Viator

Thursday, September 15, 2011

How to Score a Refund on a Nonrefundable Ticket

by Ed Perkins

Airlines these days seem to tweak their schedules far more often than ever. Too often, I hear from travelers who ticketed what they planned to be a good itinerary only to find that their airline has changed their schedule. Many such schedule changes are innocuous, and you can easily accept such minor glitches as inconvenient departure or arrival times, increased travel time, additional stops, longer layovers, or uncomfortably tight connections. But other times a schedule change can throw your trip entirely out of whack: You can't make the new departure, for example, a later arrival time makes you miss an appointment or connection, the new schedule includes an unacceptable red-eye, or the trip would take far too many hours. Whatever the reason, if you really don't like a new schedule, you can sometimes do something about it.

Airlines change schedules for a variety of reasons—fleet scheduling, changed air traffic situations and such—but increasingly these days, they prune flights because of "excess capacity" on poorly performing routes. Their contracts of carriage all allow them to cancel flights, and generally promise to provide you with two options:

  • An alternative schedule on their own flights, which they typically book for you automatically.
  • A complete refund, even on a nonrefundable ticket.

A few lines also offer a third option: transfer to another line, usually limited to an airline with which they have a partnership or interline agreement, rarely to any non-partner line.

If you get caught, your easiest option is to accept the airline's offer unless it's really terrible, especially if you can live with the inconvenience and reschedule any meetings you might miss. In that case, the biggest problem that you'll face—a big issue with some flyers, not so much with others—is that you lose whatever seat assignments you originally had. Although your ticket entitles you to a seat, it doesn't entitle you to a specific seat. And because the airline is moving you to flights that already have bookings, your chances of ending up in middle seats and/or separated from a traveling companion are pretty high. In that case, you just have to figure "kismet" and maybe try to fix your seat assignments at departure time.

But all too often, the airline's new schedule will not work for you, for the reasons mentioned or others. In that case, my suggestion is that you go online and work out what would be acceptable to you, call the airline's reservation agent (you really can't do this online), and give the agent your preferred option. That approach works best when you confine your alternative schedule search to the original line. If you can't do that, expand your search to partner lines: you can identify them by looking at your original line's frequent flyer program pages. If that doesn't work, you can certainly try a non-partner airline, but your chances then get pretty slim.

If your original line can't or won't provide an acceptable itinerary, your only remaining option is to ask for a refund and start the booking process over again. That way, you can try for the best possible itinerary available at the time. Unfortunately, however, rebooking might require you to pay a higher fare—maybe even a much higher fare, depending on circumstances. But if that's the only way you can complete your trip, go for it.

How about that possible "blessing" in the above headline? If, for some reason, you have nonrefundable tickets for a trip you really want to cancel, a schedule change gives you the perfect opportunity to bail out without penalty or loss. One frequent traveler I know has done that twice this year already.

Although airlines try to notify you if your schedule changes, I often hear from flyers who missed their flights because they were reassigned to an earlier departure and didn't know about it. Especially if you ticket well in advance, always check with the airline to make sure it has no nasty surprises in store for you.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Getaway to All-inclusive Jamaica! 3 nights with EVERYTHING included! #SCT

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Getaway to All-inclusive Jamaica! 3 nights with EVERYTHING included!
All-inclusive packages include:

  • Round trip hotel transfers
  • 3 night hotel accommodations
  • Hotel tax and service charges
  • All meals,drinks and snacks 
  • Non motorized water sports
  • Daily activities
  • Nightly entertainment and much more!
For more information contact Supreme Clientele Travel (407) 413-9578

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Friday, September 9, 2011

Hyatt Workers Strike in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu

Thousands of Hyatt hotel workers in four U.S. cities -- Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Honolulu -- have launched week-long strikes, according to Unite Here, the workers’ union. According to a statement issued by Unite Here, Hyatt has replaced career housekeepers with minimum wage temporary workers and imposed dangerous workloads on those housekeepers who remain.

In July, Hyatt reportedly turned heat lamps on striking workers in Chicago during a heat wave. In Boston, Hyatt fired its entire housekeeping staff at three non-union hotels, replacing women who had worked at Hyatt for decades with temporary workers earning minimum wage, according to the union.

Hyatt workers have called for boycotts at 17 Hyatt properties and have led dozens of public demonstrations all across North America. “Hyatt workers are waging a crucial struggle,” said John Wilhelm, president of Unite Here, a union representing 250,000 hotel and other hospitality workers throughout North America.

Contracts for striking workers in Chicago and San Francisco expired in August 2009, in Los Angeles in November 2009, and in Honolulu in June 2010. Workers in each of these cities have reached agreements with other major hotel companies, such as Hilton and Starwood, according to the union This week's strike affects approximately 3,000 unionized hotel workers at six hotel properties across North America, including the largest Hyatt property in the world, the Hyatt Regency Chicago. For more information, visit www.HotelWorkersRising.org or www.hyatt.com.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Amtrak Warns Republican-Backed Budget Plan Will Eliminate Service

By James Ruggia
September 08, 2011 10:13 PM

Amtrak is warning that a Republican-backed budget plan in Congress will eliminate rail service. Despite record-breaking Amtrak ridership and strong support for intercity passenger rail by 15 states, Amtrak said, the House Republican transportation budget plan will effectively eliminate all state-supported Amtrak service across the country for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

The FY 2012 Transportation-HUD House Appropriations Subcommittee budget proposal offered by the Republican majority in the House prohibits the use of federal funds provided to Amtrak to fund any operating costs of state-supported trains. If enacted by the full Congress, Amtrak said the measure would eliminate nearly 150 weekday state-supported trains and negatively impact the more than nine million passengers who ride those trains each year and the communities they live in.

“The House Republican plan is shortsighted and is the wrong policy for America,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman. “It will result in the loss of jobs and reverses significant progress made to use passenger rail to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.”

“The GOP plan penalizes states that have made investments in passenger rail, some of which have contributed toward costs for nearly 40 years,” said Amtrak Chairman Tom Carper. “It kills an engine of local and regional economic growth much needed today, harms the future economic vitality of the nation and is unnecessary.”

Under legislation passed by Congress in 2008, Amtrak is working cooperatively with its state partners to develop a common methodology to shift more of the operating and capital costs of state-supported trains to the states. “The Republican proposal forces an unwelcome decision on states who clearly want to preserve and expand passenger rail service,” Carper said. The 15 states which provide state-supported Amtrak service are: California, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Google Sets Deal to Buy Zagat User Review Guides

By James Shillinglaw
September 08, 2011 10:02 PM

Google is reportedly buying Zagat, the popular restaurant review guides, in a deal apparently aimed at getting more local restaurant and travel content. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. News of Google’s acquisition was posted on Zagat’s website and in a blog by a top Google executive. “We are writing to share the most exciting news in our 32 years in business. Zagat Survey has been acquired by another great company, Google,” write Nina and Tim Zagat, owners of Zagat.

Marissa Mayer, Google’s top executive for local and location services, wrote that Zagat would become the cornerstone for the search giant’s local offerings. “Their iconic pocket-sized guides with paragraphs summarizing and ‘snippeting’ sentiment were ‘mobile’ before ‘mobile’ involved electronics,” she said.

The Zagats said that after spending time with Google senior management discussing mutual goals, “we know they share our belief in user-generated content and our commitment to accuracy and fairness in providing users with the information needed to make smart decisions about where to eat, shop and travel. We believe this union is the right next step for our employees, our users and for our business, all of which will benefit from the additional resources and reach that Google provides. Going forward, we will remain active in the business as co-chairs, helping to ensure that the combination of Zagat's and Google's assets and capabilities will maximize our product quality and growth.”

Beyond restaurant reviews for cities across the U.S. and the rest of the world, Zagat also has user-generated review guides for hotels, resorts and spas (for the U.S. and the World); golf courses; Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts; and Los Angeles and New York City nightlife. Google in 2009 reportedly tried to buy at least one Zagat competitor, Yelp, in a deal said to be worth $500. It then developed Places, a Yelp-like listing for local businesses reviewed by individual consumers.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Last Minute Hot Deals on Bahamas Cruises from NY & Miami

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Supreme Clientele Travel has the best prices for your cruise vacation. Call us now (407) 413-9578  to set up your memorable cruise package.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Sea World Orlando Resort Packages including All Day Dining FREE.. limited time only!

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Take Advantage of these Exclusive Benefits from our On-Site Hotels

Our On-Site hotels, the Official Hotels of SeaWorld, are all within walking distance of our parks.
NEW in 2011, these properties offer their guests exclusive benefits including:

  • Complimentary transportation to SeaWorld, Aquatica, Discovery Cove and Universal Orlando
  • Complimentary Quick Queue Unlimited (front-of-the-line access) at SeaWorld*
  • Early Entry to SeaWorld and Aquatica on select dates in peak season**
  • Exclusive access to the “SeaWorld Rescue Tour” at SeaWorld on Early Entry dates**

And for a limited time all vacation packages include an All-Day Dining Deal FREE (a $29.99 Retail Value) with each admission!


Packages start at $650.00 for a  4(four) day get away for a family of 3(three) at the Marriott Hotel.

For more information and reservations contact Supreme Clientele Travel (407)413-9578

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Supreme Clientele Travel has your Magical Disney Cruise Packages waiting!

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Looking for the best deals around? Look no further – we’ve got them right here.Supreme Clientele Travel is offering these exciting destinations at unbelievable prices. Board now before these deals depart.

On a Disney cruise, there is something for everyone: relaxing "me" time for the adults, imaginative fun for the kids and exciting family time for all. Every voyage includes the attention to detail and world-class hospitality that Disney is famous for.

  •       Activities: Join in fun-filled activities at lavishly themed onboard venues designed to inspire and delight each and every member of your family.
  •       Dining: Savor Disney's one-of-a-kind Rotational Dining, where Guests "rotate" through 3 different restaurants with personalized service from servers who travel with you to each meal.
  •       Entertainment: Immerse yourselves in Broadway-quality, original Disney musicals that can't be seen anywhere else—as well as special moments with Disney Characters and first-run Disney movies
  •       Deck Parties: The family comes together for unique themed celebrations on deck, including the only fireworks spectacular at sea.
  •       Castaway Cay: Most cruises include a stop at Disney's island paradise, reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers.
  •       Exciting Destinations: Sail to exciting new destinations in 2011, including the Mexican Riviera and Alaska & Pacific Coast.

All of this and more is included in the price of the cruise.

Disney Cruise Entertainment

Disney Cruise Line®  offers a stunning variety of world-class entertainment at sea.  Watch award-winning Broadway Stage Shows in the Walt Disney Theatre, first-run film screenings in the Buena Vista Theatre, or televised sports at the ESPN Skybox.  Disney Cruise Line®  has lots of entertainment for the entire family.  Disney entertainment includes:

    * Walt Disney Theatre shows Hercules - a Muse-ical Comedy which is one of the "strongest" shows ever, offering a hysterical and vaudevillian salute to the Greek god. The red carpet awaits your arrival to this momentous gala event celebrating the musical legacy of the Walt Disney World Studios with The Golden Mickeys.  There's also a night of enchantment with Disney Dreams in which Peter Pan leads you through the music and magic of Disney animated classics.
    * Buena Vista Theatre shows first-run films with such favorites as Pirates of the Caribbean, Freaky Friday, Finding Nemo and much more.
    * Enjoy adult entertainment on Beat Street (Disney Magic® ) and Route 66 (Disney Wonder® ) - an entire nighttime entertainment district offering three themed clubs with live music and dancing to dueling pianos, to an intimate jazz club.
    * ESPN Skybox sports bar features 13 screens to view and cheer on non-stop live sporting events.
    * The Promenade Lounge features the smooth sounds of a jazz quartet.
    * At Studio Sea you can test your knowledge of all things Disney with hilarious game shows like Mickey Mania.

For more information and bookings contact Supreme Clientele Travel (407) 413-9578

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Stay at the Nickelodeon Suites Resort, the wildest wackiest family resort in Orlando!

Let Supreme Clientele Travel plan your Nikki Beach Las Vegas Get-A-Way!

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In 1998, Nikki Beach introduced the world to the ultimate beach club concept bringing together dining, fashion, art, music and entertainment. Over a decade later, Nikki Beach continues to make its mark in the world’s hottest addresses and trendsetting locales, recently claiming the #1 spot in Travel Channel’s World’s Sexiest Beach Bars. The Nikki Beach concept has transcended its international venues and grown into a luxury global lifestyle company: Nikki Beach Lifestyle, launched at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009 with a clothing line, a sun care and fragrance line; Marketing and Public Relations Divisions; Global Sponsorships and Special Events; Nikki Beach Music label; a VIP membership card and concierge program; and a Hotel and Resorts Division with 10 new locations to begin opening in 2012.

Nikki Beach lifestyle can now be experienced in eleven cities, in nine different countries with more locations to come in the near future: Miami Beach, Florida, USA; St. Tropez, France; St. Barth, French West Indies; Marbella, Spain; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Marrakech, Morocco; Koh Samui, Thailand; Cabarete, Dominican Republic; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; and also at the Cannes Film Festival, France and the Toronto International Film Festival, Canada. 

Tropicana Hotel Packages starting at $109 per person on selected dates

For more information and package rates contact Supreme Clientele Travel (407)413-9578

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Universal Orlando Resort Packages w/ Supreme Clientele Travel

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Purchase an exclusive vacation package and enjoy Early Park Admission to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ before the general public, Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks™ and More! Plus, enjoy hotel accommodations and admission to Universal Orlando Resort.

4 Night Getaways starting from only $315* per adult, tax inclusive
Date Range: Purchase now – December 14, 2011 with travel now – December 31, 2012


2 Park Get a Away

Select the hotel of your choice and add theme park admission to enjoy both Universal Orlando's theme parks! Plus, receive Early Park Admission to Islands of Adventure!

3-Night Getaways start from only $249* per adult, tax inclusive!

Date Range: Purchase now – December 25, 2012 with travel now – December 31, 2012


For more information and bookings contact Supreme Clientele Travel (407)413-9578

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Whats new in Orlando! Come experience the sunshine state!


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Enjoy hotel accommodations, UNLIMITED ADMISSION^ to Universal's Islands of Adventure®, Universal Studios Florida®, SeaWorld®Orlando, Aquatica™ - a one-of-a kind waterpark by SeaWorld and Wet 'n Wild®-Orlando, all-club access^^ to Universal CityWalk® and much more!

Experience it all with:

  • 7-Night hotel accommodations
  • Orlando FlexTicket^, valid for the entire length of your stay, to Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica, and Wet 'n Wild Orlando. Upgrade to an Orlando FlexTicket Plus and also receive admission to Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay!
  • Admission^^ to select live entertainment venues at Universal CityWalk
  • EARLY PARK ADMISSION◊ to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ before the rest of the general public!
  • FREE transportation◊◊ to Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay with the purchase of Orlando FlexTicket Plus
For more information and bookings contact Supreme Clientele Travel (407)413-9578

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Atlantis Special with Supreme Clientele Travel

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For more info and bookings call Supreme Clientele Travel (407)413-9578

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel