Affordable Luxury Hawaii Travel : FAQ

How does the process of buying travel products with Affordable Luxury Hawaii Travel work?

When buying travel products from us, you are dealing directly with real people who will assist you each step of the way. This is an online travel agency in the sense that we work with our clients online and by phone, instead of face to face. However, each client receives our personalized attention. Most clients find us online or are referred from previous clients. For special trips, clients plan a year or more in advance, so we become well known to each other.
When we hear from a new client (by e-mail, through a quote request form, or by phone) we first determine whether we have enough information to provide useful travel recommendations and to get an accurate price. Often, essential information is missing (like when you want to travel, where, who with etc.) and when that is the case we will contact you. Once we understand your needs, we will create a detailed price quote for you.
If you are a little vague about what you want, we will help you to determine where you really want to go and stay. (After all, we live here and we know the islands, so once we get to know a little of what you want, we can provide that service for you.) We will send you a quote in writing by e-mail. If the quote provided does not suit you at first, we will modify the package and will send you another quote. Once you are happy with the package suggested and the price, we will explain the specific terms and conditions of the sale and then obtain your credit card information. We will pay for your package and send you a confirmed paid itinerary/receipt. Then you will enjoy your trip to Hawaii.

I am not very familiar with US dollar currency. How can I get your prices in my own currency?

That is easy to do because we have included a currency converter on our site. Our specialty is travel in Hawaii and not international currency, so we have subscribed to a currency conversion service to provide this information for you. Just tell the converter the amount you want to convert and the currencies. It is set up to convert from US dollars to any of 164 world currencies and from any of 164 world currencies to US dollars. You can find directions to the converter tool from those pages on the web site that have prices. Here it is: Currency Converter

How much are your inter-island air tickets?

Our tickets are inexpensive. Under normal circumstances, one (one way) inter-island air ticket, in the least expensive class and as part of a package between any two of the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu starts at under $80 (incl. taxes and fees). Molokai and Lanai are slightly higher. Due to the dynamic nature of the airline industry and to changing availability, prices may vary considerably from time to time. This summer we are experiencing a price war and so prices are very volatile.
Prices and fees are subject to change without notice.

Why do some inter-island air prices look cheaper?

With all the extra taxes and fees being added to air ticket prices these days, there are many different ways to express the price. There is no consistent standard. To demonstrate that much of the price comes from taxes, vendors like to show the taxes separately. Some retailers use the base price, some use the full price and others add some taxes on and leave others to be added after the fact. This can be confusing. Unscrupulous marketers take advantage of this. The taxes are not optional and must be added to get the full picture. When comparing air ticket prices, be sure to compare the final total price. Be sure you are comparing what you will actually end up paying. It doesn't really matter how the figure is arrived at -- only what you are required to pay.

What are Passenger Facility Charges?

Many airports throughout the world charge passengers Passenger Facility Charges for originating departures. Four airports in Hawaii adopted this practice as of October 1, 2004.

What are my consumer rights when buying Hawaii travel products from you?

Here is a link to a page which describes your rights as a consumer in detail. These rights are dictated for all travel agents by the State Legislature in the Act which regulates Travel Agencies. Consumer Rights

How can I get my travel documents/tickets?

We will e-mail you a confirmed itinerary, including a paid itinerary number and a receipt for the exact amount of payment for any vacation package, air ticket, hotel booking or car rental booking. This is all you will need to claim your travel product(s) because it is binding upon the ultimate travel provider of the services. It contains confirmation numbers from hotels, airlines and rental companies so you can check with them directly, if you wish, to be sure your package is both reserved and paid for.
You may get boarding passes at the inter-island air terminal with this itinerary document and your photo ID. Air tickets may not be e-ticketed until 72 hours of travel so the airline may not see them before that. You may check into your hotel, or pick up your rental car, with this itinerary document (and a credit card for incidental charges).
Occasionally, because of special promotional rates, we use wholesalers who still use paper documents. When that is the case, we will notify you that paper documents are required and we'll send them to you in time for travel.

How do I pay for my tickets?

All orders must be pre-paid to guarantee prices.
You can use your American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Diners Club, or JCB card to place your order. We need your name as it appears on the credit card, the account number and the expiration date.
Orders can also be paid by check, but will be held until the check has cleared before the order is processed and reservations are made. To speed up processing, we will also accept payment through PayPal and electronic check. Please inquire about processing fees for these transactions.

Is it safe to order with a credit card?

Yes. We offer you various ways to provide us with your credit card information. You may use our specialized and secure order form to send your order on our secure server. You will see a lock icon displayed on your desktop indicating that the page is secure. However, if you prefer, you may contact us by phone at 808 455-5127, fax us at (206) 888-4101, or even e-mail us your telephone number so we will call you. It is important to us that you feel comfortable about doing business with us.

How will I know my order has been handled?

We will contact you by e-mail or telephone to confirm your order and we will provide you with a written itinerary, before charging your credit card.

What else do I need to know about inter-island air travel ?

Check in time is at least 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure time to get your boarding card and get through security. Flights should be re-confirmed at least 24 hours prior to departure.
Official photo identification is required upon check in for each individual passenger.
No name changes are permitted at any time.
Infants under two years of age do not require airline tickets if they will be traveling on the lap of an adult. When booking the adult ticket, it should specify passenger name and infant.

What are flight cancellation and change policies?

Flight cancellation and change fees vary by airline and from time to time. Check before travel to be sure this information is still current.
Aloha Airlines Phone Numbers: Oahu: 484-1111; Maui: 244-9071; Big Island: 935-5771; Kauai: 245-3691; U.S. Mainland: 1-800-367-5250
Aloha Airlines Change Policy: A $30 change fee for inter-island bookings and/or a $125+ change fee for U.S. mainland bookings, per change, per passenger, will be assessed for changes made once paid, plus any fare difference that may be applicable. Name changes are not permitted because of national security measures.
Aloha Airlines Cancellation Policy: A $35 cancellation fee for interisland bookings and/or a $150 cancellation fee for U.S. Mainland bookings, per passenger, will be assessed for cancellations made prior to departure date. Tickets are non-refundable from departure date and/or partially used tickets.
Island Air Phone Numbers: Oahu: 484-2222; Neighbor Islands: 1-800-652-6541; U.S. Mainland: 1-800-323-3345
Island Air Change Policy: A $20 change fee, per change, per passenger will be assessed for changes made once paid, plus any fare difference that may be applicable. Name changes are not permitted.
Island Air Cancellation Policy: A $30 cancellation fee, per passenger, will be assessed for cancellations made prior to departure date. Tickets are non-refundable from departure date and/or partially used tickets.
Hawaiian Airlines Change Policy: a $150 change fee for U.S. Mainland bookings per passenger, will be assessed for cancellations made prior to departure date. Tickets are non-refundable from departure date and/or partially used tickets.
All air cancellation and change fees are subject to change without notice.

Airline Policy:

Name changes are not permitted at any time.
Normal check-in is at least one hour prior to scheduled departure time. All flights are to be reconfirmed by the passenger at least 24 hours prior to departure.
Normal airline policies remain applicable.

Hotel Policy:

Normal check-in is 3:00 PM for most properties. Normal check-out is 11:00 am. Incidental charges incurred by the client are not included with the package and are the sole responsibility of the client. The individual resort fees where applicable are also not included in the package cost.

What about a car rental?

We can provide you with car rentals on any of the major Hawaiian islands. Prices are for rental of the car with unlimited mileage and do not include incidentals including: gas; optional insurance; infant car seats; drop-off fees; overtime charges; and fees by the state or airports including a license and registration fee not to exceed $1.50 a day, a state surcharge of $3.00 a day, and an airport concession fee of up to 12%of daily car rental rate. On Lanai, the major resorts provide shuttle service and car rentals are not available, necessary or even available.

Are vacation packages a better deal than buying air, room and car separately?:

In most cases, yes, packages are a better deal because of the power of volume buying. Send us your request and we will provide you with a quote for a package we will make exactly to your specifications. Click here to contact us via email

How can I reach you to ask more questions?:

You may contact us by e-mail by phone at (808)660-3725 ; or by fax at (206) 312-4761.

What are your business hours?:

Since we conduct business online, you may contact us online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To reach us by phone or fax, please remember that we are on Hawaii Standard Time and can be reached from 9am to 6pm and sometimes later. In the event that we do not answer the phone, please leave us a message and we'll call you back.

Where can I get general information or assistance about Hawaii?:

You may explore our site more fully. Or you may contact us by e-mail , or contact the Hawaii Visitors Bureau. There is a wealth of detailed information about each of the Hawaiian Islands, which you can use to help you decide where you want to go and what you want to see and do here in the Islands.

What is your pricing policy?:

Prices are subject to change without notice, and are subject to availability. Prices are guaranteed only at the time of booking with payment in full. Reservations hold your space, but do not guarantee the price.

What do you do with the personal information I send you?:

We do not share the information we collect with anyone. We use it only to make your travel arrangements for you. If you are concerned about giving us your email address or other personal information, please read over our privacy statement.

What is your refund policy?:

All refunds are subject to cancellation fees from all suppliers and to a $50 processing fee to us.
Changes to booked and e-ticketed packages, prior to the commencement of travel, are subject to a $50 change fee, plus penalties from suppliers.
After travel commences, any inter-island airline changes are subject to $30 change fee, payable to the airline and to any difference in fare for the class of service available on he new flight. Domestic flights to the mainland are subject to a minimum $125 change fee and fare difference.
Airline tickets may not be cancelled or refunded for any reason. Airline tickets can be changed after a penalty to the airline; however changes are limited to flight times and schedule. Passenger names and destinations can not be changed for any reason.

How do I know I can trust you?:

You can't know for sure, but we make it very easy for you to check us out.
To be a travel agency in the State of Hawaii, it is necessary to be registered as such with the State. We must follow all the rules and regulations established by the State Legislature to protect visitors from the unscrupulous. We have a state registration number which identifies us to State authorities as a travel agency. The number is TAR-6386. We maintain a client trust account at a branch of Central Pacific Bank. We make it easy for you to find us

You can check with the Hawaii Visitor and Convention Bureau where we are members. You can also check with ASTA, the American Society for Travel Agents, and with OSSN, the Outside Sales and Service Network. We are active members of each of these organizations.

You can also go to www.checkacode.com and enter our TRUE # by IATA, 524 50602 and our name and address information will pop up.
You can verify our state registration as a travel agent. You can call the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints against us. You can talk to us personally and exchange messages about your travel needs to get a feel for how we do business and to ask as many questions as you like.
The paid itinerary and receipt we send you will contain our company name and contact information, the name of the supplier from whom we obtained the travel product, and will indicate exactly how much was charged to your credit card, the date it was paid, and the payee. It also contains confirmation numbers from hotels, airlines and rental companies, so you can check to be sure your package is both reserved and paid for.
We are serious about maintaining the privacy of our clients' credit card and other personal information and use it only to pay for your purchases. We don't share it with anyone else, for any reason.

Disclaimer:

Affordable Luxury Hawaii Travel, LLC acts as an agent of its suppliers. We are not responsible for failures, defaults, bankruptcy or insolvency of our suppliers.
Affordable Luxury Hawaii Travel, LLC is not responsible for any personal injury, property damage, or inconvenience due to circumstances beyond our control.

Click here to contact us via email
Office Phone (808) 690-0028
Cell Phone (808)489-8449
(Hawaii Standard Time is 12:20:41 PM)

Â© Affordable Luxury Hawaii Travel, LLC (et al) 1997-2012
(site last updated November 5, 2010)