In an Internet-driven world, travelers often turn first to popular travel websites or the airline sites to secure their international airfare. They assume the rates are just as good there or better than what they could find through a travel agency. Sometimes that is true.
If, however, you are traveling for humanitarian or missionary purposes, that click on those websites could be costly—very costly.
That is because those sites offer what is called the published fare—the price available to everyone at that time. Ministry Travel, however, has special agreements with many airlines to offer what is called missionary or humanitarian contract rates. These rates typically represent substantial savings over the published fare and over what other agencies offer.
“I wish I had known about you sooner,” is something Ministry Travel’s agents hear from clients every week. The passengers assumed they were getting the best deal around—until the discovered the special contract fares available through Ministry Travel.
Ministry Travel has contracts with all the major carriers—both U.S. and international. This includes contracts with every major carrier going to Africa. Ministry Travel also has contracts with airlines serving Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Most travelers know that airfares fluctuate greatly—not only day by day but sometimes even minute to minute. With these special contract fares, that fluctuation usually doesn’t occur. The airline agrees to sell a flight from point A to point B for a set price as long as the inventory is still available. The price typically doesn’t change unless the entire contract is changed.
In addition to the reduced prices, these contract fares have a number of other advantages. The tickets are refundable for most of the airlines, minus a penalty fee. One of the major airlines that Ministry Travel uses allows Ministry Travel passengers to check three bags. That is significant especially when you are bringing humanitarian supplies and materials into a country. In addition, travel dates can be changed for free on some of the airlines, offering clients greater flexibility. With some contracts, clients can actually hold space months in advance without having to make a deposit. This is especially helpful for teams that are still recruiting participants.
These special fares, however, are not available to everyone. The airlines have stipulations and those stipulations vary airline to airline. As a basic rule, you must be traveling with or on behalf of a non-profit organization that specializes in humanitarian, missions or ministry of some sort. These special fares and terms are for people going to help other people in some way. The definition of this is quite broad. It includes everything from water-well drilling, to community development, agricultural support, disaster relief, food distribution, orphan care, religious work and much more.
In addition, those going to adopt children are eligible as long as they are working through a non-profit organization.
In general, those traveling solely for animal protection or environmental purposes don’t qualify for these rates. There are, however, some exceptions to this so it is always best to check with a Ministry Travel agent to make sure.
Technically, anyone traveling on these special fares must have a signed letter from the non-profit agency that lists the passenger’s name as traveling on their behalf. Airlines can deny boarding without the letter.
A Ministry Travel agent can explain all of these contracts and let you know what special fares and features are available for your unique situation. Make a call to 1-877-541-5726 or complete a no-obligation quote request at www.MinistryTravel.com to discover how much you can save. These special rates are available for both individuals and groups.