Travel Service

05/13/2023

Brilliant! (credit to The Far Side)

03/08/2023

Helpful information on three preferred traveler programs:

𝙏𝙎𝘼 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠, 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧: 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚?

Which one of these programs should you sign up for?

12/29/2022

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗹𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀.

This continues to be a terrible situation which appears to have been years in the making, and make take a year or more to update and upgrade systems at the airline to minimize or eliminate the risk of it ever happening again. In the meantime, if you or someone you know has been impacted, you can file a claim or request a refund or other compensation at:

Due to adverse weather events and their resulting effects, we are currently experiencing operational disruptions and are working diligently and safely to restore normal flight schedules as quickly as possible.

12/21/2022

Whether you're looking for that last minute Christmas gift idea or making your 2023 travel plans, here are some ideas from Travel and Leisure. Call us today so we can help make your travel dreams come true!

Where to go in 2023, according to T+L editors — for a breath of fresh air, a big-city adventure, or a glimpse at the future of travel.

11/29/2022

The Greek Isles, including Santorni, are on our list. Are they on yours? If so, let Travel Service plan your trip and book you into spectacular hotels like this one!

10/27/2022

No passport? No problem. Here are 4 easy-to-reach destinations Caribbean islands you can go where U.S. citizens don't need a passport. Let us help plan your trip today!

Pack sunscreen for these tropical getaways, but leave the passport at home.

10/12/2022

We agree!!!

10/02/2022

Helpful tips for even seasoned travelers.

The cofounder and CEO of HotelTonight, Sam Shank, shares the 10 biggest mistakes to avoid when checking into (or out of) a hotel.

09/16/2022

Perched on the ocean in the heart of one of Mexico’s most gorgeous beaches, W Punta de Mita invites you to immerse yourself in a truly remarkable hotel experience. Colonial grandeur blends seamlessly with the extraordinary artistry of the indigenous Huichol peoples.

The vibrant décor inside the beachfront W Punta de Mita is only matched by the myriad hues of swaying palm trees, a semiprivate white-sand beach and the Pacific Ocean.

Let Travel Service help plan your trip to tthis beautiful tropical destination only 25 miles from Puerto Vallarta International Airport and enjoy all that the Pacific Coast of Mexico and Marriott's W brand of hotels have to offer in a beautiful setting!

07/11/2022

𝟲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹

Talk to just about anyone who has flown lately and you’ll hear some version of what’s become a common refrain: travel is a hot mess right now.

Flights are being canceled and delayed en masse. Lines are long. Luggage is getting lost. If you’re traveling by plane this summer, you’ll need to pack your patience (cliché but true!), but you can also take some steps to help prepare yourself for disruptions.

💸 Expect to spend more
The summer deals we were seeing just a few weeks ago are gone, so if you’re still looking to book flights for this summer, you’ll likely pay more than you hoped. Also, flights are full, so if you want to ensure you sit with your traveling companions, you’ll need to pay to select your seats, or spring for the upgrade from basic economy to main economy to pick your seat for free (this also gets you free changes on the major US airlines).

⏰Give yourself more time…and then add more to that
With airlines and airports understaffed in almost all areas, everything is taking longer than usual. Get to the airport extra early, give yourself plenty of time for layovers, and if you really need to be somewhere on a specific day, plan to arrive a day or two early if you can.

It’s also wise to book your flights as early in the day as possible. Delays tend to pile up as the day goes on, with early morning flights the least likely to see significant delays.

🎒Pack light, pack smart
If you can, travel with only a carryon (it’s easier than it sounds, we promise!). Lines aren’t just long at airport security; they’re long to check luggage as well. If you absolutely must check a bag, be sure to put any valuables, medication, or anything else you simply cannot go without (the bridesmaid’s dress you need to wear, for example) in your carryon.

If you’re flying basic economy, it’s actually a smart idea to have those items within easy reach in your carryon as well. Basic economy passengers board last, which means there may not be space for your carryon in the overhead by the time you board; if you get stuck checking your carryon, be sure to remove any important items first.

AirTags can provide some peace of mind: drop the AirTags in your luggage and you can use your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch to track your bags’ location.

If your luggage does get lost or delayed, you’re entitled to compensation.

📱Download the airline’s app
Staffing issues extend to airline customer service and wait times to speak to an agent on the phone can be hours long. If something goes awry on your trip, the airline’s app is often the fastest avenue to a resolution. You can do everything from change your seat and track your luggage to rebook your flights or get updates on delays—and often those updates come a lot faster via the app than text or email.

💳 Protect your investment
Many credit cards offer travel protection that includes coverage for cancellations, disruptions, delays, and lost luggage, so if you have one, book your trip with a card that helps cover you in case things go wrong. If you don’t, depending on the total cost of your trip, you may want to invest in travel insurance.

⚖️ Know your rights
If an airline cancels or significantly changes your flight, and it’s a trip you still want to take, you can ask the airline to put you on another flight operated by the airline or one of its partners. Sometimes an airline may even be willing to rebook you on a competitor in extenuating circumstances, like the last flight of the night. Either way, if the airline rebooks you, any price difference is irrelevant; you won’t have to pay. (Alternatively, you’re entitled to a cash refund if you no longer want to travel).

If the airline cancels your flight and there is no replacement option (they stopped flying that route, for example) things are a little trickier. For an airline like United or Delta, this is easy. Rather than flying you directly from, say, San Francisco to Madrid, if they cancel their SFO–MAD route, they might fly you from San Francisco to Paris to Madrid, with the final leg connecting on a European partner, or they could put your on their flight from San Francisco to their New York hub where you can catch their direct flight to Madrid.

But many budget airlines—like Avelo or Breeze—don’t have an extensive partner network and instead of a hub-and-spoke model, they operate a point-to-point model. This means if they cancel a specific route, it may not be possible to reroute you. In this case, the most likely outcome is that the airline will cancel your flight and issue you a refund.

One exception is if you’re willing to be re-accommodated on a different point-to-point route. For example, if a budget airline canceled their Denver to Portland, Maine, route, they may be willing to rebook you onto their Denver to Boston flight (then you’d have to get yourself from Boston to Portland).

Finally, if an airline involuntarily bumps you from a flight, you’re entitled to compensation. The amount varies by destination and how long you end up delayed as a result of being bumped.

(Reprinted from Scott's Cheap Flights)

07/06/2022

𝙂𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙉𝘾𝙇 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙪𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙚-𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙮:

Effective August 1, 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line will no longer require guests to complete pre-cruise COVID-19 testing unless required by local regulations. The pre-embarkation testing requirement will remain in place for guests currently traveling on voyages departing from destinations with local testing regulations, including but not limited to the U.S., Canada, Greece and Bermuda.

The relaxation of the testing policy is in line with the rest of the travel, leisure and hospitality industry worldwide as society continues to adapt and return to a state of normalcy. Norwegian Cruise Line continues to strongly recommend all guests be up to date on vaccination protocols and test at their convenience prior to travel.

𝙇𝙚𝙩'𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬!

06/17/2022

Do you have 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚? Call Travel Service, we can help!

06/15/2022

Read the article below entitled "Mayhem predicted for travel this summer" for some insight into just another one of the MANY reasons we recommend travel insurance.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-chaos-flight-cancellations-2022/index.html

06/13/2022

This might be helpful for cruisers, even if you don't need all of the items on this list (be sure to check with your cruise line about #7!).

Cruise gift shops might be nice, but their essentials are mighty overpriced.

06/10/2022

FINALLY!!!

𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡

By Associated Press |Jun 10, 2022|
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that international air travelers to the U.S. take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights, easing one of the last remaining government mandates meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

A senior administration official said the mandate expires Sunday at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time, saying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that it's no longer necessary.

The official, speaking Friday on the condition of anonymity to preview the formal announcement, said that the agency would reevaluate the need for the testing requirement every 90 days and that it could be reinstated if a troubling new variant emerges.

06/09/2022

Still need ideas for planning summer travel??? Here's an interesting list to jumpstart your thinking. Once you decide, Travel Service can help you book your trip to get the best value for a fantastic vacation!

From road trips to train adventures to safaris, here are some classic summer vacation ideas to add to your 2022 travel plans.

05/16/2022

A recent article in a travel trade publication reads "I Tested Positive for COVID-19 and Got Stuck Traveling Abroad — Here’s the Problem with Testing for Re-Entry." Don't let this happen to you without being prepared. Let Travel Service help you determine the best travel insurance coverage for your trip.

05/12/2022

We strongly encourage our clients to include travel insurance in their travel plans but the choice of which coverage to choose is not always easy. Let us help! Travel Service works with our insurance providers to help you determine which coverage option is best for you.

In the uncertainty of the pandemic-era travel world, purchasing travel insurance is becoming an essential part of any trip. In the past two years, people have

04/23/2022

We are looking for a fantastic person to come join our team of travel professionals! Y'all know I think I have the best career in the world, and if you would enjoy making dreams come true through travel - private message me ASAP!

04/18/2022

BREAKING NEWS: As the article states, it is not yet clear how or when this could affect travels.

A U.S. District Court judge in Florida has vacated the federal mask mandate, ruling the CDC exceeded its rulemaking authority. But the impact for travelers is unclear.

02/17/2022

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗻.

Europe is open for business and eager to welcome U.S. travelers. But the travel landscape has changed since the beginning of the pandemic, especially for independent travel itineraries, according to travel supplier Eurobound.

“We’re finding that clients are undeterred in their determination to visit Europe and we are doing our utmost to help travel advisors navigate the new realities,” says Brigitte Armand, Eurobound’s president. “Nevertheless, it’s important that travel advisors and clients alike know what to expect. Cancellation policies are less flexible, confirmation wait times are slightly longer, prices are higher, and Covid policies change from one country to the next.” According to Eurobound, here is what travel advisors need to know now:

𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞: Plan early and carefully to avoid cancellation fees. This is especially true closer to departure date, explains Jeff Roy, Eurobound’s vice president, marketing and sales. “Earlier in the pandemic, suppliers were flexible, not knowing how long travel would be affected. However, as time has worn on, hotel and other cancellation policies have become less accommodating.”

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫: Be patient. Some travel arrangements may take slightly longer to confirm, due to pandemic-related staffing shortages among certain suppliers, according to Roy. “Prior to the pandemic we could get quick turnaround—24 to 48 hours—on confirmations from our suppliers. However, now some more involved itineraries may take longer,” he says.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞: Expect higher rates in general, especially for car rentals, says Roy, adding that clients should be advised to confirm and lock in their rates as soon as possible. “In England, for example, we have seen car rental rates double within a two-week period,” he says. “It’s a matter of supply and demand.” The situation is similar in the U.S. where car rental companies sold their inventory during the pandemic, leaving fewer cars available. Now that travel is returning, demand is overshadowing supply, he says.

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐁𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝: Be aware that services at hotels and other venues may be limited in comparison to pre-pandemic levels. Staffing among local tour operators, hotels and guides has not yet returned to earlier levels. Also, given increased travel demand and limited supply, accommodations and other services may be harder to find in some areas, says Roy.

𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐲: Be prepared for changing COVID policies from one country to the next. Travelers need to prepare for COVID-related restrictions, such as health passes, mask mandates and capacity visitor limitations for indoor venues.

“In some cases, we have arranged transportation to appropriate pharmacies in France where travelers can get the French Health Pass based on their American vaccination documents,” says Armand. ‘In other cases, where the traveler doesn’t want to visit a pharmacy for the COVID antigen test required for return to the U.S., we have arranged for a medical professional to administer the test in their hotel room.”

Call Travel Service today to plan your next trip. We'll make sure that you're aware of the possible pitfalls mentioned in the article above, and more, and make your trip spectacular!

02/07/2022

CHEAP fares to Italy were just published, out of both Jacksonville and Savannah, as well as many other airports in the southeast and along the Atlantic coast. We've seen these fares to Rome and Milan and they appear to be valid for travel up until the first week in May, but will likely be gone within 24 hours, so if you want to buy tickets now and then plan a trip around your dates, Travel Service can help! We have many options to can suggest and will work with you to plan an exceptional trip. We have access to anything from private villas or yachts to fantastic, world-class hotels or even small, hidden, luxury hotels or inns. We are ready to create a one-of-a-kind experience and are waiting to hear from you today!

01/27/2022

Everything you need to know before booking a travel advisor .

12/21/2021

Be advised if you or someone in your family needs a passport or needs to renew within the next 6 months or so!

Getting or renewing a U.S. passport is about to get a bit more expensive starting next week, when the State Department raises prices. But by how much?