Archive for September, 2009
September 30, 2009 at 1:14 pm · Filed under Pet Friendly, Travel and tagged: flights, flying dog, pet friendly travel, Virgin Atlantic
Flying with your pet:
With a Pet Passport travelling with your dog has become much easier. Here are the latest of my discoveries with regard to flying with your pet.
Private Charter
Airpets Oceanic
Pet Air Charter Service between the UK and destinations in Northern Europe. You, your family, and your pets may travel together in the passenger cabin of our private plane, from anywhere in the UK to any airfield close to your final destination. UK and Europe.
Jetbooking Direct
One of the world’s leading professional companies for aircraft charter. Pets are welcome to travel with their owners. Worldwide Destinations.
Commercial Airlines
Some commercial airlines allow pets. Some will allow very small pets (in a crate or cage that fits under the seat) to travel with their owners but larger pets can only travel in the cargo hold. (Exceptions apply for assistance dogs subject to prior notification).
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic
Pets Welcome
Virgin currently operate a pet service to the following destinations:
Barbados Boston Chicago Dubai Hong Kong JFK Johannesburg London Los Angeles Miami Newark Orlando San Francisco Sydney Washington
Exceptions do apply so it is recommended that you check at time of booking. If you are planning on travelling with your pet, it is advisable to contact Virgin Atlantic before booking your own flight.
Virgin says: “All of our furry travellers are treated with extra special care; they travel in the cargo hold, which is heated and air-conditioned just like the cabin (please note that we cannot carry pets within the passenger cabin). Pets can also join the Flying Paws Club, where both the owner and pet can receive gifts; our way of saying thank you for choosing to fly with us.”
An approved pet shipping crate will be required in which your pet will stay during its voyage. Crates must be IATA airline approved.
Popularity: 5% [?]
September 27, 2009 at 3:39 pm · Filed under Travel and tagged: cases, flight, holiday, luggage, Travel, vacation
It is always an apprehensive time when you stand at the Baggage Claim carousel waiting for your case to appear; why is it always last? But if it is not there, where is it and why is it not there? It could be lost, it may have been stolen, it may have been damaged, or it has been delayed. Delayed luggage is the most common.
Statistics state that only 0.005% of luggage is permanently lost. With new baggage tracking technology it is much easier for baggage to be reunited with its owner.
As stated by the BAA (British Airports Authority) each individual airline is responsible for the security and management of your suitcases and bags once they have been checked in.
You need to report missing luggage as soon as you can to your airline or the ‘lost baggage desk’. If you are travelling with a tour operator, then a representative will be able to help you.
You will need to give a full description of the luggage as best you can and may have to provide a list of the contents and have original receipts for any valuables.
If your luggage has been delayed, then the airline will arrange for it to be delivered to you as soon as it can. It may have to send it on their next flight to your destination, but in any event at least you know where it is.
Once declared officially lost most airlines say they are limited by the Montreal Convention to paying customers around £800 per person in compensation for lost baggage. Remember some airlines will not declare it lost immediately, for instance British Airways wait 21 days. Check the terms and conditions for your individual airline.
Make sure you have travel insurance. Some airlines may get you to claim under your own travel insurance, but check what is covered as some insurers do not cover valuables. If you have to purchase essential items keep your receipts.
One sure way of reducing the possibility of lost luggage is to have hand luggage only. It also saves you hanging around waiting for it to arrive at the other end.
If you must have checked-in luggage then these tips may help to reduce the risk of yours getting lost:
- Do not be late checking in your luggage; if you leave it until the last minute there is more chance of your luggage not getting to the plane.
- Use good quality labels that are unlikely to come off; include mobile number and email contact details.
- Take off old labels to avoid confusion.
- Put contact and itinerary details inside the case, on top of everything. If the label comes off, baggage staff will look inside the case for details of its owner. If travelling in non-English speaking countries, it is worthwhile at least having the word “telephone number” written in the native language.
- Make sure you can easily identify your luggage – bright luggage labels, day-glow stickers or stripes, neon straps or ribbons etc.
- Travel light! Do not over-pack – you do not want your case to burst open. Also if your case is too heavy it has a greater chance of being ‘lost’; if the baggage handler cannot lift it, he might put it on one side until his colleague can help him after the other luggage has been loaded.
- Beware of what you pack. Once your bag is checked in it will go through the X-ray machine; if something is spotted that causes concern and your luggage has to be manually checked then that will cause a delay and your luggage may miss the flight.
- Fly direct wherever possible. There is more chance of things going wrong when you change flights at a ‘hub’ airport, especially if connections are tight; you might make it to the plane, your luggage may not. Up to 40 per cent of luggage on connecting flights has to be manually checked because the scanners cannot read labels that are torn or badly printed.
- Carry a spare set of clothes and basic toiletries in your carry-on baggage.
- Do not pack anything you may need within 24 hours such as medicines.
- If travelling with a companion, cross pack so if one case is lost at least you have something.
- Create a packing list; this not only makes sure you do not forget anything, but is also required for insurance claims in the event of your baggage being lost. Leave a copy at home and take one copy with you so you can use it when packing to go home.
- Take a photograph of your case. If possible print a copy off and keep it with your passport. It will help when you have to describe your baggage.
- Always have travel insurance but do check what is covered before you pack. Some valuables are not covered, such as phones, cameras, jewellery.
If you have any tips to add, please do so.
Popularity: -0% [?]
September 23, 2009 at 12:02 pm · Filed under General Blog, Pet Friendly, Travel and tagged: flights, holidays, hotels, Pet Friendly, vacation
I am currently compiling articles on everything PET FRIENDLY – hotels, campsites, bed and breakfasts, travel, pubs and restaurants etc in the UK, USA and Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand – in fact world wide!
All the information and articles will appear in a brand new section dedicated to anything and everything Pet Friendly in the world of travel.
If you offer something pet friendly then please let me know so I can include appropriate information in my articles and link to your website.
Well, done! Marriott Hotels welcomes dogs!
Marriott International
With more than 3,100 hotels in 68 countries, Marriott has something for everyone. Want a hotel near the beach, right downtown, or far away from everything? Travel with comfort and enjoy excellent service, whether you travel for business or pleasure. Marriott has brands for every type of traveler, and prices to match. Marriott’s Look No Further Best Rate Guarantee is assurance that you will get the best rates when you book.
Popularity: 1% [?]
September 22, 2009 at 5:43 pm · Filed under Great Deals, Holiday in Britain, Pet Friendly, Travel and tagged: camping, caravans, dog-friendly, holiday, hotels
If you are anything like me, you hate to leave your dog in the kennels. OK, sometimes you have to because of little inconveniences like business trips, but generally I certainly try to take my dog with me wherever I go – even to the continent as he has a passport! A day without him is too much, let alone a week or even two! And remember, to him it is 7 times that (or did I read somewhere that the dog:human life ratio is now thought to be 1:9?). So that is a really long time to be away from you: 1 day = 1 week of his life. Thankfully, I can occasionally rely on friends and family, but not always.
I am therefore always on the lookout for all things dog-friendly. I makes notes on my travels, such as pubs that not only allow dogs, but also provide a water bowl! Shops that have a tie-up outside and parks with “dog-only” areas. The more places I find that are dog-friendly, the more likely I am to visit again accompanied of course by him. If my dog is welcome, then I will be a regular customer. If that is not the case, then I may never return!
During the summer in the UK there was considerable media promotion of the “staycation” – UK based holidays from camping and caravans to luxury country retreats and cosmopolitan city hotels. But what about pets? Where are the dog-friendly campsites and the dog-friendly hotels?
Surprisingly, or not, as the case may be, more establishments are accommodating pets in order to get their share of that particular market. I am not the only one who takes my dog wherever I can and if an hotel or B&B is not dog-friendly, then they will lose business.
A little book I discovered many years ago is: Pets Welcome! 
it covers dog-friendly farm holidays, Bed and Breakfasts, caravans and camping, dog-friendly pubs, and a golf guide – where to play and stay! With over 1,000 entries, it is great value for money at only GBP 6.99 with free UK delivery.
Pets Come Too! Guide to Quality-assessed Pet-friendly Hotels, B&Bs and Self-catering Accommodation in England (Official Tourist Board Guide) This is a VisitBritain guide; the official national guide to quality-assessed properties in England that welcome pets. At GBP 6.57 it is a snippet!
There is a very useful website for pet owners, called “Maps4Pets” and it not only covers the UK, but also Canada, the USA, and Europe. It features pet-friendly places for all budgets and tastes.
For instance, the 5 star Milestone Hotel, near Kensington Palace, provides a welcome hamper for your dog, custom-made bed, water bowl and “Do Not Disturb/Pet Sleeping” door notice. Grooming is available as well as bathrobes, leashes, litter boxes, and a taxi service. Treats, toys and menus for dogs and cats are also available and staff will even arrange birthday celebrations.
If you are travelling in the USA or Canada with your pet and are looking for dog-friendly accommodation and places to stay and visit, then this publication will help.
Popularity: 1% [?]
September 17, 2009 at 11:53 pm · Filed under Experiences, General Blog and tagged: Dublin, hosting, North Wales, surprise, Virtual Secretary
Just had a really good week. Dublin, and North Wales – just to catch up with friends, and a secret adventure..(well not a secret now but it was at the time). Busy, busy. I will update you tomorrow. PS: Thanks Amanda, can’t do this without you LOL.
If you wonder who Amanda is, she is my virtual secretary: I send her all my details and what I want, and she updates my blog. Also many thanks to Russell for hosting me and helping me get such a good blog and we are still working on it – he is so helpful. I really do not have time for all the little bits like that.
Popularity: unranked [?]
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