Frequently Asked Questions
Working with ELx
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Why should I hire a travel advisor? ​​In addition to saving time, money, and stress, there are many benefits to working with a travel advisor! Visit our "Why Us" page to learn more about the benefits of working with ELx, and the steps we take to make sure your travel experience is seamless.
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Why shouldn't I just book my trip myself? With thousands of options and reviews online, planning your own travel can be overwhelming. You could spend hours researching and still not know what hotel, train, plane, or dinner to book. ELx Travel is here to make travel easier for you, and our team does the work for you! We use our expertise to narrow down options based on your specific travel needs to create a simplified decision-making process for you, and to deliver you an ideal itinerary. We are your advocates and are here to smooth out logistics, answer your questions, and solve problems that may occur. All you have to do is pack your bags and enjoy your trip!
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Is it more expensive to work with a travel advisor? Actually, it is often cheaper! Travel Advisors like us have access to advisor-specific pricing which you can’t find through online searches. We also receive exclusive perks and extra add-ons (like free room upgrades or free breakfast), that we can include in your package. Although we charge a one-time travel planning fee, if you book yourself online, you wouldn't receive the additional benefits and perks we can provide you. Hiring an advisor is not an added trip cost, it's an investment for your trip, and one you won't regret!
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What services and benefits do you provide? Great question! We detail all of our included services on the "What's Included" page. For more information on the benefits of working with an advisor, visit our "Why Us" page.
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Do you charge a fee to book with you? Yes, we charge a small one-time travel planning fee per trip reservation. Read more on our "How It Works" page.
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How can I contact ELx Travel? If you are ready to start discussing or planning a trip, please proceed to our Trip Inquiry Form & Free Travel Consultation Scheduler HERE. For any other inquiries, you can email our team at info@elxtravel.com, and we will respond within 24-48 hours.
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What hours are you available? The ELx Travel Team is available Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm EST. During travel, we will also provide you with 24/7 support numbers if you need assistance during later hours.
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What certifications or qualifications do ELx Travel and their Travel Specialists have? Both Emily and Lexie have earned the prestigious designation of Certified Travel Associates (CTA®), from The Travel Institute, the oldest and most respected non-profit certification organization in the travel industry. These credentials require travel industry work experience, a rigorous certification and testing program, and continuous fulfillment of stringent education credit requirements each year. Our CTA designation means that we are committed to upholding the highest standards of our profession while providing expert advice to our clients. Learn more about Emily and Lexie’s experience here.
Planning Your Trip
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When should I start planning my trip? Depending on the complexity of your trip and what time of year you are looking to travel, we recommend booking 6-12 months in advance. This gives us sufficient time to plan and book your trip before pricing changes, or availability becomes limited. It also provides you additional time to set up a payment plan (if needed) to help make your bucket list trip achievable!
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I’m ready to plan a trip, what is my first step? Please schedule your FREE Travel Consultation with an ELx Travel Specialist here. You will select a date and time convenient for you, and answer 10 quick questions about your trip.
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I’m not sure where or when I want to travel, can you help? Of course! Check out our Caribbean or Europe destination pages to learn more about the beautiful destinations we specialize in. There, you’ll find travel inspiration and recommended itineraries curated by our ELx Travel team. You can also read our blogs to get inspired! If you still need help, ask the experts! Schedule a FREE Travel Consultation with us and we can help you decide when and where you should go, based on your travel interests and preferences.
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Which destinations does ELx work with? Do you have personal experience in these destinations? ELx Travel specializes in Caribbean and European destinations; Our team has traveled to over 30 countries across both regions. We also have completed extensive education with over 100+ hours of educational courses on the Caribbean and European destinations, and continually take courses to stay up-to-date with the latest travel trends and news. Be sure to sign up for The Xplorer - our insider mailing list - to stay up to date on new destinations and cruise options we will soon add to our travel portfolio.
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What personal information do you need to book my trip? To book your trip we will need your personal and contact information (e.g., legal name, birth date, email, phone number, and current address of residence), along with your passport details and any medical or special needs you have, so we can ensure you are properly accommodated.
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Can you work within a certain budget? Yes! A traveler’s budget is typically the biggest factor they have when deciding on their trip. We can help you plan your ideal trip within the budget you feel comfortable with. Our expertise can help stretch that budget and get you the best value for your trip.
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I have disabilities, special needs, or other medical limitations, can I be accommodated when I work with ELx Travel? Yes! Both Emily and Lexie are certified with the Special Needs Groups to assist and accommodate those who have disabilities, special needs, or other medical limitations. We will have a conversation about what your particular needs are and we can make appropriate bookings and special requests to ensure you are accommodated during your trip. We can also arrange medical equipment rentals you might need when traveling, such as a wheelchair, scooter, portable oxygen, etc. We will do everything in our power to ensure you are able to travel and are comfortable throughout your trip.
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Do I need a passport to travel? If so, how do I get one? When traveling internationally, individuals must carry a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended travel dates). There are also other acceptable forms of identification, which can be found HERE.
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Where can I travel without a passport? Without a passport, you can travel within the United States of America, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Individuals can use a government-issued ID such as a driver's license. Please note that after May 2025, your driver's license must be REAL ID compliant to be used as your form of identification. You can find more information on the REAL ID at: https://www.tsa.gov/real-id.
Booking Your Trip
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How do I book my trip? After you complete your Free Travel Consultation, we will send you detailed next steps and a Custom Trip Proposal. This proposal typically has 2-3 itinerary options for you to choose from and we work together to help you land on the perfect itinerary (making adjustments as needed). We then provide you with an invoice to make your deposit payment and book your trip.Â
What’s included in my trip? Accommodations and excursions (activities) are always built into your ELx Travel package as inclusions; Travel Insurance quotes will be provided separately from your proposal so you can decide if you’d prefer to opt out of coverage; Flights and ground transportation can also be included upon request. On top of that, you will receive the ELx Travel Team’s support before, during, and after your trip, along with additional travel tips, destination guides, and other travel information needed before you depart. We can include as many travel elements, or as few, as you want!
Do I have to pay for my trip in full? You do not have to pay for your trip in full upon booking. In most cases, a deposit amount will be required to book your trip, and then you can make payments up until the established final payment deadline when the entire balance will need to be paid.Â
Do you offer payment plans? Yes! We can gladly set up a payment plan for you where available. These can be weekly payments, monthly payments, and even automatic payments.
How do we make payments? Making payments is easy! We will provide you with a virtual invoice. You simply click on the invoice, select the payment you want to complete, input your preferred payment method (debit or credit card), and submit. A receipt will be sent to you for your records.
I’m booking a group trip and want to promote it to my friends and family, do you help with that? Yes! We are happy to provide you with a Virtual Trip Flyer and Registration Form. This flyer will include all the trip details, options they can choose from, and pricing. The trip’s registration form is also included so we can collect their details and get them booked whenever they are ready. No one will need to bug you with questions because you can direct them to your flyer, or to us!
After Booking
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Do I need Travel Insurance? What are Pre-Existing Conditions? ELx Travel highly recommends that every traveler obtain travel insurance before they travel. We will provide you with quotes for your convenience and assistance with purchasing your policy. Not only does this coverage protect your financial investment, but the other benefits can be extremely helpful when traveling. These benefits vary but are typically flight cancellation or delay, lost luggage or delayed luggage, if you get sick or injured during your trip and need emergency services, if your itinerary is changed due to inclement weather, and much more.Â
If you have a pre-existing condition (such as asthma, diabetes, sleep apnea, etc), we can ensure we also get ‘pre-existing medical coverage’ added to your travel insurance policy, so you would be covered for these medical issues, should they cause any issues on your trip.
You never know what could happen, so it’s always best to be covered, and an ELx Travel Specialist can help you.
*Please keep in mind that ELx Travel Specialists are not licensed insurance brokers and can only provide advice and suggestions for your convenience.