Gracy Travel or Travel Express?

[Rob.450/400]

Having used Gracy and liking them very, very much, including having exceptional service with Gracy, I am also totally impressed with Jennifer at Travel Express. In fact, I am using Jennifer right now with all the plans for my spouse and me to go to RSA in 2023. Jennifer is going out of her way to help us make great trip plans, including extra days in Joburg, RSA. Jennifer has been there, done that, and helps others. I can easily recommend Travel Express - Jennifer!

 

[fourfive8]

I've used Gracy for all my Africa trips without any problem and they have always sorted out difficulties including out cancelled flight messes and they have been able to use my CC flight points without issue. I have only talked to Debbie Gracy herself a couple of times over the last 12 years and both primary agents I've used have been excellent along with Gracy's permitting specialist. I tried to use Travel Express during the initial onslaught of covid and didn't receive much follow through, I guess since I wasn't one of their regulars. And I remember here on the forum, Travel Express giving, IMO, some odd air travel etiquette advice- kind of turned me off from pursuing further since Gracy had provided good and consistent service. And, I remember most everyone raving about TWG 2-3 years ago- now not so much- hah, the fickle winds of reviews eh? A friend used TWG for a trip a couple of years ago and it turned into a cluster but I have no direct experience with them.

 

[375Fox]

both primary agents I've used have been excellent along with Gracy's permitting specialist.

The permitting specialist is primary reason I stopped using Gracy. I didn’t have an approval letter sent to me on any trip without asking less than a week before. The first time I asked she argued with me over email then finally sent, the times after she just sent to me when I asked, but the letter was always dated several weeks before from their people in South Africa so she always had it and just didn’t send.

 

[outwestidaho]

I have used all of them . I will Take Gracy travel every time ! The help if something goes wrong in Joberg is Steller. Shawn and Bruce saved our bacon in July this year . Gun paper work no problem either. Plus they pay to have a concierge group meet you right off the plane. They get you past immigration faster and haul your bags around the airport for you. 3rd time I have used them. Not a problem with anything . Travel with guns screwed us twice.

 

[Scott CWO]

The permitting specialist is primary reason I stopped using Gracy. I didn’t have an approval letter sent to me on any trip without asking less than a week before. The first time I asked she argued with me over email then finally sent, the times after she just sent to me when I asked, but the letter was always dated several weeks before from their people in South Africa so she always had it and just didn’t send.

I’ve never had that problem.

Perhaps I will try Jennifer with TE for my 2023 Tanzania trip and see how it goes.

 

[375Fox]

I’ve never had that problem.

Perhaps I will try Jennifer with TE for my 2023 Tanzania trip and see how it goes.

It’s interesting how everyone has different experiences with each agency.

 

[mikecatt13]

I used Gracy for my first safari, cant say I had any real complaints and they were helpful with the flight portion and made an adjustment on the return flight easily. BUT were virtually no help with firearms paperwork, processes etc.

I actually ended up calling TWG to get answers on the firearms stuff, even offered to pay for their expertise which they declined and I had my answers in a short conversation and all went well. I promised them the business for my next safari for going above and beyond and will be making good on that.

 

[Areaonereal]

I used Lori in the past and now Jennifer with very good service and follow up to any questions I have had. Once in JNB. Mr. X has taken care of everything from there on. Travel Express has been and will be my Go To in the future.

 

[Tanks]

We are Headed to South Africa next year and Zimbabwe in 2024. Flying first class in whatever airline has beds. ...

Business class had beds so no need to go first class unless you wish to party in the shower and pay $15K+ per person.

 

[Doug3006]

I have used Gracy and TWG. Both did a nice job. I like working with Shawn at Gracy and she’s helping me and @Jeff505 get to SA next June.

 

[Safari Dave]

Shawn at Gracy simply answered my phone call before anyone at Travel Express for me last year when I was trying to quickly rebook travel to Mozambique after things got a little too complicated for me to go it alone.

Everything worked out great!

I would not advise anyone who is doing something other than flying directly from your home airport to Johannesburg (with your outfitter waiting for you at the airport) with firearms to try to do it yourself, unless you are a very experienced international traveler and can operate in several languages.

I think both operations are excellent, and I would definitely strongly recommend either of them to any American hunter traveling with guns.

 

[RogerHeintzman]

Not meaning to be critical, but I had a mixed experience with Lori, RIP. When Jennifer took over, the one time I used her she was great! She will get my business again.

Wheels,
Me too, twice with Jen which cost me. Had to go back to my original agent.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

We are Headed to South Africa next year and Zimbabwe in 2024. Flying first class in whatever airline has beds. Last time I went was 15 years ago and I used Gracy Travel then, no complaints.

Curious who folks that have used BOTH Gracy Travel AND Travel Express would recommend. We will be traveling with firearms.

Thanks in advance.

I used Travel Express on my last safari. Jennifer is absolutely great! I have absolutely no intention of using any other agency for my future trips.

 

[CEM0]

Unfortunately I used Gracy Travel agency to book my flights to and from South Africa. We were moved to a different flight in April but Gracy NEVER notified us. The did send a final itinery with the changed flight but sent us tickets with the old flight. I thought the tickets were correct so we missed the flight. Gracy did nothing to help us that day or after we got back. I will NEVER use them again and will tell everyone how sorry their service was. Three months before our flight leaves they received notice of the change and they couldn't spend 1 second informing me? Once they have your money they don't care about you..

 

[Philip Glass]

Update: My main TA Patrick Wright has left TWG and started his own agency. TWG has now been farmed out to a call center and the owner has moved to Costa Rica. Patrick Wright Personal Travel, pwptravel.com, will be a slightly different model than others. He will only book premium class flights, so no standard economy. This will help him not only differentiate his business but also focus on a select set of clientele.
I appreciate all the hunting TA's out there and firmly believe they are incredibly valuable to the traveling Hunter. With everyone trying to get the best deal and buy everything with a click these days it is nice to have a real person to call and receive personal service.
Regards,
Philip

 

[fourfive8]

Unfortunately I used Gracy Travel agency to book my flights to and from South Africa. We were moved to a different flight in April but Gracy NEVER notified us. The did send a final itinery with the changed flight but sent us tickets with the old flight. I thought the tickets were correct so we missed the flight. Gracy did nothing to help us that day or after we got back. I will NEVER use them again and will tell everyone how sorry their service was. Three months before our flight leaves they received notice of the change and they couldn't spend 1 second informing me? Once they have your money they don't care about you..

Odd! I think (no, I smell) there is more to the story. No mention of details other than, "The did send a final itinery with the changed flight but sent us tickets with the old flight". Travel agents don't send out tickets. And it is SOP for agents to forward, via email or other communication, flight changes as sent out by the airline. And those flight changes are very common.

I tried a recommended "hunting" travel agent years ago but found out quickly there are great differences in the service and attitudes. Same for certain trophy import/brokerage services. One in particular has been overwhelmingly recommended over the years but turned out just about worthless for my purposes so found one doing my own due diligent search- never an issue after that. Like others have posted, I've used Gracy Travel over the years and never had any worries other than having to work with the agents who were having to jump through hoops 24-7 during the scamdemic. I did make contact with Travel Express during that time but they dropped the ball in returning my calls so I stayed with Gracy Travel. I don't respond well to phone or message tag by any business- no matter the circumstances. I tend to vote with my feet pretty quickly when experiencing that. Gracy Travel's meet and greet and assistance team led by Bruce at JNB has been second to none.

 

[revturbo9967]

I am using Jenn at TE and happy thus far. There was a change to my fight ALREADY and she quickly notified me. This was a few weeks ago. I agree with many on here, Unless your extremely seasoned on travailing to Africa don't try and do this on your own to save a few bucks. It is not worth it in the end.

 

[rookhawk]

We are Headed to South Africa next year and Zimbabwe in 2024. Flying first class in whatever airline has beds. Last time I went was 15 years ago and I used Gracy Travel then, no complaints.

Curious who folks that have used BOTH Gracy Travel AND Travel Express would recommend. We will be traveling with firearms.

Thanks in advance.

Highly contentious issue, but it depends. I question whether there is any value derived at all from the use of an agent under certain circumstances.

For example, First class, you are getting immediate concierge access direct from the airline for changes to your itinerary. If you're flying Emirates First Class into Zimbabwe, YOU must do the gun permit under your login at emirates.com so there is zero value add on that front. Its also the easiest, most straightforward gun permit approval process and if landing in Zim, your domestic gun permit is issued at customs upon arrival. Easy peasy. So that's an example of no value-add for the travel cooridantor. You also pay more, and they cannot easily unleash your other benefits which again are provided direct to you from the carrier. For example, an emirates biz class ticket or better gets you chaffeur limousine service to and from the US airport. It also gets you lounge access at every point. If the layover in Dubai is greater than 6 hours, it gets you a free hotel room. Your agent is fumbling to get these things and may need your login and password to even get them for you. So, no value.

Going into RSA may be a different matter, particularly if they are coordinating a VIP meet and greet, fast-track through customs, and dealing with SAPS paperwork for you. Also they are useful if you are swapping multiple airlines and they need to ensure your guns travel from A to B to C.

Every disaster I've had in Africa involved use of a travel agent. Since doing it on my own, I've had zero problems. YMMV.

 

[TRAVEL EXPRESS]

Wheels,
Me too, twice with Jen which cost me. Had to go back to my original agent.

I'm sorry we weren't able to to book your flights in a timely manner @RogerHeintzman but we do take the feedback very seriously. We are constantly working to improve, and good service is one of our top priorities.

 

[Red Leg]

I am well into my second decade using Gracy. Shawn has been our primary agent for most of that time, and she is a first class professional. I use Gracy for both pure hunting trips, combination hunting tourist excursions, and pure tourist vacations abroad. We are off to Austria and Italy in May and she has put together a great itinerary exactly to our wishes, to include multiple cars, drivers, and guides. I trust them implicitly.

Odd! I think (no, I smell) there is more to the story. No mention of details other than, "The did send a final itinery with the changed flight but sent us tickets with the old flight". Travel agents don't send out tickets. And it is SOP for agents to forward, via email or other communication, flight changes as sent out by the airline. And those flight changes are very common.

I tried a recommended "hunting" travel agent years ago but found out quickly there are great differences in the service and attitudes. Same for certain trophy import/brokerage services. One in particular has been overwhelmingly recommended over the years but turned out just about worthless for my purposes so found one doing my own due diligent search- never an issue after that. Like others have posted, I've used Gracy Travel over the years and never had any worries other than having to work with the agents who were having to jump through hoops 24-7 during the scamdemic. I did make contact with Travel Express during that time but they dropped the ball in returning my calls so I stayed with Gracy Travel. I don't respond well to phone or message tag by any business- no matter the circumstances. I tend to vote with my feet pretty quickly when experiencing that. Gracy Travel's meet and greet and assistance team led by Bruce at JNB has been second to none.

I am not tracking this either. It has probably been 30 years since someone sent me a "ticket." In any case, Gracy has been perfect for our needs for many years.