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Travel Tips
(Please read this important travel information before departure.)
Dear Passenger,
On behalf of Pacific Holidays, we welcome you as an honored guest and offer some tips to enhance your trip.
Check-in:
Due to security at airports it is imperative that you check in for your flight at least 3 hours (for international travel) and 2 hours (for domestic flights) prior to departure, especially when seats on some carriers cannot be pre-assigned. Don’t forget to have your valid US passport in your hand luggage to present at the ticket counter, at security checkpoints and to immigration/customs officials.
Reconfirmation:
It is important to reconfirm your return or continuing flight(s) at least 72 hours prior to departure. Your flight’s departure time may have changed. Failure to reconfirm may result in cancellation of your reservation. Once reconfirmed, you still must allow a minimum check-in time of 3 hours for international flights (2 hours for domestic flights). Pacific Holidays’ local agency will assist you in this matter in most cases. But you must still take the initiative and make sure you have everything set, especially when you are traveling independently.
Passports:
For most destinations, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your tour return date to the USA. Also, an adequate number of blank pages (2-4, not counting amendment pages) is required for visa stamps. If you need to apply for a new or renewed passport, or to add extra pages, be sure to allow adequate time for processing and mailing, and to allow for having your passport available in time for any visa applications.
Visas:
While we may be able to offer some assistance in getting your visa (if visa is required), it is your responsibility to make sure you comply with all travel requirements of the country of destination. Non-US passport holders, as well as US green card holders with foreign passports, will need to be attentive to the requirements for citizens of their home countries. The following destinations require a visa in advance or, in some cases, visa pre-authorization for all US citizens: Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Note: For some of these countries, a visa on arrival may be possible, but we generally recommend getting your visa in advance. Since visa procedures vary widely, consult Pacific Holidays or your travel agent for visa information.
Clothing:
There are many restaurants and coffee shops where tie and jacket are not necessary, but some gentlemen may wish to bring jacket and tie if dining at deluxe establishments. Check for the latest weather conditions of your destination in the newspaper or the weather channel (in some areas).
Baggage:
For efficient travel, we recommend that each passenger travel light, with only one suitcase and one carry-on bag. Carry-on baggage must fit easily in the Carry-on Baggage Check, which is located near the check-in counters and at the gate and is approximately 22" x 14" x 9" (or 56 x 36 x 23 cm). On trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific and other international flights, passengers are generally allowed either 1 or 2 pieces of check-in baggage weighing 50 lbs (23 kg) per piece and 62 inches (157 cm) in total length + width + height for each piece. For domestic and foreign country internal air travel, airline baggage allowance is usually more restricted. Generally, you may bring check-in baggage weighing a total of 44 lbs (20 kg). Since airline policies vary and are subject to change, you are advised to check with the airlines near your departure date. The airline will charge a fee if you bring more than its allowance. This fee is not included in Pacific Holidays tour package.
Arrival:
If you have booked transfers, you will be met outside customs by our local ground operator (name, address, and phone number listed on your travel voucher) and transferred to your hotel. If you reserved a car (and have our voucher), proceed to the car rental counter to pick up your car. Please remember to allow sufficient time for the car drop-off and billing if you are taking a flight. If you did not reserve transfers or a car, proceed directly to your hotel. Please make sure you have the correct address and phone number for the hotel where you are staying.
Assistance:
The local ground operator listed on your voucher is responsible for most of the pre-booked services requested by you or your travel agent (transfers, hotel accommodations, car rental, sightseeing tours, evening entertainments, etc.) and has offices in most major cities with some English-speaking staff to assist you. You may call or visit their office(s) to book other excursions, etc. IF SOMETHING DURING YOUR TRIP IS NOT TO YOUR SATISFACTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE LOCAL TOUR COMPANY FOR ASSISTANCE.
Tour Arrangements:
In very rare cases due to circumstances beyond our control, we may find it necessary to alter the sequence of the itinerary, or to substitute hotels. We thank you in advance for your understanding.
Safe Keeping:
Remember to keep your passport and other valuables in a safe place during your trip; i.e., hotel safe-deposit box.
Vouchers and Itinerary:
Pacific Holidays now issues e-documents, in line with the airlines’ move to electronic tickets and ticketless flights, which are less prone to fraud. Pacific Holidays’ e-documents include not only e-tickets but electronic itineraries, service vouchers and some important information on the destinations. E-documents facilitate uploading to electronic devices, and they are more eco-friendly. We recommend that you print your service vouchers, however, since some operators require printed vouchers. Print documentation is available on request.
Train Travel:
If your tour includes train travel, keep in mind that you will need to carry your baggage from platform to platform. You may ask the porter to assist you with your baggage, allowing for a tip for this service. Also, you may have to share a berth and/or compartment with strangers.
Tipping:
Tips to drivers and guides are not included in our tour package rates. Tipping customs and amounts vary from one destination to another. For independent and group travel, we suggest tips of US $2-$5 per day for the tour guide and US $1-2 per day for the driver for a full-day tour (more for private tours); and US $1-$2 per bag for hotel porters. Generally, the amount to tip will depend on your satisfaction with the service you receive
For further information, please contact your professional travel agent, or the national tourist office for the country you are visiting.
Thank you for choosing Pacific Holidays.
We wish you a pleasant trip.
