Excel Travel is a completely independent (i.e. unbiased), full-service travel agency owned by Ted and Joanna Friedli.
Our mission is simple: Together with a team of very experienced travel counselors (average experience 29 years!), we strive to offer you the best service AND best prices (while making the travel planning process a lot of fun)! We guarantee that our prices are the same or better compared to what you find online, and believe in open and honest communication, with no hidden fees.
We save you time, we save you money, AND we make sure that your vacation is everything you had hoped for – and more! Time is the most precious commodity for any of us and we are very honored when our clients trust us with theirs!
Over 500 (unsolicited!) thank you letters from our clients and the many testimonials confirm that we take our job (and YOUR time and money) very seriously.
Our mission is simple: Together with a team of very experienced travel counselors (average experience 29 years!), we strive to offer you the best service AND best prices (while making the travel planning process a lot of fun)! We guarantee that our prices are the same or better compared to what you find online, and believe in open and honest communication, with no hidden fees.
We save you time, we save you money, AND we make sure that your vacation is everything you had hoped for – and more! Time is the most precious commodity for any of us and we are very honored when our clients trust us with theirs!
Over 500 (unsolicited!) thank you letters from our clients and the many testimonials confirm that we take our job (and YOUR time and money) very seriously.
Ted is a Certified Traveler Counselor and Destination Specialist and the CVO (Chief Vacation Officer).
Joanna takes care of all of the administrative work and writes all the checks!
Both Ted and Joanna have been the featured speakers at Brookdale College, MAECOM, Chambers of Commerce, Libraries, Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis, NJAWBO, Junior League, Mothers of Multiples, and many more.
Their expertise has been called upon by Radio Stations (WADB, WCNJ, WJLK), TV (News 12, WWOR, ABC), the Asbury Park Press, The Two River Times, The Hub, The Courier, The Atlanticville, Currents, MarMagazine, Parentguide, Child and Me, and many more.
Both Ted and Joanna have been the featured speakers at Brookdale College, MAECOM, Chambers of Commerce, Libraries, Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis, NJAWBO, Junior League, Mothers of Multiples, and many more.
Their expertise has been called upon by Radio Stations (WADB, WCNJ, WJLK), TV (News 12, WWOR, ABC), the Asbury Park Press, The Two River Times, The Hub, The Courier, The Atlanticville, Currents, MarMagazine, Parentguide, Child and Me, and many more.
Excel Travel is a member of:
- Colts Neck Business Association
- Clean Ocean Action
- EIPA (Eatontown Industrial Park Association)
- Jersey Shore Chamber of Commerce
- Long Branch Chamber of Commerce (Board Member)
- Long Branch Rotary Club (Board member)
- Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Navesink Business Group
Excel Travel is recognized as:
- a Switzerland Specialist
- a GI Agent for Karisma Resorts (awarded to only 1000 agencies in the USA)
- “earmarked” by the Disney Travel Company (awarded to only the top 1% of all travel agencies in the USA)
- a Gold Level Agency with Expedia
- a Silver 500 Club Agency with the Apple Leisure Group
Excel Travel History
- 1994– incorporated and took over Uniglobe Rainbow Travel in Middletown
- Every year since 1996 – Excel Travel has been honored by Travel Impressions with the “Best of the Best” recognition (awarded to the Top 0.5% US agencies!).
- 1998 – Excel Travel was the recipient of the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce Spinnaker Award for Community Service, and received a joint legislative resolution, presented by Assemblyman Steve Corodemus
- 1999 – took over American Express, Travelers One Travel Agency in Red Bank
- 2000– took over Leisure Travel in Lincroft
- Since 2001 – Ted has served on the Community Advisory Board of the Two River Community Bank
- 2001 – Ted served as the Chairman of the Board of the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, and also on the Ambassdor Committee.
- 2005 – Excel Travel moved to Long Branch
- Since 2005 – Excel Travel is the official travel agency of the New Jersey Marathon
- Since 2008 – Excel Travel is the official travel agency of the Garden State Film Festival
- 2010– Ted founded Kick Cancer Overboard, Inc. a nonprofit (501c3) organization to give away free cruises to people whose lives have been affected by cancer. www.kickcanceroverboard.org
- 2010- Excel Travel bought, renovated and moved into 100 year old building in Long Branch (corner of Atlantic Avenue and Ocean Blvd.)
- 2010– Ted won EMACC (Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce) Spinnaker Award for Volunteer of the year.
- 2011– Excel Travel “adopted” Travel Concepts in Oakhurst and the big happy family got even bigger (and happier!).
- 2016 - Ted won Golden Osprey Award for outstanding community service, from the Jersey Shore Chamber of Commerce
- 2018 - Kick Cancer Overboard received the Beacon of Excellence award for non-profit of the year organization
- 2018 - Excel Travel reached Gold Level with Expedia, booking over $500'000/year.
- 2018 - Ted received the Louis G. Libutti Community Service Award from the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce.
- Industry Associations:
- ARC – Airlines Reporting Corporation
- IATAN – International Airlines Travel Agent Network
- CLIA – Cruise Lines International Association
- ACT – Association of Central Jersey Travel Professionals
- Ensemble Travel Group