• When you purchase your airfare through us and travel on the program start and end dates, we also include free ground transportation to the starting location of your program, which is a great value and makes travelling less complicated.
• We’ll make sure to get you to the starting location the day your program is scheduled to begin (with just a few exceptions).
• We offer an after-hours travel emergency number in case you’re having trouble with your flights.
• You’ll receive a full refund for your airfare in the rare case we must cancel your program (exceptions may apply).

We sure can. We can arrange business class and premium economy seating at competitive prices. If you’d like upgraded seats, then select the ‘Custom Flight Arrangements’ option and then the airport you want from the full list of airports in the U.S. If you choose the custom flight option, we won’t include the cost of your airfare in your initial purchase. Once you have completed your cabin preference in your Personal Information Form you will receive a preliminary air itinerary and the air costs will be added to your program.

Not all airlines allow preassigned seats. However, we’ll do our best to confirm seats according to the seating preference you indicated on your Personal Information Form.

Policies and time frames for assigning seats vary by carrier and the airlines reserve the right to change any seat assignments up to and including your day of travel. Depending on the carrier, preassigned seating may be available at an additional cost. 

Accruing air miles in a frequent-flyer plan depends on the itinerary and your type of ticket. We can always apply your mileage numbers, but whether your reservation qualifies for accrual is up to the airline.

We have negotiated flights from select popular airports throughout the United States, so if you plan on arriving to and departing from your program on the scheduled start and end dates, and if you see the city you would like to fly into and out of from the available gateways list, then select your gateway city. If you want to travel on different dates than your program’s scheduled dates, or if you want business or first-class seating, or if the airport you want isn’t on the list of our gateway cities, then select the ‘Custom Flight Arrangements’ option and then the airport you want from the full list of airports in the U.S. If you choose Custom Flight Arrangements option, we won’t include the cost of your airfare in your initial purchase. Instead, we’ll contact you when it is appropriate to begin your travel planning process.

When it is time to being booking your airfare we will contact you by email. We can generally begin booking air approximately four months before departure for International programs and three months before departure for programs in the United States and Canada.

When it’s time to begin booking your airfare we will contact you by email. We can generally begin booking air approximately three months before departure, and will book your flights based on your program schedule, best routing, and personal flight preferences. Once your flight is confirmed, the air costs will be added to your program. We will monitor your reservation and notify you if there are any changes.

To make any changes, just give us a call. We try to keep fees to a minimum, but there are certain reservations where a fee may be charged. Change penalties, baggage fees, and preferred seat charges are all dictated by the airlines. We’ll be able to help you navigate these, so you know what fees you’ll be facing. Please note that there may be additional costs incurred beyond fees when you change your flights.

Once we notify you that your air itinerary is ready for review, you can find all the information in the “Upcoming Trips” section of your Road Scholar online account. Just select the relevant program that you’re enrolled in under “Upcoming Trips” and click on “Itinerary” to view your air itinerary.

For some Road Scholar programs, we offer free or discounted airfare as a special promotion. For these programs, the airfare is typically economy class and free from select cities for travel on the specific program start and end dates. You may travel from a different city or travel in an upgraded class of service or outside the program start and end dates at an added cost. If you’re interested in altering your air beyond the standard free air we offer on some programs, you should select the “Custom Flight Arrangements” in checkout on our website, or ask over the phone if calling, and our Travel Department will work to customize your arrangements.

Before your program begins, we will send you detailed information that includes instructions on how to get to the starting location of your program. You can also find lots of transportation details in the “Travel Information” section on every trip on our website.

Be sure to share a copy of your itinerary, passport and visas with family or friends, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency. When you enroll in a program, Road Scholar provides an emergency contact information page that you can share. 

If traveling abroad, make sure your passport is valid at least six months from your return date. For passport information for United States citizens, visit www.state.gov/. 

We strongly recommend you check in through your airline’s website prior to travel. Many airlines offer e-boarding using a smart phone. At the airport, check in should be done two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

Many airlines now provide special seating with additional legroom, for a fee, either during booking or at check-in. If a medical condition makes additional legroom necessary, it is helpful to have a medical note to present at check-in, which may allow the gate agent to assign you bulkhead seating or expedited boarding. 

Road Scholar Travel has specially negotiated business and premium-class fares in many cases. Using Road Scholar for your air travel will insure that your upgraded seat is booked in advance and secured. However, many airlines now provide upgraded seating to higher-class cabins within 24 hours of travel and/or at check-in, for a fee. The fee varies widely by carrier, but may be an affordable option for seating in premium or business class especially on an international flight. While not guaranteed that any space would be available, it is something to consider and can be done generally within 24 hours by visiting an airline's website or when checking in at the airport

With TSA Pre-Check you can avoid security lines at airport by pre-registering with the Transportation Security Administration.  Learn more at https://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck.

Global Entry is a very similar program to TSA Pre-Check and allows passengers to be “pre-screened”  for travel, expediting the airport security process. You can learn more about Global Entry at: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to a foreign county enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is a free service provided by the U.S. Government. STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can better assist you in an emergency. Enrollment is voluntary and costs nothing. Enroll here.

All travelers can contact the Transportation Security Administration using Talk To TSA, a web-based tool that allows passengers to reach out to an airport Customer Service Manager directly, and the TSA Contact Center, (866) 289-9673 and SA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov, where travelers can ask questions, provide suggestions and file complaints. TSA requires you to contact them at least 72 hours prior to travel.

If you are 75 or older you may qualify for a simpler security process at the airport including:

• Leaving your shoes on.
• Leaving on your light outerwear such as a sweater.
• If the metal detector is triggered, you will be allowed to pass through the detector a second time before undergoing a pat down.

You can learn more here:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/screening-passengers-75-and-older

When packing your carry-on baggage, keep in mind this will be all you have for a day or two, if your luggage is lost. Therefore, you should take essential and valuable items. We recommend packing the following items in your carry-on luggage:

• Your Road Scholar program materials, any visas you may need, and any other tickets or vouchers you will need for further travel after your program is over.
• Your passport and a photocopy for added security. (Carry your photocopy separately from original)
• Your personal health insurance information.
• Your prescription medicine(s) with copies of prescription(s).
• Extra eyeglasses/lenses and a copy of your prescription.
• A change of clothing.
• Your camera.
• Something to snack on, if it helps you during travel.