FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes, we are accredited by (3) major travel associations. We also hold certifications with the travel Institute as a Certified Travel Agent (CTA). 

As independent contractors, each travel advisor operates their own hours of business. 

The hours for ANSE host agency is M-F from 9am to 6pm. Saturday and Sunday are by appointment only and are typically reserved for clients that are traveling.  You may reach us at 678-779-8544 or info@artnsoulescapes.com during regular business hours. Anything outside of that will not be answered until the next business day. An emergency number will be provided by each travel agent for clients to use outside of those hours. If a specific advisor is not requested, we will have the first available contact you. 

Yes we do. We have advisors available who specialize in different areas that can help you with your planning process. Our initial consultations are at no charge. However, ANSE research and planning fees require a $50 deposit and go up depending on group size.  Please refer to each advisor's specific terms and conditions regarding travel quotes. 

An ANSE host will communicate with "the Squad" on the destination experience via an electronic messaging program such as Whatsapp or Email.  Each participant will be added to a group conversation 30 days or more prior to the trip, which will be used for text communications throughout the destination experience. All squad members agree to maintain the designated mobile application on their phone and remain a member of the group chat for the duration of the destination experience, as this will be the sole method of communication with the group.  There may be long periods of silence, as there may be other groups traveling, and are worked in the order of departure, but please know we are working diligently behind the scenes. 

By becoming a member of our meetup groups, it’s similar to a VIP experience. You get early access to new trips, member discounts and more. You not only get the opportunity to attend exclusive trips not found on our website, you will also have opportunities to attend social events with other members, such as: Happy hours, Broadway shows, Tailgating experiences, Brunches, etc. As well as annual events such as our Annual Holiday Gift Exchange, Hat Brunch, and Annual Mystery Trip. For close to 16 years, the ANSE experience has been limited to meetup members only. However, due to the growing interest in our travel group, we’ve decided to make some of our trips public. However, since we are not a huge fan of overly crowded groups, we try to keep our trips limited to 24 travelers or less.
Once you start exceeding that number, the experience can get a bit watered down—not the intimate experience the ANSE members have grown to love. On rare occasions, we may host a trip with more travelers (which typically allow guests the opportunity to attend).
With the V.I.P experience, early access gives you at least a 72-hour head start to reserve your spot; somewhat like a pre-sale works for your favorite concert. 

In some countries and regions, tipping may not be as common or expected for certain transportation services, like public buses or trams. It's always a good idea to research tipping customs at your specific destination. However, for any ANSE private transportation services, like taxis, shuttles, and rideshares, tipping is generally expected and will be the responsibility of each traveler.

Transportation services are generally included in your vacation package, for excursions and tours booked in advance. For optional tours, and optional group dinners, transportation is not included, and at the expense of each traveler since we cannot predict how much the to/from costs will be per taxi. It will depend on the number of taxis and the number of people for each trip. Please be sure to factor in these potential expenses when planning your travel budget.  You should refer to our terms and conditions for the most up to date information.

While our hosts are dedicated to ensuring your overall experience is fantastic, they may not always be able to accompany you on optional tours. These excursions are a fantastic way to explore unique interests or add an extra layer of adventure to your trip, but they are not always aligned with our hosts' schedules. Rest assured that our optional tours are often led by knowledgeable local guides who are experts in the field, ensuring that you'll receive a wealth of information and an authentic experience. However, we will always make sure that there are at least a minimum of two ANSE participants so that no one is on a tour alone. 

 If a visa is required, you are responsible for obtaining the proper travel documents for the destinations on your itinerary, which includes having a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure.
Check each trip for specific visa and passport details. We also recommend checking any current entry requirements due to the 2019 pandemic to confirm whether or not you need to be vaccinated and/or may be required to present a negative Covid-19 test. 

Trip insurance is not required, but highly recommended. Due to negotiated group rates, all payments are non-refundable. If insurance is purchased, you will be given the necessary tools to file a claim.  We highly recommend that you get your own travel insurance to protect your investment, even if you do not go through us. 

Simply put, overhead. We do not have the overhead that some of our peers have. You typically won't find videographers, photographers, or a bunch of staff. We offer a more intimate experience, geared towards the budget traveler.  Will you still get a memorable experience? Absolutely! We've been doing this for over 15 years without a single complaint (Amen), and we pride ourselves on being able to offer a great experience to our clients with a softer price tag. We do this "travel thing" because we love it! We are still going to give you a 5-star experience, but at a 4-star price. If you want the "luxury" travel experience (that you often see on social media), then that comes with a heftier price tag and may be more suitable for a private trip. We may sacrifice a 5* hotel with butler for a 4 or 4.5* with an on-site restaurant, or an economy seat instead of business class seat, but we never sacrifice the overall experience. Client feedback has told us that our customers would rather keep that extra change in their pockets! More change = more trips! You have to decide what style works best for you.  And besides, we don't like to compare. Each group you travel with serves a difference purpose. 

We are one of the few groups that include air on our trips (yay us!). And that is because air is tricky and is a huge hassle for groups--especially when everyone is not originating in the same area. 

In most instances, we will fly together. If travelers are coming from different cities, or they joined the group late, we will do our best to schedule their flights as close to everyone else’s as possible. There is no guarantee everyone will be on the same flights, but we do our best. Seat assignments are at the discretion of the airline and are not guaranteed. If airport transfers are included, it will be stated in the details of each group trip.
Check each trip description for details to see which departure location the trip is quoted from. 

Airline tickets will be issued electronically approximately 30 days prior to departure and are fully non-refundable.  Airlines bear the sole authority of assigning seats on group flights.  Group air contracts are for economy-class seats only. If you require another class of service, you may consider purchasing your own flights and purchasing our land-only package (if available). We will try to get your requested seat type, but they are "requests" and are not guaranteed.

Bedding types are at the sole discretion of the property (upon check-in). We will submit your requests, but they are "requests" and are not guaranteed. Please note that not all properties have multiple bed types, so please be mindful when booking double occupancy rooms. 

One carry-on OR checked-luggage and a personal item is what we recommend however this can vary dependent on the supplier. This means we are asking that you pack wisely. Please keep in mind that this is group travel. Outside of the space available on the plane, we need to be sure that we can accommodate our entire group's luggage in our transportation. Also, keep in mind that if there are inter-country flights, there are different baggage restrictions, so please be mindful when packing. Any additional fees will be the responsibility of the traveler.  Please refer to our terms and conditions for more details.

 Due to increased travel security around the world, it is now more important than ever that your airline ticket match your first and last name exactly as it reads on your passport (not the nicknames you may use in the group). Additionally, any changes to your air booking, which include spelling, could be subject to a change fee, penalties or cancellation. Any new fees will be the responsibility of the passenger.  A copy of your government issued identification may be requested by your agent when booking 

 We have several male members, as well as spouses in ANSE. Most of our vacations are opened to travelers 18+ and up. However, we do offer 1-2 family trips each year. As for your fur babies—sorry, unfortunately, we cannot accommodate them on any of our trips. But we can recommend some of our members who are pet sitters to assist you with boarding your animals.
Check each trip for details on whether or not guests are allowed. 

A deposit will be necessary to guarantee your reservation. Once the deposit is received, you will be expected to meet the terms of the specific vacation package (payment terms may differ). All final payments will be due within 60-90 days of departure; unless otherwise specific. There may be a period of silence during the overall payment terms. 

Credit card is our preferred form of payment. In most cases our prices are always below our competitors. Therefore, in order to keep our package prices low, we pass on any processing fees that may incur from credit card payments to the consumer. 

Unfortunately, ONLY your deposit and timely payments will guarantee your space. Space is often very limited, as we like to keep are trips to a more intimate feel.
WE suggest NOT waiting for someone else before you register if you want to attend. Roommate matching is available. However, if you choose to wait, keep in mind that space availability and pricing are subject to change. If for some reason, you cannot find a roommate, you will be responsible for the single occupancy rate 

Please make every effort to make payments as agreed upon at registration to avoid loss of funds and be sure to keep your ANSE travel manager up to speed on your plans. When traveling under group space, late payments can hold up the entire group when it comes to finalizing any supplier invoices. This may also lead to delays in processing final itineraries. 

Payments not made as per payment agreement may result in late fees or cancellation of your reservation and loss of all payments made.

 Whenever you are traveling with someone that you may not know (or even if you do), you can never predict if life will throw you or your roommate a curve ball. In order to keep you prepared for having to potentially switch to a single rate (or changing roommates), we will let you know once your roommate is approaching 60 days without a payment. However, we will not be able to give you the details of their account. In the interim, we recommend that you stay in contact with whoever you are paired with, so that you are never caught off guard. We highly suggest purchasing insurance, and we can assist you with doing so. Any declinations of travel insurance will need to be in writing. 

Due to ever-changing circumstances and many moving parts, itineraries are sent to each client 21-30 days before the event via email (in the order of departure date). For airline suppliers, the final documents are typically sent 10-14 days prior to departure, in which we will send an updated itinerary. We try to get itineraries finalized sooner and if we do you will receive it via email. Group space will be dependent on all travelers satisfying any payment arrangements and any additional add-ons in the event any contract modifications need to be made prior to any final paperwork being issued. 

With so much of this beautiful world left to explore, there's no better time to curate your sisterhood through travel. So, dream big, plan your next adventure, and make it a reality with your travel tribe.Remember, it's not just the destinations that make the journey memorable; it's the sisterhood you build along the way. So, where to next, sisters? 

You will receive a WhatsApp group invite at least 30 days prior to travel.  Let's make this unforgettable vacation together! We can't wait to connect with you on WhatsApp and enhance your travel experience. See you in the group, and let's create some incredible memories! 

At Anse, we value your individuality and comfort. While we don't enforce a strict dress code, we do encourage our travelers to be mindful of their attire, especially when representing our brand during our group travels. And while we know some things are considered "trendy", they do not always represent "us" in a way that gives off the Black Girl Magic persona we want to exude.