FAQ Flights
How do I book a flight?
* Enter where you are flying from (the form is defaulted to London, which you can change).
* Enter where you are flying to.
* Enter your departure date.
* Check whether you want a return trip or one way (it is defaulted to 'return').
* Enter you return date.
* Enter how many passengers are travelling (it is defaulted to 1 adult).
* You can choose to specify a particular airline if you like (this is optional).
* Click the giant orange 'Search!' button and you're off!
* After a short wait you will be presented with a page of results (the cheapest fares from each of the airlines that fly to your destination).
* When you have decided which flight suits you best simply click the 'add to basket'.
* After another short wait you will be taken to a screen where you will see your shopping basket (with your flight in it), a choice of travel extras (such as SMS Alert and Insurance) and a choice of hotels that match the dates of your flight. If you would like more information about any of the products, click on that product's icon. If you would like more information about a hotel, click on the hotel's photo (or the 'read more' button). At any time you can add a product or hotel to your basket by clicking the 'add to basket' button. When you are ready to pay simply click the 'check out now' button.
* After a short wait you will be taken to a booking page where you can verify your choices and enter your credit card details. Click the 'book now' button when your ready to pay.This may sound like a lot, but it's much simpler when you actually try it out!
Will you charge me with 'additional charges'?
No. We always display the full total price with a breakdown of taxes (where available). What you see is what you pay.
What is an e-ticket?
Electronic ticket or 'e-ticket' is a paperless ticketing system whereby the ticket is held in the airline's database. This system makes the check-in process more efficient and also has the advantage that an e-ticket cannot be lost or stolen.
How do I check in with an e-ticket?
If you have been issued with an e-ticket, upon arrival at the airport you can either choose to check in at the self-service machines (if available) and then leave your luggage in the luggage drop-off or present the following at the check-in desk. It's really easy!
* Your airline reference number (which we will have sent you)
* Photo ID (for domestic travel), or your passport (for international travel)
If you chose to load your e-ticket on a credit card you will have to bring that too either you check in using the self-service machines or using the check-in desk.
How do I know when my booking is confirmed?
Your booking can only be confirmed once your credit card transaction has been processed. First we send you’booking confirmation' e-mail. This contains:
* Your booking reference number (PNR)
* Your airline booking reference number
* Your flight details
* Your payment details
When your credit card transaction has been processed we send you a 'Payment received' e-mail. This contains:
* Confirmation of payment received
* A link to your booking confirmation page on our website
* A link to www.CheckMyTrip.com where you can log in and view up-to-the-minute information about your flight
Can I cancel my flight if I am unable to travel?
Unfortunately there is no simple answer to this question - the rules vary between airlines, and there are different rules for different tickets. Please contact us at info@tgivacations.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to check the conditions on your ticket. If the ticket is refundable we will charge a 50.00 USD admin fee over an above whatever the airline might charge.
Can I change my traveling dates once I have booked?
Unfortunately there is no simple answer to this question - the rules vary between airlines, and there are different rules for different tickets. Please contact us at info@tgivacations.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to check the conditions on your ticket. If it is possible to make an amendment we will charge a 25 USD admin fee over an above whatever the airline might charge.
What are 'taxes', 'fees' and other 'additional charges'?
'Taxes', 'fees' and 'charges' refer to that portion of the total air fare payable by each passenger. It is calculated by reference to the Government taxes and airport charges payable by each airline in respect of passengers traveling on a particular route on that particular itinerary. These may include government taxes, airport taxes, passenger service charges; insurance surcharges and in some cases passenger security charges as well.
Taxes are determined by your choice of destination, Airline Company and number of stops. Fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, local airport fees and temporary safety fees might effect the final price. Therefore, it is possible that the tax we display on the site before the booking is made might change from what we state on the confirmation page. However, you have the right to cancel your trip directly after the booking without incurring any cost.
Unfortunately, we have no control over airport taxes, fees and charges - it is a cost that is passed directly to the airlines. As taxes might change from one day to another, we show our flight prices and taxes separately.
Do I need a visa / passport?
It is the passenger’s responsibility to travel with correct documents, such as passport and visa. Please contact the embassy of the country you are traveling to/traveling through if you are not sure what documents are required. TGI VACATIONS cannot be held responsible if you are refused entry or been denied to board the plane.
What happens if I lose my (paper) ticket?
Please don't!... but if you do (or if, heaven forbid, you have already) please contact us on info@tgivacations.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The sooner you contact us, the more chance there is we can help.
Can I book a flight for more than 9 people?
No, you cannot book more that 9 people at the same time. BUT you can make two separate reservations on the website, but we cannot guarantee that there will be seats available when you make the second reservation. If you need more than 9 people please contact us one of our agent will help you.
Why are there no flights available?
There are a number of reasons why there may be no flights available:
o There may be no seats left on the flight you requested, for the dates you requested
o There may be no flights that connect the airports you requested
o The suppliers' server may be down, or have 'timed out'
o Some random, inexplicable internet 'thing' occurred - it happens
Don't worry, try:
o Changing your traveling dates
o Searching for flights from a major airline hub (Johannesburg for example)
o Repeating the same search again by clicking the 'Search Again' button on the left of the page
Do kids pay less?
'Kids' (between the age of 2-11) generally pay less. However, there is no simple answer to this question - the rules vary between airlines, and there are different rules for different tickets. Usually Airlines offers 25% discount on child fares. If they are between 0 –2 years old Airlines usually charges 10% of the published fare.
Can I add a person to my booking once I have paid?
Not directly to your booking, no. However, we can do a separate booking (subject to availability) and request seating so that you can sit together.
What is Published Fare?
A published fare is one that is available for purchase by anyone. You could call the airline, or check for prices online, and published fares will be immediately available for purchase. The rules of such fares are readily available and if there is more than one airline offering the same fare you can count on the rules being virtually the same. A non-refundable fare requiring an advance purchase of 14 days and a minimum Saturday night stay would be just a few of the possible rules of a published fare. Seat sales launched by airlines are considered published fares as well since (subject to seat availability) such airfares are offered to the public
What is Consolidator Fare?
Unpublished fares are an entirely different beast. They may be seats that a consolidator purchased and can offer at highly discounted rates.The fare rules could literally contain anything from absolutely no changes allowed to free changes as long as availability exists. They may or may not allow for advance seat selection or the accumulation of frequent flyer miles. If you called an airline looking for the rules to an unpublished fare you would be out of luck. They are not offered for sale by the airline online or over the phone with the airline. Please call us to learn our Consolidator fares
E-tickets
* What are e-tickets and why should I use them?
* On what airlines can I purchase e-tickets?
* How do I travel with an e-ticket?
* How will I know I have a confirmed reservation and a seat assignment?
* What should I do if I need a paper receipt?
* When would I need a paper receipt?
What are e-tickets and why should I use them?
Electronic tickets, or e-tickets, now offered by many major airlines, allow you to travel without a paper ticket, eliminating the worry of leaving your tickets behind. An e-ticket confirms your airline ticket purchase without requiring a paper record; the only record of an e-ticket sale is in electronic form in the airline's computer system. When you buy e-tickets through TGI VACATIONS, you'll receive a confirmation of your purchase via e-mail.
How do I travel with an e-ticket?
When flying on an e-ticket, airport security and airline check-in locations require you to provide a government issued photo ID, along with one of the following documents indicating a flight departure for the current date:
* An TGI VACATIONS e-ticket receipt (including ticket number)
* An TGI VACATIONS itinerary (including ticket number)
* A boarding pass
This information is required in order to enter the secured area beyond the security screening checkpoint. Passengers who do not need to check baggage and already have an approved document (outlined above) may proceed through the security checkpoint directly to the departure gate.
The printed documentation you present at the airport must include your airline ticket numbers. Ticket numbers are displayed on your itinerary as well as your e-ticket receipt, and are generally available within 30 minutes after you’ve completed your purchase. We also recommend that you check your itinerary online within 24 hours of your scheduled departure to ensure that the information that is displayed on your printed documents has not changed.
How will I know I have a confirmed reservation and a seat assignment?
The e-mail you receive when you purchase your e-ticket includes your purchase confirmation number. This confirmation number is on record with both TGI VACATIONS and the airline. If you have a confirmation number, your reservation is confirmed.
The confirmation number is also listed in the itinerary TGI VACATIONS saves for you online. To view your itinerary, click the "My Account" link anywhere on the site. Sign in as usual. You'll see a list of all the itineraries we have stored for you. You'll find the confirmation number for your flight in the flight portion of your itinerary. Each itinerary is saved until your trip is over.
To be sure you have a seat assignment, arrive at the airport at least 1 hour before your flight's departure and check in promptly. Whether you use a paper ticket or an e-ticket, early check-in is necessary.
We strongly recommend that you print out your flight confirmation email and take it to the airport with you.
What should I do if I need a paper receipt?
If you need a paper receipt for your purchase, a printout of your itinerary may be sufficient. On the itinerary page, simply click the Show printable itinerary link in the Itinerary options table, and print your itinerary from this view. You may also ask for a printed receipt when you check in for your flight
When would I need a paper receipt?
If you are traveling internationally, a paper receipt may be required if you need to change your travel plans en route or if one of your flights is delayed. Some airlines accept print-outs of confirmation e-mails such as those sent by TGI VACATIONS as documentation. Check with the airline about its policies before you depart.
Some employers require paper receipts for business travel expense reports. Some companies accept print-outs of confirmation e-mails, but check your company's policy to find out what is acceptable documentation.
Tips for lower fares
If you can be flexible on your dates and times of travel our brief guide to finding the cheapest fares may be of help. The guide is by no means definitive and is only meant as a rough rule of thumb.
International Routes - More low fares available on flights between Monday and Thursday.
Domestic USA Routes - Avoid Monday mornings and Friday afternoons/evenings.
Holidays - Try to avoid travel just before or after a major Bank Holiday, eg. Christmas or Easter.
Some routes have lower fares that require a minimum stay of two nights or a Saturday night. Book as far in advance as possible.