India Visa on Arrival guide

Below is the link to the Guide for India Visa on Arrival:

http://goindia.about.com/od/visas/qt/Indian-Tourist-Visa-On-Arrival.htm

JetBlue to add bundled fares, eliminate free checked bag

http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/JetBlue-to-add-bundled-fares-and-eliminate-free-checked-bag/?cid=eltrdb

JetBlue will end its policy of allowing one free checked bag and will introduce three levels of bundled fares that are based on the number of bags passengers check: none, one or two bags. 

The airline said it will implement bundled fares in the first half of 2015.

JetBlue will also reconfigure its cabins, installing new seats that will allow it to increase the number of seats on each flight. JetBlue says that even with the new configuration, it will continue to offer the most legroom in coach. 

JetBlue will continue to offer free in-flight WiFi, which it plans to monetize through partnerships it is pursuing with Verizon, the Wall Street Journal and others. 

Its entire Airbus A320 and A321 fleet will be equipped with Fly-Fi in the first half of 2015; it will begin installing Fly-Fi on its Embraer 190s after that.

Meanwhile, JetBlue will continue to add Mint premium service on flights from New York to San Francisco and Los Angeles. And, it will continue to offer premium economy seats with more legroom.

Southwest will become the lone U.S. carrier to allow free checked bags after JetBlue implements its policy change.

QATAR timing change from USA

Please note, QATAR AIRWAYS  recently had a change on our departure time e.g. our Washington to Doha flight. Under the new timings the flight now departs at 820pm. This schedule will be in effect until March 7, 2015

United - Through-check baggage policy update

Through-check baggage policy update

Effective for travel on and after March 1, 2015, when a customer has two separate tickets, United will though-check bags only when the secondary ticket is for travel on the following carriers:
United and United Express
Star Alliance partner airlines


       
With the new policy, a passenger's baggage will be checked between the origin and destination points that are reflected on a single or conjunctive ticket.

If the traveler holds a second ticket on another airline beyond the destination of the first ticket, United will check the bag to the destination on the first ticket(s). In such situations, the traveler must collect their baggage on arrival at their first ticketed destination, and then re-check baggage with the next carrier for their continuing flight(s).

Ticket examples



Example one:
ORD-SEA on United, connecting to SEA-NRT on ANA. 


Bags will be through - checked
United will check the customer's bag through to the final destination Tokyo/Narita (ANA being a Star Alliance carrier).




Example two:
One ticket IAD-DXB on United and a second ticket DXB-MLE on flydubai (not a Star Alliance carrier).


Bags will be not be through - checked
United will check the customer's bag from Washington D.C. (IAD) to Dubai (DXB). In DXB, traveler must collect bags from baggage claim and recheck with connecting airline carrier to their final destination Male, Maldives (MLE).

QR - Moving All Operations To Terminal 5 At Chicago O'Hare

Effective October 26, 2014, Qatar Airways flight QR722 will begin departing from Terminal 5 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Customers may check-in at Counters 35-39. QR721 will continue to arrive at Terminal 5.

QR - New USA To Djibouti Flights! Good Connections & Great Intro. Fares

Beginning October 26, 2014, Qatar Airways begins thrice-weekly non-stop flights from Doha to Djibouti.

Let your customers fly from Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, New York, Philadelphia or Washington, DC to Doha and onwards to Djibouti!G
reat promo fares that were released for the new flights.

From: JFK, PHL, MIA, DFW, IAD, IAH, ORD
To: JIB

Qatar Airways to Launch New Route - ASMARA, ERITREAN

Qatar Airways continues further expansion of its African operations with plans to launch scheduled flights to Eritrea’s capital city Asmara, effective December 4, 2014.

Ebola Virus Travel Alert

The World Health Organisation is closely monitoring the Ebola situation and has sent teams of experts to all affected countries to assess the situation and assist in containing the problem.

The health and wellbeing of our passengers and staff is of upmost importance to Qatar Airways and we would like to reassure you that we are monitoring the situation very closely and are in contact with both local and international health and aviation organisations to ensure that all necessary and appropriate measures are in place to protect our passengers, our staff and the general public.

TK -Special Comfort Class Promo Fares From LAX

Special Comfort Class promo fares from LAX to 20 destinations!

From: LAX
To: AMM, ANK, ASR, ATH, AYT, BEY, BOM, BXN, IZM, JED, JRO, MED, NAV, NBO, NJF, RUH, SOF, SYZ, TBZ and THR

Sales/ticketing: 22JUL14 - 19AUG14
Travel period: 21AUG14 - 31OCT14

QR - PHL to India, Pakistan & More - Free STPC Doha

Qatar Airways is pleased to offer special fares from Philadelphia to India, Pakistan and other destinations across the Indian Subcontinent that now include a free STPC in Doha. This promotion is available on select flights with more than eight hours connection time and less than 24 hours connection in Doha.

Emirates Super Special Business class fares from selected US Gateways

Emirates has introduced  Special Promotional Business Class Fares from WAS/SEA/BOS/CHI/DFW to Africa, India, SASC, Asia, Indian Ocean, ME, GCC 

ex WAS/SEA/BOS/DFW: 07 Jul 14 thru 21 Aug 2014 on the first International

Last ticketing date :  01 Jul 14

QF-New Published Promo Fares To Auckland

QF has extended the last ticketing date for their Economy class published promo fares from USA to New Zealand!

Routes Boost Service To Latin America And Caribbean

United to launch first-ever service between Houston and Santiago, Chile!

Timed to provide convenient connections to 111 airports across the United States and more than 60 international destinations, service will provide customers fast, easy connections between Houston and destinations around the world.

Complimentary Dubai Stopover Package Exit Chicago & Boston

We are happy to update you on the most recent India market as well as our Dubai Stopover Summer Promotion for passengers travelling ex Chicago and Boston.
Complimentary two-night Dubai Stopover for all Passengers travelling ex Chicago and Boston

Peak Season Promotional NET Fares

Emirates is pleased to offer New Peak Season Promotional Fares on EK204 from NYC!

Sales/Ticketing: Now -03JUN14

From: JFK on EK204
To: AMM /BEY /CPT/DAR /DMM /DOH /EBB /HKG /JNB /KRT /KUL /KWI /LOS /NBO /RUH /SGN/SIN /THR

Published Promo Fares To Scandinavia and Europe

Sales/ticketing: Now -03JUN14

Publishe Promo Fare LAX To LIM

We have just received a new published promo fare from LAX to LIM!

Sales/ticketing: Now - 09JUN14
Travel period: 18AUG14 - 15DEC14

Special Business Class Published Promo Fare To India

We are pleased to announce that the EK Special Promotional Business Class Fares from DFW/SEA/WAS have been extended until 09JUN14!

Sales/ticketing: Now - 09JUN14

TAM Part Of Oneworld Alliance

Today TAM joined oneworld global alliance, a partnership between 14 renowned airlines to provide greater advantages and benefits to our customers with a unique travel experience.
Our passengers can now choose from more destinations, enjoy VIP lounges in many countries, priority check in as well as more options to earn and redeem qaulifying miles.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Abu Dhabi Airport

http://www.etihad.com/uspreclearance

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Terminal 3 in Abu Dhabi Airport is a purpose-built facility that allows U.S. bound passengers to undertake all immigration, customs and agriculture inspections in Abu Dhabi prior to departure.

Abu Dhabi Airport is one of only a handful of airports outside North America that offer the CBP facility. Having cleared CBP, guests can check-through their baggage to their final destination in the United States. On reaching the U.S., guests will be treated as domestic arrivals, which allows for faster processing at their arrival airport.

Etihad Airways currently operates flights to three destinations in the U.S. - New York (EY101 only), Chicago (EY151) and Washington (EY131). Guests flying to above destinations in the U.S. will use the CBP facility at Abu Dhabi Airport.

Please note: This service is not available for the Etihad Airways flight number EY103 to New York (JFK).

UA - United Announces New Australia Service

BA - Service Update

British Airways has announced Singapore as the latest destination to be served by its Airbus A380s.
The three-times a week service starts on 28 October 2014, and will increase the number of A380 destinations to five.
British Airways A380s already fly to Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Johannesburg, with services to Washington DC starting from 1 September.

Schedule

The A380 will feature on the BA11 service operating on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday ex Heathrow, and the returning BA12 operating on Wednesday,
Friday and Sunday.

Singapore services on other days will continue to be operated by a Boeing 747, except for the BA 15/16 Heathrow-Singapore-Sydney service, which will
remain on a 777-300ER aircraft.

For a six week period from 9 February to 28 March 2015 Singapore will have a daily A380 service, but after this period A380 services will revert to
the above three per week schedule.

UA - Top-Tier Customers At Newark (EWR) Update

UA - Top-Tier Customers At Newark (EWR) Update
United opened a new Global Services reception lobby for top-tier frequent flyers at its Newark (EWR) hub. The new lobby offers personalized check-in and travel services to members of United's invitation-only Global Services program, and to customers traveling on long-haul international flights in United Global First.

SQ - Stop Over Update

Singapore Airlines is pleased to offer one night free hotel accommodation in Singapore with round trip airport transfers for Singapore Airlines and SilkAir passengers connecting in/out of Singapore traveling on SQ11/SQ12 to/from India, Indo-China and South East Asia. Passengers can enjoy a complementary stopover in Singapore for one night, based on twin sharing/triple sharing basis or USD62.00 for single occupancy.

Terms and Conditions click here

Please contact one of our sales agents to make the booking

QR - New Published Promo Fares

ECONOMY CLASS:

From: CHI, HOU, NYC, WAS, DFW, LAX, MIA, CLT, PHL, BOS & RDU to select destinations in QR network
A second set of low season fares from DFW to BLR/BOM/CCU/COK/DEL/HYD with routing via HOU.
Sale Validity: Now - 13FEB2014

Economy Class Fare Rules:
Booking Class: O/Q
Fare Basis: OPFRLUS/QPFRLUS/OPFRKUS/QPFRKUS

BUSINESS CLASS:

From: CHI, HOU, NYC & WAS to select destinations in QR network
Sale Validity: Now - 13FEB2014
Travel Validity: Now - 31MAR2014



Business Class Fare Rules:
Booking Class: I
Fare Basis: IPP2US

Turkey Visa Update (Important)

ABTA has warned travel agents that visitors to Turkey will soon have to apply for a visa online or they may be refused entry.

The Turkish Consulate has advised that the stamp / sticker visa on arrival will be abolished from April 10, 2014 and will be completely replaced by the e-visa application process.
All visitors to Turkey from April 11, 2014 will be required to purchase their entry visa via the Turkish Government website www.evisa.gov.tr prior to travel.
But the association believes many agents may not be aware of the new requirement.

An ABTA spokeswoman said: "We have already informed our Members about the need for consumers travelling to Turkey to apply online for a visa for travel after 10/4/14 and we will be reminding them again this week.

"Turkey is an extremely important destination for our members and we are concerned that consumers, particularly those who have not booked through ABTA members, may not be aware of the new requirement and may as a consequence be refused entry to Turkey."
The Turkish Consulate said: "The application of Stamp Visa and Banderole visa for entering the Republic of Turkey at the border gates will continue together (simultaneously) with the e-visa application until 10th April 2014."

Currently, the cost of the e-visa is $20 US.

Emirates Special for Summer

Qatar Winter Sale

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

Qatar Airways New Service from DFW, MIA & PHL

New customs form for Indians, foreigners from January 1 2014.....!!!!!

New Delhi : Passengers flying into India will have to fill in a new customs form on their arrival from the new year while the need to fill immigration form for returning Indians is being done away with.
All passengers coming to India will be filling up an 'Indian Customs Declaration Form' seek details that will be different from the detachable perforated strip which is part of the immigration card at the moment.
"There will be a separate form for customs authorities and immigration card from the new year onwards," official sources said.
Also from January 1, Indians will have to fill up immigration form only when they go out. "There will not be any immigration form for Indians returning from abroad," they said.
Authorities have also introduced new fields for declaration of dutiable and prohibited goods.
For the first time, travellers would be asked to specifically declare any prohibited articles, gold jewellery (over free allowance), gold bullion and Indian currency exceeding Rs 7,500 in the new form.
The passengers will have to give details of countries visited in the past six days and mention their passport numbers on the new form, which was not there earlier.
Whereas, old fields like declaration of satellite phone, foreign currency exceeding USD 5,000 or equivalent, aggregate value of foreign exchange including currency exceeding USD 10,000 or equivalent, meat, meat products, dairy products, fish or poultry products and seeds, plants, fruits, flowers and other planting material have been retained in the new format.
The passengers will also have to give details of baggage being carried by them in a separate column instead of pieces of hand baggage and checked in baggage separately.
As per norms, maps and literature where Indian external boundaries have been shown incorrectly, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, goods violating any of the legally enforceable intellectual property rights and wildlife products comes into the category of prohibited items.
Counterfeit currency notes or coin or fake currency notes and specified live birds and animals are also prohibited for import by passengers.
Passengers of Indian origin and foreigners of over 10 years of age residing in India (and coming from Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and China) are eligible for duty free allowance of Rs 6,000. Whereas, a duty free allowance of Rs 35,000 can be availed by such passengers in case they are coming from other than these four nations.
As per rules, a tourist of foreign origin gets a duty free allowance of Rs 8,000. Indian passenger, who has been residing abroad for over one year, can get gold jewellery worth Rs 50,000 (for man) and Rs one lakh (for woman) without paying any import duty.
All passengers are also eligible to bring with them liquor or wine upto two litres, 200 numbers of cigarettes, upto 50 numbers of cigars or 250 gms of tobacco.
Passengers of 18 years and above age can also bring one laptop computer (note book computer) without payment of customs duty, the rules said.
Customs duty is leviable at the rate of 36.05 per cent(basic customs duty 35 per cent+education cess at the rate of three per cent) on the value of dutiable goods that is in excess of the duty free allowance.
Officials said the purpose behind having separate forms is to ensure quick and timely filtering of collected information about passengers and avoid duplication of data.
The Finance Ministry has issued a notification of new "Customs Baggage Declaration Regulations, 2013" which will come into force from Jan 1. These regulations shall apply to baggage of passengers coming to India, it said.
The new facility will help authorities to keep a check on duty frauds and cases of under-valuation, the sources said.
Besides, they would also be able to keep a record of gold jewellery and bullion being brought into the country, they said.

There are 19 international airports in the country –
Srinagar, Amritsar, Jaipur, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Nagpur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Goa, Bengaluru, Chennai, Calicut, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Port Blair.