Rocky Mountaineer

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Austin Koonz, Travel Agent in Rensselaer, NY

Austin Koonz

Rensselaer, NY Travel Agent
Super Agent

Austin Koonz

Rensselaer, NY · 6 Years of Experience

Yankee Trails, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(63)
100% Recommended
Goes above and beyond duty to take care of his customers. A true professional dedicated to his job. Total confidence that everything is always put together... Read More >
About
Reviews
My Places
Travel Stories & Media
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Kamloops, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Vancouver

Interests:

Adventure, Bucket List, Luxury, Animals & Wildlife, Luxury Hotels

Suppliers:

Rocky Mountaineer

About Me

Rocky Mountaineer: A Luxury Rail Experience Through the Canadian Rockies

I recently experienced the Rocky Mountaineer on the First Passage to the West route in GoldLeaf Service, and it is one of the most well-executed luxury travel experiences in North America.

This is not simply a train ride. It is designed as part of a fully curated Canadian Rockies journey, combining luxury accommodations, seamless logistics, and immersive sightseeing from start to finish.
Most clients I work with don’t book Rocky Mountaineer on its own. Instead, we build a complete itinerary that integrates Vancouver, Banff, and Lake Louise, with every detail structured to flow effortlessly.

What sets this experience apart:

GoldLeaf Service
This is the highest level of service onboard and where the experience truly elevates:
Bi-level glass-dome coach with panoramic views
Gourmet, regionally inspired dining in a private lower-level dining room
Personalized onboard hosts and attentive service
Exclusive outdoor viewing platform for unobstructed scenery

The Route: Vancouver ? Kamloops ? Banff / Lake Louise
This iconic journey follows the historic Canadian Pacific Railway through glacier-fed rivers, mountain passes, and dramatic canyon landscapes. Every section of the route is timed for daylight viewing, which is a key reason this experience is structured over multiple days.

Seamless Journey Design
What makes Rocky Mountaineer exceptional is how it fits into a larger itinerary. Proper planning ensures:The right hotel locations for views and access Smooth transitions between rail, transfers, and touring Balanced pacing between active experiences and relaxation.

Without that structure, the experience can feel fragmented rather than elevated.

I typically work with clients looking for a fully planned Canadian Rockies journey rather than standalone rail tickets or individual components.

My Rocky Mountaineer itineraries include:
GoldLeaf rail experience
Luxury hotel stays in Vancouver, Banff, and Lake Louise
Private transfers and coordinated logistics
Curated touring and dining recommendations
Pre- and post-journey extensions

If you are considering Rocky Mountaineer, it is worth designing the experience properly from the beginning to ensure you get the full value of what this journey offers.

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
63 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 63 reviews

Austin made it easy!
Reviewed By Diana - Lewiston NY | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
Goes above and beyond duty to take care of his customers. A true professional dedicated to his job. Total confidence that everything is always put together well.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Excellent cruising experience
Reviewed By Eva - The Villages , Fl | Traveled to Caribbean
Andy was very patient with our questions and covered everything we asked with enthusiasm. We received everything we needed and had a wonderful cruise . It’s surely is a pleasure working with him
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Austin is the best cruise agent!
Reviewed By Happy Cruiser - THE VILLAGES | Traveled to Caribbean
Austin Koonz is the best travel agent. I have booked and rebooked four cruises through him. He has responded rapidly to my requests and has provided the best deals available. His travel recommendations are terrific!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
I highly recommend working with Austin.
Reviewed By Chong - The Villages, Florida | Traveled to Caribbean
Austin is knowledgeable, patient, and personable. He consistently goes the extra mile to ensure I have the best cruise experience. I highly recommend working with Austin.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Destination Wedding
Reviewed By Col - Clifton Park, New York | Traveled to Punta Cana ~ Dominican Republic ~ Caribbean
Austin has been very responsive and knowledgable regarding our trip. Even helped with changes after a 17 hour flight delay. We could not be any happier with our experience.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

My Photo Albums and Videos

    Banff

    My Travel Stories

    Banff

    My Recent Adventure in Banff:The Ultimate Canadian Rockies Experience. I just returned from an unforgettable trip to Banff, and I truly can’t recommend it enough! Tucked away in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff is the perfect mix of breathtaking scenery, outdoor adventure, and charming mountain-town culture. Whether you’re a nature lover...
    Read more

    Rocky Mountaineer's First Passage to the West

    I had heard whispers about the Rocky Mountaineer for years, but boarding this legendary train from Vancouver to Calgary exceeded every expectation. This wasn't just transportation; it was a moving meditation through Canada's most pristine wilderness.My adventure began at Vancouver's Pacific Central Station, stepping into the bi-level Gold ...
    Read more

    Client Testimonials

    Extra added value
    Austin at Travel Leaders didn't just match our deal—he made it significantly better. My husband and I were ready to book a Regent Seven Seas cruise. We called the cruise line directly and received an exclusive lower price that wasn't available online—a deal we were told would only last a few days. Before committing, we decided to reach out to Austin at Travel Leaders to see what he could offer. From his very first response, his expertise was exceptional. Not only did he match the exclusive pricing Regent had offered us directly, but he also secured a complimentary shore excursion valued at nearly $500. We got the same cruise, the same price, plus an additional $500 in value. The choice was easy. If you're booking a luxury cruise, call Austin first—you have nothing to lose and potentially hundreds of dollars to gain.
    Travel Lover NY
    The Best Alaska Cruise Tour Ever!
    Austin Koonz - you hooked us up! Great rooms and tours! The past 48 hours have been busy and amazing. We left Albany on Thursday afternoon and landed in Fairbanks, Alaska Thursday evening. On Friday we took a riverboat up the Chena River to a traditional Athabaskan fishing village. We also got to see a demonstration by the dogs who live and train with at Susan Butcher’s family. Susan Butcher is a four time alaskan Iditarod campion. We then went to a gold mining dredge where we also go to see the Alyasken Pipeline. Our guide was Dexter who looked like a gold miner and had a ton of great stories. We also experienced panning for gold. I was the big winner with $32 of gold. Denali National Park was amazing! We saw a bull moose, a cow (moose) with her calf, a lynx, a porcupine, a grizzly bear, three caribou, a few ptarmigan, and a couple of snowshoe hares.
    Julie
    Austin is truly a blessing
    For an older couple who isn’t tech-savvy, Austin is truly a blessing. He completes our check-in on our behalf and ensures all of our documents are printed and mailed directly to our home. We never have to worry about a thing, just pack and be on time for the shuttle service he arranges. Thank you for everything, Austin!
    Mrs. Edwards
    Care and attention to detail
    Austin went above and beyond. I have worked with many travel agents in my life, but none have shown me the level of care and attention to detail that Austin has. Moving forward, I will only be booking my vacations with Austin.
    Kryzs
    Greece Cruise with Pre and Post in Athens
    Have worked with Austin for over a year now planning various vacations. We always had several questions and were impressed by how quick and thorough his answers were. Since we have traveled for decades and dealt with several travel agents, we feel that he is the best we have ever dealt with.
    Happy Client - Clifton Park, New York
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