Question 1

How is Susan Whitson Travel different from other travel agencies?

Accepted Answer

Susan Whitson Travel is built on a level of experience few advisors can offer. As former White House staff, Susan and her team have traveled the world supporting presidential-level logistics - where precision, discretion, and contingency planning are non-negotiable. That standard now defines every journey we design.

Susan is the only travel advisor recognized by both Travel + Leisure A-List and Condé Nast Traveler for her expertise in comprehensive security travel. This means your trip is thoughtfully designed with vetted medical support, digital privacy safeguards, and trusted on-the-ground teams, quietly in place, always.

We work with a select group of clients, allowing us to know their preferences intimately and design travel that feels effortless, personal, and entirely their own. From pre-advancing every detail to hand-selecting guides and experiences, we manage the complexity so our clients simply enjoy the world...confidently and without distraction.

In short: this isn’t just travel planning. It’s travel designed with the same care, access, and foresight once reserved for heads of state.

Question 2

Do you work with everyone?

Accepted Answer

No—and that’s by design.

We work with a small number of clients, typically by referral, who value a long-term relationship with a highly detail-oriented travel team. Discretion and privacy are foundational to the trust we build, and we are intentional about who we work with.

Every new client begins with a thoughtful discovery process. It’s as much about ensuring we are the right fit for you as it is about confirming you are the right fit for us. We only take on clients where we know we can add meaningful value and elevate the way they travel.

Once established, our relationship allows us to design deeply personalized journeys - focused, intentional, and tailored to you.

Our consulting fees reflect the scope and complexity of each trip and are outlined transparently once we determine we’re a good mutual fit.

Question 3

What is comprehensive security?  How do I know I need this service?

Accepted Answer

Comprehensive security travel means your journey is thoughtfully designed with your health, privacy, and safety in mind before you ever depart. It’s not about visible security measures; it’s about quiet, proactive planning that allows you to travel with confidence.

This includes vetted doctors and hospitals, medical evacuation planning, safeguarded digital privacy, and trusted on-the-ground teams who understand local conditions in real time. When needed, we also coordinate discreet, professional security support tailored to your travel style and destination.

We partner with a leading global security firm to provide an additional layer of expertise and rapid response, should the unexpected arise.

Most of our clients may not think they “need” security until they understand that it’s what allows everything else to feel effortless. In today’s world, it’s less about reacting to risk and more about traveling with the freedom that comes from being prepared.

Question 4

Is there a minimum trip cost to work with you?

Accepted Answer

Yes. To deliver the level of access, personalization, and seamless execution our clients expect, a certain level of investment is required.

Excluding airfare, most journeys begin at approximately 2,000 per person, per day in the local currency (USD/EUR/GBP equivalent). This reflects the starting point at which we can fully leverage our trusted global network and design the kind of thoughtful, highly tailored experiences we’re known for.

Each itinerary is customized, so the overall investment will vary based on destination, season, length of travel, and the level of private or bespoke experiences included.

Question 5

How long does it take to plan a trip?

Accepted Answer

A number of factors determine the amount of time it takes to plan a trip from the initial discover call to booking the last component, including how far in advance of the trip you’ve contacted us; the complexity of the itinerary; how many suppliers we are coordinating with across the globe; and any tweaks you decide you’d like to make to the initial proposal. Our How We Work page provides a general idea of the planning process.

Sometimes events out of our control may result in a delay (an emergency from a currently traveling client, for example). We ask for your understanding when the need to take more time arises.

Question 6

When my proposal arrives, are the trip costs broken down line-by-line, or will it be one price?

Accepted Answer

Our proposals are presented as a global cost rather than a line-by-line breakdown.

This reflects how many of the world’s top travel partners structure their pricing—combining accommodations, experiences, and logistics into a single, carefully negotiated investment. These partners often work under confidential agreements and are unable to disclose individual component pricing.

More importantly, what we design isn’t a collection of bookable parts—it’s a thoughtfully curated journey. The value lies in how every element works together: the pacing, the access, the people, and the behind-the-scenes coordination that makes the experience feel seamless.

We’re always happy to refine the itinerary to align with your preferences, but our focus remains on delivering an exceptional, well-balanced experience - not itemizing its individual pieces.

Question 7

Do you recommend travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we strongly recommend it.

Most of the journeys we design require a significant, nonrefundable payment well in advance of departure. Travel insurance helps protect that investment and provides support in the event of unexpected changes—whether before or during your trip.

As part of our proposal process, we include insurance options through our trusted partners so you can make an informed, seamless decision.

If you choose to decline coverage, we will ask you to sign a waiver acknowledging that decision.

Question 8

What is your change & cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

We believe in complete transparency from the start. Our change and cancellation policies are shared and reviewed before any management or consulting fees are paid, and clients sign off so expectations are clear from the beginning.

While no one plans to cancel a trip, changes and cancellations require significant time and coordination to unwind a custom itinerary. Our policies are designed to account for the work and expertise invested throughout the planning process, which is often compensated by suppliers only after travel is completed.

Susan Whitson Travel’s policies apply in addition to those of our third-party partners (hotels, cruise lines, and local operators), and all terms are clearly outlined at the time of booking.

Question 9

Will you help book my travel using points and/or miles?

Accepted Answer

No, we do not book travel using points and miles.

Our focus is on designing and managing the overall journey, ensuring every detail is seamless, personalized, and exceptionally well executed.

For clients who wish to incorporate points or miles for air travel, we recommend contacting your credit card company or airline partner.