New Website Makes Baggage Allowance Info Easy to Attain...

I have to admit, trying to keep up with how many bags each airline allows and on what routes is a nightmare for me! It used to be so simple and easy. Everyone used to get two 70lb bags. I remember as a teenager and college student stuffing and packing every inch of those bags up to 70 lbs, but I do not remember how I ever managed to carry them!

Today, baggage allowances and fees are a complex nightmare for the passenger and BIG money for the airline industry. Trying to determine how many bags, what size, what weight and what the excess fees will be is daunting.

Today, I have news for you. There is a new beta website called IFlyBags ( www.IFlyBags.com ) and it allows the passenger to enter their departure city, destination city, airline and then the website gives all of the relevant baggage information. It is pretty extensive and I must admit, for the first time in almost 5 years, I am understanding the baggage thing. Be sure to check it out for your next flight!

Missionary Travel & Using a Travel Agent...

Each day, we receive e-mails and phone calls from clients who are requesting us to build personal itineraries for them, their mission teams or their families. The greatest majority of these people are people we have worked with for years and who rely on us for all of their mission travel needs. They look to us for guidance and assistance with their travel needs because they know that our mission is to care for them as they serve in their mission!

Recently, I listened to a story unfold of a missionary family who had traveled from Europe to the US on furlough for the summer. They had tickets and were at the airport when a hurricane hit the eastern shores of the US. Their flights were cancelled, airports were backed up for days and it took them 10 days to return to Europe. They struggled for days with hotel arrangements, flight changes, cancellations and buying new tickets. If only they had a travel agent who could have handled the changes for them!

Today, I received a call from a individual who was rather upset because her husband had purchased a ticket online rather than through us. We had quoted a price, but it was higher due to a one day only sale online. The lady bought the ticket online. Today, she called because the airline had emailed them a change of schedule and now the flight is rescheduled and interferes with another connection. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do with tickets bought online.

When you travel, consider using World Missions Travel because:

• Furlough should be a time to rest - let us do the work! Our personal and knowledgeable Travel Consultants can meet all of your travel needs. Together, we have over 30 years in the travel industry and each of us have been (or still are) missionaries! We understand your needs.
• We offer discounted Missionary Fares on most major airlines (Air France, Austrian, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Lufthansa, United, Swiss and many others!)

Summer 2012 Travel - Start Planning Early Due to Olympics & Euro 2012....

Most churches and ministries plan their summer mission trips during the early part of the year. However, to get good prices on airline tickets and hotels, church and ministry leaders will have to start planning now! The reason for the need to plan so early is due to two major sporting events in Europe both being help during summer 2012!

Poland and Ukraine will host EURO 2012 Soccer from June 8 to July 1 and London will host the 2012 Olympic Games from July 27 to August 12. Both of these sporting events will bring thousands flying into Warsaw, Kiev and London on a daily basis! Airline seats will be hard to get and hotels will be booked solid.

We are strongly urging our clients to start planning their mission trips for summer 2012 NOW! At World Missions Travel, we will work with our clients to secure availability and pricing in advance which is in line with your missions needs. Some of our recommendations include:

• purchase airline tickets and hotel rooms as early as possible
• explore the option of using alternative airports
• consider traveling at non-peak times (spring or fall) or using alternative means of transport

Contact us today to make a reservation for next summer! Our "missionary contracts" allow us to make reservations well in advance of your travel.

Ibis Hotel Opens in Kiev, Ukraine...

For our missionary readers who go to/or live in Kiev, you will be pleased to know that the new IBIS HOTEL opened today. The hotel is located on Shevchenko Blvd just across from the old Soviet "Express Hotel."

Prices are reasonable. A quick search of September 1-2 showed prices of $96 per room per night.

The IBIS provides missionaries with a whole new option for placing your mission teams overnight when traveling through Kiev.

Lost Luggage Tips...

Over the years, I don't remember how many times my bags have gone missing while I was traveling. It has probably happened to you or might happen in the future. So, what should you do?

• If your luggage is lost, find an airline representative and report the problem. There is usually always a "Lost Luggage" or "Lost & Found" counter within the baggage/customs hall.

• The above mentioned office will most likely give you a form to complete (or at least sign). Be sure to take care of this before leaving the airport! This form will describe the luggage and its contents. Be sure to make a mental note of the brand name of your luggage, color of bags, etc.

• Obtain a copy of the form before giving it to airline representative.

• Statistics show that 98% of lost luggage is found within several hours, and will be put on the next flight to your destination. Arrangements of whether it will be delivered to your door or you will have to pick it up need to be worked out before you leave the airport. Most likely, if you are a missionary, you will not be staying in the city where the airport is located. So, be sure to make arrangements!

• If you cannot wait, make sure the airline has your address to forward your luggage. Ask them to call you when the bags have arrived to confirm their arrival.

• If you need to buy some basic hygiene or clothes, be sure to ask the airline to cover this need. British Airways actually provides customers with a pre-loaded debit card with a set amount of 35 British Pounds.

• If luggage is never found, you will be asked to estimate the value (depreciated) of its contents. If you claim anything new or costly (i.e. camera, laptop, mp3 player, etc.), you may be asked to provide receipts and other documentation.

  
  

One Way Ticket VS. Round Trip ?

Many missionaries, especially those moving overseas for long term service, often are faced with the question of whether to buy a one way ticket or a round trip ticket and just not use the return portion. More often than not, it is MUCH cheaper to buy the round trip ticket but use it only one direction. However, a missionary can pay even less money by purchasing a one way "Missionary Contract" ticket!

Some airlines offer "Missionary Contracts" which allow select travel agents to sell one way tickets for the cost of half of a round trip. Whereas normally, a one way ticket from Dallas to Europe might cost $1000 plus, a "Missionary Contract" one way might only cost you $500- $600.

So, if you are moving overseas long term or if you are unsure of your return date, consider a "Missionary Contract" one way ticket! Contact us to talk about your options.

Corporate Mileage Accounts = Good Stewardship!

All churches, missions organizations and non-profits know that good stewardship is essential in order to honor God and attract and retain donors. However, stewardship goes beyond financial resources!

It amazes me how many mission teams/churches I have interacted with who do NOT encourage team members to sign up for frequent flier mileage accounts. I simply do not understand this. The airline wants to give you FREE flights! The miles are there for the taking and after a few mission trips, team members could potentially earn themselves a free ticket for yet another mission trip. For example, someone traveling from Dallas/Fort Worth to Kiev, Ukraine on a mission trip, only needs to travel 4 times roundtrip before earning a free ticket to Europe!

Beyond individual mileage accounts, did you know that airlines offer corporate/small business accounts as well? Basically, your team members earn their individual miles and they also help the organization earn points redeemable for free travel. A mission team of 20 flying from Dallas to Kiev, Ukraine earn enough corporate points on some airlines for a free corporate ticket for the organization.

Are you being the best steward of your church or ministry travel? Check out these airlines corporate programs:

• American Airlines Business ExtrAA
• British Airways OnBusiness
• United/Lufthansa Perks Plus

Comparing Baggage Policies...

Let's face it, the airlines are getting skimpy and if they could put us on their aircraft and do it without luggage, they would be happy. It would definately cut their costs! Less weight, no baggage handlers needed, etc. However, that is not realistic.

Instead, airlines are charging passengers for each bag. Here is what you can expect...

• European airlines will typically allow 1 checked bag per passenger.
• American airlines will typically charge you for each bag. So, check with each airline to find out their specific rules.

Now, if you are a missionary like me...you need every extra ounce of luggage space you can find. Whether it is new Bible study material, clothes for the next year, or that brown sugar your wife uses in so many recipes...you need extra bags! There is good news!

If you are flying (for mission work/ministry) to a location served by British Airways, you can get up to 3 FREE checked bags from their USA gateway cities (DFW, LAX, ORD, BOS to name a few). Yes, you read that correctly. If you are flying on a British Airways "Missionary Contract" and have proof that you are in ministry, you are entitled to 3 FREE CHECKED BAGS!

To learn more about this special offer, contact Rosann (rosannalexander@live.com) or Andrew (akellyukraine@gmail.com) today!