All Points Travel

A Review of All Points Travel at Camp Lejeune

Located within the Hadnot Point Plaza on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, All Points Travel serves as the installation's dedicated Information, Tickets, and Tours (ITT) office. This is not your average storefront; it is a specialized travel agency designed specifically to cater to the unique needs of active-duty military personnel, their families, retirees, and Department of Defense employees. Its primary mission is to simplify the often complex process of planning leisure travel, offering everything from theme park tickets to intricate international vacation packages. However, the experience offered can vary, presenting a mix of exceptional, personalized service and instances where a DIY approach might yield better value.

The Value of a Dedicated Travel Consultant

One of the most significant advantages of using All Points Travel is the access to a human travel consultant who understands the military lifestyle. For many, the stress of planning a trip, especially on a military schedule, can be overwhelming. Customer feedback frequently highlights the positive impact of the staff. Patrons have commended employees like Eric for making the process of organizing a family trip to Disney World "so easy and seamless," noting he went above and beyond. Another staff member, Susan, was praised for being exceptionally nice and efficient in securing tickets, providing a superior experience compared to other on-base ITT offices. This kind of personalized service is invaluable for complex bookings, such as finding the best cruise deals or piecing together multi-destination trips. The agency's ability to handle group bookings is also a clear strength; they have successfully organized large-scale trips, such as a cruise to the Bahamas for over 45 Marines through the Single Marine Program. These services are provided for free; customers only pay for the tickets and packages themselves, which is a significant benefit.

Specialization in Military Discounts and Travel

As an official MCCS entity, All Points Travel has access to a range of military travel discounts that are often not available to the general public or even easily found online. They maintain contracts and relationships with airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and attractions to secure preferential rates. This includes looking for saved airline seats offered at a reduced rate specifically for service members. For those planning a trip weeks in advance, the agency can leverage this time to find cheaper fares that outperform online prices. Their expertise covers a wide array of tourism services, including:

• All-inclusive resorts: Sourcing packages that bundle accommodation, meals, and activities, often at a significant saving.
• Destination planning: Offering advice and building itineraries for both domestic and international travel.
• Hotel reservations: Booking condos, cabins, and hotels at deeply discounted prices through special contracts.
• Tickets: Providing discounted tickets to local attractions, major theme parks like Disney World and Busch Gardens, dinner shows, and special events.

Points to Consider Before Booking

Despite the many positives, the customer experience at All Points Travel is not universally perfect. A significant concern raised by clients is the inconsistency in service quality. While some customers report stellar interactions, at least one review described a "horrible experience," citing condescending behavior from a staff member and feeling ignored. This suggests that the quality of your visit may depend heavily on which consultant you interact with on a given day.

The Price Comparison Dilemma

Another critical point of consideration is overall value. While the agency offers discounts, savvy consumers might find better deals online, particularly when factoring in all associated costs. One retired Marine shared an experience of purchasing tickets to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA through All Points Travel, only to discover that the tickets did not include parking—an additional charge of over $30 per park. In contrast, tickets purchased directly from the theme park's website included parking and were also refundable. The tickets from All Points Travel were non-refundable, offering less flexibility. This anecdote serves as a crucial reminder for potential customers: it is essential to compare the total, all-in cost of a purchase, not just the ticket's face value. For tech-savvy individuals comfortable with online research, double-checking prices and inclusions before committing is a wise strategy. The convenience of the on-base office may sometimes come at the cost of the absolute best deal or the most flexible terms.

Who Benefits Most from All Points Travel?

This travel agency is an excellent resource for a specific type of client. Service members and their families who are planning complex vacations, such as cruises, multi-city European tours, or detailed Disney vacation packages, will find immense value in the staff's expertise. The ability to sit down with a person who can manage all the moving parts—from helping you book a flight to securing hotel reservations—removes a significant burden. It is also ideal for individuals who are less comfortable with or simply do not have the time for extensive online research. The staff's knowledge of exclusive military travel discounts can unlock savings that are difficult to find otherwise.

Conversely, for simpler transactions, such as buying a single-day ticket to a regional theme park, the benefits are less clear-cut. Individuals who prioritize finding the lowest possible price and are willing to invest time in online research may find better or more flexible deals directly from vendors. The key is to use All Points Travel as a powerful resource but not the only one. It is advisable to get a quote from them and then compare it against what is available online to make a fully informed decision.

Final Assessment

All Points Travel on Camp Lejeune is a valuable and convenient asset for the base community. It offers a wide range of tourism services, from simple ticket sales to comprehensive destination planning, all with a focus on the military traveler. The positive experiences, characterized by helpful and knowledgeable staff, demonstrate its potential to make travel planning a seamless and enjoyable process. However, reports of inconsistent service and the potential for better deals online on less complex purchases mean that customers should approach it as savvy consumers. By leveraging the agency's strengths for complex trips while doing their own due diligence for simpler ones, the Camp Lejeune community can make the most of this dedicated on-base resource.