Holiday Destinations - Travel Insurance Blog

Tax Refund on Unused Ticket

Posted on August 30th, 2010, Jean. Filed under Airlines, Holiday Destinations, Travel News, No Comments

With Air Passenger Duty (APD) scheduled to rise yet again in November 2010, the tax paid on an unused airline ticket may be well worth any time spent claiming a refund.
It appears that many travellers are either unaware that they can claim back the tax paid on an unused flight, or simply forget to do so.
Airlines are required to [...]

Hurricane Earl Gaining Force

Posted on August 29th, 2010, Jean. Filed under Destinations, Holiday Destinations, Travel News, 1 Comment

Those with plans to travel to the Caribbean and areas surrounding the U.S. or British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this week should be aware of a hurricane warning currently in effect. There are reports that some flights have been cancelled and cruise ships are changing course to avoid the storm.
Hurricane Earl could also cause problems on the [...]

Flights - Tax Hike Coming

Posted on August 29th, 2010, Jean. Filed under Airlines, Holiday Destinations, Travel News, No Comments

From November 1, 2010 a family of four flying economy class to New Zealand will pay an increased total Air Passenger Duty (APD) of £340 (currently £220). The same flights in other classes will pay a whopping £680 in tax (currently £440).
A family of four taking a holiday in Florida this winter will incur APD on their flights of £240 (currently [...]

U.S./Canada Visas and Import Rules

Posted on August 27th, 2010, Jean. Filed under Backpack Travel, Holiday Destinations, Student Travel, Travel News, No Comments

The Foreign Office (FCO) has published advice for British citizens travelling to the U.S. and/or Canada under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP).
In particular, the British Consulate in Toronto has reported problems with some British nationals who travelled to the United States, took a short trip to Canada, and then experienced problems when trying to re-enter the [...]

Florida Attractions and Travel Insurance Magic

Posted on August 26th, 2010, Jean. Filed under Holiday Destinations, Motoring, Travel News, No Comments

There are probably more magical things to do in Florida than Harry Potter can shake a wand at…

Holiday-bound Muggles boarding the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 3/4 now have the option to bypass Hogwarts and head for sunny Florida. The new Harry Potter theme park attraction at Universal Orlando Resort ‘The Wizarding World of Harry [...]

Travel Insurance and Air Ambulance Costs

Posted on August 22nd, 2010, Jean. Filed under Holiday Destinations, Travel News, No Comments

Those who previously thought that travel insurance was an unnecessary expense should have changed their minds after seeing the recent report of the new bride who broke her back while on honeymoon in Greece.
The bride fell 30-feet from a balcony, breaking her back in three places. Fortunately for them, it appears the fall will not leave her paralysed.
The couple had [...]

Kiss Flights/Flight Options Ceases Trading

Posted on August 17th, 2010, Jean. Filed under Airlines, Holiday Destinations, Sports, Sports Holidays, Travel News, No Comments

Kiss Flights, owned by London-based Flight Options Limited has ceased trading this evening, affecting tens of thousands of holidaymakers.
Kiss Flights/Flight Options operated holidays and flights mainly to Greece, Turkey, Egypt and the Canary Islands.
This makes it the third travel company to go bust in the past few weeks, following Goldtrail Travel and Sun4U.
At the time of writing it has [...]

BAA Strike Called Off!

Posted on August 16th, 2010, Jean. Filed under Airports, Holiday Destinations, Travel News, No Comments

Phew! A collective sigh of relief was heard across the globe tonight as the Unite union and ACAS announced that a proposed agreement has been reached with BAA - and the threatened airport strikes have been called off.
The Union will take the proposed settlement to its members in a ballot, which could take about three weeks. [...]

Isle of Man Travel Insurance

Posted on August 16th, 2010, Jean. Filed under Holiday Destinations, Motoring, Travel News, No Comments

A reminder to those planning a visit to the Isle of Man that the reciprocal healthcare agreement which has existed between the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man ceases at the end of September 2010.
Until that time, UK visitors to the Isle of Man (and vice versa) are still entitled to free emergency NHS services, but not [...]

Sun4U Travel Co Folds

Posted on August 12th, 2010, Jean. Filed under Airlines, Holiday Destinations, Travel News, No Comments

Birmingham-based Sun4U (Sun 4 U Limited) has folded.
According to the website (Sun4Udirect.com) customers are directed to contact ABTA claims handlers CEGA on Tel: 01243 621 500, or contact the travel supplier named on their invoice.
Those on air holiday packages with Sun4U have protection under ATOL and the CAA (under ATOL No. 9251) according to the Sun4U [...]