Planning a getaway or vacation can be stressful — especially in today’s post-COVID-19 world — but it doesn’t have to be. For those seeking the relaxation of a trip without the worry that comes with planning, Linda Schreiber and her team at Starship Travel Inc. are here to help.

“Travel is on everyone’s to-do or wish list,” says Linda. “We are experts in our field and work with our clients to make better choices for their vacation, destination wedding, or just going to be with family.”

A native of Skokie, IL, Linda has always had a passion for travel. This passion has taken Linda all over the world, including to South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Africa, Egypt, Cuba, the Baltic Sea, Russia, Italy and Greece. However, one specific trip inspired Linda to found Starship Travel Inc.

“In 1985, I was on a trip with a small group organized by a local travel agency to Seoul, South Korea; Hong Kong and Japan,” says Linda. “So many things went wrong that I took over the trip. I was just another traveler. When I got home, I went to travel school and started selling travel.”

From 1986 to 1991, Linda spent six years working with different travel agencies, receiving little-to-no support as an outside agent. Then, in 1991 — having finally hit a gross selling point of $1 million — Linda decided to take the leap and set out on her own. “I started my own agency and never looked back,” says the Starship Travel President. “I now have 20-plus travel advisors working with me!”

Linda originally opened Starship Travel in Arlington Heights, and the travel agency remained in that location for 34 years. Then, in 2018, Linda opened a second location closer to her home in South Elgin. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, she had to close her Arlington Heights location, but by then, Starship Travel in South Elgin was booming.

Starship Travel is more than just a travel agency. This year, Starship Travel is celebrating 37 years as a full-service retail storefront. With their store, Starship Travel can do more than help people go out and experience the world — they can bring the world to people.

During the past 37 years, Starship Travel has been involved in many charitable events internationally and locally. “Eight of my staff spent 13 hours each saving a disabled veteran’s home from being condemned!” says Linda. “We cleaned, painted, recarpeted and brought in new furniture. The look on his face when we were done was fabulous. Unfortunately, we had to go back and go it again; he just could not keep up!”

Other events Starship Travel has participated in include Feed My Starving Children, painting a soccer field in Cabo San Lucas, cleaning and planting at a school in Cancun, holiday shopping in Mexico for an orphanage, as well as spending the day in Panama for a Christmas party at an orphanage. “We brought in pizzas, Santa and gifts for the kids,” says Linda. Starship Travel is also involved with the Elgin Chamber Women’s Leadership Group.

“Our travel advisors are well-traveled, so we can share our experiences of the destination you want to go to,” says Linda. “Our slogan says it best: ‘We know what we sell because we have been there.’”

Since its founding, Starship Travel has become one of the top travel agencies in the Chicagoland area and has accumulated numerous awards, including its most recent award, the Elite Diamond Award from ALG Vacations - World of Hyatt. Starship Travel is also the only travel agency to earn the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethical Business Practices.

However, for Linda, Starship Travel’s crowning achievement is the relationships the agency has built with both its clients and travel advisors. “We have very long-standing clients. In fact, recently, one of our original honeymoon clients called for us to plan her granddaughter’s honeymoon! That is how loyal our clients are,” says Linda. “My travel advisors have been with me for over 25 years. We have become a family.”

When asked what advice she’d give residents about planning their vacations, Linda shared some useful insights.

“Do not book on the internet,” she says. “COVID-19 proved that travel advisors are very valuable to our clients. When the world shut down in March 2020, my agency saved our clients over $5 million. We worked endlessly, canceling and rebooking our clients. Now that we are back to normal, our clients are so thankful they had us to work with, and we did not charge any fees. Anyone who booked on the internet spent days trying to talk to anyone, but there was no one to help.”

“My daughter moved her family out to the Elgin area in 1995. I followed her to be near my grandkids,” says Linda. Linda has been in the Elgin area since 2001 and currently lives in South Elgin. “I love being on the Randall corridor for shopping for anything! It’s so convenient. That is why I chose Randall Road for my travel agency.”

If you’re getting ready to plan your next vacation or simply want more information, make sure to reach out to Linda and her team at Starship Travel Inc.!

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Linda Schreiber, Starship Travel Inc.

323 Randall Road, South Elgin, IL 60177

Phone: 847-394-1155

Email: linda.schreiber@starshiptravel.com

Website: www.starshiptravel.com