Travels of Distinciton™ FAQ's

1. If I book through Travels of Distinction™, how will I pay you?
2. When I give you my credit card information, what kind of receipt do I get?
3. When do I get my tickets?
4. What if I need to cancel after I've paid for my trip?
5. Why should I book with Travels of Distinction™?
6. I like what I see. How do I make a reservation?
7. Are there any hidden charges that are not included in the cost of your itineraries?
8. Many outdoor activities are weather dependent. What happens if I’ve paid for an activity that has to be cancelled due to the weather?
9. How can I access my reservation/itinerary?
10. Is my personal information safe?
11. What if my travel plans change?
12. How do I confirm my flight and seat assignment?
13. How is my ticket or confirmation delivered?
14. Can I add additional passengers/guests to my reservation?
15. Can I cancel my reservation without penalty?
16. Why should I use a travel agent?
17. Can I give my ticket to someone else to use?
18. What is an E-Ticket?
19. Will I need to give my credit card number if I book On-Line through your site?
20. Do I need a passport to travel?
21. Why do airlines overbook their flights?
22. What happens when a flight is oversold?
23. What if I book my vacation and then have to cancel?
24. Why do I need medical travel insurance?
25. Why would I need Cancellation & Interruption insurance?
26. What immunizations do I need before I travel?
27. Do I need to contact Travels of Distinction™ to confirm my booking?
28. My flight leaves soon. Where do I confirm my reservation?
29. What documents do I need to go through airport security?

1. If I book through Travels of Distinction™, how will I pay you?
   Travels of Distinction™ accepts credit card payments via a Secure Site.
2. When I give you my credit card information, what kind of receipt do I get?
   You will receive an electronic confirmation which clearly states what you've paid for. For example, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, 2 adults, Carnival Fantasy, Sep 27th, 3 night Bahamas cruise, cabin M232, ocean view cabin with queen bed, late dining requested, $399.00 per person including trip insurance. $200.00 deposit paid by AX 3/31/02, Balance due Aug 1st. Carnival Cruise Confirmation ABCDEF.
   
   Also, if you have registered with Travel of Distinction as a member, you can log in using your user name and password and click on your My Travels page. There, you will find you personal itinerary.
3. When do I get my tickets?
   All cruise line and tour companies differ as to when they send tickets out. However, usually they're mailed to Travels of Distinction™ about 2 weeks prior to your departure. When we receive them, we carefully go over them for accuracy and then send them to you. We'll send you an electronic notification that they're enroute to you so you'll know when to expect them.
4. What if I need to cancel after I've paid for my trip?
   Travels of Distinction™ ALWAYS suggests trip cancellation insurance to prevent you from losing money in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Without the insurance, cancellation penalties will vary depending on the company and depending on how early you cancel. For example, canceling 30 days prior to your trip will be less of a penalty than canceling 2 days prior.
5. Why should I book with Travels of Distinction™?
   Well, we can think of at least 10 reasons to book your trip with us.
   
   Reason #1: Cost
   The misconception is that booking a trip with a tour operator or travel agent costs you more. Not true! The cost to you, the consumer, is the same and, often better as we pass on any agency specials to you.
   
   Reason #2: Time
   Information overload! There is too much destination information out there to wade through on the internet, travel books and magazines, friends' recommendations and other sources. It can be overwhelming, confusing, and time-consuming. Then, the actual planning, setting dates, reserving, following up, reconfirming, sending payments to various locations ... there is much to do. Your time is too valuable — let us makes this process a whole lot easier for you.
   
   Reason #3: Product Knowledge
   The glamorous part of being in the travel business is we get to travel all the time. Yeah, someone’s got to do it! The reality is, we check out all the rooms and compare all the boats, resorts and operators, meet and negotiate with adventure outfitters, airlines, and so forth. Most importantly, we experience firsthand the diving, kayaking, rafting, and other adventure activities. Can you believe that some dive & adventure travel companies do not have employees that dive or hike? We are certified with many dives under our belts. Travel is our passion and we pass on our valuable knowledge to you so you will reserve the trip that is right for you.
   
   Reason #4: Experience
   We’ve been traveling for many years! We know how to put together trips and what makes an itinerary work successfully.
   
   Reason #5: Logistics
   We coordinate every aspect of your trip. Airline connections, transfers, what works on certain days, what does not, the timing, the pacing — we know who to make it all work together. Let us handle getting you from point A to B to C for you.
   
   Reason #6: Details
   Travels of Distinction™ makes sure you have exactly what you have requested — whether it's aisle seats, vegetarian meals, diving equipment rentals, king-size beds, or honeymoon specials. As our valued clients, we provide you with important pre-departure information, which includes recommended packing lists, visa and medical information, travel insurance, suggested readings, emergency contact numbers, and more.
   
   Reason #7: The Unexpected
   Just when you think a trip is all set, something happens. Whether it is something major like a hurricane or coup or something minor like a flight cancellation, we can fix it for you. We can rearrange your trip to accommodate the change or come up with a viable alternative.
   
   Reason #8: Customer Service
   We are people who love travel and have chosen it as our profession. We enjoy hearing from you and will fulfill your requests in a timely and personable manner. We share with all our clients the great passion of travel.
   
   Reason #9: Personalization
   We will not corral you into a pre-packaged tour that is not right for you. All of our itineraries are customized for the travel you have requested. This is time-consuming and work-intensive for us, but we feel very strongly that your vacation time is important and you should have the perfect itinerary that is right for your travel desires.
   
   Reason #10: Your Next Trip
   We value our clients and enjoy hearing your feedback and your thoughts on your next travel plans. We offer great deals to our clients and enjoy planning your trip with you. We are here for the long haul, and want you to have many fabulous and exciting vacations with us!
6. I like what I see. How do I make a reservation?
   It's easy. Just contact us directly info@travelsofdistinction.com and we will be happy to discuss your travel plans and talk you through the reservation process.
7. Are there any hidden charges that are not included in the cost of your itineraries?
   Our prices are completely itemized– there are no hidden costs. You will find details of what is included or optional in each itinerary.
8. Many outdoor activities are weather dependent. What happens if I’ve paid for an activity that has to be cancelled due to the weather?
   We will provide as best an alternative as we possibly can. It will also depend on the terms of the activity provider. Note that this does not apply if you change your mind on a particular activity – only if the activity is cancelled.
9. How can I access my reservation/itinerary?
   Click here, and you will be redirected to our customer account login page. Simply provide your user name and password, and we will direct you to your My Travels page to get access to your reservations and itineraries. If you do not have a user name and password, registering is easy and doesn't take much time at all.
10. Is my personal information safe?
    Travels of Distinction™ is committed to protecting the personal information of all of our customers. We do not sell or rent our customer information.
11. What if my travel plans change?
    Depending on the changes that you are making to your travel plans, the options will vary. Your best course of action is to contact us.
12. How do I confirm my flight and seat assignment?
    You will receive an email confirmation after you book your airline reservation that includes your confirmation number and flight details. If the airline offered a seat choice during the reservation process, you will find your seat assignment on your email confirmation. If your flight is listed as “Airport Check-In Only,” you will not receive your seat assignment until you check in at the airport on your day of departure. If you are registered with Travels of Distinction™, your information will be found on your My Travels page.
13. How is my ticket or confirmation delivered?
    In almost all cases, your ticket or confirmation is delivered via email after completing your purchase. We recommend that you print them and carry them with you when you travel. If you don’t receive our email confirmation, you can access your travel information from your My Travels page if you are registered with us or contact us at info@travelsofdistinction.com.
14. Can I add additional passengers/guests to my reservation?
    You can usually add passengers/guests to your reservations depending on current availability. Please remember that rates and fares do change and your additional passengers/guests will be subject to the rates/fares that apply at the time of booking.
15. Can I cancel my reservation without penalty?
    Depending on how far in advance you cancel your reservation, cancellation penalties will vary. It is best to be certain of your travel plans before confirming your reservation. Travel insurance is also available on certain itineraries so that you can protect yourself from the unexpected.
16. Why should I use a travel agent?
    There's an industry saying that goes, "Without a travel agent, you're on your own."  This has never been more true than today.  With all the options to consider, including the Internet, vacation planning can be time-consuming and stressful.  A little help from a travel agent can go a long way to match the traveler with the right package at the best price and best value.  Also, when dealing with a reputable travel agent, you are not dealing with an anonymous Internet company.  You know where to reach them when you need them.
17. Can I give my ticket to someone else to use?
    Tickets are non-transferable and can only be used by the person whose name appears on the ticket.
18. What is an E-Ticket?
    Most major airlines now ticket electronically, eliminating the need for paper tickets which are easy to misplace or leave behind.  E-tickets are the most popular form of ticketing today, because, the ticket is stored in the airline's computer system.  When ticketed electronically, you receive a confirmation e-mail with a copy of your electronic ticket record and an itinerary/receipt. Print this e-mail message and take it with you to the airport.  You will need it as proof of purchase at check-in along with proper picture ID.
19. Will I need to give my credit card number if I book online through your site?
    Yes, it will be necessary, but be rest assured that all of your transactions are protected.
20. Do I need a passport to travel?
    This depends on your destination.  Regardless of your destination, you'll need at least some proof of citizenship.  You will receive complete information on required documents well in advance of your departure, so you will have plenty of time to make arrangements.  Generally, a government issued ID such as a driver's license or a certified copy of your birth certificate is sufficient. If you are recently married and using your birth certificate, please remember to bring a copy of your marriage license showing the name change. By the end of 2006 a passport will be required for entry into the United Stated from all locations.
21. Why do airlines overbook their flights?
    Airlines regularly overbook their flights to try and compensate for customers who neither cancel their reservations nor show up for their confirmed flights. This practice helps offset the lost revenue from "no-shows" and also creates booking opportunities for customers who really need to be on a particular flight that is showing full but is likely to depart with empty seats.
22. What happens when a flight is oversold?
    If a flight is oversold, the airline will ask if there are any volunteers to take a later flight in exchange for compensation.  If you are considering volunteering you should:
    
    - Determine if the compensation offered by the airline for giving up your seat is worthwhile
    - Make sure that the arrival time of the later flight is acceptable and ensure that you get a confirmed reservation on it
    - Find out whether the airline will pay for food, lodging, or other costs that you may incur by taking a later flight
    
    If the airline does not obtain enough volunteers, it will deny boarding to passengers according to its particular boarding priority policy.  If it turns out that you are bumped from your flight, the airline must put you on their next available flight.  If the alternate flight is unacceptable to you, they may confirm you on a different carrier at no additional cost, provide you with a refund, or offer you a travel voucher.  Quite often the airline will give you some additional form of compensation for your trouble.  Please remember that most airlines require you to apply for your compensation on the day and at the place where the denied boarding occurred.
23. What if I book my vacation and then have to cancel?
    We will try our best to assist you.  We will make sure you know what the cancellation policy is before you book your vacation.  In the unlikely event that you should need to cancel your trip, each airline ticket, package, tour, or cruise has a different and specific cancellation policy.  By purchasing a ticket for a particular trip, you agree to the cancellation policy for that respective trip.  We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance to safeguard yourself against any unexpected emergencies.
24. Why do I need medical travel insurance?
    Most international travelers are inadequately or inappropriately informed about travel health matters and approximately one traveler in four will experience at least one illness or accident while abroad. Motor vehicle accidents are an even greater hazard abroad than they are at home and constitute the most important threat to the health and well being of the international traveler.
25. Why would I need Cancellation & Interruption insurance?
    Emergencies happen when you least expect it.  You could become sick, lose your job, or a family member could have a medical emergency.  Cancellation and Interruption insurance covers you for those circumstances and protects the financial investment you've made in your trip.  It also protects you if you need to go back home because of an emergency, such as a family member becoming seriously ill at home while you are away.
26. What immunizations do I need before I travel?
    There are 3 types of immunizations: routine, required, and recommended:
    
    - Routine - All adults should update these routine immunizations every 10 years: Tetanus, Diphtheria
    - Required - Proof of immunization is required to enter some countries: Yellow fever
    - Recommended - Depending on your itinerary, planned activities, and current health status, your health care professional may recommend one or more of these immunizations: Polio, Influenza, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Pneumococcal, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningococcal, Rabies
27. Do I need to contact Travels of Distinction™ to confirm my booking?
    Most of the time, you don't need to call us. After the booking process is complete, we'll send you an e-mail confirming your booking.
28. My flight leaves soon. Where do I confirm my reservation?
    All flights should be confirmed with the airline directly. We recommend that you do so at least 24 hours prior to departure for domestic flights (72 hours for flights to Hawaii and international destinations).
29. What documents do I need to go through airport security?
    Passengers must present a valid government issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport and an airline issued boarding pass with the current date to proceed through airport security to the gate. Passengers can obtain boarding passes from the airline's ticket counter at the airport, curbside check-in, or the airline's self-service ticket kiosk.