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When planning your flights, Vantage considers each airline's reputation for
quality, service, and routing options to the destination. Vantage selects
flights that both serve our group's needs and ensure the best balance of
quality and cost. Our air team will do their utmost to select flights that will
get you to your destination as quickly and easily as possible. For more
information, please look below:
A Word About Your Flights [top]
To provide you with the best value on your flights, Vantage negotiates special
contracts with major airlines - our travel partners - that may include certain
restrictions, including the ability to pre-assign seats, availability of direct
or non-stop flights, frequent flyer miles eligibility, choice of specific
arrival times, and choice of routes.
If you would like to request a specific airline or a specific routing, you may
do so at an additional cost.
Vantage Representative Airport Meet & Greet [top]
A Vantage Representative, identified by name badge and Vantage signage, is at
each major US airport where 10 or more people are departing on the same flight.
The representative is stationed at the airline's check-in counter beginning 3
hours prior to that flight's departure. He or she is available to ensure a
smooth check-in process and answer questions you may have.
Please note that during most international flight connections, you will be
inside a secure transit area where only passengers and airport employees are
permitted. Therefore it may not be possible for a Vantage Representative to
meet you.
A Vantage Representative meets all Vantage arranged flights on arrival in your
destination, outside the baggage claim exit.
On your return flight home, a Vantage Representative is stationed outside the
exit of the baggage claim and customs area, at the first point of entry into
the United States, where 10 or more people are arriving on Vantage arranged
flights. He or she will ensure that you are headed in the right direction for
your domestic connection and answer any questions you may have.
Airline Frequent Flyer Mileage [top]
Please be aware that frequent flyer mileage accrual is the sole decision of the
airlines. In order to qualify for consideration of mileage accrual, you should
present your frequent flyer number upon check-in at the airport. The airlines
exercise the right to determine if frequent flyer miles will be given. Please
retain your boarding passes and airline ticket receipts until you receive your
frequent flyer statement from the airline. Only boarding passes are proof of
flight. Boarding passes MUST accompany all ticket copies sent directly to the
airline. Requests received by Vantage for copies of airline tickets will be
assessed an administrative fee.
Please note: Vantage cannot obtain copies of your boarding passes.
Should you decide to use Frequent Flier miles to purchase a separate ticket to
connect with your tour, you must do so at your own risk. As per our Tour
Participation Agreement, if the tour changes or cannot operate for any reason,
you will be responsible for the cancellation or change fees associated with
your ticket. Additionally, you will not be entitled to Travel Protection or
Common Carrier insurance through Vantage for the portions flown on a separate
ticket. You are also responsible for the airport/hotel transfers normally
provided by a Vantage air and tour package.
First Class and Business Class
Seating [top]
If you would prefer more comfortable seating and extra amenities when you fly,
Vantage offers First Class and Business Class seating on most Vantage travel
programs at a substantial discount from the airlines' retail fares. If you
haven't yet made your reservation, you may purchase upgraded seating when you
do so. If you have already reserved your trip, please call our Customer Service
line to upgrade your flight arrangements.
Airline Meals [top]
The practice of airlines serving food on domestic flights (flights within the
United States and Canada) has changed considerably over the past few years.
Unless you are on a domestic flight that is scheduled to last more than four
hours, you may be served only a small snack (such as a small bag of pretzels)
and not a meal. This applies even if you're flying during a meal time, and even
if there should be an unanticipated delay in your flight. Some U.S. domestic
airlines may offer "deli service" and charges will apply on a per item basis.
We recommend that you plan ahead. If you feel that you will require additional
food during your domestic flight, it is suggested that you purchase it
beforehand and bring it aboard with you.
Meals are served on international flights. If you have a special meal request
we will be happy to pass it along to the airline(s). Requests should be made at
the time of booking. Most airlines provide the option to order vegetarian,
kosher, seafood-only, fruit-only, bland, low-salt, low-calorie,
low-cholesterol, and lactose-free meals. Note that only one of the above
categories may be requested by any passenger.
Airline Seating Requests [top]
Although Vantage will make every effort to provide you with your seat
assignment in advance, seat assignments are controlled by the airlines. Vantage
cannot guarantee advance seating, nor can we guarantee that seat assignments
will not be changed by the airline. Please note also that FAA regulations
prevent airlines from assigning either bulkhead (front row) seats or seats in
emergency exit rows until the time of departure.
Arranging Your Own Flights [top]
Although Vantage does not encourage it, you may make your own flight
arrangements if you prefer. If you do so, you will be responsible for arranging
your own transportation to and from the destination airport, and for arranging
any flights that may be necessary as part of your tour itinerary. If Vantage
must alter the travel program in a way that affects flight schedules, you will
be responsible for changing your flight plans accordingly, and for any costs
that may result from such changes. Vantage's travel protection coverage applies
only to flights reserved by Vantage.
Flying From Airports Not Listed in
Catalog [top]
By allowing Vantage to make your travel arrangements beginning from the airport
that is nearest to your home, you eliminate concerns about flight connections,
schedule changes and baggage transfers between airlines. And these days, some
airline's flight itineraries may require an early morning departure or late
evening return. As we only have limited space on our brochure page, we can only
list a few major airports. But we have information on most American cities
available or can research it for you. Please ask your Travel Consultant when
you make your reservation. Should you decide to purchase airline tickets
independently and begin your Vantage tour from a city other than where you
reside, you are responsible for any airline schedule changes, delays or
cancellations for those flights. Please remember that no changes to your
reservation are possible within 90 days of departure.
Extending Your Trip [top]
If you would like to do some exploring on your own, either before or after your
escorted land tour or river cruising tour, Vantage can help you arrange the
details. In most cases, your flights can be adjusted for either an earlier
arrival date or a later return date. A non-refundable administrative fee will
be assessed, plus any additional costs that may apply to the air ticket.
Transfers to and from your hotel are not included when travelling independent
of a Vantage group. Please ask your Travel Consultant for details. (Not
available on ocean cruise tours.)
Please note: Should you wish to make any changes to your plans to extend your
trip, please do so no later than 90 days prior to your scheduled date of
departure. An additional administrative fee will be assessed for changes or
cancellations made within 90 days of departure.
E-Ticketing [top]
Many major air carriers now use electronic ticketing or "e-ticketing," instead
of issuing traditional paper tickets. This simply means that when you arrive at
the airport, instead of asking for a ticket, the airline's representative will
ask you for a picture ID, then verify your flight on a computer, just as they
do when you present a paper ticket. You'll still receive all the information
about your flights - including arrival and departure times - on the flight
itinerary Vantage mails you in advance of your trip.
Reconfirming Your Flights [top]
Please reconfirm your flights directly with the airline 48 hours prior to
departure. If the airline has made last-minute changes, please contact Vantage
so that we can alert the arrival staff and Program Manager.
Replacing Lost Airline Tickets [top]
Travel overseas may require a paper ticket. Airlines consider these to be the
same as cash. In the unlikely event that you should lose or misplace your
airline ticket, you will be required to file a lost ticket application directly
with the issuing airline. Airlines levy fees to file this form. In addition,
you will be required to purchase a ticket at your own expense. The filing of
the lost ticket application is neither a guarantee nor a promise of a refund
for the lost ticket. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to follow
up on the status of your lost ticket application directly with the airline. We
recommend that you keep your ticket in a safe place just as you would with your
passport. Vantage is not responsible for any costs or actions involved with the
replacement of a lost ticket.
Flight delays or cancellations [top]
Vantage is available 24 hours a day to help you, should you experience an
unanticipated flight delay or cancellation on your Vantage - arranged flights.
Simply call the Vantage office or our after-hours Flight Watch staff. We'll
work with you and the airlines to help you get to your destination. What's
more, our staff will inform your Program Manager, so he or she will know when
to expect you.
In the event of a flight emergency and you need assistance, please call the
Corporate office at 1 617 878-6000.
If you are calling outside of our normal business hours, please select the
Emergency option from the menu and you will be connected with our After Hours
Answering Service. They will contact a Vantage Representative to assist you.
(Collect calls accepted)
The Emergency and Flight Watch staff can only help with travel related
emergencies. For other Customer Service requests, please call during business
hours or email customercare@vantagetravel.com
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