Amanda Pfeiffer

Professional Travel Planner
Wish Upon a Star with Us Travel
Collinsville, IL 62234

Amanda Pfeiffer is a travel planner based in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, specializing in Disney destinations, curated international travel, Alaskan cruising, and family vacations.

Her path into travel planning began after eight years as an elementary school teacher, where organization, communication, and attention to detail were at the center of her work. Those same skills now shape the way she plans travel—helping clients feel supported and confident as their trips come together. She also spent five years as a fitness instructor with Fit4Mom DuPage County, where she worked alongside moms navigating the everyday balance of family life. That experience, along with being a mom of three children herself, gives her a grounded, real-life understanding of what families need when they travel. In her current role, Amanda combines her love of planning with her passion for service, staying up to date on destination information, promotions, and insider travel tips to ensure the best possible experience for her clients. Outside of her work, she continues to grow professionally through ongoing education and training, while balancing her role as a mother and community member. Amanda values building genuine relationships, trust, and personalization, often beginning each client journey with direct conversation to understand their vision for their trip. Her goal is help create stress-free travel plans designed to maximize connection and meaningful experiences so clients can spend more time enjoying their trips, and the people they’re with.



• Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
• Certified Universal Specialist

• National Louis University
• University of Northern Iowa- B.A.
• University of Northern Iowa- B.Ed.

• Expedia Top Seller 2025

• Travel Leaders Network

• Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana
• Children's Ministry Volunteer Teacher

Q

What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to strong, detail-oriented organization, and commitment to thoughtful planning and research for every client I work with. I truly believe that taking the time to understand each client’s needs and creating personalized experiences is what helps build trust and long-term relationships. I value the strong connections I’ve built with both my clients and industry suppliers, which allows me to provide better experiences and support throughout the travel planning process. Beyond that, I credit so much of my success to the encouragement and support of my family and friends, who have continued to believe in me and motivate me as I’ve grown both personally and professionally.

Q

What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I’ve ever received came from a friend who encouraged me to pursue travel planning professionally. She recognized how naturally organized I was, and pointed out that the skills I used to plan trips for family and friends could actually become a successful business. I had thought about turning it into a career before, but considered it as more of a dream than a reality. Hearing someone else recognize my strengths, and see my potential, gave me the clarity and motivation to truly pursue it professionally. Looking back, that advice completely changed the direction of my life and reminded me how important it is to recognize your strengths, trust your abilities, and pursue opportunities that align with your passions.

Q

What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say go for it! If it’s something you’re passionate about, there’s no reason not to pursue it if you’re willing to dedicate some time for yourself to see it through. The great thing is that it can be flexible — you just have to decide how much you are willing to commit to, in order to make it successful. Set goals for yourself, and keep moving forward with it. When I first started, I had no idea where it would lead, but now that I’ve reached this point, I am looking forward to even more growth. I think a lot of it comes down to setting expectations for yourself and believing that you can achieve them. I strongly believe that women should empower other women to reach their goals, follow their dreams, and simply go for it.

Q

What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

One of the biggest challenges in my field is learning how to balance being highly available for clients while also protecting time for myself and my family. In the travel industry, clients are often excited, overwhelmed, or looking for reassurance, so I’ve always wanted to make sure they felt supported and had open communication throughout the planning process. Because I genuinely care about my clients and the relationships I build with them, it became very easy to slip into feeling like I needed to be available at all hours. Since my business phone is also my personal phone, there were times I would be responding to non-urgent messages late at night or during family time. Over time, I’ve realized the importance of setting healthy boundaries and managing my time more intentionally. I’m passionate about what I do, but I’ve also learned that being fully present for my family matters just as much. Creating those boundaries has actually helped me serve my clients better, because it allows me to show up more focused, energized, and intentional in both my business and personal life.

Q

What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are continuous growth, meaningful relationships, and being intentional with my time. I strongly believe in lifelong learning and always looking for ways to grow both personally and professionally so I can better serve the people around me. In my business, delivering exceptional client service and building genuine relationships are at the center of everything I do. I want my clients to feel supported, valued, and truly cared for throughout their experience. I’m also passionate about empowering other women to pursue their goals, believe in themselves, and create opportunities for growth and success. At the same time, I value protecting quality time with my family and creating healthy boundaries that allow me to be fully present in both my personal life and my career. For me, success is not only about professional achievement, but also about building a life that reflects balance, purpose, and meaningful connections.

Locations

Wish Upon a Star with Us Travel

126 Vandalia Street, Collinsville, IL 62234

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