Welcome Black Will Travel Explorers and travel enthusiast! It is with great excitement that we announce our annual trip to the Essence Festival Staying at the post AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon.   This hotel is a registered historic landmark formally known as  The Cotton Exchange.  

Our package is different from other packages as we provide a 4 night stay instead of just a 3 night stay to allow you an extra day for travel.  In an effort to keep prices reasonable, due to the increased hotel city taxes in New Orleans, there have been some changes from last year's package.

**ALL PRICING IS PER PERSON.  **ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE TO OTHER PACKAGES.  

AC New Orleans Bourbon Hotel is a 15 minute walk to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and 20 minute walk to the Ernest M. Moral Convention Center.   View Video Here

• Stylish & Efficient Guest Rooms
• Complimentary High-Speed Internet
• Full Service on site Bar and Lounge with weekly
• Complimentary on-Site Business Center
• Complimentary 24-hour Fitness Center     
• Irons & Ironing Boards, Mini Refrigerators, Coffee Makers, and Cable TV available in all guest rooms.
• 1.5 Block from World Famous Bourbon street & Warehouse Arts District
• Hotel located on Public City’s Streetcar line

FOR THOSE THAT DESIRE NOT TO BE NEAR BOURBON STREET AND DESIRE A MORE IMMERSIVE HISTORIC EXPERIENCE, WE HAVE A ANOTHER PROPERTY CLOSER TO THE CONVENTION CENTER (15 minute walk to Ernest M. Moral Convention Center and 20 minute walk to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome:

• Closer to the convention center
• Breakfast daily (at this property only)
• Complimentary High-Speed Internet 
• Irons & Ironing Boards, Mini Refrigerators, Coffee Makers, and Cable TV available in all guest rooms.
• 1 Block Over from Public City’s Streetcar line
• Free on street parking

We've received multiple emails about the following:

1. Do you include Essence Events?

    Essence Festival events at the convention center are free and have always been free.  That

    has always been the case. There are some packages by promoters or other travel companies

    that lead people to believe otherwise, but this is not the case.  You simply will need to download

    the Essence Festival app provided by Essence Magazine in you relative app stores.

2. Do you include Essence Festival concert tickets?

    No.  Essence puts out via emails and through their apps information as it relates to their

    concerts.  They will release 3-day passes for a great price via Ticket Master. Usually $265-$290

    depending on seats.  Even if you do not attend concerts for all 3 days, this price is the best price.

    Any packages that include tickets by other vendors, usually means the price is marketed up to

    cover the perceived price and to make a bit of a profit from ordering the tickets the same way

    you would get them anyway.  Essence does not give group, wholesale pricing.

3. Do you provide a White Party or other parties/social?

    No.  Those events are done by promoters.  Again, if you see that included it typically means that

    price is marked up to cover the price of the same tickets that are purchased on EventBrite.com

    or other sites alike.  There are other socials throughout the city that are FREE or for a nominal fee

    provided by Essence, such as fashion shows and networking events as well.   You may

    download the Essence Festival app from you perspective app store.

4. Transportation

     No.  We did provide trolley transportation with our previous package but based on feedback,

     we no longer do so as the trolley routes are changed and not beneficial for our clients.  Our

     location is great for walking down the block to Bourbon Street and the dome for the concerts.

     We are in the heart of the action, restaurants and the French Quarter.  Found that Lyft provided

     the best transportation options during that weekend.  Costing as low as $6 one way in a car to

     the convention center regardless of how many people are riding in the vehicle.

5. Breakfast

    No. Based on feedback, our clients liked the flexibility of going next door to obtain southern

    American breakfast for as low as $3 if they desired.  With being out and the events, everyone 

    didn't always get up for breakfast.  The hotel does provide a European style breakfast for 

    purchase and other meals that can be purchased at the bar as well.

6. Price seems high considering ...

    Essence pricing the last 10 years has increased tremendously.  We started attending personally

    since the beginning.  With that said, prices for the city increase for Essence Festival 3 times as 

     much. The fact that we were able to keep the price the same for 2020 since the

     newly implemented city and lodging tax on hotels is really good.

7. What makes our package special or worth it ...

    Price for the amount of days of stay.  Most packages you see will be for 3 nights/4 days. Which is

    typical due to people's work schedule.  We totally understand.  However, even with pay for

    4 nights/5 days and staying in the heart of the action, you still save money as we are still less.

    We also know that flights into the city may get rerouted, missed etc. Many of those issues occur

    with everyone traveling in on the same day.  By offering the ability to come in early you do not

    have to worry about if you will make an event in time as the kick off events happen the following

    day.  You can even arrive right after midnight and not have to wait for a room. Just make sure

    to let us know so we may note the reservation. It really helps with our international clients from

    Africa and Europe.  All the extras are nice, but you can really come with no plans and

    find yourself having an awesome time.

In short, its about keeping Essence Affordable. We did not get into planning this package for other than that and at the request of family and friends.
   

Your deposit per person, must be paid to confirm your room or room.  

Payment is divided evenly once your deposit is paid.

Example of your per month price below is after $100 deposit is paid is based on 9 months of payments.

• Single Occupancy $1600 –  $166.67 per month 
• Double Occupancy $860 per person – $84.45 per person per month
• Triple Occupancy $650 per person – $61.11 per person per month (SOLD OUT AS OF 3/2/2020)
• Quad Occupancy $490 per person – $43.34 per person per month (SOLD OUT AS OF 3/2/2020)

MONTHLY PAYMENTS ARE ON THE 5TH OF EACH MONTH. FULL PAYMENT DUE APRIL 5, 2020.

Your monthly payment amount will vary depending on the remaining months until the due date. Please keep in mind if you are in a room with multiple occupants and one of the occupants drops out, your price will increase to the next payment level.

*All pricing is per person based on room occupancy level and is NON-REFUNDABLE & NON-TRANSFERABLE.  Price includes all taxes and fees.  By utilizing our services you agree to the following Terms of Service . 

You may make payments via Credit/Debit Card for a 2.9% fee per transaction or eCheck/ACH Bank Transfer for no fee for U.S. citizens, and 1% fee for non-U.S. Citizens.  

1. Self Pay (Email/Log in  & Pay) Payment System is Not Automated: You will be emailed a monthly invoice in which you will need to log into your WeTravel account assigned to your email to make your payment every month. The system will remind you payments are due prior to the due date via email. Please look for notifications in spam if you don't see them and make sure to list them as safe.

2.  Automatic Withdrawal/Automatic Payments: We can sign you up in another system in which you enter and save your credit/debit card or bank account directly via our invoice system.  Once you save your details, your credit/debit card or bank account will be charged monthly.  If you sign up for this, you will be charged an additional $6 convenience fee per payment automatically added to your payment amount.

Late payments incur a $50 late fee that will be added to your account.  If your payment is not received by the 9th of each month, you forfeit your reservation. It will be cancelled.

 **ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE TO OTHER PACKAGES. You may replace someone in your room, up until April 5, 2020. We HIGHLY suggest the purchase of Travel Protect Plan as our air, tour and vacation packages are NON-REFUNDABLE. Not to mention these plans provide health coverage which is sometimes required per the government of a destination. 

IF INTERESTED, PURCHASE THROUGH US DIRECTLY BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW, SO WE MAY MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

Travel Insurance:
We HIGHLY recommend Travel Insurance within in the first 7 days after you pay your deposit as this package is NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE. Travel protection plans include coverage for Trip  Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency  Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay, Cancel for Any Reason, Loss of Job and more.  For more information on the recommended plans or to enroll, click Travelex Get a Quote entering in Location Number 46-0158 (THIS NUMBER MUST BE GIVEN WITH QUOTE)  or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 utilizing the  previously stated location number. 

Please Note: To be eligible for the waiver of pre-existing medical condition  exclusion, the protection plan must be purchased within 21 days (Travel  Select) or 30 days (Travel Max) from the time you make your initial trip  deposit. However, the plan can be purchased any time prior to departure.  For a summary of plan details on benefits, coverages, limitations and exclusions, please refer to the applicable Description of Coverage. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Transamerica Casualty Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio; NAIC #10952. [Travelex CA Agency License #0D10209.] 1308294       

Although we plan accordingly and sign various contracts to solidify plans, there may be times where we may need to make changes or adjustments due to issues beyond our control, such as national security. If this becomes the case, we will notify all attendees accordingly of next steps. Only those who purchased through us will have these particular assurances. Prices are subject to change at any time. Early bird pricing or first access to trips are usually available to our travel club members or previous clients. Join the group at http:blackwilltravel.com 

Please make sure to read our Terms & Privacy Policy.