Luxury or high class travel agents

velshin · 01-10-2009, 09:49 AM

I'm aware of the clusters of discount travel agents in Mong Kok and CWB. Are there any that are considered luxury / high class / upscale / high end? (Synonyms included for search purposes!) Is there a cluster of these in Central?

I'm looking to book airfare, hotel, and tour packagea and I've been underwhelmed by what's offered at the discount travel agents I've visited. I'm not looking for deals but rather to pay more and get more. (As opposed to pay more and get less!)

Cheers!

thundacatchergo · 01-10-2009, 12:03 PM

i dont understand what you mean. travel agents do not have "class system". you can book a first class ticket and a room at the Savoys with the cheapest lowest class travel agent and you'll get the same thing. why do you want to pay more? what exactly is the 'more' you are looking for? is there something you are not satisfy with a so call 'discount' travel agent? amex travel does have a centurion section but i am pretty sure they are the same goons that sit in the same office.

if money is the issue, call your favorite hotel and ask them to arrange everything for you including plane ticket and airport transfer. I know Mandarin Oriental will be glad to serve you.

PDLM · 01-10-2009, 01:27 PM

An upmarket travel agent would be able to suggest complex itineraries, be aware of niche / boutique facilities, and be knowledgeable about the destinations.

The average HK travel agent wouldn't be able to find Paris on a map!

So I understand the requirement, but I'm afraid I don't have any suggestions for you except possibly one of the "lifestyle manager" or concierge type services like Quintessentially or Vertu, but I've never used anything like that.

velshin · 01-10-2009, 05:05 PM

PDLM, thank you. That's exactly what I'm referring to, but it's bad news if there's nothing beyond those concierge services.

We're trying to escape the normal package tour deals. We want to stay at luxury hotels and plan multi leg trips without paying full air fare and hotel cost. (Why pay full price when you can get a deal?) It's possible to find luxury hotels listed by travel agents for a few destinations, particularly in east Asia, but more difficult outside of the region. Travel agents offering multi destination trips with luxury hotels are a rarity too.

Thank you again for the info!

tennisblog · 01-10-2009, 07:22 PM

You can try hipholiday.com.hk

MovingIn07 · 01-10-2009, 07:44 PM

Do you have an Amex Platinum card? Their travel service is adequate - better than the discount agencies although possibly not quite up to a "platinum" standard. Farringtons is a related agency if you don't have the Amex. I've also heard good things about Westminster.

velshin · 01-10-2009, 10:44 PM

Thanks for your suggestions; will check them out!

tsuiwah · 01-10-2009, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by velshin:

PDLM, thank you. That's exactly what I'm referring to, but it's bad news if there's nothing beyond those concierge services.

We're trying to escape the normal package tour deals. We want to stay at luxury hotels and plan multi leg trips without paying full air fare and hotel cost. (Why pay full price when you can get a deal?) It's possible to find luxury hotels listed by travel agents for a few destinations, particularly in east Asia, but more difficult outside of the region. Travel agents offering multi destination trips with luxury hotels are a rarity too.

Thank you again for the info!

If you don't want to go to those concierge services and don't want to pay full board, then you can try the business class specials at cxholidays.com

pin · 01-10-2009, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by MovingIn07:

Do you have an Amex Platinum card? Their travel service is adequate - better than the discount agencies although possibly not quite up to a "platinum" standard. Farringtons is a related agency if you don't have the Amex. I've also heard good things about Westminster.

Farringdon is actually owned by Amex now and is in effect called Amex Travel Services.

In general I've found TA's in HK to be very wanting and very difficult to book anything with, unless you know exactly what you want (i.e. flight times, dates, where you want to stay, full names of pax, etc, meaning all the TA does is book the thing for you without much effort on their part).

MovingIn07 · 02-10-2009, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by pin:

Farringdon is actually owned by Amex now and is in effect called Amex Travel Services.

In general I've found TA's in HK to be very wanting and very difficult to book anything with, unless you know exactly what you want (i.e. flight times, dates, where you want to stay, full names of pax, etc, meaning all the TA does is book the thing for you without much effort on their part).

Yes - that's what I meant by "related" - and yes, I agree with you. I think they are all pretty awful (and have spent other posts trying to find suggestions myself for anything better!) but at least the ones in my post seem to be slightly better than the worst performers....! If anyone does know of a really GOOD agency I'm still keen to hear about it.....