Let it Snow.... But Don't Let it Delay or Cancel My Trip!

It’s a travel industry nightmare. Flights canceled or delayed because of weather. Be it a snowstorm or a hurricane, major “weather” causes havoc. Perhaps you’re scheduled to fly from or to an airport that’s closed or running a delay. Or maybe you’re changing planes at that airport. Or you are breathing a sigh of relief the night before your trip because you’re not going near the airports in cities reported to experiencing a blizzard. However, you learn the next morning that your plane actually originates where the weather was bad and, since the plane couldn’t get out, it couldn’t get to your airport so now there’s no airplane for you to fly on.


Nearly two feet of snow fell on the Denver area two weeks ago. That October storm caused over 200 flights to be canceled that Thursday. One of our agents in that area, Vicki, reported that their ski areas were deliriously happy! As were her dogs as you can see from the photos of their backyard that she shared with us that day.

However, thousands of travelers were inconvenienced. People missed flight connections and trips were delayed. Some people were delayed in getting home. As airlines, resorts and cruise lines aren’t responsible for acts of nature, any extra accommodations and meals are at your own expense.

There are ways to better protect yourself, your vacation and your funds. The answer is to be a wise traveler by following these suggestions:

Consider flying to your port of departure a day or two in advance if cruising. The peace of mind alone is worth going in early so that weather or even mechanical delays can’t put your cruise at risk.

If you have to change planes, try to avoid airports in snow regions in the winter and hurricane regions during hurricane season.

If you have to change planes, plan for longer connecting times to give yourself a cushion in case your inbound flight is delayed.

Purchase travel insurance. One of the features of most insurances is “travel delay.” Insurance companies usually require a five to twelve hour delay (depending upon the insurance company) to qualify. Travel delay coverage can help with accommodation, meal and cab expenses both before and after a trip involving delays. Know your coverage, save your receipts and contact your travel agent so that he or she can guide you and start the claim with your insurance company.

With the right plans in place, you can help protect against unexpected problems to help ensure the wonderful vacation you deserve and look forward to enjoying. After all, if it'snowing the day you're vacation is scheduled to start, you might not be as happy about it as these two furry guys may be!

~ Connie

Vacation Payment Plan Enables Travelers

Did you know that we offer a flexible payment plan for our clients’ convenience? By planning your payments into your monthly budget, your vacation may be more affordable to you!

Here’s how it works:

• Depending upon the cruise, tour or resort package booked, you will have a deposit that generally runs between $100 – 500 per person at the time of booking.

• Depending upon the cruise, tour or resort operator, your final payment is normally due between 45 – 90 days prior to your vacation.

• Between your deposit and final payment dates, your travel consultant can work with you to plan either a set payment plan per month or you can just make payments periodically as you like.

o You can set up automatic credit card payments during the most convenient time of the month or

o You can send checks / money orders monthly or

o You can opt to instead make periodic payments at your convenience. This is a popular option for people wanting to use tax refunds, bonuses or settlements toward their vacation.

Vacation payment plans work best for people who book 5 – 18 months in advance of their trip. The further in advance you book your trip, the lower your monthly payments will be.

If there is a price drop for which you would otherwise qualify, being on a payment plan will not disallow you from getting the lower price.

Isn't it time to book your next adventure?


~ Connie

Top 10 Ways to Stay Warm this Winter

If this will be you watching Desperate Housewives this winter, you may be desperate to plan a warm winter vacation!





Top 10 Ways to Stay Warm this Winter


10) Keep stoking the fireplace.


9) Layers, sweatsuits and legwarmers. It might not look very snazzy, but only your nose and hands will be cold.


8) Bury under blankets. Keep them pulled up to nose.


7) Keep the thermostat up high. The heck with the gas, oil or electric bill.


6) Use plug-in heaters to add warmth to the room you’re in.


5) Snuggle with someone special.


4) Hang out in the warmest store you can find.


3) Keep moving. March in place when watching TV, washing dishes, brushing your teeth. When that’s not keeping you warm enough, switch to jumping jacks.


2) Burn an ocean- or beach-scented candle and think warm, tropical thoughts.


1) Call Connie George Travel Associates to book yourself on a warm Caribbean cruise or an island resort stay. Oh, and feel free to bring along that special someone to snuggle with even though you won’t be cold on your trip!

In fact, if you book your trip with us between 10/22/09 - 11/25/09 for a trip taking place in December '09 - March '10, send an email to me the day you book with your CGTA agent's name and I'll send a free Yankee Candle to you to enjoy this winter!

Social Networking for All Ages

“Twitter User Ivy Bean Turns 104 Years Old - http://bit.ly/4iegT.” It caught my attention when I read it on my Twitter account earlier this week.

My curiosity was aroused. I clicked on the link and found a short story and a video about this remarkable woman who lives in a nursing home in England. She celebrated he 104th birthday this past week. The note I read was basically a mini-blog posted (“tweeted”) on Twitter by a member from Mashable. More on Mashable in a moment!

By following their link, I read about Ivy and got to see a video of the local news program visiting with her. Ivy is the oldest member of Facebook and she’s maxed her Facebook account with 5000 “friends” (followers) who enjoy following what she has to say there! Frankly, getting a few hundred friends is hard for an individual wanting to manage that feat!

She is thought to be the unconfirmed oldest member of Twitter. Four days ago Ivy had 37,000 “followers” on Twitter! Thanks in part to the worldwide (and whirlwind!) sharing of the news on her which started with her local news program’s segment of a live interview with her, Ivy now has 44,000 followers! Ivy's notes are fun and give us a glimpse into her life and personality.

Getting back to Mashable, it is the world’s largest blog about all things on the internet and Social Media. They blog about Facebook, Google, You Tube, Twitter and plenty more. Perhaps you’re “not into that stuff” and you are only use the internet to surf for things of interest and that the most “social interacting” you do on that chunk of metal in front of you is read a blog, In that case, you would probably be very surprised at how “cyber” and “real life” are pretty interconnected these days.

Ivy is proof that people of all ages are using the computer to keep up with what’s going on in the world and to have fun, socialize and learn. It’s not just “young people” doing this. It’s also why our office has embraced “social marketing.” It has enabled us to share information with people wh0 have various social networking interests. Wanting to follow Connie George Travel Associates? Here’s where all you can find us these days and each of these sources is free to consumers:

Websites:
http://www.cgta.com
http://www.WheelchairCruising.com

E-newsletter subscription:
Register for our website & agree to receive the newsletter at http://www.cgta.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/cgta.travel

Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/chicksatsea
http://www.twitter.com/WCCruising

Blogs:
http://www.cgtaconnie.blogspot.com/
http://www.wheelchaircruising.blogspot.com/
http://chicksatsea.blogspot.com/

If you’re interested in keeping up with what’s going on with social networking, be sure to add Mashable as one of your Twitter followers. Not on Twitter yet? You can sign up for a free account in minutes. And do be sure to look up Ivy. You can read her story. Better yet, if you’re on Twitter, you might want to follow her.

Ivy, if you happen to see this blog, “Happy belated birthday to you!”

Earn $500, $1000, $1500 or more toward your cruise vacation!

We are excited to be announcing the start of an innovative and simple promotion for group leaders and gathering organizers---- “5 for $500” is for you!

Traditionally “groups” were usually eight or more cabins and the group leader earned a “free cruise berth” based on lots of confusing criteria that resulted in group leaders often still going out-of-pocket for government-related fees and taxes. Worse is that, because of the cruise lines’ formula, group leaders often didn’t know how much they had to pay toward their cruise until the time came for the final payment. This has been the cruise lines’ policy for many decades.

I’ve worked with their policy for many years, but frankly I’ve never liked it. I’m much more of a “cut and dry” policy person, not much of a gambler and like straight answers on things. There just had to be a simpler, straightforward way of rewarding valued group leaders. Out of this feeling, an idea was born--- the “5 for $500” promotion for group leaders!

On a limited, but large number of sailings (over 600 of them at the moment!) a group leader earns a flat $500 for every five cabins their group utilizes toward their own personal cabin. If the group uses 20 cabins, you get a $2000 cruise credit. Pretty simple, eh? AND this means that a “group” only has to be five cabins. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been testing the program and it’s been working beautifully.

We love working with group cruises and get excited about the challenge of tailoring the experience to that particular group and in making the group leader look terrific! With such an easy program, perhaps it’s time to book your group--- small or large. For more information, visit our “5 for $500” page and get in touch. Our agents are looking forward to creating something special for you and your group!

~ Connie

'United Breaks Guitars' Strikes Cord with Airline

Fox News referred to him as the “poster child for anyone who has ever experienced frustration with the airline industry.” After months of exasperation leading nowhere, a Canadian singer promised a United Airlines employee that he would be writing three songs about his experience with them, make videos to go along with the three songs and offer them on the internet for a free download. Never underestimate a musician scorned.

Witnessing baggage handlers throwing their guitar cases, an indifferent attitude from flight attendants and the typical run-around by customer service for nine months gave him plenty of creative material. Dave Carroll’s satirical song, “United Breaks Guitars” registered well over a half million views on You Tube by today; only its third day online there. I thought the song was creative genius and a fun break today. Check it out on You Tube.

Apparently United also noticed the video. United posted on Twitter, "This has struck a chord with us, and we've contacted [Carroll] directly to make it right.”

Perhaps I should have said, "Never underestimate the power of viral marketing."

Ultimately the $3500 financial loss as well as months of wasted time arguing may be the best thing that could happen to Dave Carroll and his band, Sons of Maxwell. It’s given them a great platform on the internet to get better known. But it was dumb for United. Dumb and typical of “customer service” for them and a lot of the airlines.

Does Your Passport Expire Too Soon?

You’re booked for that trip of a lifetime, have made sure that your passport is still valid and you’re ready to travel. Right? Perhaps not!

A passport is required for U.S. citizens to fly into another country, is one of the few documents allowed to prove citizenship when driving into Mexico or Canada, and is mandatory for some of the cruises departing from the U.S.

In many cases, it’s not good enough to have a passport valid only through the last day of your trip.

In fact, some countries will deny admittance if your passport is not valid for a specific minimum amount of time past your expected departure from their country. For instance, some online research turned up that Costa Rica requires a passport be valid for at least 30 days past your arrival, the Philippines requires validity for at least six months and Germany requires it to be good for at least three months past the expected end of your trip. Six months is the longest I've ever seen.

The reason behind this requirement is for you to have a valid proof of citizenship in case you are delayed in their country. Most often a delay is because someone opts to extend their trip, gets sick or injured and is hospitalized, or gets detained because of a legal issue.

Who is responsible for advising you of this requirement? I’ve never heard of an airline offering the information. Online blogs and message boards may not offer current or accurate information. Travel agents will typically research this, but ultimately it’s up to you--- the traveler--- to know.

The best source is the consulate or embassy of the country you are visiting. Google the country name along with consulate and embassy to obtain contact information. Another terrific source, but not responsible for accuracy of another country’s requirements is our own State Department which you can find at http://www.travel.state.gov/. There’s a ton of helpful information on the site. Another great spot, but again not the definitive answer on passport expiration date requirements is the World Travel Guide at http://www.worldtravelguide.net/.

A good rule of thumb is that your passport be valid for at least six months past your trip. Do that and you'll not have to worry.