Frequently Asked Questions
Investment & Our Exclusive Process
Why is the Woven Journeys Design Retainer higher than other specialty travel agencies?
Our fee is an investment in exclusive assurance, not a deposit for a booking service. While other excellent agencies charge for basic logistics, our premium retainer is priced to guarantee four non-negotiable pillars that are not standard in the industry:
Guaranteed Expertise: Your retainer secures 20–40+ hours of dedicated creative design and Strategic Budget Allocation, compensated regardless of future travel dates.
Proprietary Impact Vetting: The fee pays for the time required to authenticate ethical and sustainable claims via our unique Impact Vetting Protocol (see below).
Complex Mastery: Our tiers are built to reward the extreme complexity, risk, and exclusivity of managing high-budget, multi-week journeys across destinations.
Global Assurance: We provide VIP status and preferential access to over 7,200 world-class partners as an affiliated partner of Fora.
What exactly does the Design Retainer cover?
Your non-refundable retainer pays for our specialised expertise and the creation of your bespoke journey blueprint. It secures your spot on our design calendar and covers:
Strategic Design Hours: 20–40+ hours of dedicated research, and strategic Budget Allocation (structuring your total investment to maximize value and impact).
Exclusive Curation: Meticulous curation of properties, private guides, and local partners, backed by our vetting protocol.
Comprehensive Deliverables: A fully personalised, ready-to-book itinerary blueprint, detailed Safety Protocols, and a Proprietary Destination Guide.
How does the financial planning work, and what is the total cost breakdown?
Your investment is structured to ensure complete transparency and strategic alignment with your goals. We work with three clear components:
The Design Retainer (Your Key Investment):
A fixed, non-refundable fee (starting at US$3,000).
This investment pays for our specialised design expertise and the creation of your bespoke journey blueprint — the 20–40+ hours required to meticulously curate and strategically allocate your entire trip budget.
Land Costs (The Journey):
This is the cost of your unforgettable experience once you land: luxury accommodation, private transfers, exclusive guides, and local impact experiences.
To maintain our bespoke quality, clients typically allocate a minimum investment starting at US$800 to US$1,500+ per couple, per night, for land costs.
Important Note on Destination Variance: The actual required minimum budget will vary significantly based on your destination (e.g., New Zealand will require a higher minimum investment than Vietnam).
We will finalise a detailed Land Cost estimate with you during or immediately after the Discovery Call to ensure your custom journey perfectly matches your financial vision.
Airfare (Your Freedom):
This component is managed separately. You are encouraged to book your own international air travel, allowing us to dedicate 100% of our energy to curating your impeccable experience on the ground.
Our approach is designed to elevate your journey from a simple purchase to a purposeful, seamless investment.
Ethical Alignment & Our Vetting Protocol
How does Woven Journeys guarantee the integrity and ethical impact of its partners?
We commit to providing professional judgment and transparency, ensuring your journey acts as a force for good. We achieve this through our proprietary Impact Vetting Protocol—The 3 C's of Alignment:
Community Consultation (Authenticity): We align with trusted, local specialists who demonstrate a strategy for providing a verifiable, defined benefit to local communities, ensuring every interaction is authentic and mutually beneficial, not manufactured for tourists.
Conscious Operations Alignment (Risk Mitigation): We conduct detailed reviews of operational integrity, prioritising partners who demonstrate a clear commitment to local employment, fair wages, and sustainable practices. We commit to full transparency if a necessary trade-off (e.g. for safety) is required.
Clear Financial Commitment (Transparency): We perform Strategic Budget Allocation that actively channels your investment toward vetted, ethical partners, ensuring your money is strategically optimised to be a net positive for the destination.
Does my relaxing, luxury trip have to involve community service or specific "projects"?
Absolutely not. At Woven Journeys, impact is the natural, seamless result of superior design. We craft a deeply relaxing and transformative journey for you, while ensuring your investment acts as a force for good. By simply staying and spending in the places we select, you generate defined local benefit.
Logistics & Policy
Who handles air travel, and what are my options?
Our design expertise is focused solely on your land-based transformation (the itinerary, accommodation, and private guides). You are always welcome and encouraged to book your own international air travel. This allows us to focus 100% of our energy on curating your impeccable itinerary once you land.
What about safety and unexpected issues during the trip?
We provide personalised Safety Protocols and a 24/7 in-country support system managed by our trusted Destination Management Companies (DMCs). You receive a single, personalised emergency contact flow and security snapshot, ensuring you are prepared and supported by a locally insured professional at all times. We provide the highest possible standard achievable within the realities of your chosen destination.
What is the policy if I need to cancel my confirmed journey?
The Design Retainer is non-refundable as it compensates for the strategic design and curation work already delivered. For the actual travel components (hotels, tours, etc.), supplier penalties will apply. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance to protect all non-refundable elements of your investment.