Travel Booking FAQ’s

There are so many reasons!

First and foremost, we truly care about your holiday experience. We want you to have an incredible time, share your experience with everyone, and come back to book with us time and time again. Building long-term relationships with our clients is incredibly important to us. It helps us understand your preferences better, allowing us to create even more tailored and personalised experiences.

We have in-depth knowledge of destinations and suppliers, and can provide personalised recommendations based on you and your family’s needs. As independent travel agents, we can craft customised itineraries based on your interests, preferences, and budget. We suggest unique experiences, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and hidden gems to make your trip memorable.

We can help you get the most out of your budget. Whether your budget is big or small, getting the best possible value is important to all of us. We have the expertise to find the best deals, avoid unnecessary expenses, and maximise the value of your travel budget.

We can save you time and stress. Planning a trip can be time-consuming and overwhelming. As independent travel agents, we take care of all the research, bookings, and logistics, saving you valuable time and ensuring a relaxed, hassle-free experience.

We can provide valuable guidance on visa requirements, travel insurance, health and safety precautions, and other essential aspects of travel. We stay updated with the latest travel trends and regulations, ensuring a smooth and informed journey. And should unexpected situations arise, knowing that you have a dedicated professional on hand to help navigate any challenges gives you peace of mind.

No, we do not charge a fee for our services. Instead, we earn commission built into your booking. Commission is a standard part of every travel booking, whether made through an agent, an online booking platform, or directly with the supplier. The only difference is who receives the commission. By using an independent travel agent, you’re getting the benefit of this commission working for you, rather than the hotel or booking engine keeping it. (If you would prefer to earn this commission yourself, please visit our Become An Agent page for more details).

Absolutely! We have great relationships with many suppliers, allowing us to shop around for the best value and be creative with suggestions and itineraries. We have price parity with suppliers, meaning the price is the same whether you book through us or directly. However, we often have access to exclusive deals, promotions, and discounted rates that may not be available to the general public or through direct bookings.

Almost anything! We can book holiday packages, hotels, flights, cruises, adventure holidays, villas, golf holidays, ski trips, Disney holidays, weekends away, city breaks, safaris, honeymoons, fly-drive holidays, island hopping, and more. We can arrange holidays for solo travellers, couples, families, multi-generational getaways, weddings, honeymoons, and business events. We can also organise tickets to the theatre, concerts, major sporting events, and all the holiday extras like airport transfers, car hire, excursions, travel insurance, and even private jets – just ask!

Generally, you can pay a deposit and then spread the balance, or pay in full several weeks before your departure (timing varies by supplier). However, you may need to pay for the air travel portion of your trip at the time of booking. Travel booked closer to the departure date may need to be paid for in full immediately, but we’ll advise you accordingly and work with suppliers who offer flexible payment options.

Cancellation policies vary from supplier to supplier, but we’ll always confirm the details before you finalise your booking. Amendments are usually possible, subject to availability. In our experience, our suppliers are typically very accommodating in these circumstances. However, travel insurance is strongly recommended, and in some cases, mandatory.

We don’t hold any funds within Bespoke Escapes. Once you confirm your booking, payments are made directly to suppliers upon your authorisation, in line with GDPR guidelines. So, you can rest assured your payments are securely applied to your holiday reservations. Our holidays are ATOL and ABTA protected, meaning you can book with complete confidence. (Many well-known online booking sites are not bonded with ABTA).

We work with recognised suppliers across the travel industry, including resorts, hotels, cruise lines, holiday companies, car rental agencies, and tour operators worldwide. We have over 80 preferred suppliers with whom we have close working relationships. Some of the household names include Disney, Club Med, Mr & Mrs Smith, Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean, Olympic, Marriott, Hilton, Holiday Extras, Jumeirah, and Plum Guide, to name just a few of our favourites.

Simply get in touch via our Contact Page, or schedule a travel chat through the calendar below. It’s a great way to meet and we can do it over the phone or Zoom. If you know the basics – destination, budget, number of guests, their ages, duration of holiday, dates (or approximate, if flexible), board basis (e.g., all-inclusive), departure airport, etc. – that’s fantastic. But don’t worry if not, we’ll help refine the details as we chat.