Planning process

Complimentary Consultation
Our partnership begins with a complimentary 30-minute consultation by phone or video conference. This conversation allows me to learn more about you—your travel needs, preferences, past experiences, and goals for your next trip. It's the essential first step in designing a vacation that is truly personalized.

Research & Planning
After the consultation, I begin curating your travel experience. I use my expertise and industry resources to research your destination, accommodations, transportation, excursions, and more. If it’s a location I’m less familiar with, I take the time to study it thoroughly to ensure you're getting the best options.

Quote Presentation
Once the itinerary is ready, I will present a customized quote for your review. We'll go over the details together, and any adjustments needed will be made promptly to ensure it aligns with your vision.

Booking & Confirmation
After you approve the quote, I’ll take care of all the booking details. I’ll submit deposits, work with trusted travel suppliers, and confirm each element of your trip. You’ll receive booking confirmations for your records, and everything will be securely stored in your client file for easy access.

What Happens After Booking?

Pre-Travel Support
From the time your trip is booked, I’ll check in with you periodically to answer questions, assist with booking additional experiences (like excursions or tours), and make any necessary adjustments. Two weeks before your departure, I’ll send all final travel documents electronically. If needed, we can schedule a phone or video call to go over everything together.

Support During Travel
While you’re traveling, I remain on-call should any questions or issues arise. You will also be provided with local emergency contacts and supplier support information—so you’re never alone while you’re away.

Post-Travel Follow-Up
Once you return home, I’ll follow up to ensure everything went as expected. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps shape future travel experiences for you and others.

When you book with Mockingbird Travels, you're not just planning a trip—you're investing in a seamless, stress-free experience from start to finish.

Online booking engines and direct sites may offer convenience, but they don't offer you. They won’t take the time to understand your unique preferences, watch for small details, or advocate for you if something goes wrong.

As a professional travel advisor, I provide:

• Personalized Planning – I tailor your itinerary to match your travel style, interests, and budget—not a generic package or algorithm.
   
• Insider Knowledge & Resources – I have access to a global network of travel partners, special rates, upgrades, and amenities you won’t find online.
   
• Time Savings – I handle all the research, comparisons, and logistics, saving you countless hours (and headaches).
   
• Dedicated Support – I’m with you every step of the way—from planning, to departure, to post-travel follow-up. And if things don’t go as planned while you’re away? I’m here to help.
   
• Trusted Expertise – Travel is my profession. I stay current on travel trends, safety updates, and destination insights so that you don’t have to.
   

In short, when you book online, you're on your own. When you book with Mockingbird Travels, you have a dedicated partner to help you travel better, smarter, and with confidence.

At Mockingbird Travels, I’m passionate about curating travel experiences that reflect your unique style, preferences, and dreams. Whether you're imagining a luxurious resort stay in the Caribbean, an exciting cruise across the open sea, or a guided cultural journey through Europe—I'm here to bring your travel vision to life with ease and expertise.

One of the best parts? For most travel—including cruises, all-inclusive resorts, guided international tours, and preferred supplier packages—there is no planning fee. I work closely with trusted travel partners to find you the best options at the same price (or better) than what you’d find online. But unlike booking platforms, I go far beyond simply reserving your trip.

I save you time, reduce your stress, and support you before, during, and after your journey. I’m here to answer your questions, help with excursion planning, and be your go-to contact should anything come up while you're away.

For highly customized, à la carte international travel—such as independent multi-country itineraries, unique destination combinations, or complex travel logistics—I may charge a planning fee. This fee ensures I can dedicate the time, research, and careful attention needed to design a seamless and extraordinary itinerary tailored specifically to you.

During our consultation, we’ll talk through your travel goals and determine whether a planning fee applies. Transparency and personalized care are always my top priorities.

Your unforgettable journey starts with a conversation. Let’s turn your travel dreams into reality—with the guidance, support, and passion that defines Mockingbird Travels.

At Mockingbird Travels, I strive to make your vacation planning as smooth and stress-free as possible—including when it comes to payments.

Depending on your travel dates, you’ll typically only need to pay the required deposit set by the supplier to confirm your booking. The final balance is usually due 30 to 60 days prior to departure, but this can vary depending on the travel provider. If your trip is scheduled to begin soon, the full payment may be required at the time of booking.

Your personalized quote will clearly outline your deposit amount and all payment due dates, so you’ll always know what to expect.

You’re welcome to make payments at any time between your deposit and the final balance deadline. As long as the full amount is paid by the due date, you’re in control of how and when you'd like to pay.

To help you stay on track:

• Monthly invoices will be sent from Mockingbird Travels.
• I will also send friendly reminders as your final balance approaches.
   

For group trips, I typically establish a custom payment schedule that works for the entire group—making budgeting easier and more manageable for everyone involved.

Have questions about payments or due dates? I’m always here to help.

In most cases, I cannot book flights directly using your frequent flyer miles. Here’s why—and how I can still help:

Why Not?

• Frequent flyer miles are tied to your personal airline account and typically require you to log in with your own credentials.
• Most airlines have policies that only allow the account holder to redeem miles 
• These bookings often aren’t accessible through third-party booking systems that travel advisors use.
   

Here’s What I Can Do:

• You can book your flights with miles directly through the airline, and I’ll take care of everything else—resorts, cruises, excursions, travel insurance, transfers, and more.
• I can walk you through the award booking process, offer guidance on the best routes, and help you make the most of your loyalty program—even if I can't book the miles for you.
   

Pro Tip:
If you're using miles for just a portion of your trip, like flights, I can design the rest of your travel experience around that, ensuring everything fits together seamlessly.

In most cases, I cannot book flights directly using your frequent flyer miles. Here’s why—and how I can still help:

Why Not?

• Frequent flyer miles are tied to your personal airline account and typically require you to log in with your own credentials.
• Most airlines have policies that only allow the account holder to redeem miles 
• These bookings often aren’t accessible through third-party booking systems that travel advisors use.
   

Here’s What I Can Do:

• You can book your flights with miles directly through the airline, and I’ll take care of everything else—resorts, cruises, excursions, travel insurance, transfers, and more.
• I can walk you through the award booking process, offer guidance on the best routes, and help you make the most of your loyalty program—even if I can't book the miles for you.
   

Pro Tip:
If you're using miles for just a portion of your trip, like flights, I can design the rest of your travel experience around that, ensuring everything fits together seamlessly.

Travel insurance is always optional—but it’s something I strongly recommend, especially for international travel, cruises, and trips with non-refundable components.

When we begin planning your trip, I’ll walk you through the available travel insurance options so you can make an informed decision based on your comfort level and coverage needs.

Ask yourself this:

“Can I afford to lose the money I’ve invested in this vacation if something unexpected forces me to cancel or delay it?”

If the answer is no, then travel insurance is absolutely worth considering.

Coverage can help protect you from:

• Trip cancellations or delays
• Emergency medical expenses abroa 
• Lost or delayed baggage
• Supplier bankruptcy and more
   

If you choose to decline travel insurance, you’ll be asked to sign a waiver acknowledging that you’ve been offered coverage and understand the potential risks of traveling without it. This ensures transparency and helps protect both you and your investment.

I want your trip to be memorable for all the right reasons—and that includes helping you travel with confidence and peace of mind.