Your review in Portal is the single best signal other advisors have when choosing a partner. A great review is specific, honest, and shares insights that you would share with a friend. Here is how to write one, with a hall of fame of reviews that get it right.
Why your review matters
Advisor reviews in Portal are the top way Advisors vet a partner before reaching out. The best ones capture what a partner is genuinely great at, who they are the right fit for, and who they are not. A clear, specific review saves the next advisor hours of guesswork and helps them enter a relationship with a DMC with the proper expectations. A fellow Advisor's review has probably helped you choose a partner in the past, and this is your chance to return the favor.
What to cover
The trip. Destination and season (high or low), trip type, client profile, your travel designer’s name, and the rough budget or price tier, so the review is easy to match to a similar trip.
Responsiveness. How quickly and clearly they communicated, with specifics such as turnaround times.
Proposal quality. How tailored the itinerary was, whether pricing was clear, whether they offered white label or a cost breakdown, and any unique experiences they curated.
On-the-ground execution. How the trip actually ran: guides, transfers, logistics, and how they handled specific client needs like languages, accessibility, or large groups.
How they handled issues. Problems happen on any trip. The real test is how well they were resolved.
Value for the price. Whether the experience matched the price point.
Who it is for. The clients this partner suits and the trip types you would bring another partner in for instead.
Would you re-book with this partner?
Make it useful
Be specific. "They secured last-minute Vatican tickets" tells the next advisor far more than "they were amazing."
Be honest and constructive. A fair caveat makes your praise more trustworthy and helps the next advisor set expectations. Frame any gap as a specific, fixable area rather than a verdict, and pair it with what the partner does well. For example, "Response times slowed as departure neared" lands better than "they were disorganized."
Raise any issue with the DMC first. A review is not the place to surface something you have not already told the partner; give them the chance to respond and improve.
Write for the next advisor. What would you have wanted to know before you reached out?
Hall of Fame
These are real advisor reviews that get it right. Each one earns an award for a habit worth stealing.
The Specifics Award · Personal Africa (Southern Africa) · Reid Bader
"Their biggest strength is practical high-end trip design. They understand how Southern Africa works on the ground: airport choices, overnight stops, lodge sequencing, transfer timing, and safari pacing. They are a strong fit for first-time safari clients, honeymooners, and families, and not ideal for clients shopping purely on lowest price."
Why it works: It names the exact strengths and spells out who the partner is for and who they are not, so the next advisor knows in seconds whether it is a match.
The Plot Twist Award · Exeter Latin America (Mexico) · Celene Lucas
"I would not usually use a DMC for Mexico City, but I am so glad I used Exeter. My clients were traveling between two city-wide festivals, so inventory was limited. They got on the phone immediately, listened, and came back with a tailored itinerary. When a VIP airport meet-and-greet fell short, they refunded it, which I did not expect."
Why it works: It gives the context that made the trip hard, shows what changed the advisor's mind, and notes how a hiccup was handled, which is exactly what the next advisor wants to know.
The Above-and-Beyond Award · Golden Seven Stars (Thailand) · Kerry Haney
"They handled special requests with care, including allergy accommodations and personalized VIP touches at each hotel. Arrival services in Phuket were seamless: my clients were escorted through VIP immigration with luggage assistance and a private transfer in under 10 minutes, which for honeymooners after long-haul travel makes an enormous difference."
Why it works: The specific, evergreen touches make the partner's care believable and memorable in a way that "they went above and beyond" never could.
The Constructive Feedback Award · Intertravel Italy (Italy) · Cara Davidson
“Overall, this DMC was very helpful in recommending the best hotels, tours, and itinerary ideas. My clients loved all of the hotels and thoroughly enjoyed the tours, and the private car services made the trip convenient and stress-free. One area for improvement would be providing clearer directions and more detail for some of the tours, particularly meeting points and what clients should expect. More comprehensive pre-trip information would make the experience even smoother.”
Why it works: It leads with concrete strengths, then names one specific, fixable gap and how to close it, so the next advisor knows where to set expectations and the partner gets usable feedback.
The Receipts Award · Arno Travel (Italy) · Elena Stophel
"I worked with Arno for private tours across Rome, Florence, and Venice for a family of five. Communication was exceptional: prompt, detailed, and proactive. Despite a short planning window, they secured last-minute tickets for the Vatican, Colosseum, and Accademia, so my clients did not miss a highlight."
Why it works: It proves responsiveness and execution with concrete results, rather than just calling the partner "responsive."
The Matchmaker Award · andBeyond (Southern Africa) · Amanda Boyson
“andBeyond is great to work with. They work with 4- and 5-star lodges and provide a really high level of service, so they are not for budget travelers, but if your clients can afford it, I highly recommend them. The support and structure during the trip is well managed.”
Why it works: It draws a clear line on fit, luxury safari clients who can invest, not budget travelers, so the next advisor knows instantly whether the partner matches their client.
Leave a review after you have worked with a partner (see How to Work with DMCs).