Reviewed by: Judy E.
Pet lover's team
Nov 29, 2024
Your pet is a beloved part of your family. Whether you’re relocating overseas or planning a vacation in a different state, you want your pet to be safe and comfortable during their trip. Our Starwood Pet Travel review covers the company’s services, pros, and any limitations to help you search for the best pet transport service for your furry friend.
Our team has researched and reviewed Starwood Pet Travel. In our opinion, its main features are:
From finding a vetted driver for a domestic trip to completing export and import documentation for an overseas move, Starwood Pet Travel provides support at every stage. In the following sections, we review how Starwood Pet Travel works.
The first step for domestic pet transport is to fill out a quote request through Citizen Shipper, Starwood’s marketplace partner. The quote request includes information such as number of pets, breed, size, travel destination and dates. Once you start receiving quotes, the next step is to book a driver for the trip.
After you agree to a proposal, Starwood will request medical and vaccination records from your pet’s veterinarian. Starwood Pet Travel will let you know if more information is needed and can assist with obtaining a health certificate. Starwood will ensure that all paperwork is complete and complies with any USDA requirements.
Depending on the international travel package you choose, Starwood’s Pet Travel Support Team assists with details such as
Starwood offers three plans for international pet travel.
Starwood Pet Travel provides domestic and international transportation for dogs and cats. According to their website, Starwood’s team has the expertise necessary for arranging your trip and handling all types of breeds. The Pet Travel Support Team can advise you on important details such as getting your dog used to their kennel or keeping a nervous cat comfortable while traveling.
Starwood understands that military and corporate relocations involve unique factors. If you must move due to military service, a Pet Travel Coordinator can work with airlines and travel agents to smooth the way. Corporate relocations can involve a variety of stakeholders and their clients, from HR talent mobility departments to moving companies. When a relocating client needs to transport their dog or cat, a Starwood Pet Travel Specialist can take care of the details.
We’ve looked at the process of transporting your pet with Starwood Pet Travel. After our research and review, we believe Starwood offers the following benefits. We also list any limitations we believe we found.
When choosing the best pet transportation service, USDA endorsement is crucial. Starwood Pet Travel is USDA certified, which ensures that the company follows USDA animal welfare and safety regulations. Drivers must pass a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) background check before they can transport your furry friend. You can feel confident that your pet will be traveling with reliable and trustworthy handlers.
Starwood Pet Travel offers a Pet Protection Plan for every dog or cat traveling to any destination. We think that pet parents will appreciate the peace of mind that can come with this plan. Coverage includes expenses for:
Whether your pet is traveling to the next state or across the globe, planning your pet’s trip can seem overwhelming. Thanks to Starwood’s Pet Travel Support Team, you have support and guidance for transporting your furry friend. Depending on the package you choose, the team can take care of every detail or handle the major stuff while you DIY some of the tasks.
Entrusting your pet to a transport service can be stressful. You want to know that your beloved family member is safe and cared for every step of the way. Starwood provides updates throughout your pet’s trip, so you stay in the loop from airport check-in and departure to arrival at destination. You will receive email updates and as well as photos whenever possible. You can rest easy knowing your pet’s whereabouts as they travel.
Another reason for peace of mind is Starwood’s partnership with CareTags. If you choose the CareTags option, all of your pet’s important paperwork will have a digital backup. Your pet will always have the necessary documentation for proof of vaccination, health certificates, customs clearance, and more. Plus, drivers and handlers can easily send you digital updates by scanning your furry friend’s CareTag. According to their website, Starwood claims to be the only pet travel service with this type of partnership.
We think pet parents will appreciate the crate size calculator provided on the Starwood website. For air travel, your pet must stay in a kennel that complies with IATA regulations. The IATA requires certain dimensions and materials for pet travel crates.
Fortunately, Starwood Pet Travel provides an IATA compliant crate size calculator. Starwood strongly recommends using the calculator and consulting with your Pet Travel Support Team before buying a kennel for your pet’s flight.
With Starwood Pet Travel, all pets who travel by air must stay in the cargo section of the plane. Some pet transport companies offer “pet nanny” service, which allows a pet to stay with a handler in the cabin area. Starwood, however, does not offer this service.
Snub-nose dog breeds, such as pugs or bulldogs, cannot fly in cargo due to health concerns. Some pet parents simply prefer to keep their furry friends in the cabin area. If you want your pet to fly in-cabin, you will have to book your own flight with an airline that will let your pet accompany you in the cabin.
Starwood provides comprehensive pet transport services for all types and breeds of dogs and cats. Their drivers and handlers are vetted by the TSA and have the necessary dog and cat care expertise. However, Starwood’s services are for dogs and cats only. If you have another type of pet, such as a bird or hamster, or an exotic pet, you will need to consider another transport option.
Even with the support of a Pet Travel Support Team, questions are bound to come up as you anticipate your pet’s trip. Starwood provides a variety of informative customer support resources, including AI chat, phone, email, and FAQs.
You can also browse the website’smany blog posts for information on a wide range of topics from traveling with large breed dogs to finding pet-friendly housing. On the Starwood website, you can read pet travel guides for specific countries.
For dog or cat parents, Starwood Travel offers comprehensive support before, during, and after your pet’s trip. Pet parents can feel confident knowing that the Pet Travel Support Team can coordinate the details and provide guidance for transporting your furry friend. From the time you agree to Starwood’s transport proposal to the time your pet is delivered at your destination, you can have peace of mind.
Starwood Pet Travel is USDA certified and their drivers must pass a TSA background check — important factors when searching for the best pet transportation service. We’re also impressed with details such as Starwood’s Pet Care Protection Plan and partnership with CareTags. With all the paperwork and scheduling that’s involved in pet transportation, we believe that Starwood offers solid support for every aspect of your pet’s journey.
After our research, our team did find some limitations. Starwood does not offer a pet nanny service, so all pets must travel in an airplane’s cargo area. Starwood offers transport services for dogs and cats only, not for other pet types or exotic pets.
We have researched and reviewed Starwood Pet Travel, and we believe that it offers quality pet transport services. We recommend it as a top choice for dog and cat parents who must arrange transportation for their furry friends.
Our team seriously researched for the Best Pet Transportation Service and this website provides in-depth reviews to help you find the best one for you based on your needs. Each review provides important insights about a specific Best Pet Transportation Service to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your pet.
