All About Travel
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All About Travel

Airline fees

Beware of the ever changing airline fees. 

Now let's talk about the airline fees.  Airlines are charging for bags, some are charging for carry on (word to the wise be far warned it will be a matter of time before the other airlines decide they too can charge for carry on), fees for extra leg room, fees for seat assignments (this is wrong, you purchased a seat and now some airlines are charging you extra to get a seat assignment at time of booking, fees for food, fees to speak to a real human that is a reservation agent at the airline and before long (you know they will try it) they will charge to use the laboratory.

Travel consultants that sell air have to keep all of this straight because after all there are several hundred airlines out there that service this planet.  A Travel Consultant will CONSULT you on all the ins/outs of whatever airline or airlines service the market you wish to travel.  When you do it yourself, you have to make sure you READ every page of that airline website or on line travel site to make sure you fully understand what you are purchasing, the rule for that airfare you are purchasing, the added FEES the airline will charge you and so on.

Beware that airline prices for tickets are going up by the second.  You see the car fuel going up, up,up which is the same thing happening with jet fuel. Use a travel consultant, pay our small fee to allow a professional (or shall I say a real human not a computer screen) do all the work, provide you with the details of what the airline price and fees you will be hit with when you go to check in.

Use a travel consultant, we have knowledge, experience and wisdom. Travel consultants do all the work, present you the rules, details and restrictions. Airline tickets are a huge part of the vacation process and beginning to become the most expensive aspect of the vacation package.

How to Pack for 7 days in a 45 linear inches carry on

How to Pack for 7 Days in a 45 linear inch Carry-On

In today's world of travel mishaps, more and more luggage is getting lost or misplaced for days. The airline's are posting extremely short connection times so they can be listed first on the availability schedule when the Travel Consultant or ...
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Travel Basic's 101

  Travel Basic’s 101

 

Documentation needed for Domestic Travel-50 United States

  • Government issued photo ID for 16 years or older
  • Your full name as it appears on your driver’s license
  • Your Date of Birth
  • Must tell them if you are a male or female

 

Documentation needed for US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam

  • Government issued photo ID for 16 years or older
  • Original copy of birth certificate or an official State issued copy
  • Your full name as it appears on your driver’s license
  • Your Date of Birth
  • Must tell them if you are a male or female

 

Documentation needed for International Travel:

 

  • A Valid Passport
  • Your full name as it appears on your passport
  • Your date of birth
  • Must tell them if you are a male or female
  • Some countries require Visas example: China, South America to name a few

 

Documentation needed for Cruise Travel:

 

  • Valid Passport
  • Or Valid Passport Card (just for Canada, Mexico or Cruises to Caribbean)
  • Some lines will offer “circle” itineraries were you go in/out of USA port, currently allowing photo ID with birth certificate.  However, this is not recommend should you experience an emergency while sailing and you must disembark outside of USA, you will have major difficulties getting back into the USA.

 

Airline Travel basics:

 

  • FAA requires 2 hour advance check in for Domestic flights and 3 hours for International
  • Airlines very on luggage fees and carry on luggage fees
  • Most airlines still allow 1 free carry on per person no larger then 45 inch linear, women can have a carry on and a purse and men can have a carry on and a briefcase.
  • 311-rule for liquids in your carry on-3oz per bottle, 1 quart size bag, 1 bag per person
  • Bring your own snacks; the airlines no longer give food in most markets.
  • Cannot take liquids into the secured area with the exception of the 311 rule

 

To get information on New Passports or renewal of Passports, go to www.travel.state.gov for Passport applications and Visa information.  In Winchester once you have 2 passport photos, filled out application (do not sign until officiated) you can go to Circuit Court on Kent Street or you can go to the Main Post office in Winchester to have them check your form, birth certificate and sign the application and pay the fees.  Children’s passports only valid for 5 years, adults are valid for 10 years.

Travel Insurance-to purchase or not to purchase, that is the question

This is always the big question: Should I or shouldn't I get travel cancelation insurance?  

 

YES is the answer. In my 30 years of selling travel this question has always been asked when working with clients. As I tell all of my client’s this is an optional add on. I cannot tell them to get it or not to get however, I do share the past stories of clients that have purchased insurance and needed it as well as I have shared the sad stories of clients that did not purchase insurance and really needed it.

 

Most suppliers make their trips non refundable after you have paid in full. Not to mention the airlines are not our friends and to get the lower airfare prices you purchase non refundable tickets. (If the airline does not operate the flight for whatever reason they have to allow you to change without a change fee or they have to refund your money IF they cannot operate the flight) The potential money loss is with the other travel components like cruises and tours.

 

With the Iceland Volcano disaster that has shut down air travel in most of Europe and has created a domino effect around the world, those that purchase travel insurance have protection. The poor travelers that cut costs and did not purchase insurance are really out of luck. See travel insurance is just not for illness or death. Should an airline cease operations for more then 24 hours, travel insurance starts to cover unforeseen travel expenses and refunds your money should you not be able to get to your cruise or tour. It always gives you coverage for travel delays as well as lost baggage, emergency accident and sickness coverage and emergency medical evacuation coverage.

 

With today’s unpredicted Mother Nature disasters like volcano’s erupting, floods and earth quakes (let’s not forget Terrorist attacks, we will forever remember 911) you should never purchase travel without purchasing travel insurance. For all of those travelers that spent hard earned money for their vacations, invest a little more to have the peace of mind should a situation arise that is totally out of your control. See if an airline cannot get you to Europe, Asia, South America, and Central America or even across the USA for you to pick up your tour, cruise or independent travel arrangements, this is the problem. Your hard earned money will be protected should you have to cancel. The cruises and tours will still depart it is just a crying shame when you cannot get there and the supplier will not give you your money back because the final is non refundable.

Remember, all travel insurance coverage varies, to cover pre-existing conditions you are to purchase insurance w/in 14 days of deposit or purchasing air tickets. This is very important for weather coverage. Make sure you understand what is and is not covered. Insurance is wonderful when covered reasons occur, no one wants to loose their hard earned vacation money.

"Togetherings"

TOGETHERINGS.....when 4 no more then 6 people travel together for 3 or 4 night mini vacations. The advantage of Togetherings is your group is small enough to share taxi's or even share accommodations (if a girls trip, women will share a bed with each other, a man would not hear of it). Planning in advance is the key for Togetherings. The key is destinations that offer non stop flights. Example, from Washington DC here are destinations (IF YOU PLAN IN ADVANCE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOWER AIRFARE PRICES ON THE NON STOP SERVICE)

DESTINATIONS THAT OFFER NON STOP SERVICE FOR A QUICK 3/4 NIGHT MINI VACATION:

PARIS
LONDON
FRANKFURT
ROME
AMSTERDAM
CANCUN
PUNTA CANA
JAMAICA
SAN JUAN
BERMUDA (SEASONAL NON STOP SERVICE)
L.A.
SAN FRANCISCO
DALLAS
DENVER
CHICAGO
ATLANTA
MIAMI
ORLANDO
PHOENIX

The destinations prefect for Togetherings.  Remember the key is to plan in advance to take advantage of the best prices and availablity for non stop service. Togetherings are prefect for women wanting to travel together, friends wanting to travel together and couples wanting to travel together. I have personally experienced several Togethers over recent years and they work. Your group cannot be larger then 6 due to the fact more then 6 you have issues with taxi's and sharing accommodations. Togetherings are short trips so they will cost less, only take a few vacation days and easy to plan since you only have to please 4 no more then 6 people. 

Vacations When The Economy Is Down

When the economy is down people tend to pull back on the luxury of traveling. Fully understandable when any extra money you may have has to go for filling up your car just to get back and forth to work on a daily bases. I am here to share YOU CAN VACATION when the economy is down.<< MORE >>

Where Can You Go Without a Passport?

Effective January 1 2008 the US Government imposed a new passport requirement for any travel outside of the Continental USA. However there are a few destinations where you can go for some sun and fun and only have to have a State issued paper birth certificate with a raised seal along with a Government photo ID-drivers license. << MORE >>

A Booming Industry, Weddings and Honeymoons

Honeymoons are the gift the bride and groom give each other. All the stress of planning your special day is soon forgotten once you are on your way to your well deserved vacation together as husband and wife. I am always amazed when a couple leaves the honeymoon to be the last item they plan. Nothing is more disappointing then hearing the couple's dream vacation be shattered when there is not enough money in the budget. << MORE >>

Average Price range for Honeymoon destinations

To help out with the planning process, I have listed the Average Price Range for Honeymoon Destinations. This list will help with knowing which destination is within the couple's budget. << MORE >>

Travel Agent verses the Internet

SERVICE, EXPERIENCED KNOWLEDGE, INTERVIEWS YOU FOR YOUR TRAVEL STYLE, RECOMMENDS TRAVEL PROVIDERS IN GOOD STANDING AND TRAVEL PRODUCTS BASED ON YOUR TRAVEL NEEDS AND REQUESTS. << MORE >>