Yes! If there is still space available they can still enroll. Please refer to the "How do I enroll" options. Call 866-313-2577 for additional enrollment deadline information.
The trip “cap” is the maximum number of travelers Global Travel Alliance can accommodate for a specific trip. If the trip is “capped” we will start a waitlist. Once the waitlist reaches the appropriate number to allow us to make additional reservations (this usually pertains to booking another motor coach), we will clear the list and accept all the students that were waitlisted. Note: if your child is on the waitlist and does not get to go on the trip they will be entitled to a full refund (including the non-refundable deposit and the Trip Protection Plan purchase price, if applicable – late fees are never refundable).
The trip has reached its “cap”.
As soon as we reach the number of travelers needed to clear the list, we will call or email each traveler and let them know. You may also call our office for specific group questions at 866-313-2577.
Although you are not required to make your monthly payments while on the waiting list, we highly recommend you follow the payment schedule so that if at any time the waiting list is cleared, then you will not have several payments to get caught up.
Some group leaders do allow parents on their trip. Please call our office for details at 866-313-2577. A trip does cost more for parents because of their required upgrade to a double occupancy hotel room.
Chaperones are selected by the group leaders. Contact your group leader for information regarding chaperones. In most cases, the chaperones are picked well in advance and are teachers or other staff members at the school.
Each trip will have AT LEAST 1 adult for every 10 students. On average the adult-to-student ratio is 1 adult for every 8 students.
No! Students will never be left alone on a trip. The smallest group that will be allowed to leave the sight of chaperones will be groups of three. Example: While visiting the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C. students will be allowed to explore the museum in groups of three or more. If students do not follow this policy, they will be immediately put with an adult chaperone.
Global Travel Alliance has a 24 hour emergency hotline at 866-837-7638. This is for emergencies only. Also, please refer to your pre-trip packets where you can find additional contact information.
Yes! Every trip will have a professional Global Travel Alliance tour director with the group for the entire length of the trip (unless otherwise noted). They will be with the group from the moment the group arrives until the group departs (unless otherwise noted).
Safety is our number one priority. Therefore, we have strict policies in place. In most cases, the student will be sent home IMMEDIATELY at the parents’ expense.
In general we recommend arriving at the airport 2 hours prior to departure. Please refer to your parent packet for specific information for your group.
We recommend that students pack light. Layering is a great idea because it allows the traveler to be prepared for a variety of temperatures. Most airlines charge a baggage fee for checked bags.
We encourage the students to have carry-on approved luggage for their trip. If they choose to have checked bags please note that almost all major air carriers have baggage fees.
We book group air travel for our groups so adding a frequent flyer or known traveler number is not always possible. We recommend travelers add their information at the ticket counter before departure, or hold onto the ticket and add the frequent flyer information after the trip is completed.
Yes, all travelers are entitled to their miles flown. Global Travel Alliance does not earn credit for the frequent flier miles that belong to travelers. It is up to the individual to advise the airlines at the time of check in about their specific frequent flier miles accounts.
In most cases, the group will be on a private deluxe passenger motor coach.
No, each group will have their own dedicated motor coach during the duration of the trip (unless otherwise noted).
Yes, all the coaches are locked up and secure. Students are encouraged to be mindful of their personal belongings.
Yes, the motor coaches we use are kept extremely clean and we ask that all travelers respect the cleanliness of the coaches we charter. The motor coach drivers are fully trained and insured with the proper qualifications required by law.
Driver’s hours are the legal limit that a motor coach driver is allowed to drive each day. These hours include the prep-time (approx. 30 minutes) and the shut-down time (approx. 30 minutes). The hour limit currently in place is 15 hours. We respect all of our drivers and will not ask them to go over the legal limit for safe hours.
In some cases students will have the opportunity to travel by boat, train, subway, or metro rail. All transportation methods used by Global Travel Alliance are safe and meet all of the safety standards required by law.
Hotels & Meals
We use 3 star or better hotels with a central location at our destination, unless otherwise noted. The hotels are safe, clean, and have inner corridor room access.
The rooming list is created by the group leader for each trip. Please contact your group leader if you have questions about the rooming list.
Global Travel Alliance has a strict safety policy, and any violation to it may result in the traveler being sent home immediately at the parents’ expense. Also, we hire uniformed private nighttime security to monitor the hotel hallways at night (unless otherwise noted).
Most hotel properties we use provide a continental breakfast including but not limited to 1-3 hot items. Depending on the size of each group, they may have their own private eating/meeting room reserved at the hotel.
Breakfast is typically at the hotel in the morning and includes many options and often 1-3 hot items. Lunch is usually at a food court or restaurant pavilion that gives each traveler the option to pick their food of choice. Dinners are at more sit down-group friendly restaurants.
Yes, we do as much as we can to accommodate each dietary need or concern. Our vendors specialize in student groups and do a great job of accommodating those specific needs. We also ask that you make note of the concerns in the medical conditions box during the enrollment process.
The meals provided will be more than enough for your child. However, we do allow extra snacks to be packed for the trip.
Visiting your account will provide access to the most up-to-date itinerary. Also, at the “pre-trip” meeting (usually scheduled by the group leader 3-4 weeks prior to departure) you will receive an updated itinerary and parent packet.
A final trip packet will have all the updated trip information including: hotel contacts, guides contacts, updated trip itinerary, flight information & schedules, along with other pertinent information to your specific trip. If applicable, additional pre-trip information can be found in your online portal account.
We suggest packing for all kinds of weather. This way you can adjust your outfit for the appropriate conditions. Packing light and dressing in layers is always a good idea as well. Please review our Student Travel Packing List for more information.
We recommend wearing comfortable close-toed walking shoes. It is not uncommon for our groups to walk over 5 miles in one day while touring. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed while touring.
Global Travel Alliance honors the dress code for the school at which they represent. Also note that you are representing your school, community, and state while touring. Please dress modestly and be appropriate. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed while touring.
Most trips with Global Travel Alliance are all inclusive, so spending money is not required. However, many students bring $10-$20 extra per day for personal shopping (gifts, snacks, and souvenirs).
We recommend a combination of cash or pre-charged debit cards. If your child brings cash make sure the bills are smaller ($1s, $5s, $10s, and $20s). Also note that Global Travel Alliance is not responsible for any loss of money or personal belongings while on the trip.
Yes, our standard payment plan divides the trip price into monthly installments starting with the initial deposit until the balance is paid in full 60-90 days prior to travel.
For some trips there may be an early sign up discount. Please contact your group leader or call our office for specific group information at 866-313-2577.
No, at this time there are no paid in full discounts offered.
The payment plan is free of charge. However, if you miss a payment you will be assessed a late fee.
Global Travel Alliance will assess a $10 late fee per installment for each missed payment. Unfortunately, due to the payment plans and obligations to our vendors, we are unable to refund the assessed late fee.
This is a courtesy letter reminding you that you have missed a payment.
This means you have missed 2 or more payments and we have not heard from you after our attempts to contact you. Failure to pay your scheduled payments may result in cancellation from your trip. Please call 866-313-2577 for more information.
We have payment deadlines because our vendors require us to make timely payments. Unfortunately, due to the obligations with our vendors, we cannot move your deadlines back.
None. Our mailing address is:
Global Travel Alliance
12750 Nicollet Ave
Suite 210
Burnsville, MN 55337
*Please send all payments to our Minnesota office.
All electronic or paper checks returned by the bank for NSF are subject to a non-refundable $35 NSF check fee.
Visit your account at www.globaltravelalliance.com/login and choose the “make payment” button, then follow the steps. If you pay online via credit/debit card or a PayPal account, you will be charged a 3% convenience fee per payment, in addition to your regular scheduled payment. This fee is not refundable at any time, even in the event you cancel your trip and you are entitled to a full or partial trip refund. You have the option to pay by check with no additional fee. If you have questions along the way please call our office at 866-313-2577.
No, the deposit is not refundable (unless the trip is canceled by Global Travel Alliance or your child is on the waitlist and does not get to travel due to space restrictions).
Your monthly payments can be determined by dividing the trip price into the number of months until the final payment is due.Typically the final payment is due 60-90 days prior to travel.
Yes, in your online account you can view trip updates, modify your traveler’s personal information, email your group leader, and see your personal payment history.
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