ESTA
authorization to enter the USA for citizens who travel under the Visa Waiver Programme as from 12 January 2009
You can apply via Internet, please check website :
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/
Embassies & Consulates of the world:
www.embassyworld.com
Visa:
http://cibtvisas.nl/
Travel advice and information from the British and US governments:
www.fco.gov.uk/travel
www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel.shtml
travel.state.gov
Hotel information:
www.all-hotels.com
www.budgethotels.com
Health:
www.cdc.gov/travel
www.tripprep.com
www.fco.gov.uk
Travel Insurance:
www.missionaryhealth.net
– Affordable Travel Health Insurance – Travel medical, evacuation and travel insurance for Missionaries and international group medical plans for Mission organisations.
www.GoMissionTrip.com
– GoMissionTrip.com – Affordable Overseas Medical and Travel Insurance for Missionaries and Overseas Travelers.
TAX
Kindly note prices are subject to sudden tax increases of airlines. Of course we will try to avoid tax increases, but in most cases this is beyond our control and airlines charge increased taxes with immediate effect. If this is the case, we will have to charge you extra.
VISA
We cannot assist with visa/transit-visa requirements. We ask you to arrange your visa with the embassy in your country. This is your own responsibility.
INSURANCE
We advise you to arrange this locally.
FACILITIES DURING FLIGHTS
Please note that we can arrange special meals or special assistance for you in advance. If you wish us to reserve this, please advise.
TICKET VALIDITY
Roundtrip tickets have a maximum validity of 1 year. If the ticket is valid for a shorter time, we will inform you accordingly.
PREGNANCY
A pregnant woman may travel up till 28 weeks of her pregnancy. Between 28 and 36 weeks she will need a doctor’s certificate to obtain approval for travel by air. After that the airlines will not allow her to travel.
PETS
If you like to take a pet with you, please note you will have to arrange this directly with the airlines concerned as soon as you have a firm reservation.
EXCESS LUGGAGE
On most airlines SIAMA has negotiated higher baggage allowances. If you have more luggage to take, you can arrange excess baggage with the airlines directly as soon as you have made a firm reservation.
CHILD FARES
Child fare is applicable for children as from 2 years until 11 years. We need birthdates in order to make the flight reservation.
INFANT FARES
Infant fare is applicable for children below 2 years old. We need the birth date in order to make the flight reservation. Kindly note infant tickets have no seat and no or limited baggage allowance.
Missed flight connections
If the reason is because of delayed arrival of previous flight and all flights are issued in one ticket, the airline is responsible to rebook you at no extra cost on their airline or another airline. If you have separate tickets, the airline is not responsible, but in general they will be willing to book you on their next available flight.
Date Changes
For changes please contact SIAMA well in time before your departure. We can still assist you with changes or cancellation of your flights untill 3 working days prior to your departure (kindly note our office hours-Saturday/Sunday closed). If time is too short, we advise you to contact the airline directly. If the reservation is not at least changed 24 hours before departure, the airline(s) will consider it as a no-show and the ticket becomes invalid and non-refundable.
Cancellations
For cancellation, please contact SIAMA well in time before your departure. We can still assist you with changes or cancellation of your flights untill 3 working days prior to your departure (kindly note our office hours-Saturday/Sunday closed). If time is too short, we advise you to contact the airline directly. If the reservation is not at least cancelled 24 hours before departure, the airline(s) will consider it as a no-show and the ticket becomes invalid and non-refundable.
Frequent Flyer
Many airlines now offer you to save airmiles for future free tickets and upgrading tickets.
The amount you collect depends on the distance you fly, the cabin you fly in, the type of ticket you hold. Every airline will have different rules on that.
If you are interested to become a member of an airline, you have to enlist personally on their website. On www.siama.nl you will find the website addresses of all the airlines for which SIAMA has Missionary contracts. You will find all details there on how to gain and how to use the mileage you have saved. Also note that many airlines have airline partners on which you will also gain mileage if you fly with them.
If you already have enlisted with the airline and have a mileage nr., please inform SIAMA and we will put it in your reservation, so that the airline can process your mileage more swiftly. Ensure your mileage nr. is in your reservation at check-in. We advise you always to keep your boarding passes in your possession until you are sure the airlines have added the mileage(s) you are entitled to.
If you like to book flights with your gained free mileage, you have to do this directly with the airline concerned and book it with them. However if you are travelling with your family or with more passengers in your party, kindly note we can still assist you on the tickets for the rest of the party based on Missionary fares.
General site for information on mileage :
http://www.travel4miles.com
Please note that SIAMA takes no responsibility for services provided by third parties
Oneworld/Skyteam/Star Alliance
A list of airlines showing to which airline alliance they belong. This may be important to know in your decision what airlines you choose to fly.
Star Alliance Member Airlines
Air Canada || Air China || Air New Zealand || ANA || Asiana Airlines || Austrian || BMI || Egyptair || Polish Airlines || Lufthansa || Scandanavian Airlines || Shanghai Airlines || Singapore Airlines || South African Airways || Spanair || Swiss || TAP Portugal || Thai || Turkish Airlines || United Airlines || US Airways ||
One World Member Airlines
American Airlines || British Airways || Cathay Pacific || Finnair || Iberia || Japan Airlines || LAN || Malev || Qantas || Royal Jordanian ||
SkyTeam Member Airlines Aeroflot || Aeromexico || Air France || Air Europa || Alitalia || China Southern Airlines || Continental Airlines || Copa Airlines || CSA Czech Airlines || Delta Air Lines || Kenya Airways || KLM Royal Dutch Airlines || Korean Air || Northwest Airlines ||
Airlines tend to change their rules and partnerships on a regular basis, so always make sure to check the current information on their website at the time you need to travel.
Advance Information
Nowadays many airlines require you to fill in special passenger information. Ofcourse when needed, we will inform you accordingly.
