Altour

Altour presents itself not merely as a local establishment in Memphis, but as a key office for one of the largest travel management companies globally. With sales figures reportedly exceeding $3 billion, this agency operates on a scale that few can match, serving a diverse clientele that ranges from large corporations to luxury-focused leisure travelers. As part of the extensive Internova Travel Group, the Memphis office, located on West Brookhaven Circle, leverages significant global buying power and a vast network of resources. This structure provides a foundation for a wide array of services, though it also introduces complexities that potential clients should consider.

Specialized Travel Services for Diverse Needs

The core strength of Altour lies in its highly specialized divisions, which cater to specific travel segments with dedicated expertise. This allows them to offer more than generic booking services, positioning them as a strategic partner for complex travel needs.

Corporate Travel Management

For businesses, Altour functions as a comprehensive travel management company. Their offerings are designed to streamline the entire process of business travel solutions, focusing on efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and traveler safety. Services include strategic account management, detailed analytic reporting tools to track spending, and a corporate travel portal with a mobile app for on-the-go management. A key advantage is their 24/7 support provided by in-house employees, ensuring that travelers have assistance at any time, anywhere in the world. Furthermore, their status as an elite partner with major travel and expense platforms like SAP Concur demonstrates their integration into the corporate ecosystem, which can be a significant benefit for companies already using these systems.

Luxury Leisure and Vacation Planning

Beyond the boardroom, Altour offers extensive services for the individual traveler, with a clear emphasis on the luxury market. Their agents specialize in crafting customized itineraries and high-end luxury travel packages. Clients gain access to benefits through programs like the ALTOUR Hotel Collection, which provides exclusive amenities and priority rates at a wide range of properties, from boutique hotels to major luxury resorts. The agency plans elaborate multi-country journeys, private safaris, and complex international trips, handling all logistical aspects from start to finish. This service is geared towards travelers who value expert curation and a high level of personal attention in their vacation planning.

Niche Markets: Entertainment and Private Aviation

Further demonstrating their specialized approach, Altour operates dedicated divisions for entertainment travel and private aviation. ALTOUR Air provides private jet and charter brokerage services, arranging everything from helicopters to large airliners for both business and leisure purposes. This capability to manage high-stakes, logistically demanding travel is a significant differentiator and appeals to a very specific, high-profile clientele.

Examining the Service Delivery: Strengths and Weaknesses

An agency's value is ultimately measured by its execution. While Altour's global reach is a clear asset, feedback from various sources provides a more complete picture of its operational performance.

The Positive Perspective: Client Testimonials

Direct client feedback highlighted by the company often praises the skill and responsiveness of its agents. Testimonials speak to their ability to manage unexpected travel disruptions, such as proactively rebooking flights after flagging weather-related cancellations before the airline's official notice. Clients have expressed gratitude for agents who successfully navigated complex changes, negotiated fee reductions, and provided a sense of security during challenging travel situations. This suggests a strong, capable frontline team adept at problem-solving under pressure.

Points of Consideration

While direct customer reviews are not widely available on public platforms, other indicators offer points to consider. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile for the Memphis location shows a long-standing business file, originally opened in 1959 under a previous name, and currently holds an A+ rating. However, it is important to note that the business is not BBB Accredited, a voluntary program where businesses commit to upholding specific standards.

More detailed critiques come from a different perspective: independent travel agents who have affiliated with Altour as a host agency. Reviews from this group, particularly from several years ago, have pointed to internal administrative friction. Common themes include a complicated invoicing process and challenges related to tracking and receiving commission payments in a timely manner. One agent noted that while misplaced commissions were eventually paid after significant research, the process was cumbersome. While this feedback is from business partners rather than direct travel customers, it hints at a level of internal complexity that could, in some instances, affect overall service agility.

Is Altour the Right Agency for You?

Ultimately, the suitability of Altour depends heavily on the client's needs. The agency is unequivocally geared towards two primary markets:

• Corporations and Businesses: Companies in need of a robust, full-service corporate travel partner will find Altour's scale, technology integration, and 24/7 support highly valuable. Their ability to manage complex logistics and provide detailed reporting is a major asset for optimizing travel spend.
• Affluent Leisure Travelers: Individuals or groups seeking meticulously planned, high-end travel experiences, from all-inclusive resorts to bespoke adventure travel, will benefit from the agency's expertise and industry connections. If personalized service and access to exclusive perks are priorities, Altour is a strong contender.

Travelers seeking simple, budget-oriented bookings for flights or hotels may find the agency's comprehensive, high-touch approach to be more than they require. The firm's strengths are most apparent in managing complex, multi-faceted, or high-stakes travel where expertise and global support are paramount. The physical office in East Memphis, which offers wheelchair accessibility, provides a local touchpoint for clients who prefer face-to-face consultations.