How do I choose the right travel advisor?

If you've ever posted in a Facebook group asking for a travel advisor recommendation, you may have discovered something quickly: There are a LOT of travel advisors out there.

You may receive recommendations from friends, dozens of names in the comments and messages from advisors themselves. So how do you choose?

First, I want you to know that finding a great travel advisor isn't simply about finding someone who can book your vacation.

Most travel advisors have access to many of the same resorts, cruise lines and vacation packages.

The bigger question is: Who do you want helping you plan it?

A travel advisor becomes part researcher, part planner, part problem-solver and, when something unexpected happens, an important person to have in your corner to advocate for you.

Before choosing one, I recommend asking a few questions.

1. Have you personally traveled to the destination or experienced the type of vacation I'm planning?

This is one of my favorite questions. There is a difference between learning about a destination and experiencing it.

If you're planning Walt Disney World, has the advisor actually spent meaningful time there? Have they stayed at different resorts? Used the transportation? Experienced the parks recently? Navigated the planning systems guests are expected to use?

For a cruise, have they cruised before? Better yet, do they have experience with the cruise line you're considering or similar styles of cruising?

For an international destination, have they traveled there themselves, worked with trusted partners on the ground, or planned it extensively for clients?

An advisor doesn't have to have personally visited every destination on the planet. None of us has. What matters is how they develop their expertise when they haven't.

A good advisor should be comfortable saying, “I haven't personally been there yet, but here's how I would plan this and the resources and professional partners I use.”

If the trip falls outside their expertise, a great advisor may even recommend someone better suited to help you.

2. What do you specialize in, and how often do you plan vacations like mine?

Travel advisors can specialize just like other professionals do. Some specialize in luxury travel. Others in cruises, theme parks, Europe, adventure travel, honeymoons, destination weddings, accessible travel, large groups or multi-generational families.

Don't be afraid to ask: “How often do you plan this type of vacation?”

Someone who plans Walt Disney World vacations regularly is likely to understand nuances that an advisor who books one every few years may not.

Likewise, the best advisor for your Disney vacation may not be the best person to plan a three-week African safari.

You don't necessarily need an advisor who knows everywhere. You need one who understands where you're going and how you want to travel.

3. What exactly will you help me with after I book?

This is an important one because travel advisors have very different service models. You can ask what their process is. (And if they don't have a process, that's important to know, too!).

• What is the timeline and process for receiving a proposal?

• Will they help you select a resort or stateroom?

• What happens after the reservation is made?

• Will they explain important planning dates?

• Will they help with dining or activities?

• Can they recommend excursions?

• Will they talk you through transportation and assist with booking transfers?

• Will they help you understand required travel documentation?

• Will they provide destination guidance?

• Will they be available to answer questions throughout the planning process?

• What happens if your flight is cancelled or something goes wrong while you're traveling?

• And just as importantly: What will you be responsible for doing yourself?

There isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer. Some travelers want extensive planning assistance, while others simply want someone to handle the reservation. You just want to understand what you're receiving before you choose your advisor.

4. How do you communicate with your clients?

Think about how you like to communicate.

• Do you want scheduled planning calls?

• Do you prefer email?

• Will you have a client portal?

• Can you text your advisor?

• What are their normal business hours?

• How quickly should you expect a response?

• What happens if you need assistance while you're traveling?

This relationship may last a year or longer depending on how far in advance you book. Make sure the advisor's communication style and service model feel comfortable to you.

5. How do you get paid, and are there planning or professional fees?

Please ask this question.

Travel advisors are professionals, and there are several different business models within our industry.

An advisor may receive commission from the travel supplier when you book through them. They may also charge professional planning fees for certain services, destinations or types of trips.

Some may use a combination of both.

Before you begin working together, ask: “Is there a fee to work with you, what does it cover, and are there circumstances where additional fees apply?”

A professional advisor should be comfortable explaining their fees and services clearly.

So what does it mean to work with me?

My approach begins with something very simple: I want to understand who is traveling.

Not just where you want to go.

I want to know who is coming with you, what you're celebrating, what you're excited about, what you're worried about and what would make this vacation feel truly special.

I specialize heavily in family travel, including Walt Disney World and other Disney destinations, cruising, multi-generational vacations and trips where the individual needs and personalities of the travelers really matter.

I have personally traveled extensively to many of the destinations and vacation experiences I recommend, and I continue traveling, training and learning because destinations change.

Walt Disney World is a perfect example. The Disney vacation someone took ten years ago ... or even a few years ago ... isn't necessarily the Disney vacation you'll experience today.

My role isn't simply to make a reservation.

It's to help you make good decisions.

Sometimes that means recommending something. Sometimes it means explaining your choices. Occasionally it means telling you:

“You could spend the money on that, but I don't think your family needs it.”

I also don't expect you to hand over your vacation and give up control.

Some of my clients want a tremendous amount of guidance. Others love researching and planning and want an experienced advisor beside them to answer questions, offer perspective and make sure they haven't overlooked something.

Both are welcome.

The vacation still belongs to you.

My job is to quietly manage the details, guide you through the decisions and help you feel confident about the vacation we're creating together.

One final question I think you should ask

After you've checked the credentials, experience, services and fees, ask yourself:

“Do I feel comfortable with this person?”

That's harder to measure, but it's important.

Your travel advisor may be part of your family's vacations for years.

They may eventually know which child loves thrill rides, which grandparent needs a little extra assistance, which resort you never want to stay at again and why everyone still talks about that one incredible dinner from three vacations ago.

That's the kind of relationship I value with my clients.

So whether you ultimately work with me or another advisor, don't simply choose the first name tagged in a Facebook post.

Ask questions.

Have a conversation.

Find someone whose expertise matches the vacation you're planning, but also someone who takes the time to understand the people taking it.

Because a great vacation isn't simply about where you go.

It's about who you're sharing it with and the memories you bring home.