When you're choosing a company to relocate your pet...especially internationally...the differences between providers can be dramatic. Pricing structures, safety features, customer support, and even whether you’ll get updates during travel vary more than most pet owners realize.
To make the decision easier, we analyzed four major players in the pet relocation space—Starwood Pet Travel, Pet Express, PetRelocation, and Air Pets International—across core categories like pet safety, customer service, value, and technology.
Below is a detailed breakdown of how each company compares based on publicly available information and service offerings.
Starwood Pet Travel vs Competitors: Why Starwood Leads in Full-Service Pet Relocation
Starwood consistently ranks as the most comprehensive, full-service pet relocation provider across every category—safety, communication, technology, documentation, and customer support.
Highlights of Starwood’s advantages:
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Geo-located travel updates
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CareTags ID + Pet Wallet app
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Vet-reviewed travel checklists
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Premium layover service with photos
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Airline liaison support
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Payment plans & low up-front deposits
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24/7 customer support
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Dedicated travel coordinator & veterinarian liaison
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Pet Travel 101 access
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Full documentation handling
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Permit & microchip assistance
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Door-to-door pickup/drop-off
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Airfare booking for pets
No other competitor in the analysis offers this full scope of covered services.
Pet Express vs Starwood Pet Travel: Key Differences in Safety, Pricing, and Customer Support
Pet Express is a well-known provider, but their offerings are more limited compared to Starwood—especially in communication and pet monitoring during travel.
Where Pet Express falls behind:
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No geo-tracking updates
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No CareTags or pet-tracking app
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No Pet Protection Plan
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No premium layover service
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No dedicated travel coordinator
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No documentation support on the Starwood level
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No cancellation flexibility
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No Pet Travel Portal
Pet Express offers competitive pricing, but fewer included services mean more work and less visibility for the pet owner.
PetRelocation vs Starwood: Service Limitations You Should Know Before Booking
PetRelocation can handle basic moves, but their service package is significantly less robust for owners who want communication, guidance, and comprehensive support—especially for international travel.
Key limitations compared to Starwood:
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No geo-tracking updates
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No travel app or CareTags ID
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No Pet Protection Plan
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No premium layover service
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No payment plans
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No cancellation flexibility
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No 24/7 support
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No dedicated coordinator or vet liaison
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No airfare booking
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Limited documentation and permit assistance
PetRelocation works for simple itineraries, but complex moves often require more support than they provide.
Air Pets International vs Starwood: How Their Services Compare for International Pet Transport
Air Pets International has high review ratings and offers certified handlers, but lacks many features today’s pet owners expect for a smooth, stress-free relocation.
Where Air Pets International is more limited:
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No geo-tracking
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No CareTags / Pet Wallet
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No Pet Protection Plan
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No premium layover care
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No microchip registration assistance
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No permit assistance
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No airfare booking
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No dedicated coordinator or vet liaison
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No travel portal
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No payment plans or low-deposit options
APU may work for straightforward routes, but falls short on the critical, high-touch support needed for international moves.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Top Pet Relocation Companies (What the Data Shows)
Across all categories—Pet Safety & Happiness, Pricing & Value, Customer Support, and Full-Service Offering—Starwood shows more included services than any other competitor.
This means:
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More transparency
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More communication
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More safety measures
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More comprehensive logistics support
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Fewer gaps in the relocation process
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Better guidance on compliance & documentation
In short: Starwood delivers a fuller service experience with fewer unknowns.
Which Pet Relocation Company Is Best for Your Move? Final Takeaways
Every competitor offers something, but not every competitor offers everything—and when it comes to your pet, missing features can mean added stress, surprise costs, or potential travel complications.
If you want:
✔ real-time updates
✔ a dedicated travel coordinator
✔ transparent pricing
✔ stronger safety measures
✔ full documentation support
✔ airline liaison assistance
✔ technology to simplify the journey
✔ 24/7 customer service
✔ the widest range of included services
Then Starwood Pet Travel emerges as the most complete and reliable choice for both domestic and international pet relocation. For a complete side-by-side pet relocation competitor comparison chart click here.