Travel Q & A ...

Q1:    I always book my holiday through a local travel shop so I can get special offers.  I met someone who paid a lot less for the same holiday.  How can this be?

Booking via a travel agent, you are paying for a service which includes the time involved in contacting suppliers and putting the package together for you.  This time consuming process can cost extra in service charges/booking fees which bumps up the overall holiday cost.  To ensure you get the best deal always make the agent aware of your budget and flexibility at the enquiry stage.  Failing that you may be offered the first deal matching your travel destination or hotel choice and could find that you are paying £2000+ for a holiday that would cost you £1000 or less travelling at a different time; with a different airline or for a different duration.  Flexibility plays a great role in the booking process – an agent will often advise that it is easier to find a bargain if you are flexible on date or departure airport.  You are more likely to pay a higher rate if your time is more restricted.

Booking online cuts out the middle man in some cases and the time it would take the agent to complete the booking process.  In effect this contributes to a reduction in cost.  The process of booking accommodation and flights, separately gives the individuals greater access to the various hotels and airlines special rates (which may not be available to travel agents); giving an even greater reduction in cost. In other cases it can be more expensive booking directly with hotels and airlines; so it pays to do a little research.

Q2:     I read in the paper that the airline I’m booked with is cancelling flights due to a strike.  How do I know if my flight is affected?

If you have booked through a travel agency or tour operator you should contact the customer service department for advice.  You can also check the airlines website or contact them by phone for updates.  Always have your reference/booking number and or your itinerary available when you contact your booking agent. This will reduce the time you’re kept waiting on the phone as it helps to quickly locate your booking. 

Q3:     I visit Jamaica each year and stay with friends and relatives.  This year I would like to stay at a hotel but can’t afford all-inclusive (AI) rates.  Do you have any suggestion?

There are many alternatives to AI properties such as: Guest houses, villas, condos and cottages.  They are far less costly than going AI, although you would need to allocate a budget for meals.  Please contact the Jamaica Tourist Board for a copy of the brochure: ‘Java Jamaica’ (Jamaica Association of Villas and Apartments).

Q4:     Why are ‘special offers’ more expensive when you call to book them?

Advertised offers can sometimes exclude taxes and other charges.  Taxes and airport charges can set you back one hundred pounds (£100) or more, depending on your departure airport and your destination.  Please visit www.visitbritain.com for a breakdown of these charges.  There may also be an additional agency booking/handling fee so always ask your booking agent as the rates vary depending on company policy.

Cancelling your ticket may work out more expensive as you will still have to pay the charges booking elsewhere.  If you have booked a non-refundable ticket you will lose your deposit and/or any other payment you have made.  You can check the terms and conditions for this information or contact the accounts or customer service department.

Q5:     Are these £10.00 flight deals for real?

Yes, these are genuine offers but taxes and other service charges are not yet included.

Always check with the airline for the terms & conditions of the special offers as they can catch you off-guard.

Q6:     The travel agent spelt my surname incorrectly and now wants me to pay a fee to amend the booking.  Should I be paying for their error?

An agent is required to repeat the information to you before confirming a booking.  They often spell your name out phonetically.  It is therefore vital that you spot errors at this stage and ask them to correct it before confirming, or you may find that you’ll be required to pay a charge to change the ticket.  One way of avoiding this type of error is to learn the phonetics and spell your name and also address phonetically.  For example, the surname ‘BROWN’ would be given as follows:

·        B for Bravo

·        R for Romeo

·        O for Oscar

·        W for Whisky

·        N for November

This way the agent cannot mistake a ‘B’ for a ‘P’ or an ‘N’ for an ‘M’.   If they make an error after this process then it’s the agencies responsibility to correct the error and incur the charge.

Q7:     Where can I get information for the destination I’m travelling to?

If you have access to the internet, it’s a great place to start. Chat forums where holiday-makers review places they visit (including hotels and attractions) are becoming more popular.  These are often based on individual’s personal likes & dislikes so they may not be the most reliable source.  Always seek advice from embassies, tourist boards, travel guides (recently updated ones) and keep up-to-date with news on that country or Island via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) before you travel. Once on holiday you can always use the facilities of the Information centres.  If you are staying with relatives don’t forget to ask friends and family they are your best tour guides.  If you are staying at a hotel, information is always available in your rooms or at the front desk.

Q8:     How do I know if I need a jab for the country I’m visiting?

There are some parts of the world where you are highly recommended to get vaccinated weeks before traveling.  Your travel agent can advise you on this and it is always recommended to seek advice from your GP.  There are some parts of the world where you do not need vaccination before traveling; however, there are times when exceptions apply.  For example, it is not a requirement to be vaccinated when visiting the Caribbean Island of Jamaica but the tourist board reports an exception to this in their most recent advice.  The advice implies the need to be vaccinated if you have visited certain countries within the six weeks leading up to your visit.  So, in addition to checking with your GP, it is advisable to check the latest health news from the tourist board.

Q9:     Is it necessary to take out insurance?

Having insurance is a good investment and provides peace of mind while on holiday but it is not compulsory to take out an insurance policy.  You may need to sign an indemnity form if you are not accepting the policy offered by the agent.  If you decide on taking out insurance coverage do not feel obligated to take the one on offer by your agency, it can sometimes prove more expensive.  If you are paying by credit card – also check if you already have cover because some credit card providers include this as a benefit when using your card to book your holiday.

Q10:     When is the best time to travel?

This depends on your personal circumstances.  Some people prefer to travel when it is less expensive, in which case it is advisable to avoid periods that cover school holidays such as Easter, summer and Christmas.

Others book based on the weather, in which case the majority would be looking to avoid the rainy/hurricane seasons.  This being the case you would need to check the weather forecast for your destination. 

There are others who book based on events.  The tourist board can provide this information online or by post.  For example, the Cricket World Cup (www.cricketworldcup.com) takes place in the Caribbean this year and many visitors will be booking around this time.  It is therefore vital to book in advance to ensure you have a flight. 

For further holiday guidance (including travel news) please visit the following sites: www.atol.org.uk; www.visitbritain.com; fco.gov.uk; abta.com; visitjamaica.uk.com

© 2007, Janice S. Ramkissoon