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FAQ
- How can the TripPlanner offer such low fares on Around-the-World and other Multi-Stop International trips?
- How does the the TripPlanner service work?
- What’s included in the cost of an Around-the-World or Circle-Pacific ticket?
- How long does it usually take to book and receive my tickets? Can I get them right away?
- Do I have to go to all the cities listed in the itinerary?
- Can I make up my own itinerary?
- What airlines are used?
- What does OVERLAND ON YOUR OWN, SURFACE or LAND mean in an itinerary description?
- How long are these tickets good for?
- How much for kids?
- How soon can I leave?
- Will I get a better price if I wait until the last minute?
- Can I change my tickets while I’m on the road?
- How can the TripPlanner offer such low fares on Around-the-World and other Multi-Stop International trips?
The TripPlanner is a powerful information resource enabled by the Internet and the Information Age. Flight segments are priced differently for different markets, and we have established a global network of ticket suppliers. We scour the globe looking for the best prices on flights and segments between hundreds of destinations around the world. Then we pass the savings on to you. When you buy an Around-the-World or Multi-Continent ticket from the TripPlanner, you can be sure that you’re getting the best prices available in the world. And our Web site makes it easier and more affordable than ever to plan and purchase international multi-stop travel. Our unique combination of expert advice and our easy-to-use TripPlanner make planning an Around-the-World trip and purchasing a ticket simple and fun.
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- How does the the TripPlanner service work?
With the TripPlanner, you can create the trip of your lifetime in five easy steps. First, you’ll need to decide on your departure point and come up with a list of destinations you would like to visit. Next, use our easy-to-use TripPlanner to explore your routing and price options. Once you’ve decided on a routing, you’ll need to work with an the TripPlanner travel consultant to refine and optimize your itinerary. We’ll also let you know exactly what the price for your trip will be. Then we’ll check availability and help you reserve seats. Once you’re completely satisfied with your dream trip, we’ll ask for your payment, order your tickets, and you’ll be off!
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- What’s included in the cost of an the TripPlanner Around-the-World or Circle-Pacific ticket?
Unless otherwise noted, the prices listed in our itineraries represent airfare only from each point listed in the routing to the next (excluding OVERLAND segments – see below). However, we can direct you to appropriate hotel and/or tour providers at most of the destinations on our itineraries if you so desire. Please note that although the fares listed on our Web site usually begin and end in New York or California, you may actually start your journey anywhere in the world. Just contact us for a fare quote from your home city on any of our itineraries. Prices are usually stated including domestic and foreign taxes and airport facility charges, which comprise from $5 to $100 of the price of your ticket. Please ask your Travel Counselor for full details.
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- How long does it usually take to book and receive my tickets? Can I get them right away?
The better way to look at this, is that it helps to get your tickets sooner rather than later. It is possible for us to “rush” your booking, but RTW itineraries are complex. The faster we have to book, the less able we are to find the absolute best fares. Most estimates we give are based on a minimum advance purchase of 4 weeks, if tickets are to be sent to an address in the USA; 5 weeks if tickets are to be sent to another country. Confirming reservations and arranging payment may take several days, so it’s best to start making reservations earlier if possible. On shorter notice, tickets may be more expensive and may be subject to additional rush and special handling charges. The earliest we can process at least the first leg of your trip is 7-10 days (we can ship the rest to you abroad, later), but that’s not guaranteed, and may have other fees attached. To get a more detailed idea of how long it takes to get your tickets, click here.
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- Do I have to go to all the cities listed in the itinerary?
No, you can usually skip cities in most routings, although you still may have to pass through certain “hubs” even if you do not wish to stop in them to get the best fare.
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- Can I make up my own itinerary?
Yes! The itineraries listed on our Web site are only examples of the almost unlimited number of routing combinations possible. We can construct a custom fare for virtually any itinerary worldwide. Use our TripPlanner or contact us for a fare quote from your home city on the itinerary that best suits your needs.
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- What airlines are used?
We work with almost every airline on earth. Each of our Around-the-World and Circle-Pacific routings are constructed using a combination of IATA-certified international air carriers. We’ll be happy to discuss your choice of airlines on a particular routing with you once you have chosen an itinerary. In general, we simply use whatever airlines provide the best price on any given sector to construct our fares, resulting in the lowest possible cost for your trip, although if various airlines have similar fares on a sector we will usually choose the airline with the best reputation. Sometimes it is possible to substitute one airline for another on the same sector if the use of a particular airline is of importance to you, although generally this will result in a higher price for your chosen routing. If you are asking us for a custom quote and prefer to use certain airlines, please advise us of your choices and we will use those carriers whenever possible.
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- What does OVERLAND ON YOUR OWN, SURFACE, or LAND mean in an itinerary description?
We use the terms OVERLAND ON YOUR OWN or LAND in our itineraries to describe sectors of certain routings that our clients generally prefer to travel overland or by surface transportation on their own. We therefore usually do not provide an air ticket for that part of the routing (thereby lowering the overall airfare somewhat), and you must get yourself from the last city mentioned in the itinerary to the next. We are always happy to help you plan these “surface” segments.
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- How long are these tickets good for?
Generally our tickets are valid for one year from the date they are issued. There are some exceptions to this which our counselors will be happy to go over with you in detail when you have chosen an itinerary, but most tickets let you take up to a year to get around the world or around the Pacific. On the other hand, you can also do most of our trips in as little as two to three weeks if you have limited time.
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- How much for kids?
For children between the ages of two and 12, fares are usually between 67 and 75 percent of the adult fares. For infants under two, the fare is generally 10 percent of the adult fare.
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- How soon can I leave?
You should book your trip at least one month prior to departure, but it is wiser to begin the reservations process three to five months before your trip. If your itinerary is not very complicated as little as 21 days advance notice is possible, but rush charges may apply.
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- Will I get a better price if I wait until the last minute?
No. We get the best prices for our customers by shopping the global wholesale air travel market for them, then having tickets issued wherever in the world (not necessarily places that you will visit) the tickets are cheapest. This is a complex process — we need to process your payment, get drafts in foreign currency, send them to our vendors, wait for them to issue tickets and send them back to us, and send the complete set of tickets to you. To get the best price, and to take full advantage of our global network of suppliers, we usually need payment at least a month in advance of your departure. We can often arrange trips on shorter notice, but since we may be limited to local suppliers, prices on short notice can be substantially higher than if tickets are purchased further in advance.
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- Can I change my tickets while I’m on the road?
Yes. You can make changes to individual tickets via the airline that you have a ticket for. Any changes are subject to availability and the airline’s rules. There may be change fees and difference in fare charges as well.
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[more link=”https://www.bootsnall.com/rtw/plan-your-rtw.html”]Next Section: RTW Trip Planning[/more]