Reserving flights through Road Scholar

I wish RS would be a little more clear on airport transfers. If you are on one of the independent city tours you are on your own to get to the hotel from the airport, even if you have RS book your flights. I don't think this will be a problem in Paris, but I wonder if there are other cities where it can be quite intimidating.

In reply to jlwoodward101718:

jlwoodward - Yes, transport from Paris is very easy. I tape the printed out full address (including the "zip code" which starts with a 750XX) to a 3x5 index card to hand to the taxi driver. Take a cab ONLY from the official taxi rank. Don't go with anyone who comes up to you in the airport and asks if you want a taxi. Follow the signs and let the manager at the head of the line point you to a taxi. 50E to the Right Bank, 55E to the Left Bank.

~Pam

In reply to catcrazyaf030355:

Thanks! Good to know they will book the flights I want.

I have started booking through Road Scholar fairly recently and have been very pleased. I especially like the fact that they take care of organizing all the transfers.
Next year I will be flying to Bordeaux for the 6 week Living and Learning program. I plan on treating myself to an upgrade from the regular economy and will have to find out if Road Scholar will be able to book that.

In reply to jlwoodward101718:

Quite easy and economical to get into Paris from CDG using public transit -- as long as you don't have a large suitcase. If you are daring, go for it. If it is your first time in Paris … well, maybe you can link up with someone else in your program and use PamInIdaho's tips to take a taxi.

In reply to retireul011247:

How did that work out for you? I've always used RS for international because it was cost effective, especially because the transfers were a distance. I am planning a Scotland trip July 2020 and the difference between RS cost for the flight and if I book it myself (same flights) is $430. I figure I wouldn't spend more than $100 for a transfer from Glasgow airport to the city center (bus) and then from Edinburgh out to the airport. Edinburgh flight is in the morning but not too early that I couldn't find a cab.

In reply to joyceannewhite021503:

To Joyceannewhite021503: RS can make reservations for you in economy, economy plus, business, and first class. Just let them know your preference. I found out that not all flights have a business class section so you might end up in economy plus instead.

In reply to bradford.kerr091253:

Another tip: be sure to read your air itinerary as soon as RS sends it to you. On our most recent flight to Italy, RS had me arriving and leaving Toronto connection AT THE SAME TIME on different airlines!! Toronto is a monster airport if you're changing airlines. I was able to get the connection changed with a 3-hour layover, which was not at all too long.

In reply to catcrazyaf030355:

I will be on my first RS trip in May and my first international flight in 40 years. I had RS book my flight, which it turns out is not non-stop. I wish I had known we could suggest preferred flights as I would have gladly done the research to find a non-stop flight. Luckily the trip home is non-stop.

In reply to zen021519:

I have made my own travel arrangements. I will leave a day early-October 19, 2020

In reply to scorleybrink2123159:

If your trip is not until May, chances are, RS has not ticketed you yet so call and ask for alternatives. I am traveling in May as well and I know they have not yet ticketed my trip.

I have encountered a different problem: the various people at RS travel told me that they couldn't book me on Aer Lingus because it is not part of the alliance group with whom they have a contract but the Aer Lingus website clearly states that they are partners with United. I will have to call again and hope I get someone who can figure this out.