Advice Sheet
Please read the following carefully, it contains advice and information that will help you on your trip.
When you get your tickets:
- You should firstly make sure all the details on it are correct.
- Check the date, time, flight number and that the name on the ticket is the name on your passport.
- You should also check your baggage allowance, this will be printed on the ticket in the box "allow"
Stick to your allowances. Airlines can charge for excess baggage. The charges are high. If you know you are not going to be able to keep your packing within the allowance call the airline before you leave for the airport to see if they can make a special arrangement. Ask what it will cost. If you are taking a series of flights ask about the allowances for each flight. Allowances can vary. For example, sometimes the allowance is by weight, sometimes by number and size of bags. If the first airline does not charge you for excess baggage, there is no guarantee that the others won't!
Be safe........
DO NOT pack any of the following items in your hand luggage:
- Toy/replica guns (metal or plastic)
- Catapults
- Household cutlery
- Knives with blades of any length
- Razor blades
- Tools
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Hypodermic needles (unless required for medical reasons)
- Knitting needles
- Darts
- Sporting bats
- Billiard/snooker or pool cues.
Photographic Identification
Many airlines have now adopted a photographic identification policy whereby all passengers will be required to show photographic ID at check in. Most Tour Operators recommend you carry your valid passport with you at all times including UK domestic travel. Other forms of ID generally accepted are as follows:
- Valid photographic driving licence
- Valid student card
- Valid EU citizen/national ID card
- Valid police warrant card/badge
- Valid photographic UK forces ID card
Passports, Visas and Health Regulations
It is your responsibility to make sure you have all the travel documents you need, such as passports, visas or inoculation certificates. If you do not have the documentation you could be denied from boarding the plane - and you may not be entitled to a refund or travel on a future flight. If you do manage to board the flight, you may be refused entry into the country when you arrive at your destination and could be flown straight back. If so, you will not be entitled to a refund from the airline. Some countries also specify that you have a minimum period left to run on your passport. You may also need to check with your GP concerning the latest medical update for the country you are visiting.
Special Needs
If you are likely to have any needs or medical conditions for which you think an airline or hotel might have to make special arrangements, we ask you to inform us, so that we can make the necessary suppliers aware.
Special Meals
If you have special dietary requirements please make us aware prior to departure. We can request special needs with the airline (vegetarian, diabetic etc...) and alert them to any allergies you may have, but we must advise that this is a request basis and cannot be guaranteed.
Reconfirmation
Airline schedules are subject to change without notice. It is therefore imperative that you check your flight timings with the airline when reconfirming your reservations. Flights should be reconfirmed with the applicable airline at least 72 hours before each onward flight. Failure to reconfirm your onward flights will be at your own expense. We also recommend that you recheck your first departure flight timings in case of last minute alterations. NB: Some airlines will advise that reconfirmation is unnecessary however we strongly advise that you recheck the timings of your flight as schedule changes can occur at any time.
Check In
Before the day of travel, make sure you know the latest check in time for the flight. We recommend 1 hour for domestic, 3 hours for uropean and 4 hours for International. Remember that the check in time is the latest time for getting to the check in desk. If you miss the check in deadline your place on the plane may go to someone on the waiting list and you will have no claim against the airline. You may have requested a particular seat, but the airline does not guarantee that you will get it. You will usually be asked questions about your luggage. These are security checks and you should answer the questions carefully.
Lost Tickets
Take care of your ticket. Getting a new one is not as straight forward as you might think. If your ticket has gone missing please contact the airline you are travelling with for the best course of action.
YOUR 'RIGHTS' IF THINGS GO WRONG
Delays or Cancellations
If your flight is cancelled, or there is a change of schedule, the airline must either offer you alternative arrangements or give you your money back. If you are travelling on a flexible ticket you may find the check in staff have already arranged for you to fly with another airline. If not, ask if you can transfer. On most of the cheaper types of ticket, you are in the hands of the airline whilst the problem is being sorted out. Airlines do not have to offer compensation for delays and cancellations even if you have suffered financial loss as a result. Comprehensive travel insurance is therefore essential.
Over Booking
"Overbooking" is when airlines take more reservations for a flight than there are seats on the plane. This is not illegal. Airlines do it because they usually expect some of the passengers not to turn up. Usually this works out but occasionally too many people turn up for a flight, so some of them get left behind and have to travel on the next flight. If this happens in the European Union you are legally entitled to on the spot compensation - provided the status on your ticket is "OK" and you have arrived at the check in desk on time.
Lost or Damaged Baggage
If your checked in luggage does not arrive at the other end, or it turns up damaged, you must report it to the airline staff, or customer services desk before you leave the luggage collection area. You should be given a form called a Property Irregulator form (PIR). Fill in the PIR immediately and ask for a copy yourself. You will need this together with baggage receipts you were given at check in, if you later want to claim against the airline. You must still make your claim in writing within 7 days. Baggage claims are based on a set amount based on weight rather than the actual cost of items. Comprehensive travel insurance is therefore essential.
Complaints
Try and speak to someone on the spot. They might be able to sort out your problem straight away. If you are still not happy, try and find someone who is responsible for what went wrong. Make a note of staff names and any other relevant information. You will have a better chance of getting who is responsible if you have all the facts. Put your complaint in a letter. Be reasonable in your letter and stick to the facts. Address your letter to the customer relations department of the airline, or the Tour Operator. Keep copies of all correspondence. Send copies of receipts with your first letter. If you are claiming a refund we need the original tickets.
