TRAVELINK News

TRAVELINK CONSORTIA PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENT

December 1, 2022

Following the Spring 2022 announcement by American Express Travel that it would dissolve its Representative Network at the end of this year, Travelink embarked upon a deliberate and in-depth analysis for a new vacation consortium partner who would share in our strong brand principles and innovate with us to improve processes, training, and technologies for our travel advisors and customers.

We quickly narrowed our prospects to three industry giants, all of whom responded with impressive detail and tremendous insights into their organizations. We are thankful to each of the consortia we engaged in this effort for their patience and support as we completed our due diligence.

We are pleased to announce that after 23 years with American Express, we have chosen to become a Member of Virtuoso®, whom we believe is best suited for Travelink’s next chapter and will complement our American Express Global Business Travel Network affiliation.

Travelink and its advisors now have direct access to a portfolio of more than 2,200 of the world’s finest hotels, resorts, spas, cruise lines, airlines, tour operators and premier destinations. As a network, Virtuoso’s combined annual sales of $25$30 billion allow the group to negotiate enhanced traveler advantages. For clients of Travelink, this means complimentary upgrades, daily breakfast and Wi-Fi as well as additional perks that enrich the overall stay, such as private airport transfers, special dining experiences, and spa treatments. These traveler bonuses are valued up to $550 per stay at over 1,500 properties in more than 100 countries. 


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“This is the most important business decision we’ve made coming out of the pandemic,” shared Sandy Schadler, CMO & EVP of Vacation Travel Services, “We are thrilled to launch the next evolution of our global leisure business with the Virtuoso team by our side.”

 


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Virtuoso is the leading and most recognized of global network agencies, specializing in luxury and experiential travel, with more than 20,000 advisors across 50 countries. Virtuoso partners with over 2,200 of the world’s best travel suppliers such as hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, and destination specialists. Virtuoso advisors use their personal connections and firsthand expertise to craft bespoke trips for discerning travelers, including unique VIP experiences, special values, and rare access.

Travelink is a privately held travel agency headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee with a national virtual network of hosted and employee business, group, and leisure travel advisors servicing clients globally. Travelink’s client base includes a range of Fortune 500 Corporations and small to mid-market companies, as well as VIP clients from the entertainment industry, sports teams, religious, and non-profit organizations. Travelink has been a winner of the prestigious American Express Rep Excellence Award for the past 22 years, been twice named the prestigious AMEX Agency of the Year, and has been a perennial on Travel Weekly’s Annual Power List.

Travelink Honored by ALG Vacations as a 2022 Elite Diamond Travel Agency

February 24, 2022

Elite Diamond Logo Lock-upALG Vacations® (ALGV), the nation’s leading leisure tour operator and part of the Apple Leisure Group family of companies, has honored Travelink as a 2022 ALGV Elite Diamond travel agency. This highly coveted honor is based on achieving exceptional sales in 2021 with ALG Vacations, whose highly respected brands include Apple Vacations, Funjet Vacations, Travel Impressions, Southwest Vacations, Blue Sky Tours, and United Vacations. Less than 10% of travel agencies nationwide selling leisure travel have been honored with the ALGV Elite distinction, which consists of several tiers: Sapphire / Sapphire Select, Emerald, and Diamond / Diamond Preferred.

“I would highly recommend agencies that have earned the status of ALGV Elite to any traveler in the market for a domestic or international vacation,” said ALGV’s Jim Tedesco, Vice President, Sales. “Achieving the required level of sales to be an ALGV Elite agency is a strong indicator that the agency not only is highly familiar with the ALG Vacations brands, but offers superior service, knowledgeable and experienced travel advisors, and a high percentage of client satisfaction,” he added.

ALGV Elite agencies are rewarded with a variety of benefits and perks from ALG Vacations, including in-resort training, exclusive promotional codes to pass on to their customers, and access to a VIP support desk, enabling them to deliver superior service to the end-consumer.

Travelink President Michael Dixon Joins Executive Committee of ASTA's Board of Directors

September 21, 2021

Michael Dixon - Travelink, American Express TravelDuring the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) Global Convention in August, it was announced that Travelink President and Managing Partner, Michael Dixon, would be joining the Executive Committee of ASTA’s national Board of Directors. This assignment is in addition to his current role as Chair of the ASTA Corporate Advisory Council (CAC). Mr. Dixon will serve a two-year term as Chair, completing his seven-year commitment to helping guide the CAC. 

Formed in the early 2000’s, the CAC is made up of the heads of the largest travel agency/TMC, consortia, franchise organization, host agency and supplier members of ASTA to provide a support system for ASTA’s federal, state, and industry advocacy efforts.

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The CAC focuses on issues of common interest to the travel agency community, formulating a strategy to speak with one voice before federal regulators, Members of Congress, state legislators as well as other industry groups.

The Travelink family is proud to have Michael’s voice as a critical part of the efforts to move our agency and the travel industry as a whole into the future.

See the full press release here.

TRAVELINK IS A MEMBER OF ABERCROMBIE & KENT 100 CLUB

July 16, 2019

Travelink is pleased to 100CLUB_clrannounce that it is a member of the Abercrombie & Kent 100 Club, a by-invitation-only program limited to just a handful of elite travel firms. As A&K 100 Club Members, Travelink is able to extend a special benefits to our clients traveling with A&K on a private journey, tour, or extreme adventure.

A&K 100 CLUB BENEFITS

  • Reduced Marco Polo Memberships
  • Priority Waitlist Clearance
  • Advance Notice of Special Offers, Promotions and Discounts
  • Priority Mailing of A&K Brochures

TRAVELINK is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The company operates nationally with a combination of boutique business call centers, vacation travel retail locations, and a national network of experienced virtual travel advisors. Travelink’s client base includes a range of Fortune 500 Companies, small to mid-market organizations, as well as the entertainment industry, sports teams, groups, and religious & non-profit organizations. The company is an exclusive provider of consumer travel services for American Express Gold Card Members. Travelink leverages the American Express brand and buying power to offer the best value and customer experience.

TRAVELINK INVITED TO BE A MEMBER OF MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL'S EXCLUSIVE STARS PROGRAM

July 15, 2019
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Travelink, is pleased to announce we have been invited to be a member of Marriott International's exclusive STARS program. This luxury hotel program was established for an elite group of top-producing luxury travel agencies. The program provides these agencies with benefits and access to value-added amenities for their customers along with an even deeper level of service from Marriott International luxury properties.

What is the STARS Program?

  • Marriott’s luxury focused partner loyalty program that elevates the guests' experience and benefits at more than 250 participating Marriott Luxury Hotels

  • An Invitation-Only Partner Program designed to reward guests with personalized service and recognition as well as valued benefits

  • The only travel agency program in the industry offering special amenities at six of the world's best luxury brands, including    St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Edition, Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, and The Luxury Collection

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL STARS GUEST BENEFITS

  • Complimentary full or continental breakfast daily for up to 2 people/room

  • Complimentary basic Wi-Fi daily

  • Hotel credit valued at $100 USD once per stay

  • Personalized welcome amenity, activity or service

  • Early check-in/late check-out, when available
  • In-person warm welcome

  • A dedicated hotel contact with guaranteed 4-hour response time, regardless of inquiry time

TRAVELINK, is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The company operates nationally with a combination of boutique business call centers, vacation travel retail locations, and a national network of experienced virtual travel advisors. Travelink’s client base includes a range of Fortune 500 Companies, small to mid-market organizations, as well as the entertainment industry, sports teams, groups, and religious & non-profit organizations. The company is an exclusive provider of consumer travel services for American Express Gold Card Members. Travelink leverages the American Express brand and buying power to offer the best value and customer experience.

 

 

TRAVELINK, AN AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL REPRESENTATIVE RECOGNIZED WITH VIKING RIVER CRUISES' PLATINUM CIRCLE AWARD

July 12, 2019
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Travelink, an American Express Travel representative is excited to announce we have achieved the Viking River Cruises' Platinum Circle. This prestigious award is given to top-tier travel agencies that exemplify excellence in sales and provide outstanding support of the Viking River Cruises® product.

 

LMR and Barry Viking Platinum Circle AwardViking River Cruises' Director of Business Development Barry Johnston presented Linda Raymer, President of Vacation Travel Services at Travelink, with the award featuring a cut-crystal scale model of a traditional Viking Longship. The award is exclusively created for Platinum Circle winners.

Viking River Cruises® is the world’s leading river cruise company, known for deluxe vacations along the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia, and Egypt.

 

TRAVELINK, an AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL representative is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The company operates nationally with a combination of boutique business call centers, vacation travel retail locations, and a national network of experienced virtual travel advisors. Travelink’s client base includes a range of Fortune 500 Companies, small to mid-market organizations, as well as the entertainment industry, sports teams, groups, and religious & non-profit organizations. The company is an exclusive provider of consumer travel services for American Express Gold Card Members. Travelink leverages the American Express brand and buying power to offer the best value and customer experience.

 

 

TRAVELINK, AN AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL REPRESENTATIVE NAMED TO TRAVEL WEEKLY'S 2019 POWER LIST FOR 8TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

July 8, 2019

Travel WeeklyTravelink, an American Express Travel representative is pleased to announce we have been named to Travel Weekly’s 2019 Power List for the 8th consecutive year.

The annual Power List, which ranks agencies that report annual travel sales in the previous year of $100 million or more, ranked Travelink #49 on the prestigious list this year.

Travelink remains one of the exclusive American Express Travel Representative Network agencies managing the Gold Card Members travel program. The Vacation Travel Services Division deepened its engagement with luxury travelers and American Express Card Members in 2018. To read more about Travel Weekly’s 2019 Power List click here.