Airline Rules for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Don't count on airlines to compensate you for canceled flights or delays. They will often state they will take what they call "reasonable measures" to accommodate you. This doesn't always mean they will give you hotel or meal vouchers. You may receive a minimal amount that will not cover your expenses. We had a client recently receive $100 in vouchers during an issue in New York for hotel AND meals. That didn't cover the hotel much less anything else.

Airlines can change flights and don't have to keep your seat preferences. This happened recently to our honeymooners traveling to Hawaii. Their seats were confirmed and when the airline changed their flight without notifying us or the client, they lost their seats. We generally check when receiving flight change notices but they are not always sent. Be sure to periodically check your flight status or ask your agent.

Non-refundable fares mean non-refundable unless there is a weather delay or issue covered in the airline's policy. A no-show doesn't entitle you to compensation. Be sure to read all details when purchasing these discounted fares and consider travel insurance. It may be cheaper than booking the refundable fares and having a peace of mind when traveling during bad weather.

We always recommend travel insurance to help cover any incidentals that the airline doesn't cover for weather or medical reasons. Check with your travel agent for more details! We have great corporate reps to assist you when booking air only. They are familiar with the airline policies and can provide recommendations for your next flight.

Agent Profile - Christy Althage

Christy has been with Classic Travel and Cruises since it opened in 2010. Travel has been her passion for many years and she loves working in the industry. Her excitement shows when she plans fun trips for her clients. Her specialties include Disney, Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. One of her favorite resorts is Beaches Turks and Caicos because it is amazing and wonderful for families. Disney remains a favorite because as your kids grow older, it is a new experience. Places that she would like to visit in the new future include Panama, Greece and Hawaii. She enjoys meeting new people, traveling to fun destinations, and spending time with her daughters.

New Expanded Corporate Division - CT World Trav

We are excited to launch our new corporate website, www.CTWorldTrav.com. Our services will be expanded to include online booking sites. You can choose to have experienced agents assist you with any travel needs or use the online booking engine. We give you the option to use both services also. This comes in handy when you are on the road and not have the time or internet service available. We have found this imperative for last minute changes. Clients are getting ready for a flight and have schedule changes that need immediate assistance. They are not able to handle on their own. We will contact the airline, hotel or rental car directly to better assist our client's needs. Our in-house corporate agents include Shelly, Connie and Hannah. They have many years of experience with corporate travel that include small businesses and large corporations. One important aspect of personalized service is that our agents will be familiar with YOUR travel preferences. They know the hotels you prefer, window or aisle seat and frequent flyer information. It is helpful when you don't have much time to make travel arrangements. Our clients tell us the dates and locations, we take care of the rest. CT World Trav will be using ResX to give you the option to book all of your own travel. You can access the system 24 hours to give you the convenience based on your schedule. Concur is available on request. Please contact one of our corporate reps for more information or a quote. There is no obligation so call today at 636-625-8747. Visit our new website at www.ctworldtrav.com.

New Exciting Destination - Huatulco, Mexico

We just returned from a fantastic travel agent trip to Huatulco, Mexico. It is located on the southern side of Mexico. The views are unbelievable as the small town is located between the Sierra Madre mountains and Pacific ocean. Most resorts are built into the mountains so you have views of both. There are several bays that include beaches surrounded by cliffs and rocks. I found the backdrop to be very picturesque and wonderful for weddings. The sand is not the white Caribbean sand but still offers snorkeling and sea turtle hatchings during specific seasons. This small town is considered sub-tropical because it is wet and green during the summer months. In contrast, the winters are dry and less humid. If you want to see a new and unique destination, this may be the place for you. Biodiversity and being "green" is extremely important to this area of the country. They value safety and security to the highest level. Apple Vacations will be offering non-stop charter service for next year. Call for more information and pricing. Soon we will be posting pictures on Facebook, please visit our page at Classic Travel and Cruises.

Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation

Have you tried to plan a trip to Walt Disney World on your own? If you are not familiar with Disney, it can be overwhelming. There are so many options and they are constantly expanding the resorts and parks. Disney offers many types of tickets that can be expensive if you don't know what is best for your family. There are new resorts and room categories that give you many choices. Sometimes too many choices can be confusing. If you are a family of 5 or 6, there are some less expensive options than booking a deluxe villa or 2 rooms. A Disney specialist can walk you through the various resorts to find one that is best for your family. The new Art of Animation is offering family suites in addition to the ones at All Star Music. They can accommodate 5 or 6 in a family. The bedding configuration may not fit all families. My clients get a briefing after booking a Disney trip. We discuss the parks in detail and I help them in the dining selection. They will learn how to navigate the parks and understand the 'extras' that Disney offers. There are so many aspects to planning a Disney vacation. You can utilize all that Disney offers as many of the options are free. Many guests are not aware of them but I give my clients a sheet to help them prepare for their trip. You can register to customize maps for your family. The special events are additional but discounts are available when purchasing tickets online in advance. These include the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas. Call us for more information!

Passports - Important Facts to Know Before Traveling

There are passport books and passport cards. The difference is significant. Although the cards are cheaper, they are limited to Mexico and Canada when traveling by land. You cannot use them to other countries or when flying outside of the US. Travelers that live near the border, like the cards if they are driving back and forth regularly. We highly recommend purchasing the passport books to allow travel more extensively. If you are 15 years or under, the passports are good for 5 years. Otherwise, they are good for 10 years. Be sure to check the expiration date. Many countries will not allow them if less than 6 months before they expire. They make travel easier when traveling with children in the US. The card can be swiped at the airline desk. TSA guidelines change constantly and there is question if children need identification. They generally only require for those 18 years and older. If a child appears to be of age, there could be some delay. The wait time for getting a passport is generally 4-6 weeks. We suggest you have one for last minute trips such as expected situations. If you have family abroad, you may need to travel on short notice. The cost to expedite a passport can be very expensive. See the website for more information: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Spring Break Travel

It isn't too early to start planning for Spring Break Travel. Prices are available with most companies through the beginning of next summer. March and April are very busy times of the year for hotels and cruise lines. Many companies offer early booking incentives such as Carnival Cruiselines with their Early Saver prices. They are available up to 6 months before departure date on 7 day and longer sailings. Not only is price a reason to book early but the closer to time you will find a low amount of inventory. Not only will you find it harder to book the hotel of your choice, the price will escalate as fewer rooms are available. The same applies to airlines when they have the more expensive seats left such as exit rows. If you have a group, it is imperative that you book early. Many groups block rooms which reduces the amount of available rooms. This pertains to cabins on a cruise ship also. We can block a group of rooms or cabins up to 2 weeks for some packages. The deposits vary but generally run close to $200 per person depending on the trip. Some are as low as $50 per person but scheduled air will need to be paid in advance. Our experienced agents are happy to assist you. Call us today to discuss your trip and any travel needs. We can help plan leisure and groups such as family reunions, friend getaways or destination weddings. 636-625-8747