FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

 

 GENERAL

 

WHAT IS  LOCALLY HOSTED TRAVEL?

 

Locally Hosted Travel is an independent alternative to traditional Escorted foreign travel.  Essentially you will be traveling on your own with access to a Local  Host who will help with recommendations for sightseeing based on your individual interests, access to local transportation, restaurants recommendations, cafes, museums, shops, etc.    

 

COULDN’T I JUST PUT THIS TOGETHER ON MY OWN THROUGH THE INTERNET?

 

Yes, you could, however, you might spend  DAYS scouring the internet piecing together packages that wouldn’t come close to what we offer….. and spend considerably more money!   We have put 37 years of experience into our itineraries.  We have the international contacts and local hosts.  We have vetted the hotels and the tour companies.  We have the discounted air contracts, hotel contracts, etc.  We’ve done the work so you can travel with the confidence of knowing that your trip has been expertly arranged!

 

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS TO WHEN I CAN TRAVEL?  HOW DO I KNOW THE BEST TIME?

 

With Locally Hosted Travel, you can generally travel any day, provided accommodations are available and we can find flights to suit your needs.    Rates will vary depending on peak travel seasons, etc.  Please let us know your level of flexibility and we will search for the lowest rates.

 

The Best time to travel depends on the destination.  Generally, the three “seasons” of travel are high or peak season, low season and shoulder season.  We often recommend shoulder season as offering the best combination of pricing , weather and un-crowded conditions. 

 

WILL THE  INCLUDED TOURS AND SIGHTSEEING BE PRIVATE FOR OUR PARTY?

 

The included sightseeing will be arranged by your Local Host, with the local tour companies, but they are not private.  Additional sightseeing  and private and/or group tours may be arranged with your Local Host. 

 

WHAT WILL WEATHER/CLIMATE BE DURING MY TRIP? 

 

Click on the following link for weather and climate information and averages throughout the world:  www.qwikcast.com

 

WILL I NEED A RENTAL CAR?

 

Our trips are designed so a rental car will not be needed.  If you wish to rent a car, the Local Host will be happy to assist you with the arrangements after reaching your destination.

 

CAN I USE MY CREDIT CARD IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES?

 

Yes, this is generally the preferred way to pay when traveling internationally

ATM machines are also available in most countries and a good way to obtain foreign currency.

 

US Dollars can almost always be exchanged at your hotel. 

 

 

 

ARE THERE OTHER TRIPS OR TOURS AVAILABLE NOT SHOWN ON THE WEBSITE?

 

Customized tours are available and we may be able to offer you specifically what you are looking for.

 

Call us or select “OTHER DESTINATION” when completing the online Quote Form.

DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTED AIRFARE?

 

We offer exceptional rates on international airfare!  If you book the air with us, the deposit amount covers the airfare and you don’t have to pay the air in full until the final payment is due.  However, occasionally there is an air  price increase, so if you wish to protect the quoted price of the airfare, you should pay the air in full at the time of booking. 

 

HOW MANY BAGS CAN I TAKE ON THE PLANE?

 

This varies from airline to airline, but generally one checked & one carry on is allowed.

The weight restrictions on checked bags also vary.

 

DO I EARN FREQUENT FLYER MILES? 

 

Yes, you will almost always be able to get mileage credit on the flight we book for you.

 

 

HOTELS

 

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT HOTEL TO CHOOSE?

 

If you’re not sure what room category you may ask for a quote on several or all categories of hotels.

 

We do not offer truly budget hotels, as the level of guest satisfaction is spotty at best. 

You can rest assured that all the hotels we have contracted have been qualified by Travel 360’s staff and meet our standards.

 

Here is how the hotels are rated on a 1-5 scale :

Superior Tourist Class – 3 stars

First Class – 4 stars

Superior First Class – 4.5 stars

Deluxe – 5 stars

 

MAY  I REQUEST A VIEW OR A KING  BED?

 

We accept room requests for bedding types and no smoking.  Keep in mind that the hotel will try to honor the requests however they are not guaranteed. When traveling internationally, you will often find that hotel rooms are smaller than in the US, often times King or queens may not be available.  We cannot accept advance requests for a certain view or special room category, but you may  ask for an upgrade at the hotel.

 

CAN I EXTEND HOTEL NIGHTS BEFORE AND AFTER THE TOUR?

 

Yes you may add additional nights in the city you are starting in or ending in.

If you add additional nights, the airport transfers are not included and will have to be booked separately.

 

If you add the nights after the original deposit there may be a revision fee.  You cannot add additional nights after the final payment (without incurring high fees, because it requires re-ticketing the air)

 

 

RESERVATION PROCESS

 

HOW DO I REQUEST A RESERVATION?

 

Please complete an online Quote Form or call our office at 800-241-5429 and we will take the information over the phone.  We will then get back to you with a firm quote.

 

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE CAN YOU MAKE RESERVATIONS?

 

Generally, we will have firm rates 9-12 months in advance,  however there are exceptions.

We will advise you if the rates are not firm and in those cases offer an estimated rate. 

Once the rates are firm, we will contact you again, at which time you may book your trip. 

 

 

PAYMENT POLICIES

 

RATES – HOW ACCURATE ARE THE RATES ON THE WEBSITE?

 

The rates on the website are estimated and are land only, without air. 

Once you complete a quote request form  an exact quote will be offered.

 

ARE TAXES INCLUDED?  ARE THERE ANY HIDDEN FEES?

 

Yes, all taxes are included in your price.

 

Tips to porter & drivers, tour guides, etc  are NOT included on Locally Hosted Travel.

 

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?  

 

Any major credit card or personal check

 

HOW MUCH IS THE DEPOSIT?

 

 $200.00 per person within 3 - 5 days after booking is made which is non-refundable

 

WHEN IS THE FINAL PAYMENT DUE?

 

65 days prior to travel departure date

 

Documents are  sent 2-3 weeks prior (A $15 delivery fee if requested earlier)

 

WHEN DO CANCELLATION POLICIES BEGIN?

 

$200.00 per person deposit is non-refundable

65-22 days penalty is 20% of tour cost;

21-8 days is 30%;

7-1 days is 50%; less than 1 day prior non-refundable

 

CAN I PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE TO COVER CANCELLATION AND OTHER TRAVEL

EMERGENCIES?

 

YES… WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE!

Your international travel is a big investment, and it is not worth putting that type of investment at risk.

 

Premiums are  based on the cost of trip as indicated

Premium is the same regardless of age:

$79 per person for $1-$1000 trip cost per person

$99 per person for $1001-1500  trip cost per person

$139 per person for $1501-3000 trip cost per person

$169 per person for $3001-$5000 trip cost per person

$299 per person for $5001-$10,000    trip cost per person

 

The insurance will reimburse you up to trip cost for cancellation charges of the land trip and the air.

 

If you did not book the air through us and booked it yourself you may add the air into the land cost for complete air and land coverage (must be done at time  of booking) .  You will be covered for  missed connections, upgrade protection if you become a single, travel delay protection up to $1000, baggage loss or damage up to $2500, baggage delay up to $250, accident/sickness medical expense up to $25000, emergency dental treatment resulting from covered injury up to $1000, emergency medical evacuation & repatriation up to $50,000, accidental death & dismemberment and 24-hour ON call assistance internationally.

 

Worry-Free Plan for $30-$50.00 (depending on destination) per person more may cancel up to 24 hours prior for ANY reason not covered by the travel protection plan provisions.  Refund is in future travel credit.  Does not apply to non-refundable airline tickets or independently arranged air.

 

 

DOCUMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

 

WILL I NEED A PASSPORT?  WHERE CAN I GET ONE?

 

Yes, all countries offered on this website require valid passports for entry.

 

NOTE: Most countries require that the passport is valid at least 6 months AFTER return date.

 

Passport applications are available at most United States Post Offices.  You must complete the application and return to the post office with payment and passport photos.  The post office will process and you will receive them in the mail approximately 4-6 weeks later. 

 

WILL I NEED A VISA?

 

A Visa is permission from the government for foreign entry in their country. 

 

Some of the countries traveled to in our itineraries, require Visas.  To find out if a Visa is required, go to http://www.state.gov/misc/59452.htm  and look up the country.

 

 

CAN I GET A VISA THROUGH TRAVEL 360? 

 

No, we do not process Visa Applications, however, we recommend

Visa’s International at 800-638-1517.  They also have an email for questions:

support@visasintl.com

 

We welcome your advice and input.  Drop a note with your comments or questions.

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