If you question is not answered here please call us on (01) 207 6555
How Do I Book?
Just call John Galligan Travel on (01) 207 6555 or e-mail leisure@jgt.ie. We will need your preferred travel date, duration, chosen hotel and all guests names (as they appear on your passports). We need full payment at the time of booking. We then book your flights and your hotel from the operator at chosen destination. This process can be done on the spot, over the telephone. We will then post you a confirmation and a booking form to be signed. After that, you just have to enjoy yourself!
What if I have to Cancel?
If you have to cancel your holiday, the penalty will be loss of €300pp if cancelled more than 60 days before departure, 50% of total (or €300, whichever is the greater) 60-30 days and 100% of holiday cost if cancelled within 30 days of departure.
Online-Check-In
If your flights are by Ryanair, you will need to be able to check-in on line, up to 15 days before, but not later than the day prior to departure. Depending on the duration of your holiday, you may need to check-in online for your return flight while in Spain. JGT are not responsible for checking you in with Ryanair.
What if I am travelling alone or need a single room for one of my party?
Single rooms are available at a supplement. Usually € 140 per week but this may vary from hotel to hotel. See prices on the Hotel Page.
What is included in the
• round trip air fare with Aer Lingus or Ryanair
• one checked-in bag per person (15kgs)
• transfers between airport and hotel on arrival and departure (1 regular suitcase pp)
• 4-star hotels on a full-board or half-board basis
• entertainment programme in most hotels, on most evenings
• available for any duration, any time
N.B. Our agents have done an excellent job of negotiating extremely low rates at all of the programme's hotels. In doing so, they have contracted the basic room type, so please do not expect the best room in the house, guaranteed sea-view, pool-view or balconies. Where possible individual hotels will upgrade your room category but this is entirely at their discretion. Requests for upgraded rooms are passed on but are never guaranteed. Upgrades may be negotiated locally on arrival.
When are the Over 50’s holidays available and where can I travel to?
From September to June (hotel supplements may apply for Christmas, New Year and Easter). You can choose from a range of 4-star hotels throughout Spain. All accommodation and flights are offered subject to availability at time of booking and quotations last for the duration of the call. This programme may change or be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Who is Eligible for Over 50’s Packages?
There are only two requirements:
Be over 50 years of age.
Be resident in Ireland.
US ESTA Pre- Clearance
From January 12th, 2009, clients entering the US must have completed the ESTA pre-clearance data on the US Immigration web site, in order to enter America under the US VIsa Waiver Programme. Failure to enter this data may result in you being refused entry to America.
Travellers entering the USA with passports from Visa Waiver Programme countries - such as Ireland - will be required to obtain travel authorisation in advance. To do this, you simply need to log on to the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) website before you travel, and answer some straightforward questions.
The new system is nothing to worry about. For many years, people who have travelled to the United States have been asked to fill in a form during the flight or at US immigration in Dublin or Shannon airport. The online ESTA system asks for the same information, just in advance of the trip.
Whilst the vast majority of applications from Visa Waiver Countries are approved instantly, less than half of one per cent of applicants are turned down for one reason or another. If a traveller finds themselves in this category, they will need to apply for a visa, and this does take time.
We at John Galligan Travel recommend that you sit down together with your passport and apply for ESTA (even if you are not sure they will be going to the US this year). Once your ESTA is approved it will be valid for two years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first), allowing you to travel back and forth to the US freely.
Getting a travel authorisation using the ESTA website is 100% free. However, online companies have sprung up offering to process requests for travel authorisation for a fee, in some cases up to $50! This is an attempt to ‘mug’ travellers online, who may not be aware that the process costs nothing. Don’t pay good money for a service that the US Government is giving away for free. The genuine ESTA website is operated by the Department of Homeland Security website and - most importantly - it won’t ask you for any money. We at JGT are advising travellers to apply for travel authorisation direct by clicking on the following address:
http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/
Of course, it is regrettable that the US Department of Homeland Security have given this important website such a user-unfriendly address. Clearly, many travellers will do a web search for the term ‘ESTA’, and this could lead them to the websites that are trying to scam them for money.
The required data should be entered by you directly. JGT staff cannot undertake to do this for you without legal indemnity. This page is presented as an aid. It should not be used as a difinitive guide to US Immigration requirements. Please refer to the ESTA web site for that. JGT does not accept any responsibility for any liability whatsoever as a result of using the information contained on this page.
Luggage & Packing
To check a bag or not to check bag. Each airline has its own set of guidelines as to how many bags can be checked or carried on for free. Make sure to look up what your airline’s rules are to avoid any incremental fees. Please see our Travel Tips Page for up to date information on allowances and charges.