As I heard so often in Thailand, “same-same, but different.” You probably think of “travel agents” as people who your parents might have used to buy vacation and cruise “packages.” Travel advisors work to get to know you, your interests, and style, and then make custom recommendations (plus make all of the bookings and arrangements, like an agent). Akin to financial advisors, we’re experts who will give you personalized advice to best meet your needs. And for simple bookings, it costs you nothing while scoring you perks and VIP amenities.

Fora is my host agency. I utilize their platform and back-end support, but most important to you, I can tap into the hive mind of thousands of other Fora advisors like me to get the best results. Fora also has close relationships with thousands of travel suppliers around the world — which is how I can unlock perks and upgrades wherever you want to go. Fora has been featured in Conde Nast Traveler, Fortune, and more, and was named as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of the Year in 2023.

For simple hotel bookings (and some other accommodations), travel advisors get paid a commission from the supplier, so it costs you nothing. Plus our relationships directly with hotels can often get you perks and VIP amenities.

Turns out, room rates pay for commissions to third-party websites you might use (like Kayak or Priceline). So why would you do all of the work and then let a billion-dollar company get paid for it? Instead, you could let a small, queer-owned business do the work and be compensated.

While I’m happy to offer simple bookings for free, I do charge fees for more complex research and planning. Fees compensate me for my time and expertise so you don’t have to devote hours and hours to vacation planning. Don’t worry, I will work with you to make sure trips stay on-budget and that fees are reasonable for the value delivered to you. Plus, it’s free to inquire with no obligation, so drop me a line.

It depends on the hotel we book and availability, but with thousands of hotels in my network, I can unlock complimentary room upgrades, early check-in or late check-out, free breakfasts, welcome drinks, hotel credits for spa treatments or restaurants, and more. Even if we’re booking a hotel outside of my network, I can reach out and try to secure any preferences you request.

We love leisure, but why not make a business trip an opportunity for an unforgettable stay?

I’m happy to work with you on your business travel needs (either for yourself or if you book travel for someone else), from no-cost hotel bookings to team retreats and more complex gatherings that require some planning.

It depends. The airline ecosystem is quite complex and it’s often much better to book air travel yourself directly with the airline so you can easily make changes as needed (or utilize points/miles) — though I do consult on flights as part of overall planning services.

On the other hand, there are some cases where having me book flights make sense. If you’re traveling internationally in Premium, Business, or First, (or domestically in First) my agency can ticket directly. It’s also sometimes possible to get you a good deal on airfare when paired with a cruise or other kinds of inclusive travel. We can discuss when you get in touch.

Airbnb does not work with travel advisors, but I understand the benefits of short-term rentals for some trips. I can help find these kinds of properties through options like VRBO, Plum Guide, or HVN. But if you definitely want to stay in an Airbnb, I can do the research under a planning fee.

One value I can add is helping to determine the right kind of accommodation based on destination, length of trip, group size, and other factors. While I’ve personally had some wonderful experiences with Airbnb, the popularity of the platform has resulted in many subpar listings and increasing nightly rates and fees. I’ll work with you to find exactly what fits your trip.

Everyone wants to get the most value out of their credit cards and loyalty programs. If you have particular brands or programs that you’re loyal to, make sure to mention that so I can tailor my recommendations to maximize points earnings.

I can also advise on the best way to utilize those rewards you’ve earned. Given that travel advisors don’t have much access to better than published airfares, I tend to recommend using credit card points to book air travel and then pay cash for lodging and activities. But let me know about your situation and we can talk through the best strategy.

Having a sense of control when I travel is important to me, and I know it’s important to a lot of others too. I provide you with all pertinent information pre-departure (confirmation numbers, supplier contact information, etc.) so if you need to address a concern while you’re traveling, there’s no need for me to mediate the resolution you need. Of course, I’m happy to help as I can from afar, but I don’t ever want you to be waiting on me to reach a satisfactory outcome.

Argyle Strategies is what I call my strategic communication consulting business and serves as the parent company for this travel advising enterprise. But why “Argyle?” It’s a pattern that I love. To me it shows simplicity and balance, while still holding interest. Argyle represents the harmony of many qualities I love: structured but fun; classic but potentially whimsical; comfortable but intriguing.