I've always said Appleton Travel is about first-hand experience and real support, not a call center or a search engine. Today I'm launching something that gives you more freedom without losing either of those.
Client Portal is now live on AppletonTravel.com. You'll find it in the menu bar on every page of the site.
With Client Portal you can browse hotels, compare options and book your stay on your own time. It's still connected to me. Every booking you make there is tied to Appleton Travel, so you get the same advisor support you'd get if we had planned the whole trip together.
What Is Client Portal?
Client Portal is a private hotel booking tool just for Appleton Travel clients. You can:
Browse a curated collection of hotels
Compare room types and rates
See which properties come with extra perks
Book directly when you're ready
Message me from inside the portal when you need help
Think of it as an extension of how we already work together. Some trips need a lot of planning, like a multi-country itinerary, a group trip or a race weekend abroad. For those, I'm hands-on from start to finish. Other times you just need a great hotel and you already know where you want to be. Client Portal is built for those moments.
When Client Portal Makes the Most Sense
Use it anytime you need a hotel. It works especially well for:
A weekend race or event
A quick getaway
A last-minute overnight
A wedding or celebration
A stay where you already know exactly what you want
Even when you book on your own, I'm still your advisor. If something changes, if you have a question or if you want me to look at other options, I'm one message away.
Find the Best Value With "Exclusive Perks Only"
This is my favorite feature. Client Portal has a filter called Exclusive Perks only. Turn it on and you'll see only the properties where I can offer extra perks on top of a standard booking.
If you want the most value from your stay, start there. It's the quickest way to find the hotels where booking through me makes a real difference.
This Is Not an Online Travel Agency
Client Portal is not the same as a booking site or online travel agency (OTA), and that difference matters.
OTA rates are deliberately left out of my Client Portal. When you book through an OTA, the hotel usually treats you as a third-party booking. That often means you lose the benefits that come with your hotel status level, and you may not earn loyalty points on the stay.
Rates in my portal come through my host agency's direct hotel relationships. Most properties will honor their loyalty program guidelines, so your hotel status level benefits and points usually apply as they would if you booked with the hotel. If you have a question about whether you'll earn points or whether your status will be honored at a certain property, reach out and I'll confirm it before you book.
What You Should Know Before You Browse
I want this to be as simple as possible, so here's what to expect up front.
Not every property is in Client Portal. The portal includes a preferred collection of hotels, but I have access to more properties than what you'll see there. If you don't find the hotel you're looking for, reach out. I'll check everything available to me and find the best way to help.
Some properties will say you need to work with me. Certain rates or hotels are set up so I handle the booking personally. When you see that note, you don't need to leave the portal or start a new email. Just send me a message from Client Portal and I'll take it from there.
Hotels only, for now. Client Portal is for hotel stays. Flights, cruises, tours and full trip planning still go through me directly, the same way they always have.
How to Get Started
Already Traveled With Me?
You're ready to go.
Click Client Portal in the menu bar on AppletonTravel.com.
Log in with the email address or cell phone number you used when you booked with me.
Enter the one-time PIN code sent to you.
Start browsing.
Are You a New Client?
Welcome! Getting set up is easy.
Click Client Portal in the menu bar on AppletonTravel.com.
Fill out the intake form.
I'll reach out within 24 hours to get you set up and answer any questions.
Once you're set up, log in and start exploring.
The portal is only open to registered Appleton Travel clients. That's on purpose. It keeps things personal and makes sure every booking has real support behind it.
After You Book
You'll get a booking confirmation within a few minutes. From there, I manage your reservation like any other booking we've made together.
For refundable bookings, I get an alert if the price drops, so I can rebook you at the better rate. That's the kind of thing you'd never get from a booking site.
If you need to make a change or cancel, contact me directly by email at [email protected]. I'll confirm everything with you personally.
Why I Built This Into Appleton Travel
Most of what I do is hands-on planning for trips where the details matter. Race weekends, cycling trips and group travel take real coordination, and that's where I spend most of my time. I also know that sometimes you just want to book the hotel. Client Portal gives you that freedom without trading away the perks, the protection or the person who has your back. You can book on your own, and when you want a second opinion, I'll tell you what I know firsthand and dig into the rest for you. It's simple, it's free and it's connected to me.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Fora is my host agency and partner for travel bookings. All of my services are powered by Fora, and that partnership lets me bring you more perks when you book.
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If you've booked travel with me before, log in with your email address or cell phone number. You'll receive a one-time PIN code to complete your login. If you haven't traveled with me yet, follow the steps under "Are You a New Client?" above.
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No. It's only for registered Appleton Travel clients.
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Yes. There's no cost to use Client Portal.
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Most properties will follow their loyalty program guidelines, so your hotel status level benefits and points generally apply. This is not an OTA. If you have a question about a specific property, reach out and I'll confirm before you book.
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It shows only the properties where I can offer extra perks. If you want the most value from your stay, start there.
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Reach out. I have access to more properties than what's in the portal, and I'll check everything available to find the best option for you.
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Some properties and rates are set up for me to book personally. Send me a message right from Client Portal and I'll handle it.
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Not in Client Portal. It's for hotels only. For everything else, contact me directly and we'll plan it together.
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Yes, within a few minutes of booking.
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For refundable bookings, I get alerted to price drops so I can rebook you at the better rate.
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Reach out to me by phone or email me at [email protected] and I'll confirm your cancellation or change with you.
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Client Portal is here to give you a place to start. Then I'm here to help build out your trip. Reach out with your idea and we'll bring it to life together.
Ready to Explore?
Client Portal is live now. Click Client Portal in the menu bar on AppletonTravel.com to log in, or fill out the intake form to get set up. I'll follow up within 24 hours.
Book on your terms. I'll be here for the rest.
