University of Minnesota Alumni Association : Travel FAQ


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Frequently Asked Travel Questions

Do I have to be an Alumni Association member to take a trip?
How early should I make a reservation?
Is my money refundable if I have to cancel my trip?
What can I do if a trip I want to take is sold out?
Who makes all of the travel arrangements for the Alumni Association Travel Program?
Why do I have to pay more if I travel alone?
Should I purchase travel insurance?
Can I take an Alumni Association trip if I have a disability or special need?
How many people travel on Alumni Association trips?
Will the Alumni Association be the only group on the tour?
Can I make my own airline arrangements using my frequent flyer miles?

Q. Do I have to be an Alumni Association member to take a trip?
A. The University of Minnesota Alumni Association Travel Program welcomes all alumni and friends of the University. The Group Travel Program is a benefit of membership. At least one member of each traveling party must be a member of the Alumni Association. Click here to join.

Q. How early should I make a reservation?
A. We recommend making reservations as early as possible. If a trip is going to sell out, it will generally do so within the first 30-60 days of the information becoming available. However, it is impossible to predict which trips will sell out. The longer you wait, the greater the chances that a trip will be full when you send in your registration. You may call (800-UM-ALUMS) or e-mail umalumni@umn.edu at any time to inquire about the status of a trip.

Q. Is my money refundable if I have to cancel my trip?
A. Most tour operators will charge a cancellation fee from the time of initial deposit. This fee would cover any expenses incurred while processing a new reservation and mailing out preliminary trip information. As the departure date nears, the tour operators make more financial commitments to their vendors (airlines, hotel, ground transportation). Therefore, the cancellation fees will increase as well. The policies regarding cancellation vary for different trips. We suggest reading the fine print on the trip brochure and/or discussing cancellation policies with tour operators prior to making your deposit. The Alumni Association also provides travelers with the option to purchase cancellation insurance. This is strongly encouraged to minimize financial risks.

Q. What can I do if a trip I want to take is sold out?
A. Don't despair! If you have your heart set on a trip that is sold out, let us know! We can always put your name on a wait-list. Also, if interest is high for a sold out trip, we may try to book an alternate date with the tour company. It may also be possible for you to travel on the same trip with an alumni group from another school. We take all trip requests into account when designing the tour schedule for the following year.

Q. Who makes all of the travel arrangements for the Alumni Association Travel Program?
A. All of our trips are created and managed by top-notch tour operators, most of whom specialize in providing trips for alumni associations. We select these companies based on their established reputation and professional staff. They coordinate all tour itineraries and flight details. Click here to learn about our tour operators.

Q. Why do I have to pay more if I travel alone?
A. The prices of all trips are based on the cost of two people sharing a hotel room or ship cabin. If you travel alone, there is no one else to share the lodging expenses. Therefore, a single person must cover their entire costs, instead of half. Please note that the single supplement for a cruise is generally much higher than a "land" trip since a substantial portion of the total trip cost is that of the cabin. Most tour operators will try to honor requests for roommates, but there is no guarentee that one will be available.

Q. Should I purchase travel insurance?
A. We strongly recommend that you be adequately insured against last minute trip cancellation and other travel related risks. For example, if you must cancel your trip due to a family emergency and can only recover 50% of your money based on the travel company's cancellation policy, the insurance company will cover the remainder of the loss up to the level of coverage that you selected, provided you meet the criteria spelled out in the policy selected.

We have made arrangements through Travel Insurance Services (TIS) in Walnut Creek, CA (800-937-1387) to offer travel insurance in connection with the Alumni Association Group Travel Program. After you register for a trip, you will receive travel insurance information from the Alumni Association. Please contact TIS if you have questions regarding travel insurance coverage or costs.

Q. Can I take an Alumni Association trip if I have a disability or special need?
A. The Alumni Association encourages all alumni to participate in our travel program, however, some of our expeditions cannot accommodate people with severe health problems or physical limitations. The Alumni Association and their tour operators cannot take the responsibility for special arrangements or problems incurred by passengers unable to participate in planned activities. Travelers requiring assistance must be accompanied by someone who can and will provide all required assistance. Many countries do not offer the same level of access for persons with disabilities as the U.S. If you are concerned about the level of physical access or physical difficulty on a particular trip, please call (800-UM-ALUMS) or email the Alumni Association (umalumni@umn.edu) to obtain further information.

Q. How many people travel on Alumni Association trips?
A. The number of travelers can range from 2 to 30. Generally the group size is somewhere in between.

Q. Will the Alumni Association be the only group on the tour?
A. Most of our travel programs will include groups from other colleges and universities in addition to our Gophers. The tour operator will send you a list of all travel groups with traveler names prior to your departure.

Q. Can I make my own airline arrangements using my frequent flyer miles?
A. Yes, unless the trips are listed as "air-inclusive." The tour operator will give you a discounted trip cost if you decide to make your own air arrangements. Please note that the discount will not be substantial since most tour operators receive special negotiated group airfares. Also, if you are not traveling on the group flights, you will be responsible for making your own ground transportation arrangements between the airport and the hotel.

How Do I Contact the UMAA Travel Program?

Call 612-625-9427 OR 800-UM-ALUMS (800-862-5867)

Email umalumni@tc.umn.edu

Fax 612-626-8167

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