Visit China

Question:

Hi, I plan to take a trip to Asia (HK & China) this July and just started to look for cheap air fares.  The cheapest tickets offered seemed to be by Courier companies.  One such company in Colorado is claiming that their price is as low as $300. However, before anyone can get any flight info from them, he is asked to pay $58 to become a member of their "Courier Association."  Since I have never been a courier before and don’t know anyone who has been a courier, I wonder whether it really is worth it…  I am asking anyone who knows anything about being a courier or has been courie to share with me his/her experience.  All your advice and recommendations are greatly appreciated. Best regards, kyt

Response:

>I plan to take a trip to Asia (HK & China) this July and just >started to look for cheap air fares.  The cheapest tickets offered >seemed to be by Courier companies.  One such company in >Colorado is claiming that their price is as low as $300. >However, before anyone can get any flight info from them, he is >asked to pay $58 to become a member of their "Courier >Association."  Since I have never been a courier before and >don’t know anyone who has been a courier, I wonder whether >it really is worth it…

My personal feeling is that it’s a total scam. I’ve signed up with a couple agencies and never gotten a darn thing. Those few times when they did even have a flight, it was more expensive or the same price as getting it from a travel agent. I’m busy trying to get my money back now. miguel

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I plan to take a trip to Asia (HK & China) this July and just >started to look for cheap air fares.  The cheapest tickets offered >seemed to be by Courier companies.  One such company in >Colorado is claiming that their price is as low as $300. >However, before anyone can get any flight info from them, he is >asked to pay $58 to become a member of their "Courier >Association."  Since I have never been a courier before and >don’t know anyone who has been a courier, I wonder whether >it really is worth it… >My personal feeling is that it’s a total scam. I’ve signed up with a couple >agencies and never gotten a darn thing. Those few times when they did even >have a flight, it was more expensive or the same price as getting it from a >travel agent. I’m busy trying to get my money back now. >miguel

Miguel: Please share with us the names of the courier companies/agencies that you had bad experiences with so that the rest of us do not fall into the same situation. Some details please Mick in Denver Colorado

Response:

: >>My personal feeling is that it’s a total scam. I’ve signed up with a couple : >>agencies and never gotten a darn thing. Those few times when they did even : >>have a flight, it was more expensive or the same price as getting it from a : >>travel agent. I’m busy trying to get my money back now. snip    I joined the Air Courier Association in Denver (303-279-3600). They provide manuals, schedules and updates for most of the major courier companies and I have taken two courier flights in the past 4 months.  I had a good flight both times, and the trip to Honduras was free.  If your planning your flight well in advance, your prices will be higher, but if you can just up and go somewhere (I really didn’t care, I just wanted the FF miles) it’s a real good way to fly.    Also, courier companies don’t go EVERYWHERE and a lot of flights have a min of 3 or 7 days. Some offer open ended tickets, etc.  One of the major companies is NOW courier in NYC (212) 431-1616, they have recorded info and they will charge you I think $50 for your first trip + the ticket charge… Hmmmm…Anything I forgot??  Fell free to email me… Kevin ***  /_  __ ***  Response Center Engineer       phone:  404-850-2571 **  / / /_/  **  North American Response Ctr    telnet: 1-850-2571 ***    /    ***  Atlanta, GA USA 30339   *****     *****  Standard Disclaimer Applies!

Response:

Greetings Fellow Travelers, I have just completed a four page question and answer report on how to travel as an AIR COURIER. For those of you not familiar with traveling overseas as an AIR COURIER, let me tell you, it’s fun, exciting and cheap! Sample fares are (ALL ROUND TRIP ON MAJOR CARRIERS) NY-LONDON $200 NY-HONG KONG $350 SAN FRAN-SINGAPORE $250 MIAMI-CARACAS $100 (YEP! One Hundred Bucks, ROUNDTRIP!) CHICAGO-TOKYO $550 MONTREAL-LONDON $283(US$)/$397CANADIAN PARIS-NY 1500 franc (appro $285US) Well, you get the idea.     The need for Air Couriers is increasing daily!  For your free copy of this As for the other postings here about "AIR COURIER ASSOCIATIONS", There are a couple out there.  I personally use and recommend "THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AIR TRANSPORT COURIERS" in Lake Worth Florida.  They charge a $45 a year membership fee and are well worth the investment. You may call them at 1-407-582-8320 or fax to 407 582 1581 for FREE info. (PS-I do not work for them, I am just a member) Best regards, Dave Bancroft World Traveler

Response: