New Requirements for Travelers under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

In January 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other document, or a combination of documents, that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Congress amended portions of the Act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the Administration’s proposed plan to implement this mandate.

Click here for more information from the US Department of State

Flights are often overbooked and it’s important to know what your options are if your flight is overbooked or if you get bumped. If you volunteer to be bumped, you may be offered a voucher for a free flight and a guaranteed seat on the next flight, but be cautious; before you volunteer to be bumped, be aware that there may be catches! Flight vouchers often come with an expiry date and many restrictions sometimes making them difficult to use. The airline also may put you on standby, rather than guaranteeing a seat on the next flight, so if the next available flights are also overbooked you may be stranded for a few hours. Also, if there are many people willing to be bumped, the airline may not offer you as much in return.

You should also realize that there is a difference between being bumped involuntarily and volunteering to be bumped. If you are bumped against your will, the airline must compensate you according to FAA regulations. Compensation depends on the length of your delay. If the airline gets you to your destination within one hour of your originally scheduled time, you are not entitled to any compensation; if you arrive at your destination within 2 hours you are entitled to the amount equal to your one-way fare, up to $200; if you are delayed more than 2 hours (or 4 hours internationally) you should receive 2 times the value of your one-way fare up to $400, this is also the limit if the airline makes no alternate arrangements for you. Airlines can also offer a flight voucher but you may want to ask for the cash value instead as vouchers can be difficult to use. You may receive other bonuses through the airline such as meal vouchers, hotel vouchers, and access to an airport lounge.

Regardless of whether you offer to be bumped or are bumped involuntarily, be prepared to negotiate with the airline agent so you receive what you deserve. If you don’t want to be bumped at all, you should check in at the airport earlier than your required arrival time.

The Kids Clubs at the Royal Solaris Resorts and the Palace Resorts are available free of charge. These supervised areas offer fun children's activities and are usually open from about 10 am to 6 pm. You may need to book your children into the Kids Club at your hotel. Children age 4 and under must be accompanied by an adult.  Most resorts offer in-room babysitting for an additional charge. Inquire at the hotel upon arrival for current details.

The Royal Solaris Los Cabos offers a Juniors club for teens that includes pool table, ping pong table, foosball and arcade games. It is open daily from 10:00am to 10:00pm. 

Guests staying at any of the Palace Resorts will now rest more comfortably.  The new "Palace Beds" guarantee maximum comfort with their state of the art double cushioned pillow top mattress.  They have specially designed coils for better edge-to-edge support and feature an extra layer of padding, giving them a softer feel than previous mattresses.  In addition to the new mattress, each bed will have refreshed decor including luxurious, high thread count sheets and decorative bed coverings.  All beds will also have 5 synthetic and goose down pillows to ensure you receive a dream vacation.

The "Palace Bed" is already in use at the Vallarta Palace and the Playacar Palace.  By the end of the year, it will be available throughout all of the Palace Resorts properties.