Frequently Asked Questions
Q) How has Covid-19 affected travel?
A) It's important to stay informed on whether your intended destination has open or closed borders, what they require for entry (vaccination, quarantine, etc) , and any applicable mask mandates. A great place to start is the U.S. Department of State. You always want to check with your intended airline(s) as well, to follow their current mandates.
Q) How much do your services cost?
A) I get paid a commission from hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and rental cars after you complete your trip. I work with many many different travel suppliers, so I have no bias about which company you choose to travel with. We want you to be assured we are working for you and with your best interests at heart, NOT the supplier.
Q) But doesn’t that mean I’ll end up paying more to use you?
A) Not at all! The prices I quote you will never be inflated because of my commission. In fact, you will often save money.
Q) Do you charge a planning and research fee?
A) As of January 2024 we now charge a one-time non-refundable planning and research fee per reservation. Click Travel Request to learn more.
Q) Is there a Payment Plan Option Available?
A) In most cases, yes. I wouldn't be able to travel myself if I had to pay for everything at once!! Most vacation packages require an initial deposit and give you anywhere between 45-60 days before travel to make your final payment. You will often place a deposit on a trip using your credit card. Your card is processed through the hotel or resort directly. Airfare is often required to be paid in full at the time of booking.
Here's an example: If you are planning a 7 day cruise for a year from today, you will be required to pay $500 deposit upon booking ($250 per person, based on double occupancy) and will have nine months to pay your balance. Payments can be made at your convenience, as long as the balance is paid in full by the deadline.
Q) Do I have to be worried about you going out of business after you booked my vacation?
A) Because all payments are made directly to the suppliers, be it a hotel, resort, cruise line or airline, you never need to worry about losing your money should something unfortunate happen to me.
Q) How does booking through you work?
A) "Our Process" page will detail out each step of the booking process. Click HERE to learn more.
Q) Is this one of those "Pyramid Schemes", where you try to recruit me into your organization?
A) No, not at ALL! This is not some multi-level marketing program. I am not trying to make you a travel agent. And, if you DO choose to pursue the field, I won't make money off of you, your friends, your cousin's brother...no one. In fact, you'd be direct competition!
Q) How do you get group rates?
A) As your travel planner, we have built strong relationships with the leading cruise lines, hotels and venues in the industry. This allows us to find unbeatable offers on vacation packages, passing the savings on to you.
Q) What is trip insurance and do we need it?
A) Trip insurance helps minimize some of the financial loss you may incur should your trip be interrupted, postponed, or canceled because of extenuating circumstances. While trip insurance is not mandatory, the cost relative to the potential loss of thousands of dollars makes this a sensible option for many families.
Q) How much are luggage fees and are there any restrictions on luggage size/weight?
A) Policies on baggage fees and limitations vary by airline. Click the links below to locate the baggage restrictions for your carrier.
Q) What items are prohibited on airlines?
A) Click below for the Transportation Security Administrations list of prohibited items: www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all
Q) What are proper forms of identification for travel?
A) Effective June 21, 2008, adult passengers (18 and over) are required to show a U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID that contains the following: name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and a tamper-resistant feature in order to be allowed to go through the checkpoint and onto their flight. Visit the TSA website for more information.
Q) When do I need a passport?
A) As of June 1, 2009, passports are required for all U.S. citizens traveling to or from the United States, regardless of destination and mode of travel. For more information on requirements for travel across U.S. borders, visit U.S. State Department
Q) How do I obtain a passport?
A) You can learn how to obtain or renew a passport by visiting the U.S. State Department.
Q) Do you book only airfare?
A) No. In order to offer our clients the absolute best industry deals, we typically prefer to package travel components (air, hotel, transport, excursions). For those seeking ONLY airfare, we find it's most cost effective for the client book themselves in this case. If you would still like to book through us, there is $25.00 per person research and planning fee.
Q) Do you serve international clients, or only US citizens?
A) At this time, we are only licensed to sell travel in the United States. We are currently looking into foreign seller-of-travel licensing.
Q) Where is your office located?
A) Our agency is based in the Chicago metro area in Illinois, but is a virtual agency. We do not have a brick & mortar location at this time. This keeps our operating costs low, and allows our staff to service our clients no matter where in the world we are!
A) It's important to stay informed on whether your intended destination has open or closed borders, what they require for entry (vaccination, quarantine, etc) , and any applicable mask mandates. A great place to start is the U.S. Department of State. You always want to check with your intended airline(s) as well, to follow their current mandates.
Q) How much do your services cost?
A) I get paid a commission from hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and rental cars after you complete your trip. I work with many many different travel suppliers, so I have no bias about which company you choose to travel with. We want you to be assured we are working for you and with your best interests at heart, NOT the supplier.
Q) But doesn’t that mean I’ll end up paying more to use you?
A) Not at all! The prices I quote you will never be inflated because of my commission. In fact, you will often save money.
Q) Do you charge a planning and research fee?
A) As of January 2024 we now charge a one-time non-refundable planning and research fee per reservation. Click Travel Request to learn more.
Q) Is there a Payment Plan Option Available?
A) In most cases, yes. I wouldn't be able to travel myself if I had to pay for everything at once!! Most vacation packages require an initial deposit and give you anywhere between 45-60 days before travel to make your final payment. You will often place a deposit on a trip using your credit card. Your card is processed through the hotel or resort directly. Airfare is often required to be paid in full at the time of booking.
Here's an example: If you are planning a 7 day cruise for a year from today, you will be required to pay $500 deposit upon booking ($250 per person, based on double occupancy) and will have nine months to pay your balance. Payments can be made at your convenience, as long as the balance is paid in full by the deadline.
Q) Do I have to be worried about you going out of business after you booked my vacation?
A) Because all payments are made directly to the suppliers, be it a hotel, resort, cruise line or airline, you never need to worry about losing your money should something unfortunate happen to me.
Q) How does booking through you work?
A) "Our Process" page will detail out each step of the booking process. Click HERE to learn more.
Q) Is this one of those "Pyramid Schemes", where you try to recruit me into your organization?
A) No, not at ALL! This is not some multi-level marketing program. I am not trying to make you a travel agent. And, if you DO choose to pursue the field, I won't make money off of you, your friends, your cousin's brother...no one. In fact, you'd be direct competition!
Q) How do you get group rates?
A) As your travel planner, we have built strong relationships with the leading cruise lines, hotels and venues in the industry. This allows us to find unbeatable offers on vacation packages, passing the savings on to you.
Q) What is trip insurance and do we need it?
A) Trip insurance helps minimize some of the financial loss you may incur should your trip be interrupted, postponed, or canceled because of extenuating circumstances. While trip insurance is not mandatory, the cost relative to the potential loss of thousands of dollars makes this a sensible option for many families.
Q) How much are luggage fees and are there any restrictions on luggage size/weight?
A) Policies on baggage fees and limitations vary by airline. Click the links below to locate the baggage restrictions for your carrier.
Q) What items are prohibited on airlines?
A) Click below for the Transportation Security Administrations list of prohibited items: www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all
Q) What are proper forms of identification for travel?
A) Effective June 21, 2008, adult passengers (18 and over) are required to show a U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID that contains the following: name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and a tamper-resistant feature in order to be allowed to go through the checkpoint and onto their flight. Visit the TSA website for more information.
Q) When do I need a passport?
A) As of June 1, 2009, passports are required for all U.S. citizens traveling to or from the United States, regardless of destination and mode of travel. For more information on requirements for travel across U.S. borders, visit U.S. State Department
Q) How do I obtain a passport?
A) You can learn how to obtain or renew a passport by visiting the U.S. State Department.
Q) Do you book only airfare?
A) No. In order to offer our clients the absolute best industry deals, we typically prefer to package travel components (air, hotel, transport, excursions). For those seeking ONLY airfare, we find it's most cost effective for the client book themselves in this case. If you would still like to book through us, there is $25.00 per person research and planning fee.
Q) Do you serve international clients, or only US citizens?
A) At this time, we are only licensed to sell travel in the United States. We are currently looking into foreign seller-of-travel licensing.
Q) Where is your office located?
A) Our agency is based in the Chicago metro area in Illinois, but is a virtual agency. We do not have a brick & mortar location at this time. This keeps our operating costs low, and allows our staff to service our clients no matter where in the world we are!
Disclaimer:
Magnolia Grace Vacations employees act only as an agent for the travel suppliers named in your vacation itinerary. We are not liable for the actions or omissions of the said suppliers or any other event beyond our control. Prices are subject to change as in accordance with the travel supplier. Unless the reservation is put on a deposit or courtesy hold, if available, we cannot be responsible for price increases. Magnolia Grace Vacations is not responsible for typographical errors or omissions in any emails.
Magnolia Grace Vacations employees act only as an agent for the travel suppliers named in your vacation itinerary. We are not liable for the actions or omissions of the said suppliers or any other event beyond our control. Prices are subject to change as in accordance with the travel supplier. Unless the reservation is put on a deposit or courtesy hold, if available, we cannot be responsible for price increases. Magnolia Grace Vacations is not responsible for typographical errors or omissions in any emails.
