UPDATE: TLFL’s partner, Global Travel Collection new agent and exclusive hotel deals and perks

Turning Left for Less has been working in partnership with Global Travel Collection since February 2021 to provide TLFL readers with access to hotel and flight deals. 

Before I book a luxury hotel, I always check if it is part of one of the premium schemes such as Virtuoso or one of the hotel luxury schemes that only specialist travel agents can access. This is because these programs give lots of extras at the usual flexible booking price. 

We now have a new range of offers and a new agent working with us, so I thought it was time for an update. 

Who are Global Travel Collection?

Global Travel Collection brand offers Pro Travel International, a network of over 1000 travel advisors that has been in business for 35 years. In the TLFL team, we have Debbie, our initial agent. You can find Debbie’s agent information on Pro Travel here. Due to the amount of demand that we had been generating, we have added two more agents to the TLFL group which we will now refer to as TLFL Global Travel Collection. Mark of Cross Travel Solutions is also a  very experienced travel agent who has been with the TLFL team for a while.

Introducing Michael Halsall

I’m now pleased to announce that Michael Halsall from www.halsalltravel.com has just joined us. Michael started his agency with GTC in 2018 after 25 years as a luxury hotelier, so I am sure he’ll bring his hotel knowledge to TLFL to help secure you the best benefits and deals. He also has his own YouTube channel and will contribute lots of interesting hotel and destination content. 

The agents work on a rotating basis, each covering a week at a time, with the others helping out as needed. 

Their ethos is always to go above and beyond and to put you, the customer, first, providing high-quality travel services.  GTC will take care of every aspect of your travel itinerary, leaving you to travel without worry, stress or concern and enjoy your trip, whether for leisure or business. You will never need to ask if seats or meals are booked; this is part of their everyday process. 

Our partnership with Global Travel Collection gives access to a vast hotel programme, highly competitive air programme, ancillary travel services such as chauffeur drives, and destination management services. Global Travel Collection is the largest and most sophisticated global community of travel industry agents and agencies serving worldwide luxury leisure, VIP corporate, and entertainment travel needs.

Here is some feedback on the service received about agent Mark through TLFL:

“As someone who tends to use mainstream travel websites to book flights and hotels, what a difference it makes to receive personal service. In truth, I usually use these websites due to their low prices, but they lack in benefits and customer service. It’s clear that my belief that you can’t get low prices with travel companies like Cross Travel Solutions is a fallacy. Not only have I received an incredible price for an upcoming trip, a whole load of valuable benefits are included (akin to those you receive as an elite member of a hotel loyalty programme), and I have received top quality and personal service from Mark. From contacting me out of hours, to keeping me updated on my reservation, I both appreciate and recommend Mark for all of your travel needs.”

Flight Bookings

GTC do not offer flight only, but they do offer keenly priced inclusive fares when you book accommodation with them. This does not need to be for the whole of your trip; it depends on the flight offer as to the minimum number of nights.   

What happens when flights are cancelled, times have changed or delays slowly erode your connection time? You know that when you land, Global Travel Collection will contact you with an alternative arrangement.  You will no longer need to be a number in a queue at the end of a phone line to the airline.

Even as travel has almost returned to normal, we still have a period of disruptions and schedule changes, so having an agent who can keep you in the loop and help you sort out alternative arrangements is well worth considering. If you have been burned by the large online travel agents, be assured this is a bespoke service run by experienced travel agents. 

You can request your flights on the main booking form. 

Hotel Reservations

Flexibility, Upgrades, Complimentary breakfast, late checkouts – Would you like these benefits for free?  Then Global Travel Collection can help.

New CURATED hotels program 

We can now offer even more hotels with the new CURATED hotel program. This offers extra benefits with a minimum 2-night stay –  $100 hotel credit, wifi included and a room upgrade upon availability. You can find the list of properties available here. In Dubai, for example, it consists of the new Atlantis Royal, SO/, the One and Only The Palm and the Address properties to name a few.

What is Virtuoso?

Virtuoso is the travel industry’s leading luxury network, spanning over 26 countries and 9,000 travel advisors.
Virtuoso advisors specialize in creating unique experiences you can’t find online or plan yourself. Their connections to properties and travel itineraries around the world are unparalleled.
It is the travel industry’s leading luxury network. It consists of both travel advisors and travel partners (hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, etc.)
Virtuoso advisors can help you create travel itineraries you can’t find online or plan yourself and have access to exclusive events, benefits and tours at the world’s leading suppliers. As Global Travel Collection is a Virtuoso partner, you too can access negotiated rates, benefits, and exclusive Virtuoso amenities at no extra cost!

What benefits can I expect with Virtuoso & the other hotel programs?

Benefits can vary by property and experience, but generally Virtuoso travellers receive preferred rates at hotels, upgrades upon arrival (if available), Virtuoso-only amenities (spa credits, shopping credits, etc.), daily breakfast for two, and early check-in/late checkout.

 Global Travel Collection also has its own programme that works like Virtuoso called Select, and on top of this they are Preferred Partners with many luxury hotel brands that will offer discounts and perks. Here are the select hotels perks:

• VIP amenity valued at $100 USD (most properties, some may differ)
• Complimentary breakfast for 2 daily
• Upgrade on availability
• Early check in & late check out, on availability
• Complimentary WIFI

Here is the list of our hotel group partners;

What sort of offers can I expect?

We frequently can offer an extra night free with three nights or more with many of the luxury hotel brands such as Hilton Impressario and Intercontinental. The Hilton offer is available until 31st March 2024.

You can request more details here. 

Are there any other advantages to booking with Global Travel Collection?

A great advantage, too, is that any booking via Global Travel Collection will earn full credit and benefits for your existing hotel loyalty program, such as Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy. With Hilton Impressario, you actually earn double Hilton points!

Also, all Virtuoso and Select bookings are flexible. That means you can cancel right up until the day before. And the benefits usually far outweigh the marginal cost increase.  Put simply – you pay no more than a direct flexible booking with the hotel.

You can find the TLFL/ Global Travel Collection Booking page here or on the tab at the top marked “Booking Enquiry”

TLFL has a profit-sharing agreement with Global Travel Collection, and any links you use of ours help support the blog.