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"Why work with a travel advisor when I can book directly on my own?" is a question that's as old as online booking engines (although since March of 2020, it's a sentiment we hear less and less).
Most people seek our services to save time, stress and help their vacation vision come to life. Did you know that there's some extra magic travel advisors can sprinkle on top to make things really sparkle?
The secret sauce is our relationships, which can translate into special perks, amenities, and opportunities for our clients that they can't get when booking directly.
How? Through my professional affiliations, I'm part of several exclusive programs with high-value benefits that I can extend to my clients. These programs are only available to top-performing agencies, so not every travel advisor can provide them.
So, even if you are at the highest level in a hotel loyalty program, I may be able to add perks and amenities to your stay without increasing the rate you pay. You'll still earn loyalty points and, as a bonus, you'll have access to all my travel planning services.
Today, I'm giving you a peek at five elite hotel programs so you can see how their stellar benefits and amenities can uplevel your travel experiences.
Marriott has 30 worldwide brands, and Grand Journeys Travel is a member of their exclusive STARS & LUMINOUS programs.
STARS guests are eligible for benefits when they stay at participating Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, BVLGARI, St. Regis, EDITION, and The Luxury Collection properties.
My clients receive an exclusive menu of amenities, including:
Hotel credits valued at $100, once per stay
Room upgrade, based on availability upon arrival
Complimentary breakfast daily for two guests per day
Early check-in/late checkout (based on availability)
Personalized welcome amenity
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Your full allocation of Bonvoy points
LUMINOUS includes their premium hotel brands, including JW Marriott, Le Meridien, Marriott, The Autograph Collection, Renaissance, Tribute Portfolio, W Hotels, and Westin. Many properties in these portfolios qualify.
The property-specific amenities may include:
Early check-in & late checkout, when available
Complimentary room upgrade at check-in, when available
Local welcome amenity
Hotel credit valued at $100 once per stay (at select hotels)
Complimentary WIFI
Your full allocation of Bonvoy points
These privileges are available ONLY when booked through a select travel advisor.
Hyatt Privé is a premier program available to clients who book through a Privé-invited travel advisor such as Grand Journeys Travel.
Over 200 properties worldwide participate, including all Park Hyatt, Andaz, and Miraval properties, and select properties from brands like Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Alila, Hyatt Centric, and The Unbound Collection.
The Hyatt Privé rate is identical to the standard/flexible rate - it does not add costs to your booking. Consumers can't access these benefits directly, but when booked through Grand Journeys Travel, your menu of amenities includes:
Room upgrades based on availability & confirmed within 24 hours of booking
A $50 to $100 hotel credit to use on incidentals or food/beverage
Complimentary breakfast
Early check-in and late checkout, when available
A welcome gift
Full allocation of your World of Hyatt loyalty points
Hyatt Privé is a remarkable program that adds so much value to your travels!
For over 40 years, Belmond has been an innovator in the luxury travel industry. Their portfolio includes 34 unique hotels, six luxury trains (including the Orient Express, the Royal Scotsman, and the Venice Simplon Orient Express), two river cruise and barge ships, and Belmond Safaris in Botswana.
Fewer than 100 agencies worldwide have access to the invitation-only Bellini Club. If you're intrigued by the Belmond brand, make sure you're working with a Bellini-partner advisor.
Belmond doesn't have a traditional consumer-facing loyalty program. Instead, Bellini Club members like Grand Journeys Travel have access to travel bonuses, including:
Full breakfast for two, daily
Upgrade at check-in, subject to availability
A $90-$200 credit per room per stay, depending on the property
VIP recognition by property management and staff
A $500 gift voucher when you spend $5,000+, applicable towards a future Belmond experience of $2,500+
A welcome amenity - and more
The Bellini Club rate is typically equivalent to the best available rate on the hotel website, so you can be assured that your amenities are truly complimentary.
The ACCOR umbrella includes over 165 properties in 40+ countries, including luxury properties belonging to Fairmont, Raffles, Orient Express, Swissotel, One Fine Stay, and Sofitel.
Travelers who book through select advisors like Grand Journeys Travel receive exclusive amenities such as:
Room upgrade at the time of booking or check-in
Daily complimentary breakfast for two guests per day
$50 to $100 hotel or resort credit to spend during the stay
Early check-in & late checkout.
VIP welcome greeting and amenity
Access to world-class events
Virtuoso is a global network of carefully curated travel providers and luxury travel advisors. There are over 1,400 hotels currently in the Virtuoso Preferred portfolio ranging from independent to boutique to brand name properties, serving a variety of locations, budgets, and travel styles.
Benefits of booking through a Virtuoso advisor like Grand Journeys Travel include:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Full breakfast for two daily
$100 Resort or Spa Credit per booking
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Many hotels also offer an on-site specific experience such as an olive oil tasting
Virtuoso affiliates also include cruise lines, tour operators, and in-country destination partners, each of whom extends privileges to Virtuoso travelers. Ocean and river cruise lines offer complimentary shore excursions and onboard credits, while guided tours provide special rates and bonus amenities. When I'm making a booking, I always check with my partners to ensure they extend maximum amenities to my clients.
Pro tip: If you prefer to DIY your trip and still take advantage of the amenities, use this Hotel Booking Tool to create an account and receive complimentary breakfasts, resort credits, and upgrades when booking a Virtuoso rate.
Whew, that's a lot! While these programs don't apply to every trip you take, I hope you can see how a travel advisor can help you leverage every possible perk for your hotel stays.
In other words, even if you have a straightforward hotel booking and know what you're looking for, let's work together so you don't miss out on amenities and leave money on the table.
If you have questions, send me an email at katy@grandjourneystravel.com or schedule a call with me. We'll make sure you get your Hilton Honors, Bonvoy, or other rewards, the same or better pricing, and every available amenity.
To learn more, check out my secure hotel booking page or contact me here.
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