Options to Make Adoption Travel Affordable
03/04/2009
Brooke Randolph, LMHC
 When considering adoption travel, some families are able to utilize frequent flyer miles while others look for travel deals online. In general, the more discounted the airline ticket, the least likely it is to be flexible. International adoption often requires a great amount of flexibility. We are never able to offer exact time frames, only averages, and any governmental system may experience unexpected delays. You could easily pay more in fees on top of your discounted ticket than you would have paid for a more flexible fare. Adoptive parents may want to consider the additional avoidable stress of fees and flight changes while facing the in country delays over which they have no control.
Some airlines are meeting this need with specialized adoption programs. These programs often offer greater flexibility, but may not be the least expensive option. Northwest/KLM advertises that their program has no advanced purchase requirements, no penalties for cancellation or changes, business class options, consideration for an excess piece of luggage, and open returns and stopovers permitted. Their program offers significant discounts on round trip fares for parents and siblings and one-way fares for adopted children. Delta reportedly has a similar program, but details are not listed on their website. To be included in these programs, you will need to call or visit the airline directly; and some may want to hire a travel agent to work through all the details. When you contact either the airline or the travel agent, have information and documentation ready, including the contact information for your adoption agency.
There are also organizations that specialize in travel services to families that are adopting. Many of our clients have used and appreciated the service provided by Eldon Wagler at Golden Rule, which specializes in adoption, humanitarian, and missionary travel. Golden Rule advertises “the least expensive, most hassle-free travel possible” and after hours emergency customer service. The Ties Program, which specializes in custom trips for children that have been adopted internationally and their families to visit the child's country of birth, has also started offering services to families who are in the process of adopting. For a fee, they offer assistance in deciding between various options when purchasing airfare, waiting lists for preferred flights, and after hours emergency support.
No matter what service or discount you use, ask lots of questions regarding the requirements and limitations.
Be the first to comment on this item.
Share:
|