Ten Questions to Ask Your Tour Company
Your Alaska vacation will likely be a major purchase for you. Take a few minutes to find out a little more about the travel company you are booking with. Much of this advice holds true for any major online purchase. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to give us a call at 800-208-0200 or contact us online.
1. Are you Alaskan owned and operated?
Many companies claiming to be Alaska travel experts are actually located thousands of miles from the state, with reservation agents who have never visited Alaska. Many focus on other destinations or other types of business. We are Alaskan owned, our office is located in Anchorage, and our staff is made up of long time Alaskans. Our only business is Alaska travel.
2. How long have you been in the Alaska travel business?
Since 1995, Alaska Tour & Travel has helped well over 250,000 visitors plan their perfect Alaska vacation. Our company is owned by a small group of partners with over two centuries of combined experience in the Alaska travel business.
3. Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau?
If you have any questions about a company, be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure they are a member and to see if they have any unresolved complaints. We have an A+ rating with the Alaska BBB and have been a member for nearly 20 years.
4. What is your deposit policy?
Some companies will ask for a 50% or higher deposit just to confirm your reservation, even six or nine months before your trip. Ask if this is absolutely necessary, and how they safeguard your funds until you travel. Alaska Tour & Travel takes several measures to safeguard your advance deposit, starting by offering a deposit policy as low as 10% of your trip price.
5. What is your change, cancellation, and refund policy?
Watch out for restrictive or non-refundable vacation packages. Make sure you fully understand change, cancellation, and refund policies before you buy. Many companies keep a portion of your deposit, even if you cancel months in advance. Nearly everything we sell is fully refundable until 31 days prior to travel with purchase of our Worry-Free Cancellation Waiver. We also strongly recommend travel insurance for unforeseen circumstances that may cause last minute cancellations.
6. Do you offer a low rate and/or satisfaction guarantee?
What if you find a lower rate elsewhere? What if you are not happy with the service you receive? We offer both a lowest rate and satisfaction guarantee. There are important terms and conditions related to these guarantees, so please read this page carefully to understand the details.
7. Do you offer a wide selection of products in major Alaska destinations?
Denali National Park is a good example. Alaska Tour & Travel offers reservations at every hotel and lodge near the park entrance plus five different bus tours into Denali Park. Same goes for Kenai Fjords National Park. We offer 10 different Kenai Fjords cruises from all the major day cruise operators, plus a number of other ways to see the park by kayak or foot.
8. Do you "markup" your tour packages or add additional fees?
There are no markups built into any of Alaska Tour & Travel's packages, which is not true with many of our competitors. Look at any of our self-guided vacation packages and you will see that you can click through each service and see the cost of that individual service. The total of those costs equals the package price, including special rates we have negotiated. If a company's website does not let you see individual prices for each service in a package, ask the company for a breakdown of the package price. This is particularly important when you see statements like "Save 10%" or "Save $200" off a particular package. You want to verify that these are true savings, not just a "discount" off an arbitrary amount included in their markup.
9. Can I get a free no obligation quote in writing?
It is usually a good idea to get a written quote including your trip details, as well as any cancellation restrictions or penalties. Avoid companies that won't give you a written quote or ask for money prior to confirming your trip. We are happy to provide you with a free no obligation quote, and no payments are required until you are ready to confirm your trip.
10. Do you have references?
We are proud members of a number of trade and community organizations like the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Alaska Travel Industry Association, Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau, Seward Chamber of Commerce, and many more. Be sure to check online consumer reviews. We're proud to have 1,000 five-star reviews on Trip Advisor, Facebook, and Google.
Any questions or concerns? Call us at 800-208-0200 or contact us online..