To answer that, we first want to share why we’ve aligned with The Departure Lounge, our host agency. The short answer is the decades of strong relationships, industry respect, and status built by Departure Lounge founder Keith Waldon. The longer answer is that, as independent travel advisors with one of the most respected agencies in the industry, we bring unmatched expertise and connections to every hotel, tour, and cruise we book for you. Beyond the exclusive perks and amenities available through our Virtuoso affiliation, Departure Lounge also has VIP and Preferred Partnerships with top global suppliers. We leverage these relationships and buying power to secure upgrades and elevate your travel experience.

Our services for booking 4- and 5-star hotels and cruises come at no additional cost to you. We can offer this at no charge because the hotels and cruise lines pay a commission to the booking travel advisor. You pay the same (or sometimes less) than you would if you booked directly, but by booking through Qualia Travel, an affiliate of Departure Lounge, your reservation receives VIP treatment. This often includes perks like a $100 food and beverage credit, complimentary breakfast for two, early check-in, late check-out (subject to availability), and room upgrades (automatic with some suppliers or upon check-in with others, depending on availability).

Amex Travel is essentially Expedia's platform. The benefit of working with a prestigious travel agency like ours is that we offer a wider selection of luxury properties, often with established relationships with the properties themselves. This means we can advocate for you directly to secure upgrades or resolve any issues that arise. We also offer insider knowledge about which luxury properties are truly exceptional—and which may not live up to the hype. Additionally, we provide exclusive perks and personalized service that simply can’t be matched by self-booking platforms like Amex Travel.

Certainly not—and no one can claim to have recently visited every corner of the globe. However, as a team of advisors at Departure Lounge, we are a highly experienced and well-traveled group. Through collaboration, kindness, and generosity, we share our knowledge and insights to better understand each destination, ensuring we bring valuable and timely expertise to our clients.

We offer a secure, client-facing self-booking portal because we understand that many people prefer to do their own research and appreciate the freedom of booking their travel independently. To use the portal, simply enter your access code, then input your location and travel dates. A list of available properties will appear with various rate options. You can view details about rooms, pricing, cancellation policy, and amenities from the drop-down menu. Once you’ve found the room you’d like, click "Add to Trip," then click "Book" and enter your credit card details, along with any loyalty numbers you may have (e.g., Hyatt, Hilton, etc.). You’ll have full access to your booking, including the option to cancel (within the stated cancellation policy), just as if you had booked directly with the hotel (unless the hotel offers a non-refundable discounted rate). If you find a cheaper rate online, please let us know, and we’ll reach out to the hotel to request a rate match.