Let’s face it — travel isn’t always smooth sailing, First name / friend. Most trips go off without a hitch, but every seasoned traveler knows that when things do go sideways, it’s not a DIY moment!

 

I found this out when we were stuck in Qatar on our way home from Africa recently.  Believe me, I wanted someone else to deal with it all.  We were lucky to get out, we had a 2 day window to get home before Qatar shut down its airspace with missiles flying on June 23.   I was wondering if Tom Hanks was anywhere nearby, our travel problems usually occur if we are where he is.  

( Australia, March 2020…Covid) 

 

You don’t expect your vacation to collide with a wildfire evacuation. Or an airport shutdown. Or a volcanic eruption. Or a war. But those are exactly the kinds of situations travelers have faced in recent years — from the wildfires in Maui to Iceland’s volcanic threat to Heathrow’s surprise closure that stranded thousands 😟

 

Even the most well-planned trip can hit a snag. And when it does? That’s when having someone in your corner goes from “nice to have” to “thank goodness.”

 

Thinking about booking a trip soon? Hit pause before you click “confirm.” Here are three real reasons every traveler benefits from having an advisor on speed dial — ranked from mild to wild 🚨

 

Ever had a travel moment where you thought, “I should not be the one handling this”? Hit reply and tell me what happened — I’m curious to hear your story!

You get to the airport and your flight’s cancelled. The hotel says they can’t find your reservation. Or your group decides mid-trip that they have to add a wine tour tomorrow.

 

❌ Without An Advisor: You’re on hold with customer service, toggling between apps, and trying to rework plans while your vacation ticks away.

✅ With An Advisor: You can send a single message to your advisor via the Trip Plans App  so that they can handle the calls, coordinate new plans, or smooth out the mess behind the scenes.

From storms rerouting cruises to airline strikes in Europe or unexpected train shutdowns in Italy, these are the kinds of disruptions you can’t always predict — but your advisor can make a huge difference when they do happen.

 

❌ Without An Advisor: You’re scrambling to find alternate transportation, battling high prices, and trying to figure out what’s refundable.

✅ With An Advisor: You’ve got someone watching ahead, rebooking in real-time, and giving you alternate options before the chaos even reaches you.

You come down with something mid-trip (or worse). Or you get that call — the one that means cutting your vacation short and heading home fast. Those of you with aging parents will totally get this.  Last year in Lisbon I had to call 911 for my Dad.  ( which did NOT work). Life doesn’t hit pause just because you’re away.

 

❌ Without An Advisor: You’re left to navigate policies, insurance, and logistics while managing emotions and urgency — often in unfamiliar territory.

✅ With An Advisor: You have someone who can cancel or shift your plans, communicate with providers, guide you through next steps, and be a steady voice when you need it most.

When everything’s going right, you might not think twice about having a travel advisor in your corner. But when the sh** hits the fan, peace of mind is part of the plan. ( look at me rhyming!) 

 

P.S. As always, feel free to forward this email on!