher commission percentages. Our opinions and recommendations are heavily researched and only biased when it comes to you.

+ HOW DO YOU GET PAID?

RH Travel Design is a fee-based travel design firm. We are paid planning, design, and consultation fees for creating original itineraries and providing concierge services. We also will at times receive commission from certain top luxury travel brands depending on the provider. Because travel budgets and requirements vary from client to client and from trip to trip, we have several consultation rate plans depending on the needs and frequency of your travels. Visit our Services page for more information.

+ DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS?

Yes. We accept all major credit cards, ACH, wires, or check.