Flights for Furry Friends

It seems that travel is becoming more and more pet-friendly. You no longer have to leave Fido the dog and Felix the cat at home when you travel.

But be prepared to pay a hefty price to do so.

Airlines have been raising their fees for flying with pets. Owners with small pets (like a cat or small dog) can expect to pay about $70 to $125 each way. Flying with your large pet can cost upwards of $500 round-trip. And those are just domestic flights. Expect to pay much more for international flights.

Be sure to check each airline's policy on pets. Some airlines do not allow snub-nosed pets like pugs in cargo because they are sensitive to heat. And depending on the ground temperature where you're flying (over 85 degrees or under 20 degrees), your pet may not be eligible for cargo regardless of breed or nose type.

Don't be mistaken, many airlines are taking steps to become more pet-friendly. JetBlue created a frequent flier program for the 80,000 or so pets a year that travel with them. Delta, Southwest and Air Canada have lowered their fees for flying with pets on board.

Here are several tips to keep in mind when traveling with your pet:

• Only a select number of pets are allowed on each flight, book early to ensure a "seat" for Rover.
• Opt for non-stop flights if possible. This decreased the stress on both you, and your pets and lessens the possibility of your pet becoming "lost luggage".
• Avoid travel during periods of extreme temperatures. If you must travel in the summer, try to do so early in the morning, when temperatures are cooler.
• To avoid "accidents" feed your pet about four hours prior to flight time. Allow your pet water right up until flight time, but make sure you give your pet a chance to go to the bathroom before boarding.
• Make sure your pet's carrier is clearly marked. Write your pets name, your name, phone number, address, email address, destination, and destination contact information on the pets carrier. Attach a luggage tag containing this same information if you'd like. Also make sure your pet is wearing identification should something happen to your pet carrier. In case of any mishaps, you want the airline to be able to contact you as efficiently as possible.

Finally, keep in mind that if your pet gets nervous travelling by car, he or she will certainly be nervous about an airplane. If you question at all whether or not your pet will be able to handle the stress of flying, leave them at home, with a sitter, or at a kennel.

Making the Most Out of Your Honeymoon Decisions

Anyone who has gotten married surely knows that the honeymoon is one of the most important and romantic parts of the entire experience. As a couple, it’s important to choose a honeymoon that is going to fit both of your preferences and styles. This can be challenging at times, which makes it even more important to seek the help of a professional honeymoon specialist. You can spend hours upon hours first researching destinations, then researching hotels and whether or not it has the atmosphere, style and/or perks that are right for you. Then there are the differences in similar-looking resorts, cruises and brands to consider. Next you need to decide when and where to fly/drive from. Then what excursions or added tours you would like to go on …… The list just goes on. On top of all of this there is the actual wedding to plan for.

The best scenario is to describe all of the things you are looking to get out of a dream vacation and just hand that over to a professional travel planner who can then give you options tailored to your expectations. You might consider:

• Modern or tropical
• All-Inclusive or Ala Carte
• Cruise, Package or Tour
• Mountains, Beach or History
• Night-life or serene
• Daring or laid-back
• The list again goes on!

Do you feel overwhelmed yet? Many of the couples our honeymoon travel specialists talk with feel just that. They want to make sure they are not only getting the best value for their money, but are also going to enjoy a vacation that will live up to their expectations for a dream honeymoon. If you like planning your own vacation, great! It can be very exciting, but don’t forget, a travel specialist is always available to help reaffirm your decisions, look into any questions you may have and can often get you added honeymoon inclusions you otherwise might not have found.

Non-stop charter Air

As we look to wrap up our annual Apple Vacations Early Booking Sale (on July 21, 2009), it's becoming more evident that non-stop charter flights are going to be harder to get last-minute as seats drastically reduce. We have already filled whole planes from General Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee on popular dates in January, and as our customers are realizing, booking early has never been so important as it is this year. One of the benefits of booking early is the fact that many of our travel partners are offering different levels of travel insurance, some of which include price protection in case the price drops on your specific package before traveling.

The last-minute deals we have seen this Summer could be a thing of the past as airlines and vacation companies cut back inventory. Don't get caught comparing the prices of Summer and Winter, because you could find yourself spending even more in the end.

Top 10 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent

I wanted to share this with you. Travel Agent Central author Ruthanne Terrero recently posted this list of reasons to use a travel agent.

Top 10 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent

1. You've Googled "Mexico vacation," and come up with 17.8 million responses. Need a little help editing those choices?
2. Remember when you used that obscure website to book your hotel, and when you got there you spent your beach vacation overlooking a parking lot?
3. How many hours were you on hold with the airline when your flight was canceled because of a snowstorm?
4. Did you really mean to spend your honeymoon at that resort whose one tiny pool was filled all day with 12 screaming children?
5. Who knew that when you booked that "villa" in Tuscany, it would be a small room with a kitchenette and no air conditioning? Funny, it looked much better on your computer screen.
6. No one explained to you that in July, it's winter time in Rio, and so you showed up there with nothing but five Hawaiian shirts and three pairs of swimming trunks.
7. How about the time you really needed a restful vacation, and you ended up in New Orleans during Mardi Gras and someone threw up on your shoes?
8. Yes, I guess that hotel must have used a telephoto lens when they took a picture of those guest rooms that you saw on their website.
9. I suppose contacting the Attorney General to resolve the fact that that Internet site has billed your credit card three times instead of once is the only route to take at this point.
10. It was definitely odd that there were no cab drivers at the airport at 3 o'clock in the morning when you finally landed in Costa Rica, but booking a transfer to your very remote hotel would have been a good thing to remember when you purchased your airline ticket and hotel online.

Travel Scams Target Seniors

“Congratulations! You’ve been selected to win a week-long vacation to the beautiful, sunny beaches of the Bahamas”. But before you give up your credit card number, beware! You may be the target of a travel scam. Mature adults ages 50 to 70 are frequent targets since they have more disposable income and often travel more than those in other age groups.

If you’ve received a “too-good-to be true” travel offer, keep these things in mind:

Be suspicious of companies that require you to wait at least 60 days before you take the trip that they are offering. Most credit card companies will only allow you to dispute charges 60 days from the date of the charge. If you file a claim after that, you may not be able to contest the charge if the vacation doesn’t turn out to be all that you were promised.

Don’t do business with a company that insists on using a courier service. Travel scam artists know that by using the U.S. mail, they could be charged and prosecuted for mail fraud.

You are entitled to a written contract including the total cost of the vacation and the cancellation/refund policy. Insist on one before giving out your credit card. Reputable travel companies will provide you with all of the trip details prior to requesting payment.

Beware of “vacation certificates”. There are many variations on this scam, but the worst one is the scenario where the scammer collects a processing fee but then is unable to confirm your requested destination and dates. Then one day, after many frustrating phone calls with no reservations confirmed, you call the “vacation company” and discover that the phones have been disconnected and all evidence that this travel company ever existed has vanished into thin air. Your vacation certificate isn’t worth the paper that it’s printed on, you are out the processing fee, and are not going on a vacation.

“You must act now”. “Limited time offer”. “This will be your only opportunity to take advantage of this amazing offer”. If the salesperson is using high-pressured tactics and demanding your credit card immediately, you are probably being swindled.

How can you avoid becoming a travel scam victim? Use a reputable travel company who can give you advice about how to save money without getting ripped off. Always purchase travel with a credit card. Federal law requires credit card companies to remove a charge from your credit card if the supplier fails to deliver the product or service that you purchase.

As cliché as the old saying may be: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.

Cruise Update: Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has rolled out their “My Time Dining” option to all Royal Caribbean Cruise ships! If you’re a cruiser who likes the flexibility to dine when you cruise then this is a great added bonus! You have anytime between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to dine. Traditional dining options are also still available, making a Royal Caribbean Cruise more appealing to everyone.

We are also excited that Royal Caribbean has simplified their debarkation system, making for a much smoother and relaxing process.

Suites are also very popular right now, especially with the added values and new amenities being added for guests. Things like priority check-in, free luggage valet service, reserved seating in theaters, complimentary Concierge Club services, in-room dining, VIP pool deck seating on select ships and priority departures are just a few of the added perks you’ll receive when you stay in a Suite on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. Travel agents can provide you with all the details you’ll need to know to ensure you get the best cruising experience. Cruising can be complicated, but also extremely enjoyable and relaxing. By letting specialized cruise travel agents help plan your trip you save up more energy to enjoy every unique aspect of cruising.

Also, don’t forget about Royal Caribbean’s new Oasis of the Seas setting sail in November 2009! It’s the world’s largest cruise ship!

Travel Agents Help with "When to Book?" Questions

With the fluctuation of travel package and cruise prices and the availability of early-booking deals, last-minute deals, seasonal deals, individual resorts deals, and who knows what other deals... the answer travelers are truly searching for is “when should I buy?” With years of experience, travel agents are the best equipped to help customers make decisions. Travel agencies also have access to negotiated group space, negotiated hotel rooms and the best insurance available that allows for refunds on price reductions for select vacations.

Even when you independently search for vacation deals on-line, it’s important to book through web sites and companies that have experienced travel specialists backing them to answer any questions, reaffirm decisions or offer personal travel advice. GoFox.com is one such site. Backed by the travel specialists of Fox World Travel, a Full-Service Travel Agency, GoFox.com gives customers who prefer to search for their own cruises and vacations that opportunity, while also offering the support of travel specialists that average over 10 years experience. Travelers can find a vacation on the web site and have the option to book directly online or simply call a travel specialist, just to ensure all of the details are in line. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!

London vs. New York Theatre

London Theatre or New York Theatre….that may be the question: Whether ‘tis more economical, authentic, stimulating, or glamorous to choose one experience over the other may be a decision which requires advice from your well-traveled friends, theatre critics and certainly your travel agent.

Fox World Travel can assist you with the travel information necessary to make an educated decision and help you with your “theatre break” as they say in Europe.

Things to consider –

1 – U.S. Citizens are required to have a passport to travel to London. If you don’t have one, you should get one. After all, when your friends invite you to join them on their London Theatre “last minute special” you don’t want to turn them down because you don’t have proper documentation.

2 – Flying time from O’Hare to London is eight hours, from LA it's about ten hours and from New York, about seven hours. But, interestingly enough, airfare is not always logically based on the flying times. Airfare to London during what is commonly called low season (November to March) and shoulder season (April, May, and October) is often deeply discounted and could conceivably be less than your New York airfare.

3 – Both destinations offer discounted theatre tickets at kiosks throughout the theatre districts. This is an excellent way to find discounted tickets with savings of up to 50 per cent (usually available on the day of the show). Of course, if there is a “must-see” show on your wish list, you should consider buying those in advance. Many tour operators will include show tickets of your choice as an optional component in their packages.

4 – Where to stay? New York accommodations in the Broadway Theatre District can range from modest to magnificent depending on location and amenities. When looking for accommodations in London select hotels in the Leicester Square or Piccadilly area to be close to West End Theatre.

Whether you choose New York or London, the experts at Fox World Travel can help you develop the theatre package that’s right for you.

"The Best Job in the World"

Island Caretaker Great Barrier Reef: that is the prize "job" that 34 year old British citizen, Ben Southall won. The contest, which was part of a marketing campaign by Tourism Queensland, awarded the winner the role of Island Caretaker for six months on luxurious Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef. It's a live-in position with flexible working hours where the main responsibilities would include exploring the islands of the Great Barrier Reef to discover what the area has to offer and then report the findings via weekly blogs, photo diary, video updates and ongoing media interviews.

Mr. Southhall will be paid a salary of AUD $150,00.00 (approximately $111,000.00 USD) for a six-month contract. He will receive roundtrip airfare from his home country (England), accommodation in a three-bedroom villa on Hamilton Island (which he plans on sharing with his Canadian girlfriend) complete with plunge pool, endless ocean views, and a golf cart, a computer with internet access, digital video and still camera access, plus travel to a number of the other Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

Stretching for 2,600 kilometres, and composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia is the world's largest coral reef system. The World Heritage-listed area supports a diversity of wildlife including whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and more than 1,500 species of fish. The reef is an extremely popular destination for tourists, sustainably managing approximately 2 million visitors each year.

According to the contest description the successful applicant should posses:

- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Good written and verbal English skills
- An adventurous attitude
- Willingness to try new things
- A passion for the outdoors
- Good swimming skills and enthusiasm for snorkeling and/or diving
- Ability to engage with others
- At least one year's relevant experience

Apparently 34,0000 individuals thought that they possessed these qualities as that is the number of applications received by Tourism Queensland. The group was narrowed down to 16 finalists who came from 15 different countries. They were flown to Hamilton Island for a final series of tests, including demonstrating their swimming abilities, snorkeling and being pampered at a luxurious island resort.

Ben's 60-second application video showed him riding an ostrich and being kissed by a leopard (in Africa where he is a charity fundraiser), before driving off into the sunset yelling: "If it's the best job in the world then I'm off to the best place in the world". Throughout the selection process, the candidates were expected to demonstrate a "passion" for the job and come up with ideas on how best to promote the Great Barrier Reef and other Queensland attractions.

The job starts on July 1. We'll keep an eye out for Ben's Blog and find out if he truly does believe it is "The Best Job in the World".

Where Would You Be Without Your Travel Agent?

If you made your Mexico travel plans on your own, you are probably on the phone and have been for hours, trying to get through to your airline, tour operator, cruise line, or hotel. If your upcoming Mexico travel was purchased through a travel agent, it's likely that you've been contacted (or will be soon) by your travel professional with your options. Fox World Travel has and will continue to monitor the influenza outbreak, the advisories by the CDC, and the alerts that we are receiving from our travel industry partners so that we can provide our customers the most up-to-date and accurate information.

The swine flu outbreak has forced many travelers with Mexico itineraries to make a difficult decision: should I cancel my travel completely, should I change my dates and/or destination, or should I proceed as planned? These decisions are certainly personal and can be difficult but armed with the facts, they can at least be informed.

Many airlines and tour operators are waiving the change or cancel fees for travel to Mexico (there are some restrictions based on dates of travel). If you still want to travel but would like to avoid Mexico, consider the Dominican Republic, Jamaica or perhaps a cruise (which doesn't visit a Mexican port). Some tour operators are offering discounts for rebooking at select hotels. Your travel agent can help you find alternate arrangements which are right for you.

If you do decide to travel to an area where swine flu has been reported, WebMD has these recommendations:

1. Check updates from the CDC, WHO and local health authorities, and follow their guidelines.

2. Check on health care resources in the area you'll be visiting before you depart.

3. Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel.

4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

5. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

6. Seek medical care if you are ill with a fever and other symptoms of the flu.

And if you didn't heed the advice of your travel professional regarding the importance of purchasing travel insurance for your current trip, this should be a lesson learned. "All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes" Winston Churchill