Do you have your REAL drivers license?

You will need  a REAL ID or passport to board an airplane beginning Oct 1, 2020.

If you do not have either of those you will not be able to fly domestically.  If you do not apply for a REAL ID you will receive a federal non-complaint card with the phrase “Federal limits Apply.”

To apply for a REAL ID you MUST go to a DMV office and bring:

*Proof of Identity – Certified US birth certificate, valid US passport, employment authorization document, permanent resident card

*Proof of social security card – SSN card, W-2 wih social on it or paystub with full SSN

*Proof of California residency – document that includes your California home address (utility bill or school document

NOTE: a name change document such a marriage certificate or divorce decree, may be required if the name on your identity document is different from the name on your application

 https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

#realid #drivers #driverslicense #govt #dmv #academytravel #realidtofly #oct12020

Article by Dianne Tuttle academytravelusa@gmail.com

Why Travelers Still Need a Travel Agent

 

Why Travelers Still Need a Travel Agent

The assistance of a travel agent can make all the difference. Photo credit: Pixabay

A recent article published by Work + Money has completely missed the mark on the value of a good travel agent, so Travel Market Report has taken on the task of setting the record straight. In response to the publication naming travel agents among the “25 Dying Professions You Should Avoid,” the agency community was quick to debunk the claim, offering up the many reasons why the opposite is true: Travel agents are more relevant than ever before.
The article, which claims online travel booking sites have made “everyone their own personal travel agent these days,” and that the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the number of travel agents will decline by 12 percent over the next ten years, was deemed “laughable” by agents that Travel Market Report spoke to this week.

“It’s far from the truth of where our industry stands,” said Kristen Buckshire, owner of Travel Ease LLC. “Within the family travel niche, I see more and more people turning to travel agents due to two factors: lack of time and increased industry offerings. Today’s parents are short on time between work, kids’ sporting events, homework, etc. It’s hard to find time to sit down and research all of the various travel options out there. This is the point at which most of my clients come to me … I get a call saying they sat down to Google a destination and they instantly felt overwhelmed.”

A personal touch holds weight
Buckshire’s sentiments were mutual across the board, as agents near and far weighed in on why the personal assistance of a travel agent will always be what separates travel advisors from online booking sites.

Roy Gal, a travel agent veteran of 18 years, says he’s tired of hearing year over year that “agents are dinosaurs and our profession is dying, when this has been our best year yet.” Gal says his profession’s greatest asset is the ability to determine if what you see really is what you will get. He is often presented with scenarios where he needs to set the record straight with his clients, who have been surfing the web and feel they are well-informed — only to find out they were misled.

“The ever-changing travel market makes some of the information on the internet obsolete and just not relevant.” Gal points to an example of a recent picture of a hotel property posted on a website that was strikingly different from the one he took recently on a site inspection. “Take a look at the examples below. Only an agent who specializes in a destination and knows the properties can share what the internet never will.”



The changing role of agent to advisor
Marybeth Hiller, senior travel advisor with Travel Edge, says the confusion boils down to perception, noting that the definition of an agent is a person or business authorized to act on one’s behalf, while the definition of an advisor is a professional with additional and deeper knowledge. “Before there was an internet, for a simple transaction such as a train ticket, or airline ticket from point A to point B, an agent acting on behalf of a client would take care of booking the reservation and issuing the ticket. Today, if this is all someone wants, then making this booking oneself online is feasible.”
But, what if you want to go on a safari or take your children or grandchildren on a river cruise to Europe? Or better yet, what if you don’t know what you want to do, where do you start? Hiller said: “Yesterday’s agent is today’s advisor. [We are there] for clients when a flight is canceled or weather prevents one from getting to their destination. And using an advisor often results in saving money and getting special perks that can be arranged. Perhaps a person can be their own travel agent, but they can’t be their own travel advisor!”

Benefits abound
From cost and time savings to travel crisis prevention and preferred deals via consortia networks and buying clout, travel agents have an arsenal of tools that makes “going it alone” seem archaic in this day and age. And as the proliferation of travel information on the internet expands on a daily basis, seeking the advice of a professional is more and more the norm.

“It’s a known fact that most people never take the time to read through all of the small print before checking off the box agreeing to all of the terms of service; and very few are aware of what will happen when the resort they booked through an online booking site is overbooked. It isn’t till there is an emergency, a major delay, or the accommodations aren’t what they expected that they find themselves looking for an expert,” said Amy Rosenfield, owner of Adventures by Amy.

Gal wholeheartedly agrees: “When flights are changed or clients can’t find their transfers or tours, we are there to support them. Yes, they can try to call an online service, wait 20 minutes online (best-case scenario) … or they can call their travel professional who will know within seconds what needs to be done to resolve the problem so they can continue their amazing trip.”

Straight from the front line, it’s clear that travel agents know their worth and they aren’t going anywhere an

Galapagos Islands Cruise!

Join US!

2 days Quito Pre & 2 day post

  Galapagos Islands Cruise

Sailing  Oct 5th - Oct 12th  2019 

It's on your buck list you know it

once in a life time cruise!  

Personally escorted by Dianne Tuttle  

  

HURRY AND RSVP! Only 5 cabins are reserved for this once in a life time cruise so hurry  cabins will go fast so call 805-781-2630 and reserve your place aboard the Celebrity Xpedition today! SEE YOU THERE!

Celebrity Xpedition 10 day trip to the Galapagos Islands!

Oct 5th - 12th  2019

15 days!

2 nights Pre Quito

1 night Post Quito 

Between 3 million and 5 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions formed the Galápagos archipelago, a chain of 19 islands and dozens of islets. The area is still volcanically active, and the islands endure a constant cycle of uplift and erosion. Fresh eruptions are still seen.

Located in the Pacific Ocean roughly 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands existed mostly untouched for millions of years as an all-star cast of plants and animals found their way there and thrived. In the 1800s, humans started arriving, including pirates and explorers. The most famous early visitor was Charles Darwin, a young naturalist who spent 19 days studying the flora and fauna of the Galápagos in 1835. In 1859, Darwin's On the Origin of Species was published, which introduced his theory of evolution-and the Galápagos Islands-to the world.  

Travel to one of world's most remote destinations-The Galapagos Islands-in style.

There will be several  pre-cruise information meeting so stayed tuned and get on the email list so you will know where they are going to be and when we get back we will have a post cruise party  to share our stories and pictures with every one!

I hope to video tape most of the meetings, the cruise and the post party and post it on our face book page as we go along. 

Designed not just for travel, but for exploration, this 100-guest mega-yacht sails the Galapagos Islands-one of the world's last pristine environments-seven days a week, 365 days a year. Our knowledgeable crew, environmentally sound ship design, and Galapagos National Park-certified onboard naturalists all help to preserve this delicate archipelago, while educating you on its natural and evolutionary significance. It's a journey like no other on Earth.

Please note that sailings on Celebrity Xpedition are an all-inclusive cruise experience; this includes meals, drinks, shore excursions, and gratuities.  

• All Suites & Staterooms feature:
• Two lower beds, convertible to Queen
• Dual voltage 110/220 AC
• Plentiful storage space in on-suite bathroom & wardrobe
• Flat screen TV's with DVD players
• Direct-dial telephone
• Individual sa
• Desk
• Thermostat-controlled air conditioning
• Private refrigerator

•  Wi-Fi (available in public areas)
•  MP3 docking station
•  Room service (breakfast, lunch & dinner upon request)
•  Luggage delivery at boarding
•  Laundry services (additional charges apply)
•  Duvet and pillow-top mattress
•  Hair dryer
•  Complimentary use of premium bathrobes
•  Binoculars for use

In addition, all Suites feature:

• Private Veranda
• Leather Key holder
• Sparkling wine

• Daily fruit bread
• Daily hors d'oeuvres

 

REGISTRATION 

Celebrity Cruise - Xpedition   

   

 To get started, all you need to do is make a $1,000     per person deposit.

Ocean View                   XD   $6279.00 

Deluxe Ocean View     XP    $6569.00  

Ocean View Premium  call for current price

Junior Suite            call for current price 

Xpedition Suite      call for current price 

Royal Suite              call for current price 

Penthouse Suite     call for current price  

  all port, tax, tipping, shore excursions, meals, drinks are all included 

All pricing is per person double occupancy -   Payment plan available 

Insurance is additional ask for a quote today!

Never leave home without travel insurance! 

 

Deposit of $1000 per person due at time of booking    

Pay with PayPal 
 

    

  

Call for airfare from your home town

Or use your air miles!  

   

 Academy Travel USA 

PO Box 1707

San Luis Obispo,  CA 93406

 Your deposit is only $1000 per person  

805-781-2630

academytravelusa@gmail.com