A Way To Go Travel

A Way To Go Travel, located on Huffman Mill Road in Burlington, North Carolina, presents itself as a long-standing travel agency with a history of client satisfaction. With an operational history suggesting decades of experience, the agency has garnered feedback that points to a deep expertise in specific travel sectors, particularly cruises and customized international trips. However, prospective clients should be aware of certain operational constraints, such as limited business hours, that may impact their planning process.

Service Strengths and Specializations

Based on extensive client feedback over many years, A Way To Go Travel has cultivated a strong reputation for personalized service delivered by knowledgeable agents. The agency appears to function not just as a booking service, but as a team of dedicated travel consultants. Patrons frequently mention agents by name—such as Misty, Lisa, Beth, and Melinda—highlighting a consistent pattern of individualized attention. This personal touch is a significant advantage for travelers who feel overwhelmed by online booking engines and prefer a human expert to manage the details. The agency is a full-service entity, holding memberships in IATA and ASTA, and is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, indicating a broad and certified operational scope.

Expertise in Cruise and Resort Travel

A significant portion of positive commentary revolves around the agency's proficiency in arranging cruise deals and all-inclusive resorts. Clients have detailed successful bookings for Royal Caribbean cruises to the Eastern Caribbean, noting that their agent provided crucial information on what to expect, ultimately exceeding their expectations and securing great value. This suggests the agents possess firsthand knowledge to properly set client expectations. The firm's ability to handle bookings for first-time cruisers, making the process feel easy and comfortable, is another recurring theme. This capability is crucial, as the complexities of choosing a cruise line, cabin, and itinerary can be a major barrier for newcomers. Furthermore, praise extends to arranging vacations at premier all-inclusive properties, such as the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana, where agents have successfully matched the resort to a family's specific vision for their trip.

Custom Itinerary and Honeymoon Planning

One of the agency's most compelling strengths, evidenced by older but highly detailed reviews, is its skill in honeymoon planning and creating complex, multi-country itineraries. A notable piece of feedback from over a decade ago—under the agency's apparent former name, Action Travel—describes the successful planning of a European honeymoon. The clients emphasized the agency's flexibility and willingness to build a trip from the ground up, securing specific hotels, train tickets, and transfers that matched their needs. This contrasts sharply with competitors who may push pre-set vacation packages. Critically, the cost of this custom-planned trip was nearly identical to what the clients had priced out themselves, debunking the common misconception that using a travel agent is always a more expensive option. This demonstrates a core value proposition: providing expert planning and logistical support without a significant price premium.

Areas for Client Consideration

While the agency receives high praise for its service quality, there are practical and structural aspects that potential customers should consider before engaging their services. These points are not necessarily negative but are important for managing expectations.

Limited Office Hours

A primary consideration is the agency's operating schedule. The Burlington office is open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Tuesday through Friday, and is closed on Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This schedule may pose a challenge for individuals with traditional 9-to-5 work weeks who are unable to call or visit during these hours. The lack of weekend availability means that planning must be conducted entirely during the workweek, which requires foresight and flexibility from the client's side. This could be a significant hurdle for those who prefer face-to-face consultations or need to resolve urgent matters outside of these specific times.

Brand History and Multiple Locations

Research and older reviews indicate that the business in Burlington may have previously operated as or is connected to "Action Travel." While this points to a long history in the community, it could create confusion for clients searching for information online. The parent company, A Way To Go Travel, was established in 1995 with its headquarters in Greensboro and opened the Burlington office in 2016. This multi-location structure is a strength, suggesting a larger, more stable operation. Indeed, some reviews praise agents in the Greensboro office, confirming a consistent service standard across the company. Clients should simply be aware that they are dealing with a well-established regional company with deep roots and more than one physical branch.

Final Assessment

A Way To Go Travel in Burlington stands out as a highly competent and client-focused travel agency. Its strengths lie in the deep expertise of its agents, who excel at crafting personalized travel experiences, from straightforward family vacations to complex international travel itineraries. The consistent praise for individual agents across both its Burlington and Greensboro locations points to a strong company culture centered on customer satisfaction and meticulous planning. For travelers seeking specialized arrangements like cruises, all-inclusive resorts, or custom-built tours, the value provided appears to be substantial.

The primary drawback is logistical: the limited office hours can be inconvenient. Potential clients must be prepared to work within this schedule. However, for those who can, the reward is access to a team of seasoned professionals dedicated to removing the stress from travel planning and delivering a well-organized, memorable vacation. The agency's long history, combined with consistently positive feedback, suggests it is a reliable choice for investing in a well-planned travel experience.