Melissa Kreuger from Travel Impressions

A variety of interesting destinations, reliable customer service, and great insurance options – these reasons and more are why we like to work with Travel Impressions when planning trips for our clients.  In this interview Melissa Kreuger gives us a behind the scenes look at why Travel Impressions is a good company to trust your vacation to.

FamilyTravelGurus: We can book vacation packages to many areas of the World through your company.  How does Travel Impressions differ from other tour companies?

We at Travel Impressions know that working with a Travel agent like yourself is the best way for people to book vacations. When planning a trip,  a good travel agent can help find the best value, and value is defined not necessarily as least price, but the best fit by maximizing what is important for the client.  Our company provides the best tools so that an agent can do this thoroughly and expeditiously and make your client’s vacation that much more memorable.

The service level provided by our company is top notch, backed up by our financial stability. Travel Impressions is a subsidiary of American Express.  No Matter where in the World you go Travel Impressions will get you there with confidence.

 

FamilyTravelGurus: We especially like to sell your packages because of your
Comprehensive “cancel for any reason” insurance option – one of the best we’ve seen. Tell us about this “cancel for any reason” coverage.

Unlike other travel protection plans that provide reimbursement ONLY for cancellations due to medical reasons, the Travel Impressions Plan provides enrolled clients with a full refund in the event they need to cancel for any reason, right up to the originally scheduled flight departure time. The complete package is covered, including airfare, regardless of ticketing penalties or airline regulations, if canceled prior to departure. Inclusive in our program is reimbursement coverage for trip interruption, reasonable additional expenses in the event of weather or other covered delays, lost or stolen baggage, delayed bags, and more. As a pretty savvy consumer, I use to never purchase insurance that covered what I considered personal, retail purchases. Now, I would never think of not purchasing. I encourage anyone who purchases travel insurance  to please read the fine print. We at Travel Impressions are proud to boast a protection plan that is easy to read, straight forward and a good investment for the buyer.

FamilyTravelGurus:  We specialize in family vacations.  What are some of the top packages you offer for family getaways?

We specialize in family travel with exclusive offers and an extensive collection of certified family-friendly hotels and resorts featuring benefits designed specifically for families. Whether a family is looking for one room or connecting rooms, have toddlers, teens or no kids at all, and want to chill by the beach or be part of the action, we have a package to fit their needs. A sample of what we can offer at participating hotels , for on-site family benefits:

Kids stay and/or eat free (age depends on hotel)
Benefit of the hotel*s choice (includes offers like 50% off second room, resort credit, free daily kid’s club admission, free nights, etc.)

FamilyTravelGurus:  We also specialize in Honeymoons – do you offer special features for honeymooners?  What honeymoon destinations are the most popular?

As a tour operator, we understand how important this trip is; the trip  that everything is taken care of and nothing is left out, so a couple is free to create those moments they dream of, and memories they’ll have forever. Our staff is well versed and can support your agency in finding the ideal resorts for your client’s honeymoon and/or destination wedding. We offer many packages  with complimentary weddings in Mexico as well as resorts that offer bride and groom resort credits.  Our most popular honeymoon destinations are the all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, Tahiti and Hawaii.

FamilyTravelGurus: Two destinations that we love to sell to our clients through Travel Impressions are Hawaii (beach front properties) and Mexico (all inclusive). What types of packages do you offer in these areas?  How can a traveler know they are in good hands with a Travel Impressions package?

As a tour operator, we can book for your clients just a hotel, a hotel and air, or as we like it best the entire experience – which includes hotel, air, car or transfers and the top excursion/sightseeing activities in your chosen destination. We have long standing relationships with these partners and feel confident that the traveler will experience the best service based on our 30+ years of relationships.

As for promotions, I always love when I am asked these questions as it encourage me to go to our award winning website and see what’s new! So I did, and I found dozens of promotions. A sampling follows: For Hawaii

“FREE Nights, Daily Breakfast Buffet and Room Upgrade in Hawaii at Hyatt Resorts”
“Five nights in Hawaii starting at $555”
“Reduced Rates & More at Starwood Resorts Hawaii. 4 Nights from $309!” “Reduced Rates and More at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach”

Then when I dug further into our website under “Hawaii” and under “promotions” and I found dozens more promotions, all designed to fit the needs and style of the variety of consumers that have their travel agents book through us. Some offer Kids Eat Free, some offer Free Golf…it is what best suits you, and is designed by your travel agent finding out your needs and definition of a dream vacation and then matching it with our pairings.

As for Mexico, the promotions and added value at our all inclusive’s are too many to mention. In a quick review some of our favorite all inclusive resorts are offering: Air Credits, of up to $500 for Cancun and participating hotels. Kids 17 and under Stay, Play and East free this summer Sp and Golf Credits and great percentage savings off your entire package price, even into 2010 packages

Other more specific promotion:
Savings up to $100 per Family at Crown Paradise Club Puerto Vallarta! Save Up to $565 per family plus 2 kids stay, eat & play FREE at Velas Vallarta! Save Up to $495 per couple in Riviera Maya at Hacienda Tres Rios!

Travel has never been a better value. We encourage people to book now, for best rates and value. If people are concerned about the economy and unforeseen changes that you may take personally, then DO book our insurance which protects them and their loved ones should any unforeseen changes take place on the home front.

FamilyTravelGurus: What are some other popular vacation spots offered through Travel Impressions?

Caribbean is, of course, a big seller for us – with its vast array of islands, and cultures within these islands. Popular this year is Europe where we offer a full (customizable) program with added twists that make your vacation more of an experience. We offer many closer to home packages including Canada, from west to east (and everything in between), California, Las Vegas, New York, Florida, New Orleans and skiing in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada and Utah. We offer great programs in Central and South America and have just recently added South America and Dubai.

FamilyTravelGurus: Finally, what has been your favorite Travel Impressions vacation package for your own personal travel?

 

Oh, that is such an easy one for me! My favorite place in the entire world is French Polynesia, also known as Tahiti and her Islands. I have traveled there alone, as a romantic getaway and most recently as a family – with my husband and our three young daughters. It is not often thought of as a family destination, but I must say, I am sold on this as the perfect place for a family that wants to go on vacation and really be together. My idea of a perfect destination includes one where my husband’s Blackberry will not work, where there is a sunny beach, good food, a casual environment, engaging culture and no surf to worry about so that the children can play in the water from sun up to sun down.

Bora Bora is a must see, and the staff at St. Regis could not be kinder to the children. Swimming with the sharks and the rays is a great experience and the Lagoonarium excursion is delightful. As a family owned business these guys do a great job of educating you on the culture, entertaining you every step of the way and  keeping you safe with the sea life.

Huahine is one of my favorite islands for its very rural feel…something so often missed on a beach vacation. The Pearl Beach Resort is a little piece of heaven. Very different from other islands. Doing a complete island tour is a must – it is so dense, and so beautiful. And The Intercontinental on Moorea is a slice of heaven – while the island itself offers so much in the way of culture and beauty. I hope you go, and I hope you enjoy. Pack light….as you need so little there, for the grandest of vacations.
See Melissa’s French Polynesia pictures here

FamilyTravelGurus: Thanks Melissa.  I hope our clients and readers now understand why we like working with Travel Impressions – you have so much to offer!