This morning Delta Airlines announced that effective April 23, 2013 there are NEW guidelines regarding Same-Day Confirmed flights.  Please see the chart below OR read more here. 

Most of you know that you work with non-profits each day-providing excellent service and amazing pricing on international travel. However, did you know that we also can help with any hotel needs that you or your organization may have?  We book over 10,000 room nights a year and this gives us strong relationships with hotels and thus, often we are able to pass along hotels savings to you, the client.  If you have ANY hotel needs in the near future, pleases let us know at staff@afctravel.com

This is from Delta Airlines:

(January 16, 2013) - The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has alerted Delta that, due to construction activity at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, road closures and JFK AirTrain service interruptions will occur throughout the month of January.

The Van Wyck Expressway will be closed in both directions from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Tuesday, January 15 until Saturday morning, January 19 and then again overnight from Monday January 21 until Saturday morning January 26. Traffic will be detoured to the JFK Expressway and travelers should allow additional time to reach their destination.

Additionally, JFK AirTrain service from Howard Beach – including Lefferts Blvd. and all service into and within the Central Terminal Area – will be suspended overnight between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. beginning on Monday, January 14 until Friday morning January 18 and then again beginning Monday, January 21 until Friday morning January 25. Free shuttle bus service will be provided at Howard Beach, Lefferts Blvd., Federal Circle and at all airline terminals. Travelers planning to use the shuttle buses should allow additional time to reach their destination.

Something VERY exciting happened last night around 11 pm. Congress, passed a bill to avert the fiscal cliff, which also in this bill include an act to make the adoption tax credit PERMANENT, which extends the 2001 Act. This credit will make many adoptions more affordable for families. Remember AFC Travel can help provide airfare for all international adoptions. Contact us for more information at sales@afctravel.com

Have you ever wanted to take a good rest while flying on a long-haul flight?  While most of us haven’t had the chance to experience business or first class, the seats on international flights are getting better and better.  The Wall Street Journal does an excellent job at showing us the differences in seats that offered by various airlines.  Check it out here.   AFC Travel offers discounted business class fares all over the world-please contact us for a quote on airfare.

From Delta Airlines:

Effective for travel on or after January 15, 2013, Delta Air Lines policy will be to check a passenger’s baggage between the origin and destination points that are indicated on a single or conjuncted ticket exclusively. If a second ticket is presented for travel on another airline beyond the destination of the first ticket, the passenger will be advised that Delta will only check the bag to the destination on the first ticket(s). The passenger must collect the baggage at baggage claim for their first ticketed destination, and then re-check their baggage with the down-line carrier for the next flight.

Previously, in cases where a passenger presented more than one ticket to a Delta airport agent at the origination point, Delta would offer to check the baggage from the origin on one Delta ticket to the final destination on the second ticket, collecting both Delta’s and the other airline’s fees. This was done on a courtesy basis but has never been part of an official policy.

The policy update does not apply to interline itineraries, wherein the passenger has an entire journey on one ticket. In these situations, Delta will continue to check baggage through to the ticketed destination as normal policy.

This clarification of policy helps Delta ensure that checked baggage service is consistent for all customers.

Below are examples of a single-ticket and multi-ticket scenarios.

Single ticket example:  

• Ticket 1 – ATL-LAX on a Delta flight connecting to another airline operating LAX-NRT.

Delta Policy: Delta will check the baggage from ATL to LAX to NRT.

Multi ticket example: 

• Ticket 1 – ATL-LAX on a Delta flight
• Ticket 2 – LAX-NRT on a different airline

Delta Policy: Delta will check the baggage for the ATL to LAX flight only.  Upon the flight’s arrival at LAX, the passenger must collect the baggage at the Delta baggage claim and then proceed to check it with the down-line carrier for the next flight LAX to NRT.

To start off September, AFC Travel is giving away to one winner, a $100 American Express Gift Card.  You can enter by filling out this brief survey.

As you consider your travel needs for 2012 and beyond, please contact AFC Travel.  You can email us at sales@afctravel.com.  Each day we are booking group travel for churches and non-profits for their 2013 travel.  On many routes, we offer discounted travel for qualified non-profits.  We own our direct contracts with nearly 20 of the world’s largest airlines.  We do travel, we know travel and we can get you there at the best price possible.

AFC Travel is happy to announce  that beginning today, we are now offering discounted fares Delta/AF/KLM from the US and to Africa and the Middle East and FROM those same destinations to the US (one-ways included).  With this HUGE NEW, we now have discounted fares to and from Africa and the Middle East on ALL FOUR major airline alliances.

This programs makes available excellent fares for those traveling with a qualified non-profit.  Many non-profit organizations go for a week or two at a time, some travel for half a year-these fares allow you to travel at a greater discount while earning your miles within the Sky Team Program.  If you have a trip in 2012 or 2013, and are considering traveling to the Middle East or Africa, please contact Anthony Hilden at anthony@afctravel.com to learn more about how your team can travel at a greater discount.

Remember us for all of your travel needs-airfare/car and hotel-we have huge discounts on all.

If you’re like I was when I was a pastor, I spent much of my summer planning 2013.  This is especially true if you’re planning on a doing a mission/volunteer trip in 2013.  If you are, we’d love to be a resource for you.  Did you know, we could hold group airfare space 330 days in advance to secure the LOWEST pricing available?  Additionally, with our special contracts for qualifying non-profits, we can of secure fares BELOW what you would find directly through the airline or many websites.  Along with the low prices, comes with great benefits too such as-extra luggage allowance, low cost change fees and other benefits that are granted from the airlines to AFC Travel Clients.

If you are even thinking about doing an international trip in 2013, please contact us at sales@afctravel.com to learn more about how we can help make your trip more affordable and a better experience for you and your team. We offer everything from airfare to travel insurance (Volunteercard.com) to hotel and tours.  We would love to provide you with a quote on airfare and answer any questions you may have-If it’s one person going or 2,500 (yes, we have groups that large going)-we can help.

July 4 usually marks the half way point of summer.  Soon, your local stores will be filled with Back To School items and your child’s bus schedule will arrive.  As you prepare for a new school year, please consider planning ahead for your Holiday Travel.  I believe this season it will be hard and harder to find seats on the flight you really want to be on.  Plan ahead and check afctravel.com for the lowest fares available.