Passports & Documents – A valid U.S. Passport is required for travel outside the U.S. I recommend that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after the date of your departure. The name on your passport must EXACTLY match the name listed on your flights. After your final payment, you will receive your E-Travel Documents via e-mail. This is all you will need to check in for your flight, transportation and hotel along with your Valid Passport.
Baggage Allowance – In general, if you are traveling on a charter airline, USA 3000, Sun Country and Frontier allow 1 checked bag per person. Aero Mexico allows 2 checked bags per person. If traveling on a scheduled airline like American, Delta, Frontier, US Airways or Continental, each airlines baggage policy varies depending on your destination.
Check your airline’s website for complete and up-to-date baggage policy information. Baggage to be checked without an excess charge cannot exceed a weight of 50 pounds and dimensions of 62 inches, in overall length, width, and height. An extra charge applies for additional, overweight and/or oversized pieces. Special items such as surfboards, bicycles, scuba equipment, golf bags, etc. are not included in the customer’s baggage allowance and are subject to an additional charge. Carry on bags are limited to one piece per customer, plus a personal item such as a purse, briefcase, laptop, small backpack, and diaper bag or camera case. Carry-on baggage must fit in a space no larger than 24" x 16" x 10" (including wheels, handles and expanders). If a carry-on does not fit into the sizing box at the airport, it must be checked and the passenger may be charged accordingly. We do not accept liability for lost carry-on items, or for damage sustained to carry-on items.
Airline Schedules and Check In - Watch your emails for any flight time changes that may occur prior to your trip. Notification of airline schedule changes will be sent via email to the email address given, up until the day of your departure. On the day you're traveling, you can reconfirm your flight times by visiting the airline's website or by calling them directly. If traveling on a charter operated flight the flight information may not be available on the airlines web site.
It is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to your departure for domestic flights and 3 hours prior to departure time for international flights. Many airlines offer online check-in via their website.
Holding Mail while traveling - If you do not have anyone that can pick up your mail while you are away, the Post Office will hold your mail and then deliver it the day you return or whatever day you specify. I use this service myself. Click Here to fill out USPS Form
Currency & Credit Cards – There is no need to exchange money if visiting Mexico or the Caribbean, as they take US dollars quite easily. There are limitations on how much money you can exchange, so I don’t recommend you carry a lot of cash in resort, but rather take one major credit card and $100-$200 cash in small bills because you will get change back in foreign currency. Be sure to notify your credit card companies before you depart so they do not cut off funds to your card due to potential fraud.
Tipping – Tipping is not required, but is recommended for your baggage handlers as well as maid service in the hotels. Most tipping is considered included in your all inclusive package for wait staff, bartenders, etc., but you will sometimes see tip jars and other people tipping in resort. It is solely at your discretion of you would like to tip, although be aware that some resorts absolutely forbid it for their staff.
Optional Tours – I will provide you with optional tours are available for you to book before you travel in conjunction with your travel package and provide you with your vouchers right with your travel documents. If you prefer, you can also set them up once you are in resort, with the tour operator. There will be a representative from your tour company on duty in the lobby of your hotel certain hours each day to answer questions for you and help you book tours. If you would like a list of tours available to pre-book, please contact me. These tours are very safe and most include transportation directly from your hotel lobby and back.
Hotel Transfers – If noted on your invoice, round trip hotel transfers are included in your package. Upon arrival in your destination, you will proceed through Immigrations to baggage claim, and then through Customs. Once completed, you will then proceed outside the terminal to meet your transportation. Most E-Travel Documents will contain instructions on where to go and who to look for when meeting your transfer. If not, please contact your travel agent.
In Resort Issues – Hotel taxes, gratuities, meals and beverages are included in your vacation price if you have booked an all inclusive resort vacation. Crib and rollaway charges are sometimes additional. A credit card or cash deposit may be required upon check-in for incidental charges. Special service requests for bedding, rollaway, refrigerators, views, low or high floors, etc. are made to the supplier and are not guaranteed. If you have any issues with your room or reservation, please contact the front office staff, hotel manager and your Vendor Representative within the hotel. There are also local phone numbers on your documents to contact if you have issues while on vacation. You are always welcome to contact your me, but usually these local contacts can get things taken care of much more efficiently, on site.
Specialty Dining Reservations – Specialty dining is included in your all inclusive package, but some restaurants do require advanced reservations. Most hotels do not accept reservations until you arrive in resort. I recommend that you check the resort’s website for any dining reservation options. This is also a good time to check out the dress code for each restaurant. It is up to the sole discretion of the resort as to availability at the times and dates you prefer.