GROUP TRAVEL: OUR ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Packing Tips
What you pack depends more on the season than on any particular dress code. Casual, comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes are the order of the day. Don’t buy everything new for the trip — worn and washed is better. Jeans are acceptable for sightseeing and informal dining. Certain religious sites will not accept shorts or sleeveless tops. Plan layered outfits to accommodate temperature changes, i.e., cool mornings and evenings and warm days. If you are going to a hot destination, include a hat and sunscreen.

Couples should split suitcases in two and pack clothes for both in each. If a suitcase is delayed en route, then no one is left without clothes. Always put documents, medications, travelers cheques, keys, reading material, and other valuables in your carry-on luggage.

Pack travel size facial tissues. They have many uses including rest room situations where toilet paper may not be available or is of a non-Charmin® texture. Moist towelettes or baby wipes are also useful. Don’t forget shampoo, soap, and other toiletries in travel sizes. Take your own washcloth or disposable face cloths.

Take your own appliances, preferably dual voltage, and a plug adapter kit.

Reminder: Take half as many clothes as you think you will need and twice as much money. Pack less and enjoy more!

New Carry-on Restrictions
To avoid delays at security, be sure you are aware of the items not allowed in carry-on luggage. These items include: Knives or knifelike items of any size, straight razors, scissors, metal nail files, and lighters. These items may be packed in your checked luggage. Check with your airline to obtain a complete listing of items allowed in your carry-on luggage.

Laundry
Hotel laundry service may be efficient but is also expensive.

Staying in Touch
It is expensive to call home, but the capability is there if you need to do so. Never dial directly from your hotel room without knowing the charges. It is best to use an international phone card with a toll-free access number. Call the billing office of your telephone company to ask about the most economical way to call from your destinations and to request an international calling card. Fax service and email is available in most hotels.

You may want to take pre-addressed labels to attach to postcards. Local stamps can be purchased in the hotels and postcards can usually be mailed at the hotel’s front desk.

Trip Insurance
Travelink recommends Access America, the official American Express Vacation Protection Plan and travel insurance.

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance protects you in the event you are unable to undertake or finish your trip due to a medical emergency. The amount of coverage to buy should equal the cost of your trip. Without trip cancellation insurance, you will lose all or most of your money if you cancel your trip and especially if your airline ticket, cruise, or package tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed. Pre-existing conditions will be covered if insurance is purchased within 14 days of your first deposit.

Health Insurance: Review your existing health insurance policy and check with credit-card companies whose cards you hold to find out whether they cover medical expenses incurred while traveling. Medicare does not cover health care costs outside the U.S. Check for what is not covered as well as what is.

Baggage Insurance: Review your homeowners’ insurance policy to verify coverage of personal belongings while traveling. On domestic flights, the airline’s liability for baggage is currently limited to $2,800 per person. On international flights, liability limitations are $9.07 per pound for checked baggage; $400 per passenger for carry-on baggage. Check with your specific airline for deviations from this information. When you select the Access America comprehensive coverage, all three types of insurance are included.

* Remember, Travelink’s policy is that final documents for your tour are not released without proof of insurance or a signed insurance waiver declining coverage.

Frequent Flyer Information
It is your responsibility to present your frequent flyer information at the time of check-in for your flights as the group departments of the airlines will not enter this information in block space.

Sometimes airlines do not honor frequent flyer programs if they have provided a specially negotiated group air fare. This can be confirmed at check-in.

In-flight Information
Most international flights depart in the evening so you may be able to sleep on the plane. Wear loose, comfortable clothing geared to your destination’s weather. Include in your carry-on bag anything you may need in the way of medications, as well as toiletry and reading materials.

You will be seated together as a group. We will do our best to accommodate individual requests for aisles and windows. Bulkhead seats are reserved for the disabled, the elderly, and people traveling with babies. We will request seating by the roommate list provided by your group. For security reasons airlines will only issue boarding passes at check-in, although your seat will be reserved in advance within the group block.