A Real Family Business-11/15/2009
My name is Don James and together with my brother Andy and my sister Ann, we own and operate James TravelPoints. Our father, Don James, Sr. started the business back in 1957 and the three of us siblings became involved in the business in 1981. With 28 years of working together, we are extremely proud to consider ourselves a successful family business. And the family tradition will continue, two sons this past year have joined the business for the third generation!
Travel Updates
Much of our business today is done by phone, email or website and we do not have the chance to meet many of our customers face to face. In an effort to let you know who we are and what we do, every week or two we will send out a brief update on current travel industry news. In our updates, we will also share with you a few of the outstanding travel bargains that we come across which are simply too good not share with our customers.
The Next Generation of Mega Ships
The big cruise news this week is the announcement of Royal Caribbean’s new mega cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas. The new ship has been six years in the making and is the largest cruise ship in the world. The mega ship can accommodate up to 5400 guests at double occupancy in 2700 staterooms. At full occupancy, the ship will have more passengers than the population of many small towns! The ship features seven themed “neighborhoods”. The inaugural departure is scheduled for December 5, from it’s home port in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Trans-Atlantic On Sale!
Every fall the Trans-Atlantic market goes on sale and this year is no exception. British Airways this week announced some fantastic fares from various U.S. cities to London and Paris. One of the sample fares listed is $236 from New York to London round trip! It costs more than that to fly round trip Denver to Casper, Wyoming! Of course the New York/ London fare does not include taxes, fees and surcharges, and terms and conditions do apply. The fares are good for travel from Nov. 17, 2009 through March 28, 2010, and tickets must be purchased by Nov. 19, 2009.
Apple Vacations “Super Sale”
We are seeing some fantastic bargains for Mexico this year! This week Apple Vacations announced their annual “Super Sale” packages and there are some great values. For example, in the Riviera Maya for departures on Jan 3 and 10, 2010, five nights at the all inclusive Iberostar Paraiso del Mar, prices start at $799.99 per person based on double occupancy and that includes RT air from Denver, transfers to/from Cancun to the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar, all meals, drinks and more! Taxes and fees are not included and restrictions apply. If you would like to learn more about this trip or other “Super Sale” packages, please give us a call at 303-442-2340 or 800-538-7461.
Don James
James TRavelPOINTS
American Express Rep Office
1750 14th Street
Boulder, Co. 80302
PH: 303-442-2340
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Vacations in Mexico-is it safe for travelers?
James TravelPOINTS – Travel Tid-Bits 12/02/2009
When the snow starts to fly, Americans like to head south for warm sun and ocean breezes, but this past year, Mexico has seen its name in the headlines across America for its border incidences and H1N1 Flu issues. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe on your vacation into Mexico.
*** Check the U.S.Department’s web site for security travel alerts at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel.
The U.S. State Department recommends you stay in areas where tourists usually reside. They don’t recommend you go off the beaten path and explore remote areas that are not typically ventured into. Carry a working cell phone and tell others where you are going if you are out on an adventure out of the ordinary. If you feel inclined register with the State Department e-mail notifications at: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui.
*** H1N1 Flu Advice for Travel into Mexico.
Get a H1N1 vaccination, especially if you are prone to the Flu or you have a chronic health disorder or compromised immune system. Mexico received a lot of attention over this and the risks are no different than staying home, you are susceptible of getting the Flu in the U.S or in Mexico, the advice is, get a flu shot, wash your hands often, take sanitary wipes. Like traveling anywhere in the world, common sense decisions are based on your experiences of where to stay and where to go.
Contact us. At James & Aggie TravelPOINTS we have A good sense of balance for our client’s safety and well being. Our Travel Agents are kept abreast of current situations based on personal experiences and the constant communication between our client experiences and our relationships with the tour operators. The information gathered provides the basis for making recommendation on the destination and allows our clients to make decisions based on these details. Our tour providers and cruise ship up-date our agency on a regular basis regarding any situation that may pose a possible safety risk. Tour operators and cruise lines tend to avoid destinations that pose a major risk associated with the well being of their passengers. Over the past year, we have sent 1000’s of clients to Mexico and to our knowledge, no one has reported back to us that they contracted the H1N1 flu.
Andy James
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Over Booked Flights – Four Things to Know
James TravelPOINTS – Travel Tid-Bits 12/02/2009
Traveling over the holidays can be stressful and downright miserable if you are bumped from your flight. Here are a few tips on overbooked flights and what to do if you are bumped. The airlines are flying and operating with fewer flights these days which means fewer seats during the busy holiday season. Most airlines overbook their scheduled flights to compensate for “no-shows,” and there is a pretty good chance your flight is going to be oversold if you are flying during the busy holiday travel days. If you are bumped when an “over sale” occurs, the D.O.T requires airlines to ask people who aren’t in a hurry to give up their seats voluntarily, in exchange for compensation. Passengers bumped against their will are entitled to compensation. Here are four things to know about being bumped or agreeing to give up your seat voluntarily.
1. What are the Rules. The DOT rules require airlines to ask willing passengers to give up their seat in exchange for compensation before bumping another passenger in-voluntarily. If you decide to give up your seat voluntarily, ask the gate agent when is the next flight on which the airline can confirm your seat? What kind of compensations will the airline provide i.e. travel certificates, free tickets, other amenities such as meal vouchers, overnight accommodations if the next available flight is not until the next day etc? There is no stated compensation level an airline has to give volunteers, so gate agents will negotiate with passengers for a mutually acceptable amount of travel compensation and other benefits. If the carrier offers a free ticket, ask about the restrictions, how long is the ticket valid for and are there other travel restrictions associated with the free ticket. Most importantly, how far in advance can you make reservations for the free ticket and are there restrictions on the class of service.
2. If you are bumped in-voluntarily. The DOT requires each airline to give all passenger a written statement describing their rights and explaining how the airline decides who gets on an oversold flight and who doesn’t. Passengers who are bumped are entitled to an on-the spot payment of denied boarding compensation. The amount depends on the price of your ticket and the length of the delay. —-$400 Payment – If you are bumped and the airline arranges substitute transportation that is scheduled to get you to your final destination between 1 and 2 hours after your original arrival time ( between 1 – 4 hours on international flights), the carrier must pay you an amount equal to your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $400 maximum benefit. (Including later connections) within one hour of your original scheduled arrival time, there is no compensation. No Compensation – If you are bumped involuntarily and the airline arranges substitute transportation that is scheduled to get you to your final destination within 1 hour of your scheduled arrival. —-$800 Payment – The airlines find substitute transportation that puts you into your destination more than 2 hours later than your originally scheduled arrival, (4 hours internationally). If the carrier declines to make any substitute travel arrangements for you, the compensation doubles (200% of your fare, $800 maximum). - Should I keep my original ticket? If you decided to make your own arrangements, you can request an “involuntary refund” for the ticket for the flight you were bumped from. The denied boarding compensation is payment for our inconvenience.
3. Compensation Eligibility. In order to receive compensation for denied boarding you must have a confirmed reservation and a ticket issued for the scheduled travel destination. As long as you did not cancel your reservation or miss a reconfirmation deadline. You must be checked in by the airlines check-in deadline, which is the time before the scheduled departure. For domestic flights most carriers require you to be at the departure gate between 20 and 45 minutes before scheduled departure. Check-in for international departures can be as much as 3 hours prior to departure. If you miss the check-in deadline, you may have list your reservation and your right to denied boarding compensation if the flight is oversold. These rules do not apply for airlines that use flights that operate with plans that hold fewer than 30 passengers. Also the do not apply for flights in-bound into the U.S.
4.Who gets Bumped. Typically the carriers look for passengers that are the last to check-in. If a flight is oversold and the carrier cannot find enough volunteers, they start looking at when passengers were checked in. The last to check-in are sometimes the first to get bumped. How to avoid being bumped, check-in early and allow extra time. Finally, don’t be a “no-show.” If you are holding confirmed reservations you don’t plan to use, notify the airline. If you don’t, they will cancel all onward or return reservations on your trip.
Andy & Don James together with their my sister Ann, own and operate James & Aggie TravelPoints located in Boulder and Ft. Collins. The family business started back in 1957 when Don James Jr. open the 2nd travel agency in Boulder Colorado. In 1981, the three siblings took over the business. After 28 years of working together, they are extremely proud to consider ourselves a successful family business. And the family tradition will continue, two sons this past year have joined the business for the third generation!
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On Oahu’s Hawaii, An Alternative Resort – Ko Olina
Ko Olina, Oahu’s Hawaii is a fairly new destination resort offers a fun alternative to Honolulu. In early October, Jan Geiser a 35 plus year travel consultant at James TravelPOINTS vacationed in Oahu Hawaii with her husband were they stayed at the luxury J.W. Marriott Resort and Spa.
Prior visits included the neighbor islands, so this trip we opted to stay solely on the island of Oahu, the “Heart of Hawaii”. In Denver, we boarded our nonstop flight to Honolulu. United Airlines offers daily wide-body service to Honolulu. Upon our early afternoon arrival in Honolulu, we rented our Hertz car. Our destination was Ko Olina. Ko Olina, Oahu’s newest destination resort, is just a short, easy 20 minute drive from the Honolulu Airport. “From secluded lagoons and exciting adventures to championship golf and undersea panoramas, Ko Olina offers a neighbor island-style getaway without leaving Oahu”. Our hotel was the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa. After brief check-in procedures, we were escorted to our partial ocean view room. Our accommodations were very spacious and well-appointed. The size of the room was the equivalent of a Jr. Suite in many hotels. Our room included a walk-in closet and over-size bathroom with an European-style bathtub. The lanai was furnished with a table and padded , adjustable chairs. The view of the ocean and subsequently, the sunsets, was magnificent.
The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa is regarded for its award-winning cuisine and amenities. We shared a romantic dinner for two at the Azul Restaurant. This restaurant has an excellent reputation and the food and service were exquisite. The Naupaka Terrace, an alternate dining venue, is open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, offers regional cuisine and also, themed buffets. We enjoyed many morning and evening walks skirting the 4 lagoons that comprise the resort of Ko Olina. The pristine lagoon surrounded by white sand directly in front of our hotel was complemented by an azure sky and view of the Wai’anae Mountains. The pool offered view of the oceans. The award-winning Ihilani Spa provides an oasis of tranquility. Its treatments aim to soothe your soul and experience harmony of mind, body, and spirit. A brochure of numerous services and treatments is available. My spa choice was the Deluxe Thalasso Therapy with color and aqua essences. It was, as promised, a sensory, therapeutic experience for the body, mind, and spirit. I was a new person in less than 30 minutes. Next time a half day of treatments sounds like heaven on earth! It was difficult to leave our resort, even for a day. We did take a drive to the North Shore one day. The beauty and quaintness of the “other” Oahu are definitely missed by many visitors to the island. We enjoyed lunch in Haleiwa at Jameson’s by the Sea. We returned to Ko Olina driving through fields of pineapples.
About Jan Geiser
Jan has been in the travel industry for 35+ years and is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC). She has extensive personal experience in both leisure and cruise travel. Jan has traveled all over the world and brings a wealth of experience and advice to our clients. She has been recognized by American Express as a World Cruise Specialist. She is also a graduate of advanced travel industry training offered by Holland America Line and has achieved the rank of Commodore status with both Princess and Cunard. Destination specialties include: Europe, South Pacific, Caribbean, Mexico (Master Agent for Secrets Resorts), USA – Alaska (Certified Expert) and Hawaii, and of course, Cruises. Call Jan at 303-442-2340X231.
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