Susan Bruce Travel | Personalized travel planning

Custom Trip Planning

Susan Bruce Travel is a travel consultancy offering custom trip planning personalized to you. We collaborate with vetted partners across the world from hotels, air consolidators, tour operators to cruise lines, and leverage our long-time relationships to bring you time and cost savings, and peace of mind on having an expert take care of all the details of your trip.

We keep your travel info securely on file, from passports to hotel and airline loyalty numbers, so you can easily book a quick getaway with just one email or a quick chat.

Basic Planning Fee

Initial consultation is complementary. To begin trip planning, we require a non-refundable planning fee, usually around $400 depending on length and complexity of the itinerary and number of people traveling. For a simple hotel booking the fee will be less. Substantial additional time during the trip planning or the trip itself may incur additional fees. Fees are only charged after you give the OK.

The basic planning fee provides:

Complete custom itinerary design including accommodation and tour options.
Preferred pricing, VIP access and inclusion of our exclusive negotiated amenities throughout the itinerary.
Day-by-day itinerary with all related info such as confirmation numbers and contact details in PDF and via an easy-to-use online app.
One major revision to your trip itinerary.
A vetted local, on the ground contact to support you 24/7 while traveling.
Top-tier guides.
The latest information on health and travel protocols and restrictions around the world.
Peace of mind knowing every detail of your trip will be taken care of by professionals.

Itinerary Revisions

Requests for minor revisions to your program are welcomed to customize your itinerary. Your basic plan includes 1 major revision request per program. A major revision is a complete change in destination, itinerary, or significant date change after trip planning has begun.

VIP Travel Client

Some of our clients opt to utilize our services throughout the year on retainer. Our $1,500 annual retainer includes unlimited travel planning services for a 12-month period.

This Annual Retainer covers travel for your household as well as for any others who join you on a trip.

Additional Fees

Last Minute Booking

Booking requests within 15 days of departure may incur an additional fee depending on time of year.

Cancellations

At the time of booking you’ll be advised of the cancellation policy of your hotel and/or program. If a cancellation policy has not been provided to you, please assume the booking is non-refundable. Cancellation policies vary and are implemented by the supplier. While you may feel some circumstances warrant leniency on cancellation penalties, it is not for Susan Bruce Travel to make this decision. We always recommend travel insurance for this reason.

Cancellations must be made in writing and may incur the following fees payable to Susan Bruce Travel:

$25 per hotel cancellation.
$100 per person, cancellation fee for a custom trip that has been deposited but not paid in full.
$200 per person, cancellation fee for a custom trip that has been paid in full.

Rentals

We are happy to assist with villa, home and boat rentals through one of our preferred partners. However, we do not work with AirBnB, VRBO, and other people-to-people home rental sites.

Deposit & Final Payment

Pricing is not guaranteed until Susan Bruce Travel receives payment or credit card guarantee. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. If we do not receive final payment by the specified date, we reserve the right to cancel the reservation. In the case of billing errors, we reserve the right to re-invoice with correct pricing.

Passports & Visas

A valid passport is required of all program participants. Your passport must be valid at least six months after your date of return to the U.S. The name on your reservation must match the name on your passport. Non-U.S. citizens must consult with the appropriate consulates to determine if any additional visas are needed. It is suggested that all passengers, regardless of the passport they hold, check with the appropriate consulates of the countries being visited to determine if visas are needed. Securing needed visas is the responsibility of the passenger, although we will assist when possible.

Program Prices

Program prices are per person, based on two persons sharing a room, unless otherwise stated. All prices are based on rates (including foreign exchange rates) known at the time of quotation. Guests are responsible for foreign exchange increases or decreases up until final payment is made. We reserve the right to recover from you any increase in airline-imposed fuel surcharges and taxes, charges or levies imposed by any government or its agencies, up to and including the first day of travel.

Itinerary Variations

If program improvements can be made or if unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary, we reserve the right to vary itineraries and to substitute similar hotels.

Airfare

Airfare quoted by Susan Bruce Travel or one of our Air Affiliates is confirmed only at the time of payment and when an E-ticket number has been generated. It is the passenger’s responsibility to confirm that all airline reservations are correct and include proper spelling of legal names at the time of confirmation. Once an air ticket has been issued, any airline-imposed changes to seat assignments, departure and arrival locations/times, etc. are not a result of any actions by Susan Bruce Travel. However, we will make every effort to remedy the situation if you are not happy with the change.

A benefit to booking your air travel through Susan Bruce Travel is that we are available to advocate on your behalf if you incur airline changes, cancellations and other disruptions. Please remember that we only offer flight bookings as an additional service that supports your full travel program.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is always recommended to protect you and your trip investment. We can recommend companies and policies we believe are best depending on your parameters and provide you quotes. Susan Bruce is not a licensed insurance agent. There are numerous inclusions and omissions to travel insurance policies, and it is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure their needs are met. If you have specific questions regarding your policy, please contact the insurance provider. Pre-existing condition clauses, Cancel for any Reason, and supplier financial default clauses vary by policy and, if offered, typically require you to purchase your insurance soon after deposit of your first trip component. Travel insurance policies are typically limited in emergency evacuation coverage. Therefore, medical evacuation policies are also recommended.

Pandemics and Government Actions

In the extreme case of a pandemic or government action that cancels, delays, or interrupts your travel, Susan Bruce Travel will act in compliance with all government regulations and will act according to supplier-imposed policy. We are not liable for any losses incurred during these situations, such as in the case of a refund not being issued by a supplier during extraordinary, unforeseen circumstances. However, we will advocate for the traveler to the best of our ability. In some cases requiring extensive work time, a service fee may be charged.

Responsibility

The suppliers providing transportation, sightseeing arrangements, tours, shore excursions, and hotel/cruise accommodations are independent contractors and are not agents, affiliates, representatives or employees of Susan Bruce Travel, or any of its subsidiaries, related companies, or parents. Susan Bruce has no ownership interest in any Supplier. Any use of the Susan Bruce Travel name by a Supplier is for identification purposes only and does not constitute ownership, agency, supervision, or control by Susan Bruce Travel. All documentation, receipts and tickets are issued subject to the terms and conditions specified by the Supplier. By utilizing the services of the Suppliers, you agree that neither Susan Bruce Travel nor any of the Susan Bruce Parties shall be liable for (1) any accident, loss, injury or damage to you or to those traveling with you in connection with any accommodations, transportation, or other services (2) loss or damage to property or injury to persons, caused by reason of any act or omission, intentional, negligent or otherwise by such third party Suppliers. For any service issue disputes, please contact one of our offices by phone or in writing within 30 days of your return. We will do everything in our power to resolve these issues.