THE PROCESS

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I specialize in creating bespoke itineraries crafted exclusively for you, emphasizing quality, authenticity, and personalized service. My approach caters to those who value meticulously curated travel experiences over mere budget considerations. If you desire a premium travel planning experience centered on excellence and service, rather than strict budget constraints, I'm here to transform your discerning travel dreams into reality. 

During our Comprehensive Consultation, we will explore your current situation and motivations for travel, along with your preferences, needs, desires, expectations, and unique travel style, to create a bespoke travel plan that perfectly aligns with your vision and expectations. Say goodbye to generic itineraries and welcome bespoke, unforgettable experiences tailored specifically for you.

>> For those interested in our long-term coaching program, we'll also customize a plan with multiple future sessions and accountability check-ins designed to fit your unique needs. During our consultation, we'll also review the investment needed to commence services. Payment plans may be considered on an individual basis.

After the initial consultation, you will receive a follow-up email summarizing our discussion and the next steps. At that point you will need to make a decision within 3 business days. Here are your options:

1. Hire Ariel Rene Travel for agreed upon coaching and/or consulting services and pay the remaining balance to continue services.

2. Decide not to continue services with Ariel Rene Travel and thereby forfeit the nonrefundable deposit paid. 

>> IMPORTANT NOTES:

Before scheduling your consultation, please be aware that we require a non-refundable deposit of $147 (USD) to secure your initial consultation with us. During our call, we'll discuss the necessary investment required to proceed with our services beyond the initial call (minus the deposit paid), which varies depending on the complexity of the specific travel plans. The remaining balance will be due in full immediately after the call and prior to any further services rendered.  

Please note, if the remaining balance is not paid within 3 business days from the date it was invoiced, you forfeit the opportunity to work with us. The non-refundable deposit paid will be retained by Ariel Figg, LLC for consulting services rendered to date. All payments are nontransferable.

If you are not currently in a position to make a decision to proceed with or discontinue our services within the limited  3-business day timeframe, please revisit scheduling a consultation when you are better prepared to do so. Our workflows and automations are designed to proceed efficiently through each step of our process, making timely decisions essential.

Once you retain my services, I will begin the research and proposal phases. This proposal will likely WOW you, as it will be custom-tailored to you and your unique travel style, preferences, and expectations. 

I will send you my "first and best" proposal, meaning I am going to provide you with everything we discussed, ensuring I check off all your wishlist boxes and must-haves. Using the information we discussed, I am going to put myself in your shoes and thoughtfully curate all the details, such as the destination, the accommodations, the transportation, the activities, and more. 

You will not only receive my "first and best" recommendation, but I will also include an audio-visual presentation with me on an embedded video where you'll hear me explain exactly why I made the selections I did and how they align with what you requested.

It is important to note that the "first and best" option may potentially exceed what you have financially prepared for; sometimes, our expectations don't necessarily align with reality, and that's ok. If you experience what is often referred to as "sticker shock," there is no need to panic. In that case, we simply hop back on a call and evaluate what you consider to be essential and what you are willing to compromise on to better align with your ideal investment. Often, we can get closer to the ideal investment range if we reduce the number of nights, select a lesser room category, pick a different time to go, etc. No need to call off the entire trip; we'll get it all sorted out. That's precisely why you hired me; I can help you navigate any budget concerns from my professional perspective without you feeling overwhelmed or defeated.

The proposal will be delivered via email, and I will text you to ensure you receive it. In the email, you'll find an overview of what to expect in the PDF proposal and the next steps. It will also have two attachments: 1) the PDF Proposal and 2) the Audio-Visual Presentation.

As you can see, my proposals are thoughtfully hand-crafted from scratch. Therefore, the turnaround times vary depending on the complexity of travel plans, but as a general rule, here are examples of average turnaround times:

1). Simple travel plans (such as pre-designed cruises & guided tours, or all-inclusive vacations) will likely take 48-72 business hours. 

2). Depending on how promptly the vendors communicate with me, any multi-destination, group travel plans, destination weddings, or any other complex travel plans could take up to two weeks or longer.

Once you have received the "first and best" proposal, it is essential that you review it at your earliest convenience and provide me with your answer on how you would like to proceed because pricing, offers, and availability are dynamic and subject to change at any time until the bookings have been confirmed by the vendor.

*Please note that all timeframes provided are general estimates and may vary depending on a case-by-case situation. Any timeframes that begin on a Thursday/Friday, holiday or one of my pre-scheduled days off will have extended delivery times.

Now that you have had time to review the "first and best" proposal, you will have to make a decision from one of the three options below, which are:

1. You LOVE everything about the proposal; it's everything you could've imagined, and you would like to secure it ASAP!

2. You LIKE the proposal, but there are a few slight modifications you would like to make (such as compromises, date modifications, etc.)

3. You would like to withdraw from the planning process, and my services are no longer needed at this time. 

Once you have decided to approve a proposal, it's time to secure it. This step is time-sensitive as pricing, offers, and availability are dynamic and subject to change at any time without notice. You will need to complete a Booking Packet that securely gathers travelers' details, essential acknowledgments and waivers, and an encrypted credit card authorization form. All of which takes approximately 10 minutes or so to complete. 

As soon as I receive your completed Booking Packet and Credit Card Authorization Form, I will place your booking on hold. I will email you the vendor's confirmation invoice so that you can confirm all details are correct prior to processing the authorized payment on your card. Once I get the approval from you that everything is accurate, I will make the necessary payment with the vendor to ensure we have locked in your booking. 

*Please note that your confirmation of details should be done immediately upon receipt to avoid any issues.

You're booked, now what? Now that we have secured your travel plans, it's time to get excited for your upcoming departure. Depending on how far in advance you are from the travel dates, you may have a few preparations to take care of. 

Passports: You'll want to check your passports and ensure they are valid, and will remain valid for at least 6 months after your return from travel. This is required by most countries, so go ahead and double-check all travelers in your party. Keep in mind all children (including babies and infants) need a passport to travel internationally as well. If you are more than three months away from your travel dates, you should be okay with applying for standard passport processing. If you are within 1-3 months away from your travel dates, you should be applying for expedited processing. However, if you are traveling within the next two weeks, you will need to schedule an in-person processing; otherwise, you will not receive your passport in time.

Here is the link to learn more about passports and processing: CLICK HERE.

Visas: Some countries may require a Visa. Check with the embassy of your destination regarding visa requirements. CLICK HERE

Medications: Check your medications. Some prescription drugs (including narcotics) and some U.S. over-the-counter medications are illegal in other countries. Check with the embassy of your destination(s) about regulations and documentation before you travel. 

Traveling with Minors: If you are traveling alone with children, foreign border officials may require custody documents or notarized written consent from the other parent. Check with the embassy of your foreign destination before traveling to see what you may need. 

Document Preparations: Make copies of all your travel documents.  Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative and carry the other separately from your original documents.  Also take a photograph of your travel documents with your phone to have an electronic copy. 

Travel Insurance: If you opted out of purchasing travel insurance for all travelers on the itinerary at the time of booking, I urge you to reconsider. We may be able to purchase a plan for you through a third-party provider . Here are a few things to consider: The U.S. government does not provide insurance for U.S. citizens overseas. They do not pay medical bills or unexpected costs. We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance before you travel to cover emergency medical care, either as part of or separate from trip cancellation insurance.  

Health Insurance: Medical facilities and providers abroad may require cash up front and may not accept U.S. insurance plans.  U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not provide coverage outside the United States.  Check your health care policy to see if it will cover you overseas.  If not, consider buying supplemental insurance. Make sure the insurance you purchase covers any special medical needs or risks you anticipate on your trip.

Emergency Medical Evacuation: Evacuation for medical treatment can cost more than $100,000 per person.  You should strongly consider purchasing a plan that includes medical evacuation services in case of an emergency overseas. 

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): Enroll at step.state.gov to receive travel and security updates about your destination, and to help officials reach you in an emergency.

Be Prepared: Educate yourself on what to do in case of a crisis while traveling internationally. Click HERE to learn more.

Health Precautions: Read Your Health Abroad and check out recommendations for vaccinations and other health considerations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO)

Money Matters: Before traveling, you may want to notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans, and check exchange rates. For information about using cash, debit/credit cards, and ATMs overseas, read the country information page for your destination(s).

International Driving Permit: Many countries do not recognize a U.S. driver's license, but most accept an International Driving Permit (IDP). You may also need supplemental auto insurance. Read more about driving and road safety abroad before you go.

During this time, you will also have the opportunity to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. I will be more than happy to clarify or reassure you so that you feel comfortable. Simply email me at ariel@arielrenetravel.com or schedule a phone call. 

*This list is not all-encompassing. This just gives you a general idea of the things you should review/prepare for before travel. The provided links lead to third-party sites that we neither maintain nor own, and we are not responsible if the links have been modified, relocated, and/or are no longer available.

We have finally reached departure day... HOW EXCITING!! 

About 1-2 weeks prior to departure, you should have received an email from me with your "Final Travel Documents." Please review that email to ensure everything is looking good before you leave. If you don't find it in your inbox, please check your spam or let me know, and I can resend it.

At this point, you should be well prepared to enjoy your experience entirely. We have covered all the aspects I can think of but if anything comes up while you're away, please contact me. If, for some reason, I am unavailable, we may have access to a 24/7 emergency hotline (depending on the vendor) that would assist you in my absence. 

Also, if you're like me, my phone doesn't work while I'm out of the country so I have to rely on a wifi connection to contact people via Facebook Messenger, iMessage for Apple Users, or via What's App.

I would recommend you and your loved ones back home agree on a method of contact and if needed, you all should download What's App. This will enable you to call or text them as long as you are connected to a wifi signal. Most resorts have wifi but in the event you are out and about... I have a hidden gem recommendation (keep reading)

My global wifi hotspot has always been a great way to stay connected no matter where I go! It has provided me with an internet connection in several countries so far (Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, USA) and it has yet to let me down. CLICK HERE to learn more about my favorite global wifi hotspot and discover your new favorite travel accessory. *This is an affiliate link. I may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase.

Now all there is left to do is ENJOY YOUR TRIP! Take lots of pictures, and make lots of memories  ♥

My job isn't complete until you return home safely from your travels. I hope you thoroughly enjoyed your experience both working with me and in destination. You can expect to receive an email from me the following day after your scheduled return. I want to hear all about your awesome travels and if you have any negative feedback for me - I want to hear that too. I take pride in accurately pairing my clients to their ideal itineraries so if you believe I have areas of improvement I would appreciate the honesty. 

At this point, our working relationship is now complete. I will wish you well and hope that you continue to partner with me on future travel plans as well as send others my way (ask me how you can earn a Booking Referral Bonus for EACH confirmed booking you refer to me). 

Here are a few ways to stay in touch:

1. Join my email list 

2. Follow me on Facebook or Instagram