Q. Are all courier fights round trip?
A. Most, but not all courier flights are round trip tickets, but always check the details of your specific flight before buying the ticket

Q. Are you always allowed a full baggage allowance on the return trip?
A. Most often you will be allowed to check baggage on your return flight, but it is important to check these details as some flights do require you to transport items both ways.

Q. How long is the duration before I'll have to return?
A. This varies depending on your needs. Length of stay is usually between seven days to three months, or anything in between. Occasionally a return time is specified, but since couriers rarely have to transport items both ways, this is usually up to the individual. Check with the courier company when you make reservations for details and restrictions.

Q. How much can I expect to save?
A. It varies. Usually at least 50%, but often much more. If you are able to take advantage of last minute deals you can often get overseas flights for as little as $100.00 - $200.00, and sometimes even free! Completely free flights don't happen often, and they are almost always last minute bookings, but they do occur. If your schedule is flexible, you can really save a bundle.

Q. Can I fly courier and still collect frequent flyer miles?
A. In many cases yes. Once again, it's important to check with your courier company to see if there are any restrictions. When I did my two free flights to Scotland, I was allowed to keep the flrequent flyer miles and I even got bumped to business class on the way there because coach was oversold!

Q. Can I still take advantage of courier flights even though I need to plan my trips in advance?
A. Absolutlely! Even if your schedule is not that flexible you should still look into courier flights. Many flights can be reserved months in advance and you'll still save in the 50% range.

Q. When do I pay for my flight?
A. Payment for flights will be expected at the time the reservation is made.

Q. Can can two or more persons fly courier together?
A. Not on the same flight, but you can get around this loophole by taking separate flights. More than one courier company will often offer flights to a given destination. You can book flights with different companies and meet at your final destination, or book the flights with the same company on two consecutive days. By the time the second person arrives, the first will have already settled into a hotel and be ready for the fun to begin. The financial savings will more than make up for any inconvenience.

Q. What will I be carrying and how does the transfer of goods work?
A. In most cases you won't know what you're carrying unless customs decide to open the bags. Don't worry, it's legal and above board. You'll have paperwork from the bonded courier company telling the customs agent that you're a courier and will be meeting a representative to pick up the delivery. My trips to Scotland for the Halbart Express Courier Company illustrate the typical courier scenario:

I met the Halbart Express agent at the Los Angeles airport. He stayed with me until the baggage had been checked in. In this instance, he told me what I was carrying but you often will not get this information. Before the representative left, I was given an envelope with paperwork and specific instructions. My plane stopped off in London, before going on to Glasgow. When I reached London, I had a telephone number back in the United States that I was to call collect. This was just to check in and let the courier company know everything was going OK. When I got to Glasgow, I was instructed to get a luggage cart, pick up the baggage off the carousel and meet the courier company representative at customs. We signed a few papers, I called the U.S. collect one more time to let them know the delivery had been completed, and that was it! I now had a week to spend in Scotland!

Q. Do courier companies offer domestic flights?
A. No, courier flights are for international flights only.

Q. What about other travel arrangements?
A. Needless to say, courier companies are not travel agents. Your are on your own to find lodging, transfers, transportation at your destination and activities.

Q. Where do courier flights go?
A. Courier flights are available to major business center cities the world over. If it's a world class city, chances are there's a courier flight there.

Q.Where do courier flights originate?
A. Most major cities have some courier flights originating there. New York has flights leaving for all over the world: Europe, Asia, South America and Australia. Los Angeles and San Francisco have a lot of flights going to Asia and a few to Europe and Australia. If you want to go to South America, plan on leaving from Miami. Other cities that originate courier flights include: Chicago, Washington D.C., Detroit, Guam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, London (a wide variety available here) and many others. The largest variety of destinations are available when leaving from New York, London, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Q. How do I book a courier flight?
A. Call a courier company, see what they have available and make your reservations. You can research courier companies in local phone books and business directories in cities with major airports and business or manufacturing centers.

There are also organizations that you can join that give you courier information. While joining an organization is absolutlely not necessary to qualify for a courier flight, good ones can be useful.

Q.Is there anything else I need to know?
A. Most companies require you be at least twenty one years of age to fly courier. This pretty much is the only requirement. Some, but not all, do charge a fee the first time you book a flight through them. Ask lots of questions and you won't have any surprises. The entire process is really very simple.

Also, treat your courier flight like a job. Don't be flaky or cancel at the last minute or you may be barred from taking further courier flights. The courier company is counting on you to deliver, once you have booked a flight and their business reputation rides on you. Be flaky and have fun after you have delivered the goods.

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