Both Scott Dunn and Abercrombie & Kent are excellent choices for luxury, customized travel experiences. Scott Dunn stands out for its flexible booking terms and 24/7 customer support, while Abercrombie & Kent offers a vast global network and smaller group sizes. The best choice depends on individual priorities, such as the importance of flexible policies versus the desire for a smaller, more intimate group experience.
| Attribute | Scott Dunn | Abercrombie & Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury travel style | Luxury tour operator that creates tailor-made experiences, focusing on delivering luxury in every sense. | Premier luxury travel company, pioneered luxury adventure travel with service, local expertise, and insider access. |
| Custom itinerary design | Specializes in crafting unique, bespoke trips tailored to individual preferences. They understand customer's interests and desires to create personalized itineraries and provide access to the inaccessible. | Fully customizable tours and itineraries designed with travel experts to meet specific interests and preferences. Every private journey is bespoke. |
| Destination expertise | Sells holidays worldwide with experts for various destinations. Their team visits the places they sell, possessing first-hand knowledge of properties and local areas. They offer trips to over 100 destinations, including Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. | Global network of over 55 offices in more than 30 countries, adventures in over 100 countries on all seven continents, authentic local expertise and insider access. |
| Accommodation quality | Offers a carefully curated collection of accommodations, partnering with some of the best hotels in the world, focusing on distinctiveness and value. Their portfolio covers various styles, from well-known leading hotels to lesser-known boutique hotels. | High-end accommodations, including luxury hotels, lodges, and campsites. Portfolio includes safari lodges, villas, and riverboats. |
| Guided tour options | Provides privately guided tours and access to expert private guides. | Luxury Small Group Journeys with a maximum group size of 18 guests, led by A&K Resident Tour Directors. |
| Private tour availability | Offers private tours. | Luxury Tailor Made Travel for personalized experiences, guests can design their own itineraries with local guides. |
| Group tour size | Offers Signature Departures itineraries designed for small groups, with a maximum size of 16, allowing for personalized service. | Small-group tours typically have 12-18 travelers. Some specialized tours have even smaller maximums. |
| Price range | Every holiday is tailor-made according to guest requirements and budget. They do not promise to be the cheapest, but they believe in value. | Group tours: from $5,000 per person; Private tours: upwards of $20,000 per person |
| Customer service responsiveness | Has global offices in the UK, US, and Singapore, providing 24/7 seamless service and support. They offer anticipatory service, seamless logistics, and high touch points, including pre-departure briefings and welcome-home calls. | Customer service team reachable at (866) 608-9896 or usa@abercrombiekent.com, responsiveness rating of 3/5. |
| Travel insurance options | Has partnered with Allianz to offer a range of comprehensive travel insurance plans. It is a condition of booking that you have travel insurance. | Partners with Allianz Global Assistance to offer custom travel protection plans covering trip cancellation, interruption, medical emergencies, and baggage issues. |
| Sustainability practices | Aims to travel responsibly and tread lightly, leaving a positive imprint on the world. They are committed to being proactively responsible in the workplace and the destinations they visit. They are continually searching for sustainable ways to minimize their impact on the planet and offset carbon emissions. | Committed to promoting sustainable tourism practices and minimizing environmental impact, working with local communities and conservation organizations. |
| Cancellation and refund policies | Offers flexibility if plans change. They have strong collaborations which mean flexible arrangements and booking terms, so a holiday with Scott Dunn is as protected as possible. | Cancellation policies vary depending on the tour type. Penalties may apply for cancellations or changes, and deposits are often non-refundable. Travel insurance is recommended. |