Ordering Brochures
Q: How do I obtain one of your summer or winter brochures?
A: Click here to view our electronic brochures or order copies online.
Alternatively please call 01483 79 11 11 or visit your local travel agent. Q: How do I know when the latest brochures will be available? A: On our website we have a ‘Stay Updated’ box; just click on to this and subscribe to our newsletter and you’ll receive up-to-date email offers and information which will detail when any new brochures will be available as well as new resort and holiday information. < back to top
Booking your holiday online
Q: Is it possible to book a Ski & Snowboard or Lakes & Mountains holiday if I live outside the UK?
A: Yes it is. However, your booking will include travel from the UK unless you specifically book accommodation only for your Inghams holiday. We do send holiday documentation and tickets to passengers who have booked from countries outside the UK but we advise passengers who are travelling from non-UK countries to check visa and health requirements for the destinations they have selected. Q: I seem to be having a problem accessing your online booking system? A: Our site is compatible with all the main online browsers which include: - Internet Explorer 5 & above
- Mozilla Firefox
- AOL 4 and late.
- Safari
- Google Chrome
- Netscape 7
Q: If I book online, is the information I give and the payment details I supply secure? A: All payments made via our website are fully secure – you will know this as you will see a padlock logo come up as you enter the booking section of our website. Personal information given to us is transmitted securely via this security system and details are encrypted by SSL to make sure they cannot be accessed any other third party. Q: What elements of my holiday can I book online? A: Flights, transfers and accommodation can all be booked online for any of our holidays. Additional services such as ski packs and equipment, insurance, ferry and Eurotunnel services, car hire etc. are all available to book online as long as you do this when confirming your holiday. If you do not book these additional services then, you will not be able to add this to your booking online at a later date. However, you can easily add these elements to your holiday if you call our Administration team 01483 79 11 22. For further details of what is included in your holiday, please click here. < back to top Q: Are prices shown on your website up-to-date? A: Prices and holiday availability for all holidays are updated every day. The price you pay is the amount shown when you confirm your holiday. You will only be liable for this cost (as confirmed on your payment screen) once you have confirmed your booking and payment details. Q: I was trying to book my holiday online this morning but there seemed to be a problem? A: At times we may be updating our website which may cause you problems when logging on and trying to use the site. This is generally early in the morning but not for very long so please try accessing the site again a little later. If you are still experiencing problems call 01483 79 11 22. Q: If I am experiencing technical problems whilst booking online, what do I need to do? A: Please contact our Helpdesk on 01483 79 11 22 Q: When trying to make a booking, I keep receiving timeout error messages and cannot proceed to the next stage of the booking process. A: Please contact our Helpdesk on 01483 79 11 11 Q: How do I know my online booking has been confirmed? A: As soon as you have booked you will receive by return a confirmation email detailing everything you have booked for your holiday. Within 72 hours of making your booking you will receive your e-invoice and a copy of our holiday terms and conditions. Q: I have booked my holiday online; can I view my booking online? A: Unfortunately not but all details regarding your holiday and what elements have been booked will be available on the confirmation email which will be emailed to you just after you have made your booking online. < back to top Q: You obviously do take bookings online, but are there any restrictions to what I can book this way? A: There are a few minor restrictions when booking some of our more specialist types of holiday: Group bookings - Groups over 9 may be eligible for a group discount which is not available via our website. To receive a group discount, you must make only one booking and have only one booking reference. All passengers within the group must be travelling by the same mode of travel and be staying at the same accommodation on the same date. For all group enquiries and bookings for 9 passengers or more, please contact our Groups team on 01483 79 11 33. Combining group and internet discounts - It is not possible to combine group discounts with the online booking discount. An online booking discount cannot be offered to any customer who is booking over the telephone – these discounts are only offered to purely online bookings. Multi-centre and Tour holidays – Due to more complex administration, these holidays must be booked via our Reservations team. Booking more than one holiday or several accommodation only hotels at a time – if you wish to book more than one holiday (Ski & Snowboard or Lakes & Mountains) you will need to make a separate booking for each one.
Q: Can I fly in and out of different airports? A: This is dependent on the resort you are flying to. To find out further details on where you can fly in and out from, please contact our Reservations team. Q: Can I make a booking where people travelling in my party are leaving from different UK airports but all meeting up in resort? A: Yes you can. We have flight programmes from many UK airports and multiple departure points can be made subject to availability. Please call our Tailor Made team on 01483 79 11 11 to book this for you.
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What’s included in my holiday?
General
Q: What meals are included in the price of my holiday? A: Your holiday will be based on one of the following board basis for your meals - Room only /self-catering - no meals will be included in the price of your holiday.
- Bed and Breakfast - breakfast only will be included in the price of your holiday.
- Half board - your breakfast and evening meal will be included in the price of your holiday.
In some cases you can choose to have lunch instead of dinner but the hotel will confirm this upon your arrival. - Full board - Your breakfast, lunch and evening meal will be included in the price of your holiday.
- All Inclusive - All meals, snacks, soft drinks, tea and coffee, unlimited alcoholic drinks, activities and entertainment will be included in the price of your holiday. For full details of what’s included in your All Inclusive holiday, please see your chosen accommodation details on our website or in our latest brochure.
Q: Is the accommodation price "per person" or "per room"? A: Unless otherwise stated, all prices shown on the website or within any of our brochures are per person and not per room. Q: Do I have to book my tours/excursions/ski packs at time of booking? A: No, all excursions and ski packs can be added up to 48 hours before departure. However, we recommend adding extras at least a week in advance, to ensure an updated invoice has time to be issued. Q: Can I do a 2/3 Centre Holiday without a car? A:. It is possible to connect between 2 or 3 centres without a car. For further details please contact our Tailor Made team on 01483 79 11 11 who will be able to check what would be the best arrangement and places to visit for way your multi-centre holiday. Transfers Q: Are transfers included in my Ski & Snowboard or Lakes & Mountains holiday? A: Transfers are included in all of our Ski & Snowboard and Lakes & Mountains holiday packages. Q: Are transfers included in my Accommodation Only holiday? A: Transfers are not offered on accommodation only bookings. Q: Are transfers included in my Flight-only holiday? A: Transfers are not offered on flight only bookings. < back to top Ski & Snowboard Holidays Q: What items are included in Ski Saver Packs? A: Please check on the chosen resort information page. However, most Saver Packs include the following items: - Whole area lift pass / Local area lift pass
- Three days or more group tuition
- Six days ski or board hire
Q: How do I book my ski passes, tuition and equipment? A: You will have the opportunity to add ski pack items when you make your booking online. As prices change, it is best to add any required extras at time of booking. Alternatively, you can pre-book these at any time by calling our Administration team on 01483 79 11 22 or arrange these with your Rep when you arrive in resort. However, booking early means you can hit the slopes, hassle-free, the first morning of your holiday! Q: How do I book my lift pass? A: You will be able to book your lift pass whilst booking your holiday online or you can add this to your booking up to one week before you travel by calling our Administration team on 01483 79 11 22. Alternatively you can buy your lift pass from your Rep when you arrive in resort. Q: What discount do I receive as a Ski Club of Great Britain member? A: Ski Club members will receive a 5% discount on the basic cost of a holiday. The discount is not available on flight supplements and the offer cannot be combined with any other discount or offer. This discount is valid for Ski & Snowboard packages and applies to all holidays whether by air, rail or self-drive, and is also offered on accommodation only bookings. The discount is only available to customers booking over the phone with Inghams, not via a travel agent or online. Q: What does ‘allocation on arrival’ mean when I book a ski holiday? A: Allocation on arrival holidays allow you to book a specific overseas arrival airport from the UK, but you will not know the resort or specific accommodation you will be staying in until you arrive at your chosen overseas airport. You and your party will be informed by the Inghams Representative as to where you’re staying and you will board the appropriate transfer to the resort as soon as you arrive. Q: What does the price of my Inghams holiday include? A: Your package holiday will generally include your flight, transfer and the accommodation as described in the holiday and accommodation details on our website or in our latest brochure.
Q: What is a ‘Taste of’ holiday? A: ‘Taste of’' holidays are what we call ‘flexible’ bookings on our Lakes & Mountains programme. In return for being flexible i.e. if you know the date you wish to travel, your UK departure airport, your holiday duration and which country you wish to travel to, we can usually offer you a reduced price holiday and will then specify your actual accommodation once you’ve arrived at your holiday resort. < back to top
Paying for Your holiday
Q: How much deposit do I have to pay for an Inghams holiday?
A: The deposit amount you pay for your holiday is £130 per person. Q: What payment methods do you accept?
A: We accept payment using the following cards - American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Electron debit cards. We also accept Maestro cards for online bookings but unfortunately due to security requirements, we cannot accept them for payment over the phone. We accept electronic transfers into our Barclays bank account (a/c number - 9311 7413 and sort code 20-65-82 under the name Hotelplan Ltd Client A/c), but please ensure that your booking reference is clearly stated in the payment reference field. We also accept cheque payments made payable to Hotelplan Ltd but please note your booking reference on the reverse of the cheque so we can apply the payment to the correct booking. In addition, to avoid guests inadvertently paying late and potentially incurring late payment fees, we offer a service where the remainder of your holiday balance is automatically debited from the payment card initially used should you choose to accept this. Please note that Inghams do not store your card details. These card details are retained by a separate financial company, regulated by the Financial Services Authority who ensure stringent data protection controls are in place. Please call our Credit Control team on 01483 79 11 66 if you have any other payment queries. Q: Is there a charge for using a credit card? A: All credit cards incur a handling fee of 2.5%. We are pleased to remind you that debit card, cheque payments or electronic transfers will not incur any charge. Please note that when paying by credit card, the company name 'Hotelplan CC Services GmbH' in Germany will appear on your credit card statement. Q: How do I pay for my holiday? A: A payment will be required at the end of the booking process. If you are booking a holiday more than 10 weeks prior to travel, you will only pay a deposit of £130 per person to confirm the booking while the full balance will be due 10 weeks before departure. If you are booking within 10 weeks of your holiday departure date, full payment is required at the time of booking. Q: When will I need to pay for the rest of my holiday? A: The balance of your holiday will be due 10 weeks prior to your holiday departure date. Your credit/debit card used to pay the original deposit will be automatically debited with the balance of your holiday if you accepted this method of payment (this will typically be debited on the Friday after the balance due date). Alternatively, there are a number of alternatives to paying the balance outlined above. Q: Are my monies financially protected? A: Yes. Inghams hold both ATOL and ABTA licences meaning that all holidays purchased, either direct with us or through one of our agents, are 100% financially protected. Q: What happens if I pay my holiday balance late? A: Late payment fees of up to £15 per day may be applied to the booking should you fail to pay your holiday balance on time as per our terms and conditions. Please note that we will endeavour to remind you by way of email in advance of this occurring. If your holiday remains unpaid, your holiday will be cancelled and cancellation fees applied. Q: I can't remember if I asked you to debit my card automatically? A: Please call our Credit Control team on 01483 79 11 66 during office hours Monday to Friday and they will be pleased to assist you with any payment queries. Please have your booking reference number handy. < back to top
Before you go Q: When will I receive my holiday tickets? A: Your tickets will be sent out in the post approximately 14 days before departure. Q: I have booked within a week of my holiday, when will I receive my tickets? A: If you are travelling on a charter flight within a week of booking your holiday, it is likely that you will need to collect your tickets at the airport before departure and details will be given to you regarding this when you book. All scheduled and no-frills flights and holidays with Swiss Rail from the UK are issued with tickets which will be sent through the post by special delivery to your address prior to departure. Q: Do I need travel insurance for any of the holidays I book with you? A: Yes, it is important to ensure that all members of your party have adequate travel insurance, whether travelling on a Ski & Snowboard or Lakes & Mountains holiday. You can add this to your booking during the online booking process. Alternatively, you will be able to book travel insurance through Inghams with FOGG Insurance at any time before departure. If you and members of your party already have a travel insurance policy, you will need to provide us with the details of this alternative cover. Click here for more details. Q: Where can I find travel advice by country? A: The Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s Know Before You Go’ (KBYG) is an ongoing campaign to ensure travellers are adequately prepared in all ways before travelling. For more information, see our Travel Advice. < back to top
Health Concerns
Q: I have a reduced mobility; do I need to notify you before I book my holiday?
A: Yes. If you are a wheelchair user or have reduced mobility, please contact us prior to booking to ensure that the accommodation and resort you have chosen is suitable for your needs. Please contact our Tailor Made team on 01483 79 11 33 before you book. Q: I will need assistance at the airport. Can you organise this? A: Yes. If you are a wheelchair user or have reduced mobility, please contact us prior to booking to request assistance service at your chosen UK and resort airports. If you do not request this in advance this service cannot be guaranteed by the airport. There is a limit on the number of passengers with reduced mobility and the number of wheelchair passengers they are able to assist on any one day when pre-notification is not given. Please contact our Tailor Made team on 01483 79 11 33. Q: I am disabled; is any help available in order for me to get the most out of an Inghams holiday? A: If you require additional assistance such as help at the airport, additional assistance during a flight or have special needs while in resort, it is advisable to contact our Tailor Made team on 01483 79 11 33 to ensure such facilities are available for you. Q: I have special dietary requirements, do I need to notify you before I book my holiday? A: Yes. If you have special dietary requirements, please contact us prior to booking to ensure that the accommodation and resort you have chosen can accommodate your requirements. Please contact our Tailor Made team on 01483 79 11 33 before you book. Q: I have a reduced mobility; can I book a ‘Taste of’ holiday? A: We would recommend against a customer taking a ‘Taste of’’ holiday to a customer with a reduced mobility/disabilities. As you are booking this holiday very near the actual departure date, and we can’t guarantee your allocated accommodation will be suitable for your requirements. You may discover that the assistance you need in resort is not available, and with booking so near your actual holiday dates, it may not be possible for us to verify details in time. However, please contact us prior to booking and we can assist you with finding an accommodation and resort which are suitable for your needs. Please contact our Tailor Made team on 01483 79 11 33. Q: Am I able to book a holiday with Inghams if I’m pregnant? A: Providing your pregnancy has been uncomplicated and you are not experiencing a related medical condition, there will be no problem flying until your 28th week of pregnancy. Each airline has its own rules regarding pregnant women using their aircraft. Generally most airlines require written confirmation from your doctor or midwife stating you are fit to fly if you will be more than 28 weeks pregnant when you fly.
If you are pregnant and want to book a holiday with us for after the baby is born, you will need to contact our Administration team on 01483 79 11 22 as these bookings cannot be made online due to your not having a confirmed date of birth for the baby when you book. Q: I need medication with me at all times. Am I able to carry this and the appropriate equipment with me during a flight? A: If you require carrying an injection pen, other appropriate medication or equipment in-flight, you must advise the check-in staff at the airport that you need this with you at all times. You will also need to have written confirmation from your doctor stating this is required or have an approved diabetic/medical identification card with you to prove you do need to carry such medication with you. You will need to make sure you have this with you when you check-in. Any essential medication such as insulin should be kept within hand luggage for safety and to ensure it is kept out of direct sunlight or within freezing temperatures. For further information on this or any other medical situation that may affect your holiday contact the Reservations team for information. < back to top
Amending your holiday
Q: I have a question with regards to my confirmation/invoice?
A: If you have a question regarding the holiday you have booked online, please contact our Administration team on 01483 79 11 22. Q: I have already booked my holiday. How can I now add insurance? A: Unfortunately, we are not able to add insurance to your booking after you have booked. However, you can purchase Inghams insurance direct with FOGG, by contacting them on 01623 631331. Alternatively, you are able to book online at www.fogginsure.co.uk/Inghams. Q: How do I change/amend my online holiday booking? A: If you need to make a change to your holiday booking, please contact our Administration team on 01483 79 11 22 Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm & Saturday 9am - 5.30pm or email admin@inghams.co.uk Q: Does it cost to add or make any changes to my holiday booking? A: Yes, we do make a charge for making any amendments to your booking. All changes within 8 weeks of departure will incur cancellation charges. Please follow the link below for more details. Terms & Conditions. Q: I didn’t add my ski passes, tuition and equipment to my holiday booking; can I add these after I have booked? A: It is possible to add ski passes, tuition and equipment to your online or telephone booking. Please either call our Administration team on 01483 79 11 22 or email admin@inghams.co.uk < back to top
Cancelling your holiday
Q: I need to cancel my holiday, what do I need to do?
A: If you need to cancel your holiday you can only do this in writing. If you have booked your holiday through a travel agent, please contact them to cancel your holiday. If you booked directly with Inghams, either online or by telephone, cancellations can only be accepted in writing by letter, fax or email. We strongly recommend that you obtain proof of posting or send emails with ‘read receipt’. A cancellation invoice will be sent to you within seven days. Please note that cancellation charges will be payable depending on when we receive your written notification. Terms & Conditions. Q: I have to cancel my holiday due to a medical condition. Will I lose the money I’ve paid for my holiday so far? A: If you have taken out insurance when you booked your holiday, it may cover you for this cancellation if you were not aware of this medical condition when at the time of booking your holiday. If you were aware of this medical condition and knew you may have to change your holiday plans and not informed your insurers, your insurance may not be valid for cancellation in these circumstances. Please check with FOGG insurance if you have taken out an Inghams insurance policy on 01623 631331. Alternatively contact your insurance company with any queries. Q: I booked my holiday online and I need to cancel; can I do this online? A: No, it is not possible to cancel any holidays online. You will need to contact our Administration team on 01483 79 11 22 to cancel. All cancellations must be made in writing and any charges incurred will depend on when we receive your cancellation details. < back to top
Travelling with Children
Q: What are the child/infant ages?
A: The child age for many of our holidays is 2-11 years; however this does change by accommodation and resort. Please see your chosen accommodation for the applicable child ages. All children who are under 2 years of age at the time of the return date of travel are classified as infants. However, if your infant has their 2nd birthday during the holiday, they will be classed as a child and the relevant price must be paid for their holiday. Q: My children are still on my 10 year passport - is this still okay for them to travel? A: Children can no longer be added to a parent’s passport but need one of their own to travel abroad. This was introduced on the 5 October 1998. Any parent's passport would have expired on the 4 October 2008. Check which passport is right for your child, how to apply and when you should do so. Children aged 16 years and over need to have their own passport. Q: When is a child considered to be an infant? A: Children under 2 years of age, on the last day of a holiday, are considered to be an infant. If you want your infant to have a seat on the plane, the child price will apply and you will be entitled to the appropriate baggage allowance for this seat. Q: Can an infant of any age fly with Inghams i.e. less than 7 days old? A: Generally any children travelling on an Inghams holiday do need to be at least one month old before they travel. If you are flying to your holiday destination, there may also be restrictions levied by the airline being used regarding child ages. Please contact our Reservations team for information. Q: What facilities are available in flight when travelling with young children? A: You will be able to carry as hand luggage baby milk and food and a small supply of nappies as these are not generally available in-flight. The food items should be enclosed within the transparent, re-sealable plastic bag required for other permitted liquids, and you must make the check-in/security staff aware of the contents. It may be possible for the airline to heat up food or milk free of charge although this facility is at the discretion of the airline and the particular aircrew on board. Q: Will I be able to take a pushchair on the flight? A: It is possible to take pushchairs on holiday with you. You will have the option of checking in your pushchair at check-in with your luggage, or you can check it in before you board the aircraft. Your pushchair will then be collected with the rest of your luggage in the arrivals baggage hall at your arrival airport. Q: Are there any facilities for children available in resort? A: For infants we are able to offer cots in most hotels although pre-booking this facility is necessary and a local charge may apply . For young children we also offer various facilities within several of our ski resorts which have pre-bookable kindergarten and Kids Clubs to cater for various ages, all run by qualified staff. Many of our resort hotels come with free crèches and some can arrange babysitting if required. Q: I would like to take my children skiing for the first time – is this possible with Inghams? A: Inghams offer free child places and child discounts of up to 50% on selected hotel and chalet prices and in many resorts we also have free child ski pack items (such as lift pass, ski or boot hire etc.), savings on transatlantic flights (where applicable) and special family insurance packages. Ski school for children is also available in nearly all our resorts. Details are available within the Ski & Snowboard brochure and on resort descriptions on the website. Q: Do you have any special offers for single parent families? A: Yes we do.
For help in finding these offers, please call our reservations department on 01483 79 11 11. < back to top
Luggage
Q: What are the baggage allowances at check-in?
A: Luggage allowance varies from airline to airline. Click here for travel advice information. Q: If I get to the airport and have excess baggage, what do I do? A: When you arrive at the airport and check-in, your baggage will be weighed. If your baggage weighs more than the amount allowed by your airline, excess baggage charges may apply, costs of which will be determined by the airline on a per kilogram basis. Any charges for excess baggage will need to be paid at the airport before you travel. Q: What hand baggage can I take on my flight? A: Hand luggage is limited to one small piece of luggage per person. Department of Transport regulations have set the maximum size for an item of hand luggage to be no more than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm to include wheels, handles and external pockets. However, some airlines may allow only smaller items so you do need to check your airlines restrictions before you fly. There are restrictions on certain items which cannot be taken onto the aircraft: limited amounts of liquids (although certain medical items and baby food and milk are allowed), lighters, musical instruments, oversized items, glass or any substances that are deemed potentially dangerous. Pushchairs, wheelchairs and walking aids are generally permitted in the cabin although these items will need to be security screened first. Some airlines may also have their own restriction on how many bags you are allowed both within the hold and as hand luggage so if you have any concerns, please contact the airlines for more details.
Click here for travel advice information. Q: Am I able to take my own skis/snowboard with me? A: Skis and snowboards can be taken to your ski resort although the number allowed on charter flights is strictly limited. If you have your own equipment you should pre-book ski/snowboard carriage when you confirm your booking to ensure that space is reserved. There is a charge of £35 per set of skis/snowboards for return carriage. This charge will be added to your invoice and shown on your ticket. Ski/snowboard carriage can be booked at your departure airport through our Representative, subject to availability at a cost of £45. On scheduled flights, your luggage allowance is required to cover both your suitcase and ski and snowboard carriage within its limits. If you exceed this amount, an excess baggage charge may be levied and costs may vary from airline to airline.
Click here for more info Q: Can I carry other items in my ski/board bag? A: Due to weight/size restrictions, airlines specify that no other items are to be placed in the ski/board bag. Ski/board boots will form part of your hold baggage allowance. Click here for more info < back to top
At the Airport
Q: How long before departure do I need to check-in?
A: Check-in desks are open approximately 2-3 hours prior to departure and we recommend you check-in at least 2 hours before, and no later than 90 minutes before departure.
See our Travel information and Travel Advice for more info Q: How do I know which terminal I will be flying from? A: If the UK airport you are flying from has more than one terminal, your ticket will show you which one you will be flying from. If you have booked car parking with us, your parking will be allocated to a car park near your departure terminal. < back to top
Flights and Flying Information
Q: What documents do I need to take on holiday?
A: It is important to remember to take the following documents on holiday with you: - Passport
- Tickets and travel documents
- Inghams holiday invoice
- Your insurance certificate
- Driving licence
- Medical information or letter from your Doctor (if required – see Health Concerns)
Please note that soon anyone aged 16 or over applying for their first passport will need to have an interview as part of the application process. The interview will confirm that the passport application you have belongs to you and that you are the rightful owner of that identity. This new process will increase the time it takes for your application to be processed. Q: Do I have to fly to my resort? Are there any alternative travel arrangements available? A: For Ski & Snowboard holidays, it is possible to travel to your French ski resort by rail if you book an inclusive ski holiday with us, or you can take a self-drive option of getting to your resort. For Lakes & Mountains holidays, you do have the option to drive to your holiday destination from the UK; Inghams can, if you wish, offer a return ferry or Eurotunnel Channel crossing instead of flights at a reduced price. Q: How can I book a seat with extra legroom? A: Please contact the airline you are flying with directly if you have special leg room requirements. Q: How can we book seats next to each other on our flight? A: You can pre-book your seats together at the time of booking or up to 12 days prior to departure on selected airlines for which a small charge will be made. Your seats may be separated by an aisle and your exact seats numbers will be allocated at check-in. < back to top Q: Can I use my iPod and laptop on the plane during the flight? A: Laptops, Gameboys, iPod, DVD and CD players can all be used in-flight but cannot be switched on until after take off. Mobile phones cannot be used at any time while you’re in the air, and must be switched off at all times during the flight. Q: What should I check with regards to my passport? A: You must have a FULL and VALID passport to visit the destinations we feature and you should also have 6 months left on the validity of your passport. Please ensure that the names and initials on your flight tickets are the same as shown on your passport. Q: I need to get a new passport - how can I do this? A: You need to allow yourself time to get a passport. It usually takes approximately 4 weeks to process by post (although this could be longer at peak times such as summer holidays). Please call The Passport Office on 0870 5210410 for full information or visit http://www.ukpa.gov.uk/ to apply online for a passport. Q: I hold a British/EU passport. Do I need a visa to travel to one of your European holidays? A: If you hold an EU or British passport, you will NOT require a visa for:
Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland (Lapland), France, Germany, Italy (Portugal), Montenegro, Norway, Slovenia, Spain or Switzerland.
If you are travelling to other destinations, please contact the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting to check whether a visa is required. A list of these contact details is available below. Q: I don’t have a British passport; how do I know if I need to get a visa? A: If you are not a British National you should call the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting to check whether a visa is required. You are responsible for finding out if a visa is necessary and obtaining a visa before travel.
Q: Do I need a visa to travel to Canada? A: If you hold an EU or British passport you will NOT require a visa for Canada. However you must hold a return or onward ticket. < back to top Q: Do I need a visa to travel to the USA? A: If you hold an EU or British passport you are eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Programme. Please note under certain circumstances (e.g. if you have a criminal record), you will need a visa. If you have a passport showing you are a British Subject you will need a visa. This particularly applies if you are Irish but have a British Subject passport. Q: Who qualifies to use the US Visa Waiver Programme? A: To qualify for the US Visa Waiver programme you must NOT: - Be suffering from any communicable disease, physical or mental disorder or be a drug abuser or addict.
- Have been arrested or convicted for any offence or crime. This includes spent convictions or an arrest not resulting in a conviction.
- Have ever been involved in espionage or sabotage, terrorist activities, genocide or been involved in anyway with Nazi Germany or its allies between 1933 and 1945.
- Seeking work in the US, have been excluded or deported from the US, been previously removed from the US or attempted to procure a visa or entry into the US by fraud or misrepresentation.
- Have detained, retained or withheld custody of a child from a US citizen granted custody of the child.
- Been denied a US visa or entry into the US or had a US visa cancelled.
- Have asserted immunity from prosecution.
Q: What documents are required for entry into the US? A: Following a review of security procedures at all airports in the USA, the US Immigration Department has updated its policy on passengers entering the United States using the current Visa Waiver Programme, of which the UK is a participant. All British passport holders will only be permitted to enter the United States if they hold a machine readable passport. The majority of 'new style' red British passports are machine readable, although those issued outside the UK or those not in the new style may not be. Should your passport not be machine readable it will be necessary to either obtain a new passport or to obtain a US visa. < back to top Q: What is a machine readable passport and how do I know if I have one? A: To check that your passport is machine readable: there are two lines of letters, numbers and ‘>>>>>>>’s’ printed at the bottom of the personal information page, that is, the page with your photograph and personal details. If you are not sure if your passport is machine readable, you should contact the British Passport Office or check with your embassy here in the UK or the passport issuing authority of your country for further information. Q: If I do not have a machine-readable passport, will I need to obtain a US visa? A: You must either obtain a new machine readable passport and use the Visa Waiver Programme, or apply for a US visa using your current passport. If you decide to obtain a new passport, we strongly recommend that you review the information on visa free travel to ensure that you are indeed eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Programme. Q: My child is on my passport. I was advised that this was valid for travel until my child reaches 16, or the passport expires, but with the new US regulations do I need a new passport for my child? A: Yes, you should obtain a new passport for your child. As machine readable passports typically have bio data for only one traveller in the machine readable zone, children will therefore require their own individual passports in order to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Programme. Q: I have a machine-readable passport that includes my child. Will my child be eligible to travel visa-free? A: No. In order for your child to travel on the Visa Waiver Programme your child will require his or her own machine-readable passport. Q: How much does a new passport cost? A: The cost of a passport varies due to your requirements. For full details of the latest costs please visit: www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports. Q: Will the introduction of finger scanning cause delays at US airports? A: The process adds minimal time to the entry procedure - on average 15 seconds. < back to top
On Holiday
Q: Who do I contact if a problem occurs during my Ski & Snowboard or Lakes & Mountains holiday?
A: If you have a problem or accident on holiday, you need to inform the overseas supplier of the activity you are involved with, if applicable i.e. if a problem or accident at your hotel, speak to the hotelier, or if an incident occurs during an excursion, the excursion company or its agent. You must also ensure that our resort Representative is informed about any problems or incidents as soon as possible. Please see our Terms & Conditions Q: Can I hire a car in resort? A: We only offer this service for USA/Canada bookings where you will collect/return your hire car at the airport. For holidays to other countries, please ask your Representative or the hotel reception (where applicable) when you arrive in resort and they will be able to recommend a reliable local car hire company. Click here for more information about Car Hire. Q: How will we know where to collect our car hire from? A: For a USA/Canada holiday we issue car hire documentation with all other relevant holiday documents. This will explain in details exactly when and where you will be able to collect/return your vehicle. Click here for more information about Car Hire. < back to top
Other
Q: Is my holiday financially protected?
A: You can rest assured that all our holidays and flights are fully ABTA protected, so your holiday is in safe hands. Our Ski & Snowboard, Lakes & Mountains holidays are covered by ABTA No. V4871. The air holidays and flights are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL 0025). This protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the UK. Q: Spa hotels: I would like to book some additional treatments for my stay. Must I do this before I arrive? A: We strongly advise you to pre-book treatments to avoid disappointment on arrival. Please speak to our reservations team. Q: I've heard that in some countries it is normal not to wear swimming costumes in the sauna - is this true? A: In many spa centres there are separate saunas and steam facilities for men and women, though in others these facilities are shared. Generally where saunas etc are shared between sexes, swimming costumes are worn, but there are exceptions - in Austria for example, naked mixed gender sauna is the norm! < back to top | 
