[waiting4james]

Now that we finally have some good news, I am daydreaming about travel.
Here are some questions...

1. Our little boy will be three months or so older than two, so I guess we can't buy a lap ticket? They probably look at his passport? Do we have to buy a round trip, or one way??? Anyone dealt with this?

2. What are the Embassy fees? Exit tax? Any other unexpected expenses?

3. How much should we plan on spending for meals, and souvenirs?

4. Has anyone gotten tickets for the pickup trip off orbitz or something? I know that it's a gamble if something goes wrong in country... but the airlines are outrageous for last minute bookings. Any good ideas? We are trying to do this as cheap as possible since I will be a stay at home mom, and thus... poor!

Thanks!
Chelsea

[PattyR]

Chelsea,

I haven't made the pick-up trip so can't help you there; however, I did buy my tickets for a visit through orbitz and got a great deal. I had a family member who was supposed to travel with me and was unable to go at the last minute due to an unexpected illness. The ticket can be changed to a different date and flight (for the same person) for a fee.

I hope that pick-up trip is just right around the corner for you!

Patty

[VickieR]

I was just thinking of you today wondering if you had any news yet. It is just strang that you post your good news on the same day I was thinking of you. Have you tried Federal travel. We used them and got good rates for July. Here is the number
1-800-551-8666 I am so happy to here your news you have waited long enough. Let me know what you find out from Federal travel. Oh be sure to tell them it is for adoption they have a special for adoptive familys traveling to pick up there children. Good luck and Blessings Vickie

[JoelPapi]

For international travel they will compare his Passport and Visa packet with his ticket so no sneaking in on a lap ticket.

I found the cheapest air fares on the airlines web sites, American, Continental etc and if you haev to change them there is usually only like a $100.00 a ticket penalty, I had found I believe Delta had an adoption fare with changable tickets but they were $300.00 more a seat from Mpls than American was with the $100 penalty IF we needed to change. Shop around.

I did find out that if you book less than 72 hours before you fly the cost generally goes way up. We were waiting to hear for sure on a Wed that we got our Pink Slip, Tuesday night I made the reservations BUT I waited to pay for them until I knew we had the pink slip Wed Afternoon, that way I secured the lower fare but didn't have to change it if we hadn't got our pink slip we found out Wed Afternoon we had the Pink Slip and we were in the air Saturday Morning.

Some people have suggested buying a round trip ticket from GC to your home and just not use the return trip. we lucked out being able to get a lap ticket a 1 way from GC to Minneapolis was over $1,000 while our flights were around $800 each.

You might want to call the airlines reservations and speak with someone they can check things out for you, our's noticed our flights were only half full on the return and booked us window and aisle seats and surprisingly no one booked the middle seat so our son had his own seat all the way home.

Have a great trip and shop around for flights...

Joelpapi

[waiting4james]

Thanks,
I've found tickets on Orbitz from Salt Lake as low as $450 per person, and that is probably worth the risk of having to change dates.
So bummed that a matter of a couple months is going to cost this difference! But I'll be happy to buy a seat for my little guy.
Anyone know about the other fees?

Chelsea

[oh well]

cash for embassy...$335 (cash only and in 20's)

yes, you must buy a "real ticket"

we got our tickets at the local "travel agent" in town, they have good deals as they have a large Guatemalan group here that goes back and fourth alot, so don't forget to check your local phone book for the local agent! He told us we must only purchase one ticket (home) for her, said something with the adoption.laws? ..can't remember... but I think it was about $500 for her if I remember....

The exit tax is either $3 or $30, (per person) .... depends on what they feel like, or who's working! Because we got our tickets at the same local agent each time and our exit tax was always different!

Hope this helps! Good Luck adopting a toddler! IT can be hard at times, he may be really sad for a few days! Our annie was very upset for awhile, and wouldn't eat for about 2 days! She is fine now (6 months home now)....pm me if you would like to discuss any toddler issues! Good Luck! and God bless your trip...ps. don't forget your passports! oh well.