Friday, December 31, 2010




Wishing you a safe New Year's Celebration, and a
wonderful, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

See you next year!

Chicks That Trip

Saturday, December 25, 2010

HAPPY HOLIDAYS & MERRY CHRISTMAS!!


We would like to wish you and your families a beautiful,
warm, and special holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

Chicks That Trip

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Pick Up Your Passport!


Pick Up Your Passport!

Imagine that all of your friends are planning an impromptu trip to an exotic locale like Bali, Greece, Portugal, or even Jamaica, to depart in the next week, but you can't go. Yes, you can't go because you don't have a passport. You think to yourself, "No problem, I can get one in the next week without a problem"- but it is a problem. Obtaining a passport on short notice (while possible) is expensive. Most people don't realize the cost until they are attempting to get a passport expedited to them in the course of a week; oftentimes less time than that. Currently, receiving your passport can run 4-6 weeks, sometimes longer if there are a glut of applications that are received and need to be processed (excluding expedited passports).

Here is the information you will need in order to obtain a passport, as well as the costs:
  1. You need to get passport photos (2);
  2. Verification of identity is required which can include one of the following: Previously issued, undamaged U.S. Passport, Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth, Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship;
  3. If applying in person the following information can be used as identification: Previously issued, undamaged U.S. Passport, Naturalization Certificate, Valid Driver's License, Current Government ID (city, state or federal), or Current Military ID (military and dependents);
  4. If you are providing Secondary Identification, you must provide a photocopy of the front and back of each document presented with your application. Example of secondary identification would be: Social Security Card + Credit Card + Employee ID + Library Card *these items are not acceptable as secondary identification when presented alone;
  5. There are special requirements for All Minors Under Age 16 and All Minors Ages 16 & 17 - you will need to review those requirements, and any information, as they are subject to change at any time;
  6. An Adult Passport is $110 + $25 execution fee = $135. The Adult renewal is $110;
  7. A Minor Passport is $80 + $25 execution fee = $105;
  8. Expedition costs are $60 per application plus overnight delivery costs, as well as other fees that can be associated too. Check the fine print.
I would strongly recommend checking out this website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, so that you are prepared whenever you are going to obtain your passport, as it is a wealth of information, and any information can change at their discretion in respect to pricing and fees. Also, keep in mind for those of you who are sitting their smugly thinking that you are o.k. because you have your passport; if you are traveling, and your passport expires in less than 6 months of your return date, then you will need to renew your passport prior to your travels too.

Don't be left behind - get or renew your passport today!


(www.chicksthattrip.com)

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Part 14 Of Series: 101 Reasons To Use A Travel Agent

Part 14 Of Series: 101 Reasons To Use A Travel Agent

My business partner sent me an email forwarded from another party regarding deep discounted rooms in the Dominican Republic. The rooms were jaw dropping 90% off of their rates; which equated to approximately $20.00 a night. Upon further perusing, I reviewed the fine print and came up with well over several hundred dollars of associated fees; so while the price was still very inexpensive, it was not the $20.00 that was advertised.

The same thing happens with deep discounted cruise rates you will see online or in snail mailings too. There will be a rate for 3-7 nights showing a ridiculously low price of $199/$299/$399; however, once the port surcharges, and additional fees are added, those ratchet the prices up several hundred dollars more. Again, even with the additional charges, some of these rates are still significantly less than other prices; but, more often than not, the cruise lines who have the these deep discounts are not the upper echelon of the cruise industry. Again it goes to the old adage, “You get what you pay for.” While there are countless people who have and will continue to take a discounted cruise on a lower class ship, there are those who will chose to add more to their budget in order to obtain a higher level of service, food and overall experience.

Difference in Days to Save Money - Instead of playing around with dates on the internet for hours your travel agent can advise you on any changes to your travel dates that might save you hundreds of dollars.

Staying In-the-Know of Daily Promotions - Travel agents get emails and faxes of daily money saving promotions.

Enhancing the Trip With Extra Amenities -Your travel specialist may be able to arrange for those little extras like a bottle of champagne to be waiting in your room when you arrive.

Using Clout in Impossible Situations - Whether it is air line seats, cruise reservations, or overbooked activities travel experts have more buying power than the average consumer.

Clarifying the Fine Print - Your travel agent can advise you of all the cancellation penalties and restrictions hidden in the fine print of your travel documents.

Detailed Itineraries - Your travel expert can help you plan your trip out day- by- day to give you a good mix of fun and relaxation.

*Source Information from ASTA

(www.chicksthattrip.com)

Thursday, December 2, 2010

What Are Your Plans For New Year's Eve?


What Are Your Plans For New Year's Eve?


First, let me say that New Year's Eve is probably my least favorite holiday. It started at a young age for me, and I primarily can say my distaste for the holiday was derived from the singing, or should I say, the lyrics of "Auld Lang Syne." It's slow tempo and depressing lyrics never made me feel like leaping out of my seat and dancing the night away; nor did it give me any feeling that I'd be able to accomplish magnificent goals in the new year.

With that being said, I do enjoy New Year's Day! The parades, food, and you guessed it - FOOTBALL! A lot of my friends and colleagues are in a frenzy trying to decide what they are going to do on NYE? Where they are going? What they are going to wear? Who is going to be where they are going? How much are they willing to pay to be at X location? And it goes on, and on and on. While the end of the year is oftentimes viewed with a certain degree of mixed emotions; I (typically), am able to reflect on all of the positive steps I've made over the past year, while also looking ahead at all of the marvelous adventures I will have in store for the New Year.

There are still quite a few other holidays between now and the end of the year, so enjoy all of the holiday cheer and don't "sweat the small stuff." Whether you are in New York watching the ball drop in Times Square; sitting in your home watching television; partying the night away in Los Angeles or enjoying a private party with friends and family, make sure to enjoy the remainder of 2010, so you can carry that excitement into 2011!


Cheers!

(www.chicksthattrip.com)