We Specialize in Group Travel
Coordinating group travel involves many moving parts. There’s lots to consider. Leave it to us! The agents at Allied Travel have decades of experience in handling group travel and have successfully coordinated the travel needs for groups of up to 500 people. Whether it’s a leisure group, business meeting, mission trip, convention or incentive group, a destination wedding or athletic team trip, we’ve got your group covered.
The most important part of any group travel is contract negotiation. If you have a large group traveling, there is a lot of money on the table. We determine your key objectives, then negotiate the most favorable contracts with airlines and hotels to maximize those objectives. Our negotiating experience and buying power helps ensure you aren’t leaving that money behind. There are lots of variables in group travel contracts, as well as lines of fine print — variables and fine print are our forte!
Group Services
Custom Tours Available
Allied Travel offers custom tours specially designed by our group travel experts. No need to worry about where you’re going, how you’ll get there or where you’ll stay. Everything is put together for you, and include experiences not usually available to the general public. View our Custom Group Tours here.
A Few of Our Clients
Make Your Group Trip Even More Memorable
Coordinating group travel can get complicated fast—but it doesn’t have to be. With Allied Travel’s experience handling trips for groups big and small, you can relax and enjoy the journey too.
Many of our clients add a few extra touches to make their group trips even better. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding, maybe a corporate retreat, or a big family getaway, we’ll help you cover every detail from start to finish.
Meet Dean Burtch — Navigator in Chief
With more than 35 years leading Allied Travel, Dean Burtch has helped organizations, schools, and businesses coordinate group trips across the globe — from Cairo to Kenya and Cancun.
Dean understands that group travel success comes down to planning, flexibility, and attention to detail. Whether it’s a corporate retreat, a student tour, or a community travel program, he ensures every traveler’s experience runs smoothly from start to finish.
Under his leadership, Allied Travel has built lasting partnerships with groups throughout Iowa and beyond — grounded in trust, communication, and decades of hands-on experience.
“Unexpected challenges usually become the memories most cherished — travel teaches us to stay flexible and open to the journey.”
— Dean Burtch
What Our Travelers Are Saying
“My husband and I were connected to Allied Travel through a friend and we could not have been happier we did. Outside of booking our own flight, they helped us find our hotels and activities while in Hawaii for our honeymoon. When one hotel put us in a different room than what we paid for, Allied Travel was on top of it and had the situation worked out within an hour…at 11 pm CST. Not being someone that enjoys trip planning, we will absolutely utilize their services for future trips!”
“Our wedding was perfect! We had around 40 family and friends at our wedding in Cancun. That was a lot of coordinating! Thankfully Allied Travel took all of the stress and worry off of our plates! They really allowed us the opportunity to enjoy our wedding and our honeymoon at another resort! The hardest part will be deciding where we want to go next! Allied Travel will do all of our resort and vacation planning from here on out! Thank you again!! 5 Stars, A+, 10/10, truly the highest praised rating available!”
“Just returned from a trip to London & Paris that Allied Travel helped us plan. They arranged flights, hotels and train links. Their travel specialist was very accommodating and was happy to help us keep searching till we found the hotels we wanted. These ended up being nicer than we expected. This is the second time we have used Allied Travel to help us arrange a trip to Europe. We plan on using them again for future overseas trips.”
Group Travel FAQs for West Des Moines Travelers
What group travel planning services does Allied Travel offer for West Des Moines travelers?
Allied Travel helps West Des Moines travelers coordinate and organize group trips from the early planning stages through final travel arrangements.
Group travel planning services may include:
- Destination recommendations
- Group accommodations
- Flight coordination
- Transportation planning
- Cruise group bookings
- Customized itineraries
Having professional assistance can help simplify group travel planning and keep trip details organized.
What types of groups can Allied Travel help plan trips for?
Allied Travel helps West Des Moines travelers organize trips for many different types of groups.
Group travel may include:
- Family reunions
- Friends traveling together
- Church groups
- School groups
- Social organizations
- Corporate teams
Each trip can be customized to match the group's interests, travel goals, and budget.
How many people count as a group for travel planning?
How many people you need for a trip depends on where you're going and what you want to do. Some places only need a few friends, while others need a bigger group to have fun.
Many group travel opportunities begin with:
- Small family groups
- Friend groups
- Organized clubs
- Larger tour groups
zAllied Travel helps people in West Des Moines find group travel deals.
Can Allied Travel help with group flights, hotels, and transportation?
Yes. Allied Travel helps West Des Moines travelers coordinate multiple travel components into one organized group itinerary.
Travel arrangements may include:
- Group flights
- Hotel accommodations
- Airport transfers
- Ground transportation
- Cruise transfers
Coordinating these details together can help create a smoother travel experience for everyone involved.
Does Allied Travel help negotiate group rates and contracts?
Yes. Allied Travel helps West Des Moines group organizers explore available group pricing opportunities and supplier requirements.
Depending on the trip, assistance may include:
- Reviewing group rate options
- Coordinating room blocks
- Managing supplier communication
- Tracking reservation deadlines
Having a dedicated travel advisor can help group organizers stay informed and avoid missing important planning milestones.
Can Allied Travel create custom itineraries for group trips?
Yes. Allied Travel helps West Des Moines travelers build customized group itineraries based on the group's interests, schedule, and travel goals.
Custom itineraries may include:
- Sightseeing activities
- Group excursions
- Dining experiences
- Free time for independent activities
- Special events or celebrations
A custom travel plan can make your trip fun and help everyone stay organized.
How early should I plan a group trip?
For the best availability and planning flexibility, Allied Travel generally recommends that West Des Moines travelers begin planning group travel several months before departure.
Planning early may provide access to:
- Preferred accommodations
- Better flight availability
- Group reservation opportunities
- More destination choices
Larger groups and peak-season travel often benefit from even earlier planning.
Can Allied Travel help plan group cruises, destination weddings, and corporate retreats?
Yes. Allied Travel helps West Des Moines travelers coordinate a variety of specialized group travel experiences.
Popular group travel options may include:
- Group cruises
- Destination weddings
- Corporate retreats
- Family reunion vacations
- Incentive travel programs
Each type of trip may have unique planning requirements, and Allied Travel can help coordinate the details.
What happens if some group members have different travel dates or needs?
Allied Travel helps West Des Moines groups manage travel situations where participants may arrive, depart, or travel differently from the main group.
Travel arrangements can often be adjusted to accommodate:
- Different departure cities
- Extended stays
- Special accommodation requests
- Alternative flight schedules
- Individual travel preferences
This flexibility lets group members go on the trip and still take care of their own travel needs.
Does Allied Travel charge a fee for group travel planning?
No. Allied Travel offers complimentary consultations for West Des Moines travelers interested in planning a group trip.
During a consultation, travelers can:
- Discuss group travel goals
- Explore destination options
- Compare travel arrangements
- Ask planning questions
This allows group organizers to receive professional travel guidance before making any booking decisions.