About British Airways Club

Being a member of the exclusive Executive Club offers passengers of British Airways (Great Britain) incredible privileges and benefits that make their travel experience an unparalleled one. Joining the Club is simple and quick, and the rewards are amazing.

But what do you need to know about British Airways Club?

The main goal of being a member of this elite club is to collect AVIOS, the club’s currency, to enjoy exclusive benefits that are available for the club members only. Once you sign up you will receive an email with your membership number and you will get your personal ba.com account.

You will start at the BLUE MEMBERSHIP LEVEL. At this level you will collect AVIOS towards reward flights and upgrades; you will earn Tier points that will allow you to move through the tiers; you will save your data for easy booking and register your seat and meal preferences. You will also have priority over non-members on stand-by and reservation waiting lists.

Once you have 300 Tier Points and two qualifying flights you will pass to the BRONZE MEMBERSHIP LEVEL. Being a Bronze member, you will have all the Blue Membership benefits plus 25% Bonus AVIOS on all British Airlines flights; priority check-in (reserve your seat for free from 7 days before your flight); priority over Blue members on stand-by and reservation waiting lists; and priority at Baggage Arrival Service desks.

When you get 600Tier Points and four qualifying flights, you will reach the SILVER MEMBERSHIP LEVEL. At this level, you will collect 100% AVIOS on all British Airlines flights plus bonuses on partner airlines; select your seat when booking; enjoy worldwide priority check-in and boarding; priority at Baggage Arrival Service desks; ); priority over Bronze members on stand-by and reservation waiting lists and a direct line to communicate with British Airways attention center. Also, being a Silver Member you will enjoy access to special lounges that offer food and drink for the most relaxing waiting atmosphere.

After getting 1,500 Tier Points and four qualifying flights you will move up to the GOLD MEMBERSHIP LEVEL. This is the highest tier and will allow you to enjoy access to first-class check-in, priority boarding and exclusive lounges; avoid booking or paying for service fees on reward flights; enjoy reservation assurance even if the flight is complete; and priority over Silver members on stand-by and waiting lists. You can spend your AVIOS on flights and upgrades, hotels and car rental. Enjoy the fabulous Elemis Spa Treatments at Heathrow and JFK Airports.

If you manage to get 2,500 and 3,500 Tier Points, British Airways (Great Britain) will reward you with a voucher for you and a companion to enjoy an upgrade to the next cabin on any flight of your choice.

At 4,500 Tier Points you will be able to give someone else an Executive Club Silver Partner Card.

At 5,000 Tier Points you will receive the Concord Room Card to enjoy the luxurious lounges at London Heathrow Terminal 5 and New York JFK Terminal 7.

So, what are you waiting for? Join British Airways Executive Club (Great Britain) and enjoy the highest services and benefits ever imagined. Enjoy your flight!

Cecilia Vittori

Avianca Customer Service Plan and Tarmac delays Contingency Plan

AVIANCA, the flag-carrier airline in Colombia, features the Avianca Customer Service Plan and Tarmac delays Contingency Plan to ensure its passengers the most comfortable and safe flight experience.

AVIANCA Customer Service Plan:

This plan applies to flights to / from the US and ensures passengers that:

-          They will be offered the lowest fare available for their desired flight, date and service class, for reservations made via the web site, the telephone reservation system and the US ticketing locations.

-          They will be notified no more than 30 minutes after the airline learns about travel irregularities such as delays, cancellations and diversions that may impact their flight.

-          Their baggage will be delivered as soon as possible upon arrival. Should it be delayed, it will be located and delivered within 24 hours. Should it be delayed again, the passenger will be compensated for reasonable expenses. Should it be lost, the passenger will be compensated for the loss.

-          They will not be penalized and will receive a full refund for cancelling reservations as long as they do it within 24 hour of purchase and reservation is made a week prior to the flight departure date.

-          They will receive refund for eligible tickets provided that the corresponding documentation is presented.

-          They will be treated with the respect, attention and care they deserve in case they have any kind of disability and in the case of unaccompanied minors.

-          They will be provided with snack food and drinking, operable lavatories and medical assistance within two hours in case of tarmac delay.

-          They will be entitled to compensation and transportation on an alternate flight in case of over sales.

-          They will be informed about aircraft configuration (seats availability, lavatories); cancellation policies and LifeMiles frequent flyer program.

-          They will be informed at least seven days prior to their departure in case of change of itinerary.

-          Their complaints will be responded within sixty days after receiving it.

-          They will be notified in advance should their flight be cancelled; and that they will be confirmed on the next flight with the same class of service that has seats available.

AVIANCA Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac delays:

Sometimes, there exist certain exceptional circumstances which are external to AVIANCA (Colombia) which may result in tarmac delays. Such uncontrollable situations as air traffic control, airport congestion or weather conditions may cause your flight to undergo a lengthy tarmac delay. If that were the case, AVIANCA will enforce the Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac delays. This plan covers all scheduled and public charter flights, and applies at US airports served by AVIANCA(Colombia) and its US diversion airports.  

The contingency plan ensures that the plane will not remain on the tarmac for more than four hours unless the pilot-in-command determines so, or air-traffic control advice is issued on the contrary. After two hours of delay passengers will be provided with food, fresh water, operable lavatory facilities and medical assistance. They will also receive information about the situation every thirty minutes.

AVIANCA’s main aim is to win its passengers’ loyalty and I that pursue, the company provides them with the best attention and service to guarantee their comfort and security. Fly high with AVIANCA.

Cecilia Vittori

Fare Options in AVIANCA

AVIANCA is the flag carrier airline in Colombia and one of the best airlines operating in Latin America. The fact is that in AVIANCA passengers are a priority and so all the measures and politics that the company develops are for their benefit. For that reason, whenever we need to buy a plane ticket we are now able to combine excellence and good price in AVIANCA.

Below you will find a brief description of the main fares on domestic routes within Colombia and around the world: 

Fare Options in AVIANCA:

For flights within Colombia, AVIANCA offers four different categories for you to select among according to your needs and expectations. There are:

-           Promo Fares (non-refundable; allow itinerary changes at an extra charge; baggage allowed: 2 pieces of up to 23kg; economy cabin type)

-          Economy Fares (refundable with a COP 70,000 charge; allow itinerary changes at an extra charge; baggage allowed: up to 23kg in two pieces; economy cabin type).

-          Flexi Fares (refundable at no charge; allow itinerary changes without charge; baggage allowed: up to 23kg in two pieces; economy cabin type).

-          Business Fares (refundable without charge; allow itinerary changes without additional charge; baggage allowed: up to 32kg in two pieces; business cabin type).

For flights to/from North America, Central America and South America, AVIANCA features six excellent fare options:

-          Promo Fares (non-refundable except when journey starts in Brazil or Venezuela; two pieces of baggage of up to 23kg (50lb) each (from/to Mexico, US, Canada) and up to 32 kg (70lb) in two pieces (from/to the rest of Latin America); economy cabin type).

-          Economy fares (non-refundable except when your journey starts in Brazil or Venezuela two pieces of baggage of up to 23kg (50lb) each (from/to Mexico, US, Canada) and up to 32 kg (70lb) in two pieces (from/to the rest of Latin America);  economy cabin type).

-          Flexi Fares (refundable with an extra charge; two pieces of baggage of up to 23kg (50lb) each (from/to Mexico, US, Canada) and up to 32 kg (70lb) in two pieces (from/to the rest of Latin America);  economy cabin type).

-          Super Flexi Fares (refundable;  two pieces of baggage of up to 23kg (50lb) each (from/to Mexico, US, Canada) and up to 32 kg (70lb) in two pieces (from/to the rest of Latin America); economy cabin type).

-          Business Fares (refundable; allowed baggage: 2 pieces of up to 32kg (70lb); itinerary changes allowed without charge; business cabin type).

-          Business Promo Fares (refundable with an extra charge according to destination; allowed baggage: 2 pieces of up to 32kg (70lb); itinerary changes allowed without charge; business cabin type).

For flights to/from Europe you can select among six fare options:

-          Promo Fares (non-refundable except when journey starts in Brazil or Venezuela; two pieces of baggage of up to 23kg (50lb) each; itinerary changes allowed with cost; economy cabin type).

-          Economy fares (refundable to/from Spain; two pieces of baggage of up to 23kg (50lb) each; itinerary changes allowed with cost; economy cabin type).

-          Flexi Fares (refundable to/from Spain; two pieces of baggage of up to 23kg (50lb) each; itinerary changes allowed with cost to/from Spain; economy cabin type).

-          Super Flexi Fares (refundable without charge; two pieces of baggage of up to 32kg (70lb); itinerary changes allowed without charge; economy cabin type).

-          Business Fares (refundable; allowed baggage: 2 pieces of up to 32kg (70lb); itinerary changes allowed without charge; business cabin type).

-          Business Promo Fares (refundable with an extra charge to/from Spain; allowed baggage: 2 pieces of up to 32kg (70lb); itinerary changes allowed with charge to/from Spain; business cabin type).

Choose your fare and enjoy your flight with AVIANCA (Colombia)!

Cecilia Vittori

U Save Car Rental at Puerto Vallarta Airport

Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) is located in North-West Jalisco, only 6 miles (10km) north of Puerto Vallarta. It features many shops and restaurants within its facilities for passengers to enjoy a comfortable waiting until their flight is ready to depart. The airport’s first level faces the street and has free access. There, you can find small shops, fast food restaurants and bars. There also are several magazine stores, money exchange facilities and a post office. On the main level, you will find flights’ check-in, and domestic and international arrivals. On the upper level you’ll come across domestic and international departure gates and you will have access to the Duty Free Shop and several restaurants and bars. This airport is the gateway to many tourists’ dream beach vacation in Puerto Vallarta, the Riviera Nayarit and Jalisco and it handles approximately 2,500,000 passengers each year.

Puerto Vallarta, also called Vallarta by the locals, or V.P by English-speaking visitors, is a paradisiac city located in the state of Jalisco, on the Western Pacific Coast of Mexico, right in the middle of the Banderas Bay. People’s attention is excellent and friendly, the ocean breeze is mild and romantic and there’s so much fun on the beach and in the city that Puerto Vallarta has won the title of: “The Friendliest City in the World.” Surrounded by beautiful beaches, the breathtaking Sierra Madre Mountains, lush jungles and sparkling waterfalls; awarded with mild climate and ever-shining sun, Vallarta attracts thousands of tourists every summer.

In PuertoVallarta you can do so many things and visit so many nearby attractions that you will feel that time just flies away every day. If you love aquatic life you should visit the Bay of Banderas, located to the west of Puerto Vallarta. If you crave adventure, you should take a canopy tour in the stunning Sierra Madre Mountains. If you enjoy riding the waves, you should practice surfing in Sayulita near Puerto Vallarta. If you enjoy relaxing in a golf course surrounded by stunning vegetation and the most beautiful sight of the mountains, Marina Vallarta’s international golf clubs are your best option. If you expect to be able to do all that… then, let me tell you that you need to rent a car.

Renting your car in Puerto Vallarta will allow you to visit the incredible nearby attractions without depending on the public transport’s schedules and without paying huge amounts of money for a cab. The cheapest car rental company in Vallarta, which at the same time offers excellent vehicles and services, is U-Save Car and Truck Rental. U-Save is the best car rental company because it has learnt from its thirty-year’ experience that “cheap rental car can and must be accompanied by excellent service.”  U-Save has more than two hundred car and truck rental agencies around the world. The company honors its mission in every new rental agreement: “Earning the right to serve you, each and every time.”

Get into your U-Save rental car and tour the city’s cobblestone streets or take a drive along the stunning coast of the second largest bay in the Northern Hemisphere, the Banderas Bay. In your U-Save car you will be able to travel the distance to Marina Vallarta to admire the amazing panoramic view of the city from El Faro Lighthouse, or take a relaxing trip to the Botanical Gardens located only half an hour distance from Puerto Vallarta.

The renting process is really simple at U-Save! You can rent your car upon arrival at the airport at the U Save Car Rental at Puerto Vallarta Airport office or book your rental car in advance so that when you arrive at Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport all you have to do is to pick it up!

If you expect not to spend too much in your rental car, U-Save offers excellent vehicles at around US$ 13 all taxes and fees included. Moreover, the car rental contract includes free unlimited kilometers. In case you want to add any special accessories (like a baby seat or a GPS) or in case you want to add an extra driver, you should ask for the service at the time of renting. A minimum surcharge will apply in those cases. Just as an example, you can rent a Standard V.W Jetta (or similar) or a Nissan Sentra (or similar) at the incredible price of US$ 13.86 per day (Airport fee and taxes included).

Note!

-          In Mexico, the minimum required age for driving is 21 years old.

-          All additional drivers must present the same personal documentation as the owner of the contract. This includes: personal Id document, valid driving license, a recent personal photo and passport.

U-Save office at Puerto Vallarta International Airport is open from 8am to 8pm. In vallarta.com you will find the best deals to rent your U-Save car and enjoy the best vacation touring the city and its marvelous surroundings. 

When you rent a car at U-Save, you save. 

Cecilia Vittori

The Underwater Art Museum on Isla Mujeres

·         Jason deCaires Taylor is the son of a Guianese mother and an English father. He was raised in Europe and Asia and developed a deep love for the sea and the natural world by spending his childhood playing among marvelous coral reefs in Malaysia. He worked as a dive instructor around the world learning all he could about natural preservation, underwater naturalism and photography. In 1998 he graduated from the Institute of Art in London, where he specialized in sculpture and pottery.

·         Roberto Díaz Abraham defines himself as a “versatile” and imaginative person. His love for art first manifested when he was a seven year-old child when he loved transforming a piece of wood into something useful. After high school he started painting as he studied Economy at Boston University. He moved to Cancun with his family about 20 years ago and is involved in several important projects there, one being his Monteverde Educational Center. One of his favorite quotations is: “there still remain one thousand and one projects to develop and my only limit is imagination.”

·         Doctor Jaime Manuel Gonzalez Cano got a PhD in Natural Resource Management at the prestigious Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine at London University. At present he is a research associate to the Marine Resources Assessment Group at the same institution, and a Witness Expert in Environmental Impact before the Mexican College of Biologists.

But these men are not only the individual successful people mentioned before. They also are the successful founders of MUSA, The Underwater Art Museum on Isla Mujeres  (Museo Subacuático de Arte), Mexico.  This impressive museum is the largest underwater museum in the world and features almost 450 life-sized sculptures made from ph neutral clay with the final objective of conservation. MUSA was designed with the intention of counteracting the effects of hurricanes and climate change on the ocean and reef systems. The special material used in the sculptures fosters the overgrowth of coral life and the colonization of the area by all forms of marine life.

MUSA is located very close to the famous Manchones Reef in the National Marine Park of Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc. It covers an area of over 150 sq meters and weighs approximately 120 tons. Being visited by over 750,000 tourists every year, the park holds an immense pressure on its resources. The installation of the sculptures promotes the recovery of the natural reefs and relieves pressure on the park resources by drawing visitors away.

MUSA (Isla Mujeres)was formally opened to the public on November 26^th 2010 and is divided into two galleries: the Salón Manchones, which is eight meters deep and suitable for snorkelers and divers alike; and the Salón Nizuc, which is four meters deep and suitable for snorkelers only.

The sculptures were designed and created by Taylor and look beautiful in the underwater, surrounded by the most colorful and diverse marine life. Some of the pieces are: “The Dreams Collector”, “Silent Evolution”, “Anthropocene” and “Silent Evolution” among many others.

If you visit Isla Mujeres, make sure to enjoy the marvelous experience of knowing MUSA. I can ensure you that you will never ever experience anything like this during your lifetime.

Cecilia Vittori

The Gentle Current in Garrafon Park

Isla Mujeres is an impressive little island located only eight miles away from the Bahía Mujeres. It covers an area of five miles long and just half a mile wide but within this tiny space, the most spectacular magic of nature abounds. Isla Mujeres used to be a fishermen village, but over the years it has become a major vacation destination for tourists from all over the world.

If you have ever imagined how paradise could be, Isla Mujeres is it. From bird-watching to snorkeling; from hiking to zip line flying, there are so many eco-friendly activities on the island that you can never get bored! If you are a Nature devotee and expect to enjoy the most relaxing and tranquil vacation surrounded by lush vegetation and the most diverse terrestrial and marine fauna, then Isla Mujeres is the best destination for you.

Two of the main tours on Isla Mujeres are the snorkeling and scuba diving ones. There are several amazing sites to submerge and visitors are always accompanied by an expert guide. It doesn’t matter much if you are a professional snorkeler or an apprentice: Isla Mujeres has an activity suitable for each of its visitors. But do take into account this piece of advice: if you are going to take a snorkeling tour, visit Garrafón Park.

Garrafon Natural Reef Park is an amazing natural park located at the Southern tip of the island. The real origin of its name is not yet clear. Some attribute it to the clarity and serenity of its waters, which turn this beautiful site into a magnificent “container” to swim or snorkel without being posed to any kind of risks. Others state that due to its strategic location, this reef was used as a refueling station for both Punta Sur Lighthouse and vessels travelling to Cozumel. It is said that fuel was stored in huge “garrafas” or “garrafones” and that the reef was named after this fact.

If you are a natural adventurer but you have never experienced high adrenaline activities, Garrafón is the ideal place for you to start!  Garrafón is considered one of the most stunning reefs in the world. It is only 4 meters deep and 320 meters long. Its waters are incredibly gentle and crystal clear. This allows for amateur people to try the marvelous experience of snorkeling and scuba diving surrounded by the most beautiful and colorful fish schools and coral reef formations (which an amateur wouldn’t be able to do at deeper sites).

Kayaking is another of the adventure sports you will be able to practice at Garrafón. Currents are so soft that you will feel safe and during your adventure you will be able to admire the marine fauna through the transparent waters of the Caribbean Sea.

As a matter of fact, the current is so kind, that you can take a Sea Trek tour and walk at the bottom of the sea like becoming part of the amazing underwater life. You will be provided with a special helmet full of compressed air for you to be able to… literally walk underwater!

Nothing is more relaxing; nothing could be. The gentle current of Garrafón Park invites you to enjoy an adventure of color, relax and magic. Don’t miss it! Because this is the experience you will take in your heart forever.

Cecilia Vittori

The cheapest car rental agencies in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, also called Vallarta or simply V.P, is a paradisiac resort city located in the state of Jalisco, on the Western Pacific Coast of Mexico, right in the middle of the Banderas Bay. People there are so kind, the ocean breeze so mild and there’s so much fun on the beach and in the city that it has been declared “The Friendliest City in the World.” Its beautiful beaches, mild climate, the exceptional Sierra Madre Mountains, lush jungles and sparkling waterfalls attract thousands of visitors every summer.

If you are an aquatic life devotee, the Bay of Banderas, located to the west of Puerto Vallarta will offer you a unique experience. If you crave adventure, a canopy tour in the stunning Sierra Madre Mountains is just perfect for you. If you enjoy riding the waves, Sayulita offers an excellent surfing beach near Puerto Vallarta. If, instead, you are a golf lover, you will find several international level golf clubs in Marina Vallarta and its surroundings.  But if you love all what I’ve mentioned… then you will need to rent a car.

Renting your car in Puerto Vallarta will allow you to visit certain incredible nearby attractions without depending on the public transport’s schedules and without paying huge amounts of money for a cab. With your cheap rental car you will be able to tour the city’s cobblestone streets or take a drive and get to know the stunning scenery along the coast of the second largest bay in the Northern Hemisphere, the Banderas Bay. With your rental car you will be able to travel the distance to Marina Vallarta to admire the amazing panoramic view of the city from El Faro Lighthouse, or take a relaxing trip to the Botanical Gardens located only half an hour distance from Puerto Vallarta.

Of course when planning your car rental you need to take certain tips into account. For example which size of car you need according to the amount of passengers and luggage that you will carry in it; which special services and equipment you may need (if you don’t know the area you may want to ask for a GPS service); and which price you are ready to pay for your rental car.

In general, renting a car in Puerto Vallarta is not expensive at all. There are several rental car agencies to select among and all of them offer similar car classes. You can either rent your car upon your arrival at the Gustavo Días Ordaz International Airport or you can rent it in advance before your trip. This last option tends to be the best one in order to ensure that there’ll be car availability when you arrive and to get better deals and offers in your rental contract. Vallarta.com offers the best rental car deals in Puerto Vallarta.

In order to save money in your rental, please take into account the following information:

CAR CLASSES

The price you will pay for your rental car varies according to the type of car you rent and the special services you expect it to have. In general the cheapest cars are the smallest one which feature basic amenities: the economy (Atos or similar), the compact (Clio or similar), medium (Aveo or similar) or standard (Megane or similar).  Premium (Audi A6, Chrysler Grand Voyager or similar), luxury (BMW 730, Mercedes SLK2 or similar), minivans (Durango, Van Express or similar) and vans (Traffic or similar) are also available but at a higher rates. If you need to rent an SUV (Patriot or similar) or a van, it’s better for you to do it in vallarta.com so that you can get a better deal than at the car rental offices.

SPECIAL SERVICES

Of course the price will vary according to the special services and amenities you may want to include. All car rentals offer an array of services and equipment additional to the basic ones. These services include equipment like baby seats, GPS or city maps and unlimited mileage among others.

CAR RENTAL AGENCIES

 The cheapest car rental agencies in Puerto Vallarta are Alamo, Thrifty, Payless, Budget, Dollar car Rental, National Car Rental and Hertz Car Rental. All of them offer the same types of cars and prices are quite similar, too. Take into account that a third-party insurance policy is mandatory when you rent a car in Mexico, so that you will have a little extra charge for the policy.

With countless tourist attractions to visit and unbeatable friendly attention everywhere in Puerto Vallarta, once you visit this paradisiac city you will certainly feel like returning again and again. By renting a car in vallarta.com you will find the best service possible at the lowest price available and you will be able to enjoy a much better vacation than you could have imagined. Visit vallarta.com and start making your luggage.

Cecilia Vittori