By road or by air, getting yourself across borders has become more complicated in recent years - and if you are crossing with little ones, things get even more interesting.
Here are a few tips:
· Everyone (including babies) must have his or her own passport
· All Canadians entering the United States require a passport. If travelling by air make sure you conform with TSA requirements and register with the airline, date of birth, full name as per passport and gender for all travellers. This is required even if you are not going to land in the United States but just flying over it.
· If one parent is not along on the trip, they should provide a consent letter that includes their contact info and shows they have granted permission to their child to cross the border with the other parent; a divorced or separated parent should also carry a copy of the divorce, separation, or custody decree. Sample letter can be found at Government of Canada website http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/consent-letter_lettre-consentement-eng.asp
· Make two copies of everyone’s passport. Leave one copy with a friend or relative and carry the other one with you, but in a different place than your actual passport. If the originals are lost or stolen, getting them replaces will be much easier.
· At the airport, children must walk through security as soon as their able. One spouse should go first, and then call the child through, and then the other spouse can follow.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Britflights.com Summer Charter Program Collapses
Britflights.com has shut down operations..... For those of you who who have never heard of Britflights.com, it was to be a low cost charter service from Toronto and Vancouver to London UK during the summer months. Flights were to launch in eary July of this year with direct-to-consumer fares starting at $ 792 from Toronto, taxes included and $ 992 from Vancouver and were to compete directly with Transat and Air Canada. The company was actually registered in Alberta where travel consumers are unprotected by provincial regulation so those that booked may not get their money back. When will the consumer learn? There is a corelation between price and dependability in delivering a service. Remember Zoom Airlines, Jetsgo, Globespan and Harmony? Here is another strong reason to book with a travel agent. If you book your travel online you take a risk but with a travel agent they are at least there to protect you especially in Ontario where all agencies and agents are registered with TICO. And, at no additional cost to you.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
10 Travel Tips for March Break
Last year at this time I posted this information. Thought it would be worth reposting again this year.
March Break is just around the corner and many families will be heading for a well-deserved break down south. And if you’re one of them, here are a few tips.
1) If you’ll be the only parent traveling with your kids, depending on your destination, you may need a notarized consent form from your spouse. This is the case for the US, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic: for other countries ask your travel consultant who booked your trip.
2) Important items for your hand luggage: everyone’s I.D., prescription drugs, immunization records, and valuables including jewelry. If your child is prone to colds or allergies, bring some of your preferred medicine as you’ll be familiar with the brand and more comfortable giving it to your child.
3) If you’ll be getting to your hotel/resort before 3:00 pm, which is typical check-in time, take a change of clothes and perhaps a bathing suit in your carry on luggage so you can instantly start your holiday!
4) Airport food can be expensive and selection can be poor, so pack some snacks from home. Remember that airlines have stopped serving peanuts in flight and are doing their best to make their aircraft “peanut-free”, so please don’t bring any as snacks.
5) Leave extra time at the airport. Parking lots, check-in services and even the coffee shops will be operating at maximum capacity.
6) How to avoid in-flight boredom? Be prepared with “are we there yet” type activity books. Dollar stores are an excellent place to pack a bag full of activities and the children can have this bag as their own carry on.
7) Before leaving home, consider buying “one use” cameras for your kids. Be sure to look for the ones with a built in flash. Virtually indestructible, they give even little kids the chance to record their own impressions of the holiday. You may be surprised at the quality of the results!
8) When traveling, always have a recent photo of your kids in your wallet, just in case someone strays. In big resorts, it’s easy to get separated, so take a minute and have a family discussion as to where to go if that happens. Stay put, go to the lobby, go to the room, etc. Make it simple to remember but keep reminding everyone. If the kids have their own room at the resort, come up with a password you’ll use when knocking on their door so they don’t open it to strangers.
9) Why not give each child a day or a half-day to call the shots and decide what the whole family will do. Everyone gets treated fairly, it prevents arguments, and the “I'm bored!” syndrome is not so likely to set in.
10) Encourage each child to make a trip diary to include not only impressions but also autographs of memorable people (a tour guide, your waiter), coins, drawings and so on. In a country where English is not the main language, try to learn a new word every day and add it to the diary.
Enjoy your vacation………..you all deserve it!
March Break is just around the corner and many families will be heading for a well-deserved break down south. And if you’re one of them, here are a few tips.
1) If you’ll be the only parent traveling with your kids, depending on your destination, you may need a notarized consent form from your spouse. This is the case for the US, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic: for other countries ask your travel consultant who booked your trip.
2) Important items for your hand luggage: everyone’s I.D., prescription drugs, immunization records, and valuables including jewelry. If your child is prone to colds or allergies, bring some of your preferred medicine as you’ll be familiar with the brand and more comfortable giving it to your child.
3) If you’ll be getting to your hotel/resort before 3:00 pm, which is typical check-in time, take a change of clothes and perhaps a bathing suit in your carry on luggage so you can instantly start your holiday!
4) Airport food can be expensive and selection can be poor, so pack some snacks from home. Remember that airlines have stopped serving peanuts in flight and are doing their best to make their aircraft “peanut-free”, so please don’t bring any as snacks.
5) Leave extra time at the airport. Parking lots, check-in services and even the coffee shops will be operating at maximum capacity.
6) How to avoid in-flight boredom? Be prepared with “are we there yet” type activity books. Dollar stores are an excellent place to pack a bag full of activities and the children can have this bag as their own carry on.
7) Before leaving home, consider buying “one use” cameras for your kids. Be sure to look for the ones with a built in flash. Virtually indestructible, they give even little kids the chance to record their own impressions of the holiday. You may be surprised at the quality of the results!
8) When traveling, always have a recent photo of your kids in your wallet, just in case someone strays. In big resorts, it’s easy to get separated, so take a minute and have a family discussion as to where to go if that happens. Stay put, go to the lobby, go to the room, etc. Make it simple to remember but keep reminding everyone. If the kids have their own room at the resort, come up with a password you’ll use when knocking on their door so they don’t open it to strangers.
9) Why not give each child a day or a half-day to call the shots and decide what the whole family will do. Everyone gets treated fairly, it prevents arguments, and the “I'm bored!” syndrome is not so likely to set in.
10) Encourage each child to make a trip diary to include not only impressions but also autographs of memorable people (a tour guide, your waiter), coins, drawings and so on. In a country where English is not the main language, try to learn a new word every day and add it to the diary.
Enjoy your vacation………..you all deserve it!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
EXPRESS LANES FOR DELAYED INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS
Great news for travellers flying from airports other than Toronto where U.S. Customs is already set up. Travellers from London on United Airline flights to Chicago will especially like this service.
Two US airports have implemented new procedures for delayed passengers connecting on international flights through either Chicago O’Hare (ORD) or New York’s John F Kennedy (JFK) to enable them to proceed through customs faster.
Only passengers who have less than 90 minutes to connect are given cards that allow them to us priority Customs lines. Airport officials are seeing a reduction in the number of missed connections as a result of this new program. The programme could be introduced in other major US airports in the future.
Two US airports have implemented new procedures for delayed passengers connecting on international flights through either Chicago O’Hare (ORD) or New York’s John F Kennedy (JFK) to enable them to proceed through customs faster.
Only passengers who have less than 90 minutes to connect are given cards that allow them to us priority Customs lines. Airport officials are seeing a reduction in the number of missed connections as a result of this new program. The programme could be introduced in other major US airports in the future.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
PASSPORT CANADA UPDATES PROCESSING TIMES
Passport Canada has advised that its processing times are updated on a regular basis. Processing times may change depending on the volume of applications received and are not guaranteed. Applicants should keep in mind that processing times do not take delivery times into account. The complexity of routine verifications and security checks may lead to longer processing times.
Effective January 18, 2011 the processing times for Canadians living in Canada are as follows:
Options for submitting a completed application:
• In person (at a Passport Canada counter) 10 business days
• By mail 20 business days
• Through a receiving agent (Service Canada or Canada Post) 20 business days
Canadians living in the United States or Bermuda and Canadians living abroad should contact Passport Canada for proper information.
For urgent and express pick-up, proof of travel may be required. Passport Canada will take appropriate
action on a case-by-case basis. Please note, that urgent service is not available at the all the locations.
Visit www.ppt.gc.ca for more information.
Effective January 18, 2011 the processing times for Canadians living in Canada are as follows:
Options for submitting a completed application:
• In person (at a Passport Canada counter) 10 business days
• By mail 20 business days
• Through a receiving agent (Service Canada or Canada Post) 20 business days
Canadians living in the United States or Bermuda and Canadians living abroad should contact Passport Canada for proper information.
For urgent and express pick-up, proof of travel may be required. Passport Canada will take appropriate
action on a case-by-case basis. Please note, that urgent service is not available at the all the locations.
Visit www.ppt.gc.ca for more information.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
New Canadian Passports requirements in effect February 1, 2011
PASSPORT Canada has issued a reminder to Canadians born in Canada to further enhance the integrity of the passport issuance process; changes to birth certificate requirements for general passport applications are being implemented.
As of February 1, 2011, for Canadians born in Canada, Passport Canada will only accept birth certificates issued by a provincial or territorial vital statistics agency to support a general or a child's passport application, entitled "Birth certificate," "Certificate of birth" or "Certificat de naissance" or a "Certificate of citizenship" issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Some exceptions apply for certain provinces and territories. More information is available online at passportcanada.gc.ca.
Passport Canada wants to ensure that Canadian travellers are aware of these upcoming changes well in advance of the implementation date and encourages Canadians to initiate their passport application process as soon as they intend to travel to ensure that the proper documentation is obtained in time for a trip abroad.
It is important that individuals factor in the time required to obtain proper documentation prior to submitting a passport application. The changes outlined above are reflected in the passport application forms. Failure to provide the proper documentation will result in the passport application being rejected.
Canadians requiring a new birth certificate must contact the vital statistics agency of the province or territory of their birth.
Simplified renewal applications are not impacted by this requirement.
These requirements apply only to the Canadian passport programme. This policy does not invalidate other birth documents which may be accepted for purposes other than passport issuance.
For more information, please consult the Passport Canada website at passportcanada.gc.ca or contact Passport Canada by telephone at 1-800-567-6868.
As of February 1, 2011, for Canadians born in Canada, Passport Canada will only accept birth certificates issued by a provincial or territorial vital statistics agency to support a general or a child's passport application, entitled "Birth certificate," "Certificate of birth" or "Certificat de naissance" or a "Certificate of citizenship" issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Some exceptions apply for certain provinces and territories. More information is available online at passportcanada.gc.ca.
Passport Canada wants to ensure that Canadian travellers are aware of these upcoming changes well in advance of the implementation date and encourages Canadians to initiate their passport application process as soon as they intend to travel to ensure that the proper documentation is obtained in time for a trip abroad.
It is important that individuals factor in the time required to obtain proper documentation prior to submitting a passport application. The changes outlined above are reflected in the passport application forms. Failure to provide the proper documentation will result in the passport application being rejected.
Canadians requiring a new birth certificate must contact the vital statistics agency of the province or territory of their birth.
Simplified renewal applications are not impacted by this requirement.
These requirements apply only to the Canadian passport programme. This policy does not invalidate other birth documents which may be accepted for purposes other than passport issuance.
For more information, please consult the Passport Canada website at passportcanada.gc.ca or contact Passport Canada by telephone at 1-800-567-6868.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Passport Canada issues Jamaica Travel Advisory
PASSPORT Canada has issued a reminder to all travellers that, although Canadians can travel to Jamaica with an ID and proof of citizenship, a valid Canadian passport will be needed to travel back to Canada.
Canadians boarding a flight back to Canada must present a valid Canadian passport. Airlines are required by law to ensure all travellers are properly documented before they embark with no exceptions.
Each year, many travellers attempting to board return flights to Canada without a passport are denied boarding because they do not have the proper travel documentation. These individuals are then faced with unanticipated delays while their passport application is processed.
Passport Canada suggests travellers obtain their Canadian passport before leaving Canada and come back worry free!
For more information, visit the Passport Canada website at http://www.passportcanada.gc.ca or call 1-800-567-6868.
Canadians boarding a flight back to Canada must present a valid Canadian passport. Airlines are required by law to ensure all travellers are properly documented before they embark with no exceptions.
Each year, many travellers attempting to board return flights to Canada without a passport are denied boarding because they do not have the proper travel documentation. These individuals are then faced with unanticipated delays while their passport application is processed.
Passport Canada suggests travellers obtain their Canadian passport before leaving Canada and come back worry free!
For more information, visit the Passport Canada website at http://www.passportcanada.gc.ca or call 1-800-567-6868.
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