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We have many people ask us about booking online or how to use the web to research their vacation. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and our answers:
Or, you can go directly to the GBTC Online Booking and Research Pages.
1 - Enter Destination
2 - Enter Dates
3 - Search Availability
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Q. Why do you call it - GBTC Online Booking -and- Research ?
A. Because the GBTC Online Booking feature can be used either way. Sometimes our clients like to study dozens of possible destinations, check current prices, look for specials, view pictures of rooms, read what each property has to offer, check specific travel requirements and rules ... or otherwise plan their trip. Our Online Suppliers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year on their websites - and through the links we provide you can see what each one has to offer. Once you have entered a linked site you will see a banner for GBTC and our phone number in case you need in-person help. From the linked website you could actually book your trip and pay for it online using the secure credit card processing feature provided. GBTC will become the 'agent of record' for the sale. You will get the same price and be able to check availability of a certain resort on a specific date -- for a specific group of travelers. Calculations are automatic, accurate and done in real-time. You can actually book the last available seats to any destination you find. This is 'booking'.
HINT: You can do everything above [or below] ... but stop short of entering your credit card information -- this is 'research'. The data you are seeing is real -- the same we get here on the reservation computers. IF you feel uncomfortable booking your trip online - or need the in-person advise of one of our experienced agents ... you can simply call us at your convenience - tell us what you found - and we can proceed with the booking from here. Please -- if you find something you like either buy it online - or call us ASAP at 770-963-9846. Every time a tour is purchased [either online or through an agent] it is removed from the available inventory. Some properties often sellout completely and airline seats at the lowest possible cost become unavailable on certain dates. As with all forms of travel -- the sooner you ‘lock-in’ your travel -- the better.
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Q. Why does the GBTC Online Booking Engine ask my departure city?
A. The GBTC Online Booking sites we link you to are connected to the same databases [and last minute specials] that agents can access from our reservation computer. We have a number of customers all over the country who book with GBTC. Plus - quite often a group of vacationers [or a family or friends living in different cities] will want to get together at the same resort. This is one real advantage of being able to offer GBTC Online Booking [and research] through our website links.
HINT: If you are planning a trip with a friend or a relative - be sure all of you use the same links to the GBTC Online Booking Feature. In other words - to assure that GBTC will be able to assist your group with questions or live-person bookings - everybody must be using the links you can access at: GBTCtravel.com - Online Booking tab.
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Q. I just want to look around - WHY do I have to enter a date?
A. Not only do you have to enter a date - you also have to enter the country you want to visit and other details about your possible trip. Literally hundreds of properties are represented. Without some sort of 'filtering' you would receive too much information on a very long list.
HINT: Enter a date near when you can travel. You can alter the date once you enter the search. Also -- keep good notes on what you see. We cannot find what you saw unless we look in the same place. Exact dates and which resort are the most important details.
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Q. Why do I have to enter 'How Many Adults/Kids'?
A. Because some resorts are Adult Only [no kids allowed] and/or because some resorts do not allow more than 3 or 4 or sometimes 5 people to stay in the same room. Secondly - most prices you see are based upon Double Occupancy - meaning the price given is per Adult. A single person wanting to stay alone in a room will usually pay more - while a third or fourth person in the same room will most often lower the per person cost for all concerned. Children are often calculated at a less than adult price.
HINT: Enter this information as accurately as possible. The GBTC Online Booking Engine will calculate the cost of your trip based upon the information you supply in the entry boxes. This is absolutely necessary to determine the exact cost of your trip. Different resorts may define 'children' at different ages. Be sure to read carefully about 'children' at each resort you are considering.
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Q. I have Frequent Flyer Miles to use. Can I use them with the online packages?
A. Yes and No - The tour providers we link offer 'hotel only' -or- 'land only' packages. The arrangements for your free flight cannot be made by the tour provider -- you must handle all aspects of Frequent Flyer Miles yourself - directly with the airline.
HINT: This is another advantage of GBTC Online Booking and Research. You can match your resort stay to the available dates you can use your miles. While you are talking with your airline -- you can be working online to book your resort. Please be sure though that everything matches. Some resorts will be 100% booked one day and have plenty of availability the next. In general - it is easier to find a room than to find free flights to popular resort cities. Most of our suppliers offer low cost charter flights.
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Q. How will I get from the Airport to the Resort?
A. In most cases round-trip 'transfers' are included in the package price. We encourage travelers to accept this option.
HINT: Transfers are perhaps the most overlooked necessity travelers encounter when trying to arrange a trip 'on their own'. The Tour Providers we use want your trip to be a great value - and as little trouble as possible to you. Prepaid Transfers are the way to go - even if you are using 'your miles' to get to the destination airport. Taxi's always cost more!
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Q. Should I book 'side trips and/or tours' when I do online booking?
A. Yes - Prepaid Advance Reservations guarantee you a seat for the tour or side-trip you most desire. Plus - the online price is negotiated by the Tour Provider at a rate you will not find 'on the ground' or at your Resort. In most cases it will surely be much less than you will find 'at the gate'.
HINT: We suggest you never book your side-trip or tour on the same day you are scheduled to arrive. Most tours depart the Resorts early in the day - or just after lunch for half-day adventures. Give yourself a little time to adjust and explore your Resort. Personally - we do our tours - starting on the second full day 'in country'.
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Q. What NAME do I enter for Online Booking?
A. You MUST use your official international travel name -- the name on your tour documents must match the name on the documents you intend to use for entry into the foreign country. Again -- Your ID Document must match the name under which you purchase your Tour -- your travel documents will be prepared exactly with the name you enter. Your friends might know you as Susie Q ... but your photo drivers license [if acceptable] or your original or certified birth certificate [if acceptable] might show you as Susan Lisa Quincy. In such a case - you should use Susan Lisa Quincy [or Susan L. Quincy. Be Careful -- Name Changes are NOT ALLOWED once your documents have been prepared. The most recent US Homeland Security rules will be applied at all US Airports. YOU could be denied boarding if your names do not match your documents. Married women who have picture IDs in their married name and Birth Certificates in their maiden name should carry a copy of their Marriage Certificate. Divorced women should carry a copy of their Divorce Decree. Names MUST Match -- or documents as to the reason why they do not must be made available at the Security Checkpoints. GBTC recommends that you make their job easy - very easy.
HINT: Please get your name correct for ANY international travel documents. IF you have any questions at all about your International Travel Name -- please contact GBTC at 770-963-9846 for 'clarification'. People are denied boarding every day at airports - because their Travel Name does not match their ID. Also - you will find some informative current information in our US Passport Articles. GBTC recommends that everyone considering International Travel -- also consider obtaining a Passport. See the latest US Homeland Security rules on our Passport Information page.
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