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Public Announcement - Italy |
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Public Announcement - Italy March 27, 2002 This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens because of a possible threat to U.S. citizens in the cities of Venice, Florence, Milan and Verona on Easter Sunday from extremist groups. This Public Announcement expires on April 25, 2002. As stated in the Department of State's Worldwide Caution dated March 17, 2002, the U.S. Government continues to receive credible reports that extremists are planning additional terrorist actions against U.S. interests. The U.S. Government has learned that a possible threat exists to U.S. citizens in the cities of Venice, Florence, Milan and Verona on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2002, from extremist groups. These groups do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Civilian targets may include facilities where Americans and the general public are usually known to congregate or visit, such as clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools or outdoor recreation events. Americans should increase their security awareness and avoid large crowds.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Air Afrique Files For Bankruptcy Troubled African airline Air Afrique will file for bankruptcy today, according to the BBC. The 11 African countries that own the carrier have agreed to a controversial bailout plan with Air France, which will result in a new airline named Nouvelle Air Afrique. The move follows years of crisis for the debt-ridden airline which last year agreed a bail-out package with the French carrier, Air France, that would lead to the creation of a new airline called Nouvelle Air Afrique. Air Afrique returned its final plane to the leasing company before the aircraft was seized for the payment of arrears. Correspondents say the proposed changes come after the failure of a restructuring plan brokered by the World Bank.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Travel in America: Where Do We Go From Here? As our country attempts to recover from the prophetic events of September 11th, we, as a people, struggle to establish a new definition of "normalcy." In the past several weeks, we have seen first hand the world-wide devastation created by the senseless acts of terrorism and hatred. The heart of every American has been touched. The core of every industry has been affected. But no industry has suffered more than domestic travel and tourism -- one of our country's largest and most profitable sectors. US Airways announced it will cut capacity by 23 percent and close US reservation centers in Dayton OH, San Diego CA, Indianapolis IN and Syracuse NY. CNN reports that Amtrak is now requiring passengers to show photo identification when buying tickets, checking bags or sending packages by train in addition to increasing station inspections and the number of uniformed officers on trains and in stations. German airline Lufthansa announced that it will have sky marshals fly on all transatlantic flights, and other airlines will follow with sky marshals on select domestic and international routes. Airplanes are flying less than normal capacity. Passenger boarding is delayed by 1 - 2 hours as passengers clear security check points. Yet, with all the added security measures, is it safe to travel? Actually, the question is this -- has it ever been safe to travel? The September 11th incident was a wake-up call for the world, especially America. We know now that the security in place on all of our various methods of transportation was mediocre, at best, yet Americans traveled at unprecedented rates over the past few years. The travel industry experienced tremendous growth in spite of industry turmoil and commission cuts to travel agents. Why many feel reluctant to travel now, when it is more safe than ever to travel, is a mystery. However, there are valid reasons to refrain from traveling if concerned about the effects of war, long waits in line, and increases in fare due to rising security costs. On the upside, there are a number of discounts being offered to lure the traveling public back to the skies. Some carriers are offering fares as low as $25 from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and $98 from Los Angeles to New York. Low fares are also being offered from the Chicago and Florida markets. Tour operators are offering amazingly low deals to Mexico and Hawaii, and cruise lines will take you on a 4-night cruise to a Caribbean paradise for about $349. For more travel deals, click on "Search Flights." Or join us in 2002 for BTO's "Fiesta del Soul" Celebrity Charity Cruise. As travelers head back to the airports, it won't be hard to miss the tight security. That means more personal inspections, more checkpoints for you to pass through and longer lines. Here are some things you can do to make things go a little more quickly: **Arrive Extra Early -- Give yourself extra time to park, pass security and check-in for your flight. Two hours is recommended for domestic flights and 3 hours for international flights. **Airport Check-In -- If you have e-tickets you'll need to show a printout of your e-ticket itinerary/receipt, along with a government-issued photo ID, to get a boarding pass. If you have paper tickets, you will still need a photo ID in addition to your tickets. **What Not To Bring -- Knives, scissors, razors, toe nail clippers, pocket knives and other cutting instruments will not be allowed on planes and will be confiscated if found on your person or in carry-on baggage. **Patience is a Virtue - Leave any attitude and misgivings about traveling at home. Delays and inconveniences at the airport will happen as everyone gets used to new security measures. Your patience and understanding will go a long way and be greatly appreciated by all airport and security staff. Don't allow the New York terrorist attack to dampen your lives or travel plans. Take time to live each moment to its fullest. Travel often to see distant family members and friends. Lastly, take time out for yourself and those you love. When time permits, take a vacation and get away! Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the New York and Pentagon and Pennsylvania tragedies and their families. May each member of our BTO family stay safe and well. As the saying goes, "this, too, shall pass."
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Urgent! U.S. Travel Advisory 3 Planes Target American Cities In Apparent Terrorist Attack This morning, at approximately 8:42 a.m. Eastern Time, two commercial planes crashed into the twin towers at the World Trade Center in New York City within 18 minutes of the other. Shortly thereafter, a third plane crashed into the Pentagon Building in Washington, D.C. The first plane that crashed was reportedly an American Airlines craft, Flight No. 11, in route from Boston to Los Angeles. Reports indicate that the plane was hijacked. Officials are deeming these acts as terrorist acts, based on preliminary statements by government officials. ALL AIR TRAFFIC NATIONWIDE IS SUSPENDED. The US Federal Aviation Administration has shut down all air traffic today in the United States. Preliminary reports state that Palestinian groups are claiming responsibility for the incidents. Everyone is urged to cancel all domestic and international travel until further notice from FAA officials. BTO will keep you up to date as information is received. Our thoughts and prayers to the victims of these terrible events and to their families.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Hey, there! Hi, there! Ho, there, Cali! Disney California Offers Local Residents Deep Discounts Well, Mickey and friends want everyone to see their new home and are cutting a deal for California residents. With proof of residency, such as a California driver's license, visitors are eligible for a discounted admission ticket of $33 (23 percent off the usual $43 price) through Sept. 4. Each eligible adult may also bring in one child between the ages of 3 and 9 free of charge. Good deal. (The regular admission price for children is $33.) Disney said it introduced the discounts to celebrate the California Adventure's July 3 introduction of "Disney's Electrical Parade." Some may recall that the Electrical Parade is a hand-me-down from the adjacent Disneyland Park. (With all of Disney's resources, they could have come up with something new and a little more original.) Nonetheless, the new park, built on a former Disneyland parking lot, features a cool virtual reality ride, "Soarin' Over California," and a roller coaster called "California Screamin." This special promotion is being offered to stimulate local traffic, and encourage local residents who have not yet had a chance to visit the park to sample the new attraction. Local visitors could represent a substantial increase in visitors for Disney California. According to a recent Reuters report, attendance at the new theme park has been up to 50 percent below projections. The discounted admission prices for local visitors is one strategy park officials are using to encourage more sampling of the resort expansion. Disney California Adventure is located in Anaheim, California next to the world famous Disneyland Park.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article World Wide Travel Alert The U.S. Government learned in early May 2001 that American citizens abroad may be the target of a terrorist threat from extremist groups with links to Usama Bin Ladin's Al-Qaida organization. In the past, such individuals have not distinguished between official and civilian targets. As always, we take this information seriously. U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. On May 29, the defendants in the case of U.S. v. Bin Ladin were found guilty on a number of counts in connection with the bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The U.S. Government is not aware of any specific threat in response to the verdicts. Nevertheless, U.S. citizens are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness to reduce their vulnerability. Americans should maintain a low profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with suspicion. In addition, American citizens are also urged to avoid contact with any suspicious, unfamiliar objects, and to report the presence of the objects to local authorities. Vehicles should not be left unattended, if at all possible, and should be kept locked at all times. U.S. Government personnel overseas have been advised to take the same precautions. In addition, U.S. Government facilities have and will continue to temporarily close or suspend public services as necessary to review their security posture and ensure its adequacy. U.S. citizens planning to travel abroad should consult the Department of State's Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, and regional travel brochures, all of which are available at the Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov. We will continue to provide updated information should it become available. American citizens overseas may contact the American Citizens Services unit of the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate by telephone or fax for up-to-date information on security conditions. In addition, American citizens in need of emergency assistance should telephone the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before visiting the Embassy or Consulate. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement - Worldwide Caution of May 11, 2001 to inform Americans of the verdict in U.S. v. Bin Ladin. This Public Announcement expires on August 29, 2001.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Fort Lauderdale Gets First African American Resort Fort Lauderdale investors were recently approved to build the cities first African American owned four-star resort. The project will be located in downtown Fort Lauderdale and will bear the name of hospitality giant, Wyndam Hotels, who will acquire a 40% interest in the project. The resort will boast over 500 luxury rooms, restaurants, pool and many other luxury amenities to attract visitors from all over. The project is slated for completion in late 2003.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Free Buses for New York Financial District Southern Manhattan will get a new system of free electric-powered buses early next year, according to Bloomberg reports. Eight buses will connect the World Trade Center, the Wall Street financial district, the Staten Island Ferry and the South Street Seaport area. The buses are expected to be more effective than subways and public buses at moving people within the district.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Small Ship Cruisin' Small Ship Cruisin'... Well its not exactly a ship, but just as luxurious... and FUN!!! For all you folks that have "been there, done that", get your groove back and take the vacation of a lifetime. Dig this - Have you ever dreamed of being aboard a luxury yacht, sailing in the beautiful Caribbean? Picture yourself, and maybe a close friend, sipping a rum punch and enjoying Calypso music floating across the anchorage from a cabana on the island to your right. You look to your left and you see 30 other yachts in your fleet; each yacht with 8 African American adventurers having the time of their lives. Welcome to Black Boaters Summit 2001. Why not live that dream? Join BBS2K1 in beautiful and exotic Tortola, British Virgin Islands for Black Boaters Summit 2001, Saturday, September 15-23. Come live aboard your own luxurious charted yacht with other new found friends and shipmates. It's called bareboat sailing. Click here for more info: http://www.blackboaterssummit.com/bbs01.htm
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Top 10 Historic African American Destinations Explore African American Heritage BTO highlights 10 travel destinations of special significance to the African American traveler from all over the country. Also provided is a list of websites that provide interesting information on the African American culture. Retrace the footsteps of the slave trade and the development of historically Black colleges and universities. Follow the Underground Railroad and the trails of the Buffalo Soldiers. Reflect on America's heartbreaking history of slavery and injustice, and our continuing struggle toward equality. Celebrate our heritage and achievement, and visit the cabins, mansions and monuments of our past. Alabama - Tuskegee California - Los Angeles Connecticut - Mystic Seaport Kansas - Nicodemus Massachusetts - Boston Michigan - Detroit Ohio - Dayton Tennessee - Memphis Texas - West Texas Wisconsin - Milton Most cities offer African American Heritage Tours through local tour operators and travel agencies. Contact the local Convention Center and Visitor's Bureau in the city and state prior to your visit.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Black Rodeo Tour Dates
2001Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
MEMPHIS, TN COLUMBUS, OH OAKLAND, CA and Hayward, CA BAKERSFIELD, CA LOS ANGELES, CA DENVER, CO ATLANTA, GA WASHINGTON, D.C. ST. LOUIS, MO PHOENIX, AZ For Advance Tickets: Call 1-877-MO RODEO
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Tips for Traveling Solo As African Americans come into their own with professional careers and higher earnings, many are opting to travel solo. And while more are traveling for business and leisure, Black Travel Online.com would like to offer some suggestions and safety tips to improve both security and the travel experience. As an increasingly important travel demographic, African Americans are now in a position to demand more from their travel suppliers. Ask for secure hotel rooms. Hotel desk clerks should comply with requests for rooms that are off the ground floor and are near elevators. This provides more security and means that guests, especially women and seniors, are not walking far to their rooms. Ask for assistance when and where needed. Even in the travel business, gender politics and racial profiling rears its ugly head and that means that customer service often needs to be requested. Don't hesitate to ask for help with heavy bags and escorts to the rental car. Ask your travel agent to recommend African American-oriented suppliers. There are business hotels desiring to do business with African American travelers and there are tour groups that specialize in American American travel destinations. Make sure you consider travel suppliers who are already progressive enough to tap the African American market. Black Travel Online's Travel Agency Locator will assist you in locating a travel agent who can assist you. To add meat to the argument that African American's are a growing travel force, here's what we are seeing: 1. African American travelers, especially women and singles, make up one of the fastest growing travel demographics. 2. Single mothers and grandmothers with children are traveling more frequently. 3. More women are traveling on business compared to five years ago and further growth is expected. 4. Women spend more than men when on vacation. When traveling solo to a foreign destination, always research your destination. Ignorance can cost you. Even if you are traveling with a group, knowing more about where you're going will allow you to make more informed choices about where to stay and where to avoid. Learn some of the language and get acquainted with the currency. Plan ahead. If you are into fitness, find a gym in or near your hotel. Pick restaurants near your home base. Know the routes to your business meetings so the taxis don't take you on a grander tour than you bargained for that ends up costing you money. Consider using room service. In places where personal safety is a serious issue, single travelers, especially women, might consider using hotel room service rather than venture out. And rather than regarding this as a kind of exile, remember that it's safer to err on the side of caution. Lastly, exude confidence. No one will interfere with someone who knows what they're doing. We as African Americans have the power to change the travel industry by voting with our wallets and choosing suppliers that make the travel experiences of African American travelers a priority. Other suppliers will soon learn that they are excluding themselves from a growing and lucrative market. Laura Ricard, Managing Partner
Black Travel Online.com
The Internet's #1 Black Travel Site Black Travel Online.com is an expert travel and tourism marketing website helping African American business and vacation travelers plan their trips.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Mo' Betta Hotel Rates Airlines usually take the rap for offering a proliferation of different prices, but hotels also charge different prices for different guests. And if you or your firm frequently travel to the same city on business - or even use the same chain of hotels in different locations - you ought to see if you can bag some savings by negotiating a deal ahead of time. When pricing hotels, even if you're traveling for leisure, always begin by asking, What's your corporate rate? Think of the three tiers of hotel rates like this: New car equals rack rate; Used car equals corporate rate; and a fleet sale equals a negotiated national rate. A 'rack rate' is the highest nightly rate a hotel can get for a room. Hardly anyone pays rack rate unless hotel rooms are very scarce. Hotels in the city hosting the Super Bowl, for example, or a political convention, might get away with charging rack rate to some individual travelers because demand for rooms will be so much greater than supply. 'Corporate rate' is really, if you just have a job then you get a discount. When you're pricing hotels, even if you're traveling for leisure, always begin by asking, What's your corporate rate? The lowest tariff - a 'negotiated rate' - is available for companies that promise a certain number of room nights a year to a specific hotel or hotel company. How many room nights varies, but a negotiated rate can be about 20 percent off rack rate and would be available to the largest companies who request a nationwide or worldwide deal that would guarantee hundreds of room nights a year. You don't have to be Magic Johnson Enterprises or BET to get a discount. Even if you're a one-person company, if you know you're going to spend 30 or 40 nights in a particular city on business over the course of a year, it behooves you to call the hotel's sales office and discuss a favorable nightly price. Market realities will dictate what kind of break you get. If you're visiting Buffalo (where business isn't exactly booming), you'll get a better deal than if you're visiting a thriving city like San Francisco. If many of your nights will be during slow weeks, you should be able to cut an even bigger discount. The bottom line is basic economics: Frequent customers get the breaks. The lowest hotel rate in any category of hotel, however, is the group discount. That's generally anyone who reserves at least 10 rooms at a time. Expect 30 percent off rack rates. And if you're visiting during a slow time of the year, you may do much better.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Bargain Tickets and Frequent Flyer Miles Many "partner" airlines only give mileage on higher-priced tickets, and never on consolidator or auction-type fares (in fact, you never get miles on auction tickets, whether or not it's not a partner airline situation). If it not in the fine print of the materials an airline sends you when you signed up for a frequent flyer program then you would have seen it when you purchased an auction or consolidator ticket. They usually tell you in advance that your purchase will not be eligible for frequent flyer mileage credit. It's always a good idea to ask if your trip qualifies for mileage before bothering to give your frequent-flyer number, but you may have to pay more for your ticket just to get the miles -- you'll need to ask yourself if it's worth it.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article "DC Air": America's First Black Owned Airline Johnson will serve as chairman and CEO of DC Air, as well as continue as chairman and CEO of BET Holdings II, parent company of the BET network. The creation of DC Air is a personal business venture by Johnson, and does not involve a financial investment by BET Holdings. Banc of America Securities, LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Johnson in connection with the transaction. “As a long-time citizen of Washington, DC, I’m extraordinarily pleased to have the opportunity to help create the premiere airline that this great metropolitan region deserves,” said Johnson. “US Airways has served Washington and the surrounding Maryland and Virginia communities extremely well. We will more than match the quality of that service, and will do so with a talented team of management and union employees that will make all of us in the nation’s capital very proud.” Johnson continued, “I would like to assure the traveling public here and around the country who depend upon air transportation into Reagan National Airport, and the incomparable employees of US Airways, that I will build upon the tradition of excellence that US Airways has established under the leadership of Stephen Wolf and Rakesh Gangwal. A high-quality, home-based airline is critical to the economic growth of the nation’s capital region, and I promise that it will continue to have one.” “Nothing changes in the management of BET Holdings. Both the board and I have every confidence in Debra’s leadership of our company,” Johnson said. Earlier today, United Airlines’ parent company, UAL, announced that its board of directors, and the board of US Airways, had agreed on a definitive merger of the two companies. The deal was an all-cash transaction, plus an assumption of US Airways’ debt. It includes a merger of all facilities, routes, equipment and personnel. Competitive issues associated with the newly merged company necessitated that significant assets operating out of Washington Reagan National Airport be divested. Under a Memorandum of Understanding, Johnson will purchase those assets for the purpose of launching a new airline, DC Air. The creation of DC Air is the first significant carrier entry into Washington Reagan National Airport in over 10 years. Financial terms of the transaction with Johnson were not disclosed.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article NAACP Sanctions Put A Sting In S.C.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Travel 2000: Risky
Business? The State Department has issued six travel warnings about possible terrorist attacks since October. According to Kroll Associates Managing Director William Daly, there are certain precautions travelers can take to ensure their safety for international business travel in 2000. Daly states that business travel will be increasingly more risky .. It's the nature of locations where business is going which are not some of the safest neighborhoods in the world. Q: What precautions should travelers take? A: Travelers should keep a low profile, try not to look like Western business travelers, keep plans confidential and move as quickly as possible in and out of airports and hotels. Q: How can travelers keep a low profile? A: Dress casually, in clothes that don't draw attention to you. Don't wear business suits or carry attachés with company tags on them. Business travelers should reserve hotel rooms in their own names, not the company's. They should have prearranged travel plans -- don't scurry around trying to get a taxi. Don't look like you don't know what you're doing. They don't have to be bunkered down in hotel rooms, but in countries that > > have higher risk ratings, I definitely recommend not going to restaurants frequented by businessmen. Q: Is there a good chance Americans abroad will be targeted by terrorists this year? A: Terrorism is an ongoing threat that American businesses need to confront. What's significant are the threats we are presented with in the long run. They feel by businesses coming into their countries, they are jeopardizing their future. (Saudi exile) Osama bin Laden wears the black hat, but there are more small groups of people that we are more concerned about. Q: What precautions should companies that send employees outside the USA take? A: We are suggesting to clients that they provide more information to their employees through their company's intranet and direct them to locations on the Internet. People have to become familiar with risks and religious, social and political issues (of the countries they are visiting). When workers get their tickets, companies should provide printouts describing the countries and how to avoid being a crime victim . Companies need to take a hard look what other companies are doing. Criminals go after whoever doesn't have as much security around them. Q: What about Americans who live and work abroad? A: People living and working abroad are at most risk. Those are the people wearing the American flag on their chest, figuratively. It's easy to know where they live, what their travel patterns are. They need to look at how they travel to the office, vary routes and keep information confidential as much as possible.
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Applying for Your
U.S. Passport the Easy Way The Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs has prepared this publication to assist you in applying for your U.S. passport. This guide will give you information on where to apply, how to apply, and the best time to apply. Other Than at Passport Agencies, Where Can I Apply for a Passport? You can apply for a passport at many Federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices, and some post offices. Over 2500 courts and 1100 post offices in the United States accept passport applications. Courts, county/municipal offices and post offices are usually more convenient because they are near your home or your place of business. You save time and money by not having to travel to one of the 13 major U.S. cities where passport agencies are located. When Do I Have to Apply in Person? You must always apply in person if you are 13 or older, and if you do not meet the requirements for applying by mail. (See "May I Apply for a Passport by Mail?") Usually, for children under 13, only a parent or legal guardian need appear to execute a passport application. What Do I Need to Do to Apply for a Passport at a Courthouse or Post Office? Go to a courthouse, county/municipal office, or post office authorized to accept passport applications and complete the DSP-11 application form, but do not sign it until instructed to do so. You must present: 1. PROOF OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP
If you have neither a U.S. passport nor a certified birth certificate issued in the U.S....
2. TWO PHOTOGRAPHS Photographs must be recent (taken within the past six months), identical, 2x2 inches, and either color or black/white; they must show a front view, full face, on a plain, light (white or off-white) background. (Vending machine photographs are not acceptable.) 3. PROOF OF IDENTITY That is...
4. FEES
These amounts include a $15 execution fee. Make your check or money order payable to Passport Services. Post offices (and passport agencies) accept cash, but courts are not required to do so. If you must have your passport in less than 25 business days, you will need to pay an additional $35 expedite fee to ensure urgent handling. (See "What If I Need a Passport in a Hurry?.") 5. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER Although a Social Security number is not required for issuance of a passport, Section 6039E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 requires that passport applicants provide this information. Passport Services gives this information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) routinely. Any applicant who fails to provide the information is subject to a $500 penalty enforced by the IRS. Questions on this matter should be referred to the nearest IRS office. Where Can I Get Passport Forms? Passport forms are available from passport agencies, many post offices, clerks of court, county/municipal offices, and travel agencies or by calling the National Passport Information Center at 1-900-225-5674 (See "Passport Agencies" section for more information). They can also be downloaded via the Internet at http:// travel.state.gov. May I Apply for a Passport by Mail? Yes, if you already have a passport and that passport is your most recent one, and it was issued within the past 12 years, and if you were over age 16 when it was issued. Obtain DSP-82 "Application For Passport By Mail." Fill it out, sign, and date it. Attach to it:
If your name changed, enclose a certified copy of the Court Order, Adoption Decree, Marriage Certificate, or Divorce Decree specifying another name for you to use. (Photocopies will not be accepted.) If your name has changed by any other means, you must apply in person. Mail (if possible, in a padded envelope) the completed DSP-82 application and attachments to: National Passport
Center Your previous passport will be returned to you with your new passport. If you wish to use an overnight service, and the service of your choice will not deliver to a post office box, send it to: Mellon Bank Include the appropriate fee for overnight return of your passport. Please note that overnight service will not speed up processing time unless payment for expedited service is also included. (See " What If I Need a Passport in a Hurry? ") Note: *If your passport has been mutilated, altered or damaged , you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person using Form DSP-11, present evidence of U.S. citizenship, and acceptable identification. (If you mutilate or alter your U.S. passport, you may render it invalid and expose yourself to possible prosecution under the law (Section 1543 of Title 22 of the U.S. Code).) When Should I Apply for a Passport? Apply several months in advance of your planned departure. If you will need visas from foreign embassies, allow more time. What Happens to My Passport Application After I Submit It? If you apply at a passport acceptance facility, the day that you apply, your application will be sent to Passport Services for processing. Your passport will be issued within 25 business days after receipt of complete applications by Passport Services. Your passport will be sent to you by mail at the address you provided on your application. What Should I Do if My Passport Is Lost or Stolen? If your passport is lost or stolen report the loss on form DSP-64, when you apply, in person, for your new passport. If you are abroad, report the loss immediately to local police authorities and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Remember to write your current address in the space provided in your passport, so that, if it is found, it can be returned to you. What Else Should I Know About Passports? All persons, including newborn infants, are required to obtain passports in their own name. If you need to get a valid passport amended due to a name change, use Form DSP-19. (See " May I Apply for a Passport by Mail? " for the documentation required.) Before traveling abroad, make a copy of the identification page so it easier to get a new passport, should it be necessary. It is also a good idea to carry two extra passport size photos with you. If you run out of pages before your passport expires, submit Form DSP-19, along with your, passport to one of the passport agencies listed on the last page. (Please allow time for the processing of the request.) If you travel abroad frequently, you may request a 48-page passport at the time of application. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least 6 months beyond the dates of your trip. Check with the nearest embassy or consulate of the countries you plan to visit to find out their entry requirements. In addition to foreign entry requirements, U.S. law must be considered. With certain exceptions, it is against U.S. law to enter or leave the country without a valid passport. Generally for tourists, the exceptions refer to direct travel within U.S. territories or between North, South, or Central America (except Cuba). What If I Need a Passport in a Hurry? If you are leaving on an emergency trip within five working days, apply in person at the nearest passport agency and present your tickets or itinerary from an airline, as well as the other required items. Or, apply at a court house, county or municipal office, or post office and have the application sent to the passport agency through an overnight delivery service of your choice (include a self-addressed, prepaid envelope for the overnight return of the passport). Be sure to include dates of departure and travel plans on your application and all fees (including the $35 expedite fee). PASSPORT AGENCIES Apply Early For Your Passport! Boston Passport Agency Chicago Passport Agency Honolulu Passport
Agency Houston Passport Agency Los Angeles Passport
Agency Miami Passport Agency New Orleans Passport
Agency New York Passport
Agency Philadelphia Passport
Agency San Francisco Passport
Agency Seattle Passport Agency Stamford Passport
Agency Washington Passport
Agency For more information, contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC). The NPIC is the only public telephone number for passport information. Callers can dial 1-900-225-5674* to receive passport applications, information on applying for a U.S. passport, or to check on the status of a passport application, or emergency passport procedures. Automated information is available 24-hours/day, 7 days/week. Operators can be reached Monday-Friday, excluding Federal holidays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard time. Services are provided in English, Spanish, and by TDD (1-900-225-7778*). *The cost per minute for 1-900 service is $.35 for recorded information and $1.05 for operator assisted calls. This service also includes an optional number, 1-888-362-8668 (TDD 1-888-498-3648), for those calling from telephones with blocked 1-900 service. These calls require a credit card for payment of a flat rate of $4.95 per call. Department of State Publication 10527 Bureau of Consular Affairs Revised February 1998 Passport Services |
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Agents Are OK Even though Internet and online booking is tossed around in many travel columns, the basic fact of the matter is that travel agents sell most of the airline tickets and hotel rooms in America. Hence, a travel agent often has clout and know-how that can make your trip easier and more enjoyable - and cheaper. A good travel agent who knows how to work the system is a gold mine. More important in most cases than clout, travel agents have access to one of the major central reservation systems. These high-powered systems allow agents to have real-time access to airline seat inventories and the systems provide programs that ferret out the lowest prices available between points for air travelers. If anyone has tried to compare prices using the Internet booking engines, they know how time-consuming it can be. Better yet, they don't cost a penny more. Most travel agents work hard, have access to the latest in travel technology and don't charge you anything. Recently, with the cutbacks in travel agent commissions, some agencies have begun to assess a small fee to offset their costs. Now that travel agencies are collecting a fee directly from passengers, a new relationship is being forged, and the rules of the game are changing. Now that some passengers are paying the agencies, the agency is working to some extent for the passenger, not the airline. NOTE: All travel agents are not the same. Some specialize in European travel, others are experts in Asian travel, others deal with cruise ship, and yet others provide bargain-basement travel throughout the year. However, the following points apply to all of them: ~ Your airfare is
the same whether you purchase your tickets directly from the airline
or through a travel agent. Though some travel agents have begun to charge
minimal fees, the services travel agents provide often more than make
up for the small charge. American Society
of Travel Agents (ASTA) United States Tour
Operator Association ASTA may be able to help if your complaint is against a member travel agent or one of the travel suppliers booked through a travel agency. If you find a good travel agent, treat him or her like a treasure. |
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Insurance Protects
Dream Vacation Will hurricane season blow your vacation off course? Could political upheaval abroad delay your getaway? What if you get sick before you go or, worse, you're injured far from home and need medical evacuation? Nothing guarantees a perfect, timely, healthy vacation. But many people turn to travel insurance so their wallets won't suffer as well when plans go amiss. Experts say travel insurance, a catch-term, can help vacationers:
Experts say the coverage makes sense, too, if it doesn't duplicate your life, health, homeowner's insurance or credit card benefits. But if you're traveling on the cheap - using, say, frequent-flyer miles to stay at a cousin's condo - it's not worthwhile. Buyers typically pay 5% to 8% of the cost of a trip ($50 to $80 per $1,000 coverage) for a bundle of basic features. The most popular add-on may be emergency medical treatment and evacuation policies (EME). Older travelers and those with medical conditions look to EME policies because treatment abroad rarely is included in their personal health insurance policies. But EME won't cover an evacuation simply because you don't like the foreign hospital. It's based on an assessment of appropriate available care. Coming home in a flying ambulance can cost from $5,000 to $50,000, but few people really need it. Most policies let you cancel trips because of an illness, injury, or death in the family, but not all have the same definition of family. Most will reimburse for a canceled trip if it's stopped by an emergency on the way to the departure point, but only three protect you if you're laid off from work. Examples of typical claims that are and are not covered:
The most important part of travel insurance is the peace of mind. |
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Black Travel Online
| Feature Article Smart Travelers
Want to Know We often get questions from visitors wanting to know: Can a travel agent really save me money? Are Internet fares really such good deals? Can you fly free as a courier? The answers are "absolutely"; and "not always". But the questions shouldn't end there. In fact, some of the most valuable travel questions don't get asked nearly often enough. Consider these Infrequently Asked Questions and the money they might save you. Question:
Are the airlines getting too much attention and the hotels too little? |
