Before taking off on vacation, know the scale of the terrorist threats by logging on to the relevant website. Then check your baggage allowance, relax and enjoy.
It’s easy to relax one’s vigilance as one takes off on vacation, but the worry can be somewhat lessened if we heed the advice of the various agencies on hand to help.
With that in mind, the U.K’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office has “improved the language” used in its travel advice. Feedback from travellers and tour operators have suggested this was needed.
Terrorist Threat Descriptions:
In its effort to clarify the scale of terrorist threats, the FCO plans to introduce four “generic threat descriptions” . These have been agreed with the travel industry and other stakeholders and are as follows:
A high threat from terrorism - a high level of known terrorist activity.
A general threat from terrorism - some level of known terrorist activity.
An underlying threat from terrorism - a low level of known terrorist activity.
A low threat from terrorism - very limited known terrorist activity.
So off you go, and enjoy that well-earned vacation.
Airline Policy on Missing Baggage:
But what if your baggage goes missing? Well, cheap flights.co.uk has just published a new set of handy tips and guides comparing the baggage allowance and delayed luggage policy of leading airlines. Did you know for instance, that the number of bags delayed varies greatly between airlines.
Some will not disclose the figure, but what is certain is that Scandinavian Airways are currently on top with only 10 bags delayed per thousand passengers.
For full listings, see http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/travel-tips/delayed-luggage.html
Airline Policy on Charging for Baggage:
Airline policies of charging for baggage is another factor that is causing the traveller some headaches these days. Now that baggage charging has become such a lucrative business for some airlines (excess baggage rates of up to £5 a kilo are normal) and some low cost airlines are now charging for luggage check in, differences between airlines can be significant.
Air France, for example, allows 12kg. of cabin baggage per person but British Airways only allows 6kg. Other airlines vary so check on their websites carefully before taking off.
Careful planning before the vacation will make for a better time at your destination.
