FAQS
Q: How can I book a flight?
Flights, hotels car hire and packages can all be booked over the phone on 020 8502 8300, through our enquiry page or by emailing one of our specialist team at: enquiries@swifttravel.com
Q: What are your telephone number and contact centre opening times?
Q: Where can I find the Terms and Conditions for bookings with Swift?
Q: How can I pay for my flights?
Swift Travel accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards. We also accept the following debit cards: Switch, Visa Connect, Solo & Visa Delta for payment of your flights. Please note credit card charges may apply. In some cases, we can arrange BACS payments.
Q: What is covered by Taxes, Fees and Charges in my reservation?
Taxes, Fees and Charges refers to that portion of the total air fare payable by each passenger. It is calculated by reference to the Government taxes and airport charges payable by the airline in respect of passengers travelling on a particular route on that particular itinerary. These may include Government taxes, airport taxes, passenger service charges, insurance surcharges and in some cases passenger security charges as well.
Full explanations of the taxes, fees and charges are detailed below:
UK Air Duty – Taxes such as UK Air Passenger Duty are levied on the carriage by air if passengers depart from a UK airport. Government Tax – An airport departure or arrival tax payable to the government. These taxes vary from country to country and state to state
Passenger Service Charge/Airport tax – This is a charge made by the airport authority to an airline for the use of the terminal, runway, emergency services, security facilities etc. The non refundable charge is made on a per passenger basis and varies from airport to airport.
Aviation Insurance Levy – This aviation insurance surcharge was introduced after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Governments no longer covered airlines for acts of terrorism and consequently airline insurance costs rose dramatically.
Q: When do I receive my tickets for the flights that I have booked?
Tickets are normally sent to you 14 days prior to departure. As most airlines are now ticketless there’s no need to worry about collecting tickets. All you need to remember is your booking reference, along with your passport for international flights. When you book your seats you will receive an itinerary detailing your flight schedule by email and/or post, if required.
Q: How can I get a receipt for my flight?
A receipt is automatically sent on receipt of payment. This is sent by email but we can arrange for it to be posted, if required.
Q: Do I need a passport?
It is the passenger’s personal responsibility to ensure that they have valid documentation which meets the requirements of the airlines, immigration and other governmental authorities at every destination. Any fines, penalties, payments or expenditures incurred as a result of breach of this requirement shall be paid by or charged to you. In order to ensure compliance, Swift Travel recommends that you carry your valid passport (and visa if applicable) on all journeys.
Expired passports will not be accepted for any flight. Failure to present a valid passport matching the names on your reservation will result in your being refused check-in without refund.
Q: Do I need a visa?
It is the passenger’s personal responsibility to ensure that they have valid documentation which meets the requirements of the airlines, immigration and other governmental authorities at every destination. Any fines, penalties, payments or expenditures incurred as a result of breach of this requirement shall be paid by or charged to you. In order to ensure compliance Swift Travel recommends that you carry your valid passport (and visa if applicable) on all journeys. If you are in any doubt about the need for a visa, we would recommend that your contact the local Embassy or Consulate of the country you intend to visit prior to making a flight reservation.
Swift Travel can provide advice on possible contacts and preferred visa agents.
Are there special visas when travelling to the USA?
If you are travelling to the USA, the US authorities have introduced a requirement for passengers travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), to register for Electronic Travel Authority. Passengers who have not applied for and received travel authorisation via ESTA prior to travel may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing, or be denied admission at the US port of entry. However, neither possession of a visa, nor meeting the basic requirements for travelling visa-free on the VWP, guarantees admission to the United States. As with most countries, the final determination of admissibility is made by immigration officials at the port of entry. Please remember that issue of ESTA does not guarantee admissibility to the United States – it is only part of the required travel approval process.
How do I apply for ESTA?
There is an online application form which is available now at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Prior to travel, you will need to visit this website and fill in the on-line application (currently in English only).
If you intend to travel to the United States of America, you must apply for entry via ESTA a minimum of 72 hours prior to travel.
Q: Do I need to advise Swift Travel prior to travel if I have special needs or reduced mobility?
Yes, due to the limitation of disabled/reduced mobility passengers on each flight, notification of your condition and any request for assistance must be made through either Swift Travel on the same day as your original booking or with the airline you are traveling on. Failure to advise Swift Travel or the airline of your requirements on the day of booking could result in the service being unavailable on your arrival to the airport and you being refused carriage.
Q: Where do I go in the airport to get my pre-booked special assistance?
If you have pre-booked your assistance, as required by the airlines, simply make yourself known at your designated check-in desk.
Q: Can I purchase an extra seat for a large person?
If a passenger wishes to purchase an extra seat for a large person, that customer will have to pay for the additional seat. Please contact our reservations department in order to book an extra seat. Extra seats cannot be purchased for infants. If you have purchased two seats please arrive early at check-in to avail of the airlines sequential boarding procedure.
Q: What is my baggage allowance?
Checked Baggage Allowance: We advise that you check with the airline you are traveling with as this may vary. Passengers may not use the unused allowances of others. Only passengers travelling within the same reservation may pool their baggage allowance. For health and safety reasons airlines will not accept any individual item exceeding 32 kilos.
Cabin Baggage Allowance: Airlines allow each passenger (excluding infants) to carry hand baggage on board. We advise that you check with the airline you are traveling with for the maximum size as this may vary. For the safety and convenience of all passengers, hand baggage must fit underneath the seat or in the overhead compartment. This may vary from airline to airline, please check with them directly.
Q: What time must I check in?
Standard opening of check-in desks is three hours prior to scheduled departure. Early check-in is greatly recommended. Check-in closes strictly 1 hour before the scheduled time of departure. The airlines reserve the right to cancel your reservation and to deny you boarding if you do not comply with the Check-in Deadline indicated. This may vary with each airline, you must check with them directly
Q: Can I change a flight date/time?
Please be aware that not all discounted tickets are changeable. Certain flight dates, times are changeable subject to, availability, a change fee and an upgrade fee and fare difference if applicable.
Q: Can I change a name on a booking?
Scheduled airlines do not allow name changes on reservations after they have been booked. Please make sure you advise Swift Travel of the correct names on each passenger’s passport at the time of booking.
Q: Archive Covid Info
While Covid has passed, you ca review our archived information which may be relevant for areas that may see a local breakout. Covid Information.
