AlexPCustomTravel offers custom travel packages for groups, corporations, individuals, couples, and families. We specialize in creating unique, personalized experiences and take pride in providing excellent service. We can assist with booking cruises, destination weddings, corporate cruises and conventions and group travel, all-inclusive resorts, airlines, hotels, car rentals, train transportation, concerts, museums, major sporting events, other group activities, and so much more. We are a full-service travel agency.
Yes, AlexPCustomTravel provides travel insurance for all customers. Please ask a representative for more details.
Yes! AlexPCustomTravel offers special discounts for groups, seniors, and students. Please contact us for more details.
Yes! AlexPCustomTravel offers special discounts for groups, seniors, and students. Please contact us for more details.
Absolutely! AlexPCustomTravel can book cruises with all major cruise vendors and multiple smaller vendors too, including small chartered private cruises for groups.
A travel agent takes all the headaches out of planning a trip, and handles virtually all aspects of your travel, at absolutely no cost to you. The combined experience of the team and the feedback from our thousands of travelers provides an invaluable resource to the traveler planning an important trip.
In recent years, the top travel vendors have empowered and trained the agency community to be even more effective and efficient go-betweens.
Yes, we work within any and all realistic budgets, and an honest sharing of ideas and goals helps us immensely when making recommendations and suggested edits to travel plans.
No, there is no fee for our vacation planning services, as the travel vendors involved recognize our value and compensate us from the gross amount paid (what you would have paid even without our assistance). For those complicated international itineraries that require custom crafting and significant involvement of our international on-location partners, we do request an intent-to-travel deposit to begin the process. This deposit is applied to the reservations that are made on your behalf.
Your itinerary booked by AlexPCustomTravel is a direct travel company and is available on our by email (soon to be available on our new View Trip website, and your reservation code will be the login) with your specific booking information is supplied in the email. Since we are directly connected to vendors’ inventory systems (airlines, cruise lines, hotels, cars, rail, etc.), you will also be able to retrieve your information on their unique client sites, many of which offer a wealth of information to help you prepare for the trip ahead.
Travel insurance is available and recommended to protect your travel investment. Many trips, such as tours and cruises, involve non-refundable funds paid months in advance. Travel insurance protects you from losing this investment. Perhaps even more important is the ‘during travel’ coverage and assistance that comes with the top-flight insurance companies we carry.
Trip interruption due to illness or unforeseen circumstances can be very expensive, and medical care abroad is often not covered by domestic insurance plans. Also, an increasing number of countries require proof of medical insurance for travelers entering their country.
Call us right away. If it’s after normal business hours, please contact the next involved travel supplier (airline, hotel, tour operator, cruise line) to cancel any reservations you will not be able to use. If you purchased travel insurance, please contact the insurance company’s 24-hour line to start the cancellation process and ensure your maximum refund. You can also refer to our cancellation policy page for further details.
Due to increased travel security around the world, it is now more important than ever that your airline ticket match your first and last name exactly as it reads on your passport. Additionally, any changes to your air booking, which include spelling, could be subject to a change fee, penalties, or cancellation.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires a full name (as it appears on a government-issued ID that the passenger will be traveling with), date of birth, and gender for all passengers. Failure to provide the required TSA information for your air reservation can result in delays at the airport during the check-in process and/or flights canceled prior to departure by the airline.
We do have a seat reservation department that is dedicated to assigning the best available seats for your flight. Unfortunately, each airline has its own set of guidelines for reserving seats. We will reach out to you with what we can do. Once tickets are issued, you are more than welcome to log on to the airline’s website to view your seats or purchase a more preferred seat should it be available.
In most cases, seat assignments are firm. However, airlines may sometimes reassign seats for operational reasons. This often happens at the last moment, is controlled by airline staff, and AlexPCustomTravel, is not notified. Passengers are encouraged to reconfirm their seat assignments and any other special requests directly with their airline prior to departure.
AlexPCustomTravel will be more than happy to pass on your frequent flier numbers to the airline. However, some discounted or promotional fares may not be eligible for mileage accrual. We also encourage you to offer these numbers upon check-in.
During the booking process, you are able to notate any special request. There is a field for this, beneath where you input your payment information. Should you have missed this field when booking, we can take this special request via email or chat. However, if you are requesting a wheelchair, it may be a good idea to contact our customer service to provide additional information regarding your limitations.
When booking your reservation, you will notice a link next to each flight segment that will display flight details and baggage fees. These details are important to read carefully as this will show additional information regarding your flight itinerary. Although in most cases the international “over the water” flight will include 1 piece of luggage with a certain weight, you may have also booked regional flights between cities. These smaller flights may not allow for the same weight as the international flight. It is important to pack light as the overweight fees can be hefty. Additionally, some small carriers may not allow for pre-purchased baggage. In these cases, they MUST be paid directly to the carrier. It is recommended to go to the airline website directly, as purchasing prior may result in a cheaper fee.
The airlines have a requirement for a time to get from point A to point B in each airport, these are called “Minimum Connection Times”. These are legal times the airline must adhere to, and we cannot make a reservation if it does not meet this standard. Unfortunately, these times are not ideal. We strongly recommend checking these time frames in the booking process to select the connection you are most comfortable with. Remember the key to checking before booking is that once tickets are issued, we cannot change them without penalties incurred by the airline.
It is important to go directly to the nearest ticketing counter to be protected on the next available flight. In these cases, it is the responsibility of the airline to re-accommodate. After contact with the airline desk, we recommend you to advise AlexPCustomTravel, if possible, of your new scheduled flight as it may affect other services. The most convenient way to contact us at this point would be through our chat or call us, if located where the wifi connection is available.
Each airline has different classes of service that may have restrictions once the fare is ticketed. Some of the basic discounted fares may not be eligible for class upgrades after purchase.
AlexPCustomTravel recommends you plan to be there 3 hours prior to departure. This is a key factor for a successful trip. Keep in mind things happen like the following: accidents, missed directions to the airport, missed transfers and having to get alternate transportation, long check-in lines, long security lines. If you are not on time for check-in, this can result in having to purchase a new ticket.
Some regional airports within other countries may have long check-in wait time, so it is important to keep this in mind even while en route getting to the following destination. If a segment is missed in your itinerary, this could result in no value of the consecutive segments. Airlines will charge you rebooking fees along with any fare increase from the original ticket price.
AlexPCustomTravel recommends contacting us either by chat or call to let us know your situation, so we can work with the vendor and work on your behalf to get the situation rectified as quickly and efficiently as possible for you.
Arrive early:
Make sure you have allotted ample time for your journey, including giving yourself plenty of time for getting to the airport, making your way through check-in and security, and making your way to the departure gate.
Check In:
Keep in mind that many airport websites now provide real-time information on flight delays. Whether you check online or call the airline, stay informed.
Operating Carrier:
You may be traveling with a different airline than the one listed on your ticket. At the airport, you will be checking in with the airline listed as operating carrier on your voucher.
Documentation:
Make sure you have all your passport and visa information correct and valid for the departure dates you are traveling. Remember, your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.
The TSA`s PreCheck (see www.tsa.gov/precheck), a trusted traveler program, has spread to more cities across the U.S. and is now available at more than 180 airports. Members of the program are prescreened and can jet through security without having to take off their shoes or remove laptops from cases. The U.S. Customs Department`s Global Entry program (see www.globalentry.gov) is another shortcut for frequent international travelers, especially as the federal government immigration and customs lines get longer.
NOTE: AlexPCustomTravel is not responsible for delayed or canceled flights, portions of trips missed due to such issues, or additional expenses incurred due to unforeseen circumstances. This is a great reason to select insurance when purchasing the package.
One Star–
These budget properties offer clean accommodations. AlexPCustomTravel does not offer these type of properties.
Two Stars –
These budget properties offer clean accommodations and are slightly better than 1 stars. By American standards, this is not a recommended option. AlexPCustomTravel does not offer these type of properties unless they are located in a remote location with very limited availability.
Three Stars –
The minimum comfort level for many travelers. This is a budget basic property. Rooms will be small and do not expect any extra amenities.
Four Stars –
More comfortable and more of a traditional property. Be careful, as the range in 4-star properties can vary greatly in style and amenities. These hotels may offer a little more space and service.
Five Stars –
These are hotels that offer a higher level of accommodations and services. The properties offer a high degree of personal service. But don’t let the 5 stars fool you, as some 5 stars are not at the level of an American 5-star property.
Do not use star rating as your sole decision maker, read descriptions, reviews, and our scores!
We noticed the note in the description of the hotel (coming soon) we were looking to book. There were other ones without this note. What exactly does this mean?
AlexPCustomTravel tries to help clients select properties that maximize their experience, regardless of star rating. We select our “favorites” properties within each star-rating category based on criteria such as location and reviews. These properties add value to your vacation due to their standards and integrity. We regularly re-evaluate our “favorites” to ensure that high quality remains intact and clients have solid options working within their own budgets.
I noticed your site mentioned “Bed and breakfast” and then “Room only” in the booking process. What exactly does this mean?
This refers to the meal plan included in the room type you have booked. Some rates include breakfast, while others do not. This is based on what is available at the time of booking. Some people may prefer having breakfast right at the hotel, while others may prefer to explore the cafés in their new city. Should you have inadvertently booked “room only” at the hotel you selected, we can always ask the hotel for the cost to include breakfast, if available.
What TYPE of accommodations are offered on (or through..coming soon) your site?
AlexPCustomTravel offers a variety of accommodations. Some regions have specialized accommodations depending on the type of destination. Here are a couple of examples and where you may see these options:
When selecting your hotel, it is very important to pay attention to the room category as well. Remember, the default, again, will be the least expensive available at that hotel. Normally, these tend to be the smallest rooms and with the least desirable location at the property. Upgrading to the next available category will usually secure a more desirable room. It is especially important to try to not select a category labeled “Economy or Annex”.
Unless you are booking an American Chain property which maintains its standards worldwide, chances are that your room is going to be a lot smaller than what you would encounter in the USA. Please keep this in mind, if you are selecting properties that are located in historical or central city locations.
This is a common misconception. For instance, in Europe, A/C is not a common luxury. Many European hotels either do not have it or only run it a handful of days each year. Some cities take this even further and prohibit its use unless the external temperature reaches a certain point. That is much more common in Northern Europe than Southern, but most of our clients do not understand the lack of A/C.
In older properties, those housed in restored and historic buildings, or even apartment-style accommodations, A/C must be retrofitted or the property will forgo it altogether. Even those newer hotels with A/C still choose to only run it during the very hottest times of the year, which is late summer. We always recommend talking to hotel management if discomfort is an issue. Most front desks at least have a fan that can be delivered to your room.
Some hotels even right here in the US that are located in our Hawaii offerings still maintain its plantation style look, which is unique to the islands, as they were built to be able to ventilate and cool themselves naturally. These constructions were built prior to the post-war economic boom, when air conditioning installation became common practice. However, prior to this, it was almost non-existent. High electricity costs are another reason for such limited offerings. In Kauai and Maui, there are about 50% to 60% condo style properties that may not have air conditioning.
We endeavor to provide as accurate and detailed information as possible about hotels but remember it is up to local management whether or not to use A/C even if they have it. Europeans are accustomed to dealing without A/C, and so they do not even consider this an issue.
Non-refundable means that if the hotel reservation is canceled, there is no refund. Non-refundable hotels are also non-amendable/changeable. This is one of the ways AlexPCustomTravel is able to pass down the savings to our customers, so it’s important to review if the property is the right fit for you before finalizing. So, when choosing your hotels, make sure you are confident with your selection and have read the policy of each property during the booking process.
Although AlexPCustomTravel does not charge change penalties, the suppliers may do so. Please contact AlexPCustomTravel to see if a change can be made, and if so, what the cost could look like for this change.
We can always add nights to your trip but remember the airlines impose large change fees, and it may not be worth it to make this change after the booking has been finalized. So, please make sure you feel you picked the right number of nights before booking. Please feel free to call us and see what penalties will apply and to make the change if you still must.
AlexPCustomTravel reserves the hotel for you in a blocked or allotted space, and names are released to hotels a specific number of days before arrival as stipulated by the vendor. Should you want your name released earlier, just give us a shout-out! We can advise the supplier. Keep in mind, this may take 2 or 3 days to register with the hotel’s front desk.
The vast majority of our services are linked to our vendors that provide real-time availability and pricing. Unfortunately, there are some smaller hotels, located in more remote areas, that we can only offer on a request basis. For these properties, we contact and confirm services as soon as your booking has been created. Normally, we are able to confirm them within 48 hours. On occasion, they may not be available, should that occur we contact you with alternate comparable properties for your approval.
This is a common issue in most hotels across the world. So, hotels will allow you to store your luggage and go explore your new city at your leisure until your room is available for relaxing or freshening up. Keep in mind, this may cost a nominal fee, but will be worth it to be free of the luggage you have been dragging around. Remember to keep your valuables with you, though.
Yes, unfortunately, there are a number of fees that can only be collected by the hotel directly upon check out.
City Taxes: These are local taxes mandated by the city councils in each location. These are imposed for tourism and are applied to tourism infrastructure. We are not allowed to collect them prior to arrival. These fees can range from approximately 1 to 5 dollars a night, depending on the star rating of the hotel. These are noted in the hotel voucher for your guidance.
Resort Fees: These are fees collected by the resort to maintain the grounds and the general facilities. These fees are usually charged by room per night and will be paid upon check out. These are noted on the hotel voucher for your guidance.
Cleaning/Maintenance Fees: Some apartments and most condos will collect an additional service fee for cleaning your space before the next guest arrives. These fees can be a little more substantial, and you should prepare for them ahead of time. We list this in the property description in the reservation process. This will also be located in your voucher as a reminder.
I checked my hotel reviews and want to change my hotel choice. How can I do this?
Although AlexPCustomTravel does not charge change penalties, the suppliers may do so. Please contact AlexPCustomTravel to see if a change can be made, and if so, what the cost could look like for this change.
In most large cities there are numerous tours to popular attractions, it is very important for you to read through the descriptions and select the ones that fit your interests best. Do not forget about fitness level as well! Some of these tours can include lots of walking and climbing of steps.
We do offer a large variety of tours from group activities to walking tours, private and more specific type interest tours for people interested in say culinary, art or music. There are plenty of “skip the line” tours, which is more for convenience rather than the content. These will help avoid long waiting lines to “must see” attractions, but can include different levels of guidance.
Pay attention to the type of guides and the size of the tour. Remember, small group tours will always be more personal. And also pay attention to the inclusions/substitutions (some museums/attractions are closed on certain days of the week, and therefore another attraction may be substituted on the day you are there.)
The meeting point of the tour will be listed on your voucher. There are some tours with hotel pick up, but most tours are to be met at a specific location. If you are in the city the day before, we suggest getting acquainted with the location of the tour meeting point beforehand. We always recommend being at the tour meeting point at least 15 minutes (if not 30) before the scheduled meeting time. Grab a coffee close by and head over just before the tour begins, so the tour guide knows you have arrived.
Some tours will ask you to reconfirm at the destination. If you feel it is too confusing and do not have a working smartphone on hand, then contact the front desk at your hotel. Most front desk staff have no problem calling to reconfirm, even in the local language, should you ask nicely for help.
Unfortunately, some tours may be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Tours that are canceled last minute will receive a full refund. However, you can always ask the provider if they can suggest something similar for that day in exchange for the tour loss. A lot of times they know of other great tours they can get you signed up for in exchange so you do not lose time exploring.
Ferry tickets are by destination. Some will be waiting for you at your hotel prior to your departure or at the pier’s location. Some will be e-tickets which you can print with the rest of your vouchers. You will be notified of your particular circumstance by email. Carefully read your vouchers before departure so you are aware of which destination specific pickups are located.
Once the ferry ticket has been issued, we would need to contact the vendor to make sure the change can be made and it will be subject to vendor penalties. Remember that ferries are not frequent in most destinations, so you may have received a time that correlates with availability, hotel checkout times or even flight departure times.
Some ferries are booked with pre-assigned seats and some are not. When they come with seats, these are generated by the issuing office and cannot be requested. So, if a preferred seat is important to you make sure to get the pier with plenty of time for check-in. Remember there can be loads of people on your ferry so getting there early is key.
Ports are very busy and crowded places. It is important that you get there early enough to orient yourself, find the ferry you will be using, and line up to board. We recommend planning to get there around an hour before to not have to rush and get frustrated.
You are responsible for your luggage throughout your trip. Different ferry companies have different rules. Please remember to pack light.
Give yourself a little time to breathe and plan to be at the train station an hour or so before departure. Remember that you need to look for the city that you are going to on the “Arrivals/Departures Board” (sometimes these are not posted until 30 minutes before departure). It will be listed in the local language. Once you identify the track your train will depart from, you need to make your way there, with your luggage in tow. Some large stations can be confusing. Most often there will be someone there (especially at the customer service desk) who can help you. So the more time that you give yourself, the better.
Once you are on the platform, check your train ticket, your Coach number will be listed on it.
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You are responsible for your luggage throughout your journey. Should your bags be on the smaller side, you will be able to store them above your seat. If they are larger, there normally is a luggage rack at the entry points to your coach. Remember to pack light, as loading/unloading and hauling from one train to another can get exasperating.
Connecting from one train to another is not terribly complicated. But remember that you will have to take your luggage with you. In some small towns, this may mean going down a set of steps to cross the tracks underneath and climbing up on the other side. Sometimes, you may need to switch to another platform as well. Whenever possible, look at the connection time when booking your train reservation. As with flights, the connections are always legal, but some people may need more time than others.
In some instances, you can change this should the ticket not be issued yet. If the ticket has been issued, then the change fee fares located on the back of the ticket will apply. Should you receive a paper ticket via mail prior to departure, you may need to send this ticket back for change along with the associated fees the suppliers have set forth. There are also non-refundable tickets where changes may not be allowed to that particular routing.
Most of the time, you will be holding a ticket with a seat reservation included. If this is the case, your train tickets are issued in conjunction with your seat reservations. Some train routes allow for open seating. This will be indicated when you receive your train documents. If your ticket has been issued, and you would like to change the seat, the best option would be to change it at the train station, and it will involve a fee. There are fares that are non-refundable, where amendments cannot be made to these fare types.
The “Coach” mentioned on your train ticket refers to the Coach (car) number that you are to board. Normally the First Class Coach cars tend to be in the front of the train and will have the type of class listed on the side of the entry.
Keep in mind the big differences between your typical American rental car and what you’ll get in Europe or other countries. Mid-range foreign cars have less passenger room, trunk space is small, and manual transmissions are the norm. Automatics are more expensive (usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car. You may want to consider brushing up on your shifting skills, it will save you a lot of money.
You will see that a few cars offered are American but most are European/foreign brands (Opel, Fiat, Citroën, Peugeot, Renault, Škoda, and Seat) when traveling abroad. Domestic rentals have better selections. Don’t waste time carefully choosing among models, since you’re not guaranteed to get the exact car you signed up for, just a “similar” model.
If you opt for the smallest, least-expensive model, make sure that it is just you and a companion and pack very lightly! Remember, these smaller models are more maneuverable on narrow, winding roads, but be prepared for a tight fit.
We strongly recommend that you do not drive in the big cities unless you have had previous experience driving there and know what you are getting yourself into. It’s best and less stressful to pick up your vehicle on the day that you are departing the city. Picking up a car at an airport usually costs more than picking it up downtown. But many central car-rental locations have shorter hours (and may close at midday) or are buried in a maze of narrow streets. Also, consider traffic — it may be easier to drive away from an airport than a parking garage in the heart of the city. You may find that a train station office is handier than a downtown one (though some station pickups come with airport-like fees). Fortunately, airport/train station fees apply only to your pickup location, not your drop-off.
Cars are rented in 24-hour periods, so think carefully about selecting your pickup and drop-off times — if you pick up the car at 10 a.m. on the first day and drop it off at noon on the last day, you’ll be charged a whole day’s rental for just those two hours. Don’t book your pickup time for earlier than you really need the car. If you can, book a drop-off time that falls within that location’s office hours (rather than just leaving the keys in an after-hours drop box); it’s best to finalize and receive your paperwork in person.
When you arrive at the rental counter, ask for a copy of the contract in English if it’s not provided as a matter of course. This is also a good time to quiz the rental agent on a few things, including:
local laws you might not be aware of (for example, whether headlights must be on at all times, where and how kids ride, etc.)length of the grace period for drop-off, if anyhow to use anything you can’t figure out, such as the wipers, alarm system, lights, radio, GPS, etc.what type of fuel the car takes (diesel vs. unleaded), the local term for that fuel type, and how to release the gas caplocation of proof-of-insurance “green card” and other paperworkwhether your car has an unexpired toll-highway vignette (if needed)info on making repairs and any included emergency roadside serviceslocation of the spare tire and directions for using it (if the car has no spare, ask for a different vehicle)whether the car has a breath-testing kit for measuring alcohol levels (required in France, costs around $5)Be on time to drop off your car — you could be charged an extra day’s rent if you show up a little late
Unless you’ve already prepaid for a tank of gas, top up your car before returning it — otherwise, you may be charged for a full tank, no matter how much gas is actually left. Not only that, but you’ll likely be charged more than double what you would have paid at a nearby gas station…and they may pile on an additional “refueling fee” as well. There’s no need to wait until you’re almost at the rental office to fill up — fuel gauges are very forgiving, so start watching for a convenient gas station miles before you reach the rental office. Save your final gas receipt as proof that you filled the tank, and don’t toss it until you’ve seen your credit-card bill.
Once you’re parked at the rental office, walk around the car with the attendant to be sure there are no new problems. Some drivers take pictures of the returned vehicle as proof of its condition (an especially good idea if you’re returning the car at an unstaffed after-hours drop-off point). Ask for a copy of the final condition report and keep it until you’ve seen your credit-card statement. Unexpected charges that show up on your credit-card statement are easier to dispute if you have good documentation on hand.
If you must drop off a car when the office is closed. There is a drop box where you place your keys and instructions on where to park the car. In this situation, it is even more important that you take pictures of your car and have the status totally documented in case any problems arise.
Some destinations (especially downtown locations) open at certain times. Sometimes clients have to return cars when the office is closed. In these cases, a Drop box has to be requested by our client upon car pickup. NOT ALL OFFICES HAVE A DROP BOX WE HAVE TO CHECK FOR EACH SPECIFIC CASE, so please email us, so that we can verify for you.
One way fees, otherwise known as “drop off fees”, are extra charges that are due in addition to the total rate you paid for your car rental. These fees can be incurred when picking up your rental car in one location and dropping it off in another.
There are two different types of one way fees:
Domestic:Applicable when picking up and dropping off a car at two different locations within the same country. Domestic one way fees are less common and may or may not apply to your rental depending on your unique itinerary and reservation.
International:Applicable when picking up a car in one country and dropping it off in another country. International one way fees always apply for pick-ups and drop-offs between two different countries.
All one way fees and travel restrictions are at the discretion of each individual rental car supplier. You can generally travel to and drop your car off in most Western European countries without issue, but Eastern European travel with a rental car will be subject to restrictions.
One way fees vary based on everything from the supplier you rent from, to the type of car you choose, and everything in between. Since the fees vary so greatly, Our supplier has to calculate them on an individual basis to ensure you get an accurate quote and are properly informed once the reservation is confirmed.
One way fees are incurred and collected by whichever one of AlexPCustomTravel’s’ trusted car rental companies you choose to book with. AlexPCustomTravel does not collect or profit from one way fees in any way.
If your car rental requires a one way fee, the amount will be due upon pickup of your vehicle. One way fees are charged in the local currency for whichever country your rental originates in.
Each supplier determines their own fees independently. For the same given pick up and drop off location, one company may charge far less than another while some may not allow the desired travel at all. Every supplier has different offices and rental locations, enabling each provider to offer different options.
It is becoming a more common practice for rental companies to request an International Driver’s license, so we highly recommend heading over to your local AAA to secure the driver’s license. Should the local supplier demand this be present, and you do not have this with you, it may negatively impact your trip and prevent you from picking up your car.
We always advise that you have a valid credit card with the primary driver’s name. Otherwise you may be denied pick up without a valid credit card as most car rental agencies want a credit card not a debit card for protection reasons.
Having collision and theft coverage are a necessity with any rental vehicle. Our cars include the inclusive rate which will include the Third Party Liability, Fire, Collision and Theft built in as part of the rental cost. Unfortunately, some locations do not allow the inclusive and it must be secured on site. This is mostly for Latin America countries. Be sure to read the fine print when selecting your car. Be aware that the deductible amounts can be rather high in some locations. You may be able to purchase additional coverage at the counter that will lower the deductible as well.
If you select a basic rental rate, your price will include value added tax (VAT), public liability insurance, fire insurance and unlimited miles. If the inclusive rate is selected, it will include everything in the basic rate plus collision damage waiver (CDW) and theft protection for the rental vehicle.
Any local car rental company’s employees are usually trusted with sales, so they will probably try to sell various company products to customers. With a few exceptions, all insurance products offered locally will be optional. The car rental company may offer insurance covering the car parts not normally covered by the package included in prepaid rates. Should this be the case, it is entirely up to you to decide whether they want to buy this additional insurance if you have not already.
If you are involved in an accident, no matter how minor, a valid police report is always required. Contact local authorities and then contact the number on your rental car keychain. We also recommend you document any damage with a digital camera, if one is available. Be aware of what you are liable for by thoroughly inspecting and understanding your car rental voucher before you leave.
You have 3 options:
1. Renting a GPS from your car rental company
You can either arrange to pick up a GPS from the local car rental company or, even better, you can save money and book a GPS with our vendor that is pre-loaded with maps, in English, and sent directly to your home! Call our Customer Service agent and request a quote.
2. You can take your own GPS:>
On eBay and Amazon you can purchase refurbished portable devices with Europe and North America maps for as little as $50.
Ease of Use: No need to learn how to set up and use an unfamiliar device.
100% Availability: Portable units rented in Europe are not allowed on international one-way rentals, and sometimes not on domestic one-ways. Many rental offices in smaller towns don’t even rent GPS.
Unlimited Coverage: A good percentage of rental car factory-installed and portable GPS units cover only the country in which the car is rented. That’s not a problem when you bring your unit with the right maps.
3. GPS alternative: use a smartphone or tablet
An increasing number of travelers don’t bother with GPS at all; they simply rely on Google Maps on a smartphone or tablet. That, of course, means if you want turn-by-turn live directions, you’ll have to have a data connection in the car, and that will involve cost. It may be worth it to you to purchase a data package from your phone’s service provider (AT&T, Verizon etc.).
A less flexible but cheaper alternative is to create and download maps of your routes prior to getting in the car when you have access to WiFi. Even without a data connection you can use the maps you downloaded, and your phone will track your location using satellites and cell towers. Apps, such as Off Maps for the iPhone, can store multiple downloaded maps.
Finally, backup whatever navigation system you use with quality hard-copy maps scaled at 1:200,000 or 1:150,000 (preferred). The paper maps will provide perspective as well as identify scenic roadways and significant sights and towns along your route.
Car Rental Equipment
Appears on car rental contracts as: Car Rental Equipment (GPS, child seats, winter tires, etc.), Add-Ons, Extras (ALWAYS SHOWN IN VOUCHERS)
You will always have the option of adding additional equipment to your rental depending on your unique needs or preferences. The most commonly available accessories include GPS units, child seats, snow chains, ski racks, and portable WiFi devices, but other options may be offered in different locations. Additional equipment is usually charged on a per-day basis, and prices will range depending on the supplier you are renting from; add-ons will always cost extra, to be paid for at the counter and subject to VAT, unless your quote or contract explicitly states them as “included”. Be sure to take care of the accessories you add on, too, because you will have to pay a replacement fee for any loss, theft, or damages done to the items!
Car Rental Fuel Policy
Appears on car rental contracts as: Full to Full, Full to Empty
Your car rental fuel policy will determine how you will pay for any existing fuel your rental car comes with when you pick it up. With a full to full policy, you will pay nothing up front but will be expected to return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel your car had when you picked it up (usually a full tank); you will be charged for any fuel missing when the vehicle is returned. If your rental includes a full to empty fuel policy, you will pre-pay a given amount for a full tank of fuel and can return the vehicle as close to empty as possible without incurring any additional fuel costs.
Optional fuel policies are generally a matter of preference, but be aware that all rental companies will charge a premium for any type of fuel, usually based on the highest price per liter available in the area. To save on fuel charges, opt for a full to full policy when available, fill up the rental car right before you return it, and retain a copy of the receipt for your records. It may be a bit less convenient to have to make a fuel stop just before dropping off, but that little bit of extra work can save you some money on the premium rates you will have to pay for a tank of gas through a full to empty policy.
Limited/Unlimited Mileage Car Rentals
Appears on car rental contracts as: Limited Kilometers/Mileage
If your car rental includes unlimited mileage/kilometers, then you have no worries; you can cover as much ground as you’d like in your rental car without incurring any extra fees! Some rental rates, however, may be specified as “limited kilometers” or “limited mileage”, in which case you will be charged extra if you drive the car farther than an allotted distance. Limited kilometer/mileage rentals usually come with 100 to 300 kilometers per day or 63 to 186 miles, after which you will have to pay an extra fee per additional kilometer/mile driven.
VAT Car Rental Tax
Appears on car rental contracts as: VAT Tax, Value Added Tax
Typically Costs: 15% to 30%, depending on country
What you need to know: VAT (or Value Added Tax) is a standard European sales tax that varies among different nations in Europe. The minimum allowed VAT rate is 15%, but individual countries can set their rates higher, and some will charge up to 27%. You will have to pay VAT on your rental rate (whether or not it is prepaid), as well as any other extra equipment charges or local fees you are charged for at the rental desk, including one way fees, insurance costs, and location surcharges. Unlike VAT tax paid on goods, clothing, and souvenirs, which can be reclaimed at the airport upon your departure, you cannot reclaim any VAT taxes you pay on a car rental.
Local Rental Car Taxes
Appears on car rental contracts as: Road Tax, Vehicle License Fee, Environmental Fee/Eco Surcharge, Credit Card Processing Fee, Road Safety Fee
What you need to know:
Local rental car taxes may apply to your rental depending on the type of vehicle you rent, the location you rent it in, and which supplier you choose to rent from. While typically not very expensive, local taxes are often overlooked and have become prime suspects in the realm of dastardly “hidden” fees. They are not always included and rarely mentioned in your average rental quote, but you can almost count on having to pay a few extra Dollars at the pick-up desk on any car rental for various location-specific taxes.
Rental Car Location Surcharges
Appears on car rental contracts as: Airport Surcharge, Rail Station Surcharge, Premium Location Surcharge, Parking Fees, Out of Hours Fees, Late Return Fees
Location surcharges are typically applied when picking up your rental car at major transportation hubs throughout Europe, such as airports, rail stations, and cruise ports. The standard additional charge for picking a car up at one of these locations is $44, but the fee can vary from $22 to $88 in some cases. Depending on the locale, additional location-related charges may be applied, such as “parking fees,” which are incurred in areas like Venice where parking space is very limited.
Be sure to pay attention to the hours of operation for the offices where you plan on picking up and dropping off the vehicle, as well as the specific times you’ve arranged your rental for. Dropping off your car later than the agreed-upon time on your reservation can cost you a “late return fee” and, depending on the time of day you originally picked up the car, can also add an additional day onto your total rental rate.
AlexPCustomTravel strongly recommends travel insurance because it can help defray costs associated with unforeseen circumstances. Most of our clients find that because of the investment in their vacation, adding a nominal charge for insurance provides great peace of mind.
Travel Insurance Benefits and Coverages Travel insurance policies are designed to offer a package of benefits that protect travelers and their financial investment in the event something impacts their trip. This includes benefits to cover travelers if something happens before their trip that prevents them from going, or if they experience an issue during their trip that causes a monetary loss. Most travel insurance policies are comprehensive, including coverage for cancellations, medical emergencies, travel delays, and lost luggage, among other benefits. Squaremouth breaks down the types of travel insurance benefits that are most commonly included within a policy. Travel Insurance Benefit Types: Cancellation: The cancellation benefits of travel insurance can reimburse travelers for their unused trip expenses if they need to cancel their trip altogether, or return home early, for a covered reason Medical & Evacuation: Travel medical insurance benefits can cover travelers for the cost of treating an illness or injury that occurs during their trip Delay: Travel delay benefits are designed to protect travelers from a financial loss in the event their trip is delayed, or they miss their connection Luggage: Travel insurance can provide benefits for travelers to purchase essentials while their luggage is delayed, and can refund the cost of lost or damage items Accidental Death: Travel insurance policies can provide a lump sum payment in the event a traveler dies or loses a limb during their trip Sports: Some trip insurance policies can include benefits that extend to adventurous travelers who are participating in activities that may otherwise be excluded from coverage Additional Benefits: Most policies are comprehensive, and offer a variety of additional benefits While most policies include many of the same benefits, the coverage amounts and price can vary significantly. It’s important for travelers to understand what benefits are most important to them, and if they’re traveling to one of the countries that require travel insurance. Depending on their trip information, Squaremouth always recommends travelers buy the least expensive policy with the benefits and coverage amounts they need.
Most travel insurance policies are built to provide coverage for the most common traveler concerns. Amid an ever-changing travel landscape, there are key travel insurance benefits that travelers should look for in a policy.
Trip Cancellation
Trip Cancellation can reimburse a traveler’s prepaid and non-refundable trip payments if they need to cancel their trip due to unforeseen circumstances. This is most commonly due to an illness, injury, or death, however each policy provides a specific list of other covered reasons.
Cancel for Covid-19 Sickness
Cancel for Covid-19 Sickness can reimburse travelers who are forced to cancel or interrupt their trip because they’ve contracted the virus.
Cancel For Any Reason
Cancel For Any Reason is an optional upgrade that provides the most possible flexibility for travelers. This benefit offers partial reimbursement for a traveler’s prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses if they need to cancel for a reason not otherwise covered by a policy.
Emergency Medical
Emergency Medical can reimburse the costs a traveler incurs in the event of a medical emergency during their trip, including ambulance services, hospital fees, and physician services, among other medical expenses.
Medical Evacuation
Medical Evacuation can transport a traveler to the nearest adequate medical facility in the event of a medical emergency during their trip.
Medical Coverage for Covid-19
Medical Coverage for Covid-19 can reimburse the medical costs a traveler incurs in the event they unexpectedly contract Covid-19 during their trip and require treatment.
Travel Delay
Travel Delay reimburses the costs of meals and accommodations when a trip is unexpectedly delayed.
Extension of Coverage
Extension of Coverage is the time period a traveler’s policy can provide benefits beyond their scheduled return date if they are unable to return home for a reason out of their control.
The biggest difference is the added flexibility the Luxury plan provides, where you can receive up to 150% reimbursement if you cancel for just about any reason not already covered by your plan. Benefits and limits vary by plan, so be sure to review them carefully.
Any services that are added to your package after the first purchase makes the package price more, and the insurance MUST be adjusted to updated to include the newly added services. Otherwise, these new services would not be covered by the original purchased plan. So, just double check when adding services later to the booking that this adjustment is made.
To purchase Travel Insurance on your own, here is our link to our partner Tin Leg:
https://68144.buy.tinleg.com
AlexPCustomTravel accepts all major credit cards, as well as Uplift for payment plans. We also offer an option to pay for your reservation in staggered payments depending on the supplier’s requirements.
Yes, we offer financing through Uplift, to learn more please feel free to contact us so we can get the application process started in Uplift
How Uplift works:
Uplift allows qualified borrowers to pay for purchases over time with budget-friendly monthly installments.
Yes, the last page of the booking process will give you the option for applying multiple cards.
We do, but the cardholder will need to fill out a form along with some identification confirmations matching the details in our form. This form is sent by email during the booking process.
AlexPCustomTravel does not currently have this function available to do online, but will in the near future. In the meantime, feel free to shoot us a chat or reach out by phone to complete the transaction.
Our staggered payments have due dates that we run the cards on. In some cases, the bank does not reflect the charge right away. We can understand this can be frustrating but rest assured your trip will be held, and you will be notified should there be an issue with the card not processing properly. You will get an email once your charge has been processed.
All of AlexPCustomTravel packages are based on per person charges. So, if a single traveler wants to book a room, they pay only for the rate of a single room, no extra charges are tacked on. All services are priced based on the number of people traveling.
The TSA requirements for passports says that all passports expiration dates MUST be valid for at least 6 months from your date of departure.
Vouchers can be viewed by email after purchase (soon to be offered: when logging into manage bookings link on our website)
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please DO NOT book an itinerary for 2 adults (flights and land services) and call to ask for an infant to be added, this is not the correct procedure. It is important to call us BEFORE you book due to live availability request.
AIRLINES: DO consider a child under 2 years old as an infant. The infant will not have a seat on the plane and will be considered a lap baby. The fee to book a flight for an infant is typically 10 percent of the adult fare cost. If you are booking with an infant, you MUST contact us because ONLY an agent can create and process the itinerary.
FARES/PRICING: Notice that on our website, infant fare is not available. This is because we will need to manually check the availability and book it from there.
LAND PORTION: The infant needs to be priced as a 2-year-old. This is so the hotels and other land services are aware that you are traveling with a child. This may prevent a possible additional collection when you are at the destination. You should request the proper sleeping arrangements at the time of booking for us to pass onto the hotel, as there may not be crib style options. Some hotels do not allow more than a certain amount of people per room, no matter age.
If you’re visiting two or more cities, then the JR pass might be the best solution for you. The pass is very easy to use, it’s valid on all JR lines and covers the shinkansen (bullet train). Just keep in mind that the pass does not cover the Nozomi shinkansen (the very fastest class of bullet train) but it covers the Hikari shinkansen, which is nearly as fast. The speed difference between these trains is minimal: usually just a few minutes for the trip between Tokyo and Kyoto. Another advantage is that since you won’t need to buy train tickets, you can make any random side trip when you want to.
An alcohol-free or dry bar is a property that does not serve alcoholic beverages. This may be important to some travelers, so be aware of this when checking the hotel descriptions and time of travel.
We will try our very hardest to accommodate all dietary requirements, but in some out-of-the-way places it can be very difficult to guarantee. We will let you know if there are places on your itinerary where this is the case. Please let us know at the time of booking of any food requirements or allergies, and we’ll pass the information onto your leader or the supplier to ensure to the best of our ability your requirements are met. It is also a great idea to bring a card with your dietary requirements written in the local language for those times you are eating away from the group.
In some destinations, it may not be wise to drink the local water. For more details, you can find country-specific information in local government websites.
AlexPCustomnTravel is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We ask that you carefully consider whether you are physically and mentally able to complete the itinerary you have chosen, recognizing that on many trips you will be required to carry your own bags and use public transport.
Where we can, we will make reasonable adjustments to the operation of our trips to facilitate the requirements of disabled travelers – such as booking ground-floor accommodation, or having our leaders communicate important directions in writing as well as verbally. Many travelers with disabilities have been able to enjoy our trips by traveling with a friend or companion who can assist with specific needs. If joining a group trip is not practical, we may be able to provide you with a private departure. Please contact our sales team for further information on any of our itineraries.
Communication facilities are always improving globally. Many hotels, cruise lines, and public places have Wi-Fi, so it’s usually possible to keep in touch with home every couple of days, if you so desire. In remote places (think Mali, Serengeti or the Sahara) or on treks or homestays, you will not be able to communicate as readily. Your leader will usually give you the heads-up before you leave a place, so you can send a quick email or two. Phone cards are easy to get your hands on; just make sure your phone is unlocked before you travel. Or in many countries, the cheapest way to make a phone call is at an internet café
If family and friends are unable to contact you in an emergency through email or phone, they can contact AlexPCustomTravel directly. We will do our best to pass on a message if required.
We can never guarantee your phone will work as desired, as many of our destinations are out of the way and you may have limited coverage. Chat to your phone provider before you leave about global roaming and the costs involved, and get their advice on the coverage you’ll receive in the places you’re travelling in. Alternatively, you can usually pick up a local sim card on the cheap (just make sure your phone is unlocked!).
Yes, in most places, tipping is expected. At your welcome meeting, ask your leader about the local custom and advice on how much is recommended at restaurants or with local guides.
At the end of your trip, if you’re happy with the service you received, providing a tip for the leader – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many AlexPCustomTravel destinations.
Oh no! Sorry to hear you missed out. Our promotions run for a limited time only, so you need to get in there quickly to snag a good deal. Make sure you’re signed up to our “email list” so that you’re in the know for future sales.
We recognize the immense privilege that it is to travel and will continue to act on our moral obligation and duty of care to the communities we visit.
We believe vaccinations play a key role in saving lives and helping to keep people safe. Around 70% of the world is vaccinated against COVID-19, but vaccination rates remain low in some of the destinations and communities we visit. We continue to support global vaccine equity and continue to strongly encourage all travelers and leaders to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
We also follow recommendations from the World Health Organization and the World Travel Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travel protocols.
All our itineraries undergo a comprehensive risk assessment and audit, and our leaders and operators complete ongoing COVID-19 health and safety training and adhere to COVID-19 standards. In addition, the hotels, transport providers and other suppliers that we use must meet enhanced COVID-19 standards.
AlexPCustomTravel does not require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for most trips. However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
Please note, our Polar trips and select adventure cruises are excluded and still require proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination. Polar trips also require pre-embarkation testing.
If a traveler feels unwell during their trip, our Intrepid leader will assist them to access medical care. This may include facilitating COVID-19 testing if requested by the customer. We also encourage customers to bring their own RAT tests from home as a precaution. Any tests required or requested are at the traveler’s expense. We recommend traveling with your own rapid antigen tests from home, where possible.
If a traveler tests positive for COVID-19, they will be required to leave the trip and access medical care (if required). Depending on the destination, they may be required to isolate for a period of time.
In the case of a positive test in the group, leaders and crew are required to take a test. Other travelers do not need to be tested, however, your leader can help to arrange tests for anyone who requests one.
Our goal is to keep the trip going wherever possible unless we are required to end the trip in line with local regulations.
Our operations teams are keeping up to date with local developments, including any closures or changes to visiting sights, attractions, restaurants and more. We may need to make some changes to the activities or destinations included on your trip to comply with advice from local authorities or our health and safety protocols.
We will endeavor to keep travelers updated before departure, including through our emailed itinerary details. An open mind and sense of flexibility will help you get the most out of your trip.
Intrepid supports the use of masks as one way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We follow the guidance and requirements of local governments and individual businesses around mask wearing. Where masks aren’t required, we respect all travelers’ choices around personal mask usage.
Polar trips and select adventure cruises require proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination and a pre-embarkation health screening. All polar passengers aboard the Ocean Endeavour will also be required to declare that they’ve completed a negative COVID-19 test within the past 72 hours.
Where required, please provide a copy of your vaccination record (either paper or digital) at the group meeting on the first day of your trip.
If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.
On applicable trips, children between 6 and 17 years of age are exempt from vaccination policies.
In order to join one of these trips, they must provide:
Children aged 5 years and under are not required to provide any vaccination or testing documentation to travel with Intrepid.
Due to the smaller spaces and types of activities, marine trips have some additional protocols, including:
All boats and yachts will have enhanced sanitation protocols in place in line with local regulations.All travelers, leaders and crew must agree to any additional health screening measures on board (rapid antigen testing, temperature checking, etc.). These may vary on different boats in line with local regulations.Our sailing trips are on board a sailing yacht, so living spaces, bathrooms and cabins are shared with other travelers and sleeping quarters can be quite compact. This makes it difficult to maintain physical distancing.Single supplements are available for purchase on all trips if you prefer a cabin to yourself.Travelers are encouraged to bring their own snorkeling gear, if possible.All snorkeling gear available for traveler use/hire must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Travelers will be given one set of snorkeling equipment for use for the entire trip.AlexPCustomTravel is a direct travel company and is extremely cautious when it comes to choosing our business partners and vendors. This vetting of travel suppliers and support of the ‘good ones’ over the past 70+ years has given us preferred access to the world’s top trusted suppliers. In turn, they trust us to represent and care for the reputations they have earned over the years and to deliver the same high standard of care to our mutual clients.
As the trusted travel management provider for over 500 corporate accounts and thousands of business travelers, we are dedicated to delivering top-level service every time. We choose to work only with known, reliable providers in order to maintain a high standard of quality service.
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