Do I Need A Passport?

Along with all of the changes for homeland security one of the confusing points has become the passport issue. Yes, aside travel within the US and her territories, you could travel to several Caribbean islands, Mexico and Canada with only valid picture ID. Unfortunately, these days have passed.

By June 2009 all travel outside of the US and her territories will require a full passport. Until then you can still travel on a limited basis if you are on a cruise which begins and ends in the same US port. These cruises are limited to Caribbean travel.

In the spring of 2008, the US Passport agency created a limited passport card and another document called a WHTI compliant document. The WHTI is limited for travel to the Caribbean region, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda.

The WHTI document applies to the following as of January 2008:

• Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
  State Issued Enhanced Driver’s License (when available)
  Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available)
  U.S. Military Identification with Military Travel Orders
  U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business
  Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
  Form I-872 American Indian Card

Passport card applications are currently being accepted in anticipation of land border travel document requirements. Based on current projections, expectation is to begin production of the passport card in June, and be in full production in July. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The card may not be used to travel by air. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and will be adjudicated to the exact same standards.

Of course the options are just as confusing as the new passport regulations! What did you expect? If you want to make your life easy, apply for a full passport. Your passport will last onger than a gallon of milk. For adults, your passport will last ten years. It is well worth the investment if you are planning to travel. Passports for children need to be renewed more often, but still well worth the investment.

Now that the passport crush has passed, processing time for new passports is between 4 - 6 weeks. Renewals are down to 3 - 4 weeks. You can now apply for a new passport easily at a convenient passport acceptance center. Many are located at a post office near you.

For more information about passports and to download applications, visit the official Passport website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Can I Bring Luggage?

More confusing than the rules for your passport and things you can bring with your carryon are the new luggage rules being implemented by the airlines. Yes, it's not enough you need to pay for a boxed meal on board and new fuel surcharges, but yes, hello to new longer waits in line to pay for your baggage too! No wonder I see more and more backyard pools springing up!

When you do travel here are some of the new rules for luggage. These rules, like others are sure to change, so please contact your airline before you travel or your travel planner to find out the rules before you fly.


The Department of Transportation has issued specific policies effective immediately on the
disclosure of fees for checked baggage. Please refer to this list for a summary of each carrier’s
policies. Click on the link to go to the carriers’ website for full detailed information.

Air Canada: Air Canada said today that it will implement changes to its checked baggage policy on flights within Canada, and between Canada and the U.S. including Hawaii, effective May 15, 2008 for travel on or after July 15, 2008. Under the new policy, customers who purchase Tango and Tango Plus tickets may check one bag at no charge and a second bag for a $25 service fee. Tango and Tango Plus customers will continue to have the choice of customizing their fare
including obtaining a discount when traveling without checked luggage. There is no change in the checked bag policy for customers purchasing Latitude and Executive Class tickets. As well, Air Canada Elite, Super Elite and Prestige members in addition to Star Alliance Gold and Silver members maintain their current baggage allowance when purchasing Tango and Tango Plus fares.
http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/080425.html?src=hp_wn

Alaska Airlines: The baggage rules and fees noted below apply to tickets purchased on or after May 1, 2008, for travel on or after July 1, 2008. Free baggage allowance consists of 1 checked bag per ticketed passenger. Baggage can be a maximum of 62 linear inches (length + width + height) and may weigh up to 50 pounds. Excess baggage charges apply to additional pieces,
overweight pieces between 51 and 100 pounds and oversized pieces of luggage. Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 USD fee ($50 USD round-trip).
http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/help/faqs/CheckedBaggage.asp

American Airlines: Customers who purchase domestic economy class tickets on or after May 12, 2008 but before June 15, 2008 may check one bag for free and check a second bag for $25 each way. Customers who purchase domestic economy class tickets on or after June 15, 2008 will be charged $15 each way for the first checked bag and $25 each way for the second checked bag. Our carry-on policy of one personal item (such as a purse or laptop bag) plus one bag remains in place. Updated Checked Bag Policies

Continental Airlines: Continental Airlines has announced a new checked baggage policy for certain Economy fare tickets that were purchased on or after April 5 for travel on or after May 5, 2008. This policy applies to travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 USD fee ($50 USD round-trip). The fee may be higher depending on weight and dimensions of the baggage.
Note: OnePass Elite members, SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members, Tickets issued on Y class of service, Continental Airlines Presidential Plus credit card holders, active military traveling on orders are not impacted by this policy change.
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/checkbag.aspx

Delta Airlines: Delta has announced a new checked baggage policy for domestic tickets traveling on or after May 1, 2008.This policy applies to domestic travel.
Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 USD fee ($50 USD round-trip). The fee may be higher depending on weight and dimensions of the baggage.
The fee will be charged to passengers if their itinerary includes segments after May 1 regardless of when the tickets were purchased.
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/baggage_allowance/index.jsp#checked
Note: SkyMiles Elite, and First/Business Class passengers are not impacted by this policy change.

Jet Blue: Each customer may bring two bags free of charge until June 1, 2008. On or after June 1st each customer may bring only one
bag free of charge. Please note: Customers who booked their reservation prior to May 1, 2008, may continue to bring two bags free of charge. Second Bag Fee (Effective June 1, 2008)
Customers who booked their flight on or after May 1, 2008, will be charged an additional $20 fee for checking a second bag on flights on or after June 1, 2008. 3rd + Baggage Customers checking three or more bags on their flight will be charged a $75 fee per bag if they booked on or after May 1, 2008.
http://help.jetblue.com/SRVS/CGIBIN/
webisapi.dll/,/?St=76,E=0000000000015217217,K=357,Sxi=12,Case=obj(634)
Checked baggage

Northwest Airlines Announced a new checked baggage policy for those traveling within North America on or after May 5, 2008. This policy applies to tickets issued on/after March 29 for travel within North America on/after May 5. Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 USD fee ($50 USD round-trip). For customers checking in three or more bags, the carrier will assess a fee of $100 per bag each-way. The fee may be higher depending on weight and dimensions of the baggage. Note: Silver, Gold and Platinum WorldPerks® Elite customers, SkyTeam Elite customers, and those booked in first or full fare classes (Y or B) will not be impacted by this policy change. http://www.nwa.com/travel/luggage/checked.html#domestic

Spirit Airlines: All customers are allowed one free carry-on bag effective June 10, 2008, fees for bags paid in advance online at www.spiritair.com are $10.00 each way for the first bag only. The fee for Bag 2 is $20.00 each way, and items 3 – 5 are $100.00 per item each way. When paying at the airport, fees for the first and second bags are $20.00 per bag each way. (Customers will receive a 50% discount for the first bag when purchased online).
https://www.spiritair.com/welcome.aspx?pg=SalesInformation&number=334

United Airlines: United has published a new checked baggage policy for customers who purchase Economy tickets for travel exclusively within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. Customers purchasing any domestic Economy ticket and who do not have premium status in Mileage Plus or Star Alliance may check one bag for free and a second bag for $25.00. Customers who have attained Premier Associate status or higher in Mileage Plus or Silver status and above with a Star Alliance partner are exempt from this policy change. This new policy applies to tickets purchased on or after February 4, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52481,00.html

US Airways: New baggage policy for tickets purchased on or after February 26 for travel on or after May 5,2008. The new policy applies to all flights within the United States, to/from Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 USD fee ($50 USD round-trip). The fee may be higher depending on weight and dimensions of the baggage. Note: Dividend Miles Preferred members (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Chairman’s Preferred), confirmed First Class and Envoy passengers (at time of check-in), Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members, active military personnel in uniform with ID, unaccompanied minors, or passengers checking personal assistive devices are not impacted by this change.
http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/traveltools/baggage/baggagepolicies.aspx

What Can I Take On The Plane?

Since the stricker airline policies came into effect for carry on luggage many people who are either first time travelers or don't travel often ask what can they bring on board the airplane. From the implementation of the policy until now there have been some slight changes.



Here are some rules from TSA (Transportation Security Administration).

• 3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3 ounce bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3 oz. container size is a security measure.
  Consolidate bottles into one bag and X-ray separately to speed screening.
  Be prepared. Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience.
  3-1-1 is for short trips. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.

To ensure the health and welfare of certain air travelers, in the absence of suspicious activity or items, greater than 3 ounces of the following liquids, gels and aerosols are permitted through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary (all exceptions must be presented to the security officer in front of the checkpoint):
Baby formula, breast milk, and juice for infants and toddlers.
All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including KY jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;
Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition

Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs
Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and,
Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.

You are able to take one carry on piece of luggage as long as it meets the size requirements for the luggage storage compartment in the plane. Ladies, this is separate from your handbag. Rule of thumb for the handbag, it must be able to fit underneath the seat during the flight.

For more information about acceptable carry on items, you can visit the TSA website:

www.tsa.gov

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Welcome To My New Blog

I have always found travel to be fascinating in many respects. Traveling lets one grow and explore other cities, countries and cultures. There is beauty everywhere you turn.

Planning your travel can be half the fun if done properly. Finding the proper information when surfing the web may look easy at first, but once you are hit with so many choice, it can be confusing. A professional travel planner can help you unweave the web. With your input of your travel expectations and your travel professional's advice you will maximize your travel experience.

Many of my clients know where they want to go or what they want to experience. Some don't and that's okay. Travel is a matter of personal preferences and no two vacations are alike. Even escorted vacations...though the itinerary is the same for all travelers, what you personally experience will be different from the person sitting next you. I have had travelers come back from a group travel journey and they each tell a slightly different story about what they saw, and did.

I hope through this blog and upcoming posts, I will be able to suggest vacations ideas and provide news you can use for your travel pleasure.

Until then,

Adrienne