Book with Peace of Mind

What you need to know before travelling

Important: Before you travel, you must double-check the current rules and how this relates to your circumstances. It is entirely the responsibility of you and those in your travelling party to comply with the latest government requirements, which as we have seen may also change suddenly and without notice.

The government's Smartraveller website has released a helpful step-by-step guide that covers COVID-19 related and other travel information. Please review these steps carefully, and we have also highlighted some of their key areas below. We would also suggest subscribing to Smart Traveller for any changes & updates to your destinations.

International Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC)

Many foreign governments will need evidence of the COVID-19 vaccinations and tests you’ve had before they let you enter. The Australian-issued International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC) is a free and secure way to prove your COVID-19 vaccination history when you travel overseas. It is a great benefit to have your vaccination confirmation linked to your phone, as well as your passport. To obtain your ICVC, we recommend the method via the 'Express Plus Medicare mobile app’. Please always keep a copy of your International Vaccination certificate with you when travelling outside of Australia.

View ICVC Instructions

Pre-Departure COVID-19 Testing

Some countries, airlines and vessel operators may require a pre-departure test result at check-in before you are allowed to board your flight or ship. Check the entry requirements of the country you are travelling or transiting through, and your airline or vessel operator’s requirements.

View Individual Country requirements

COVID-19 Travel Requirements - Including Return to Australia

Most countries require proof of Covid -vaccination (exemptions may apply for children). Some countries will also require testing on arrival, please check with the requirements of the country you are travelling or transiting through.

View United States CDC Website

View Government of Canada Website

View Government of Japan Website

View Government of Switzerland Website

View Government of Schengen Europe Website

View Government of Austria Website

View Government of Italy Website

View New Zealand Government Website

Returning to Australia

United States Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA)

You must complete this yourself: All eligible travellers to the United States (including those in transit) who wish to travel under the Visa Waiver Program must now apply for authorisation using the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation website, visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov . Beware of scam websites and type this URL exactly. A US$21 fee applies for each application. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travelling to the United States, however it is recommended no less than 72 hours prior to travel. Travel authorisations are valid for multiple trips within a two year period, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Prior to travelling, you should update application details, relating to your next trip, on the website. Although not required, it is recommended you print a copy of your authorisation number for your records and carry it whilst travelling. Apply for ESTA no later than 72 hours before departing for the United States. Real-time approvals will no longer be available and arriving at the airport without a previously approved ESTA will likely result in being denied boarding.

Canada Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

You must complete this yourself: Visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to (or transit) through Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid visa. To apply you must have a valid passport, credit card, and email address and a few minutes to complete the online form. Visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-start.asp . Beware of scam websites and type this URL exactly. A CA$7 fee applies for each application. In most cases, your eTA will be approved within minutes of applying. If you travel by land or sea, you will not need an eTA when you enter Canada. Your eTA is linked to the passport you used in your eTA application. You will need to present the passport you used to apply for your eTA to airline staff each time you board a flight to Canada. Once you have an eTA, it will be valid for five years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you change your email address after you apply for an eTA, you must update your address online. You will need an eTA before you board your flight to Canada.

New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorisation (NZETA)

You must complete this yourself: Effective October 2019, some travellers are required to hold an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before they leave for New Zealand. This applies to travellers from visa waiver or transit visa waiver countries who are in transit through New Zealand, even if New Zealand is not their final destination. You don't need a visa or NZeTA to enter New Zealand, when travelling on your New Zealand or Australian passport. Australian permanent residents are required to hold an NZeTA. An NZeTA request costs NZD $12 if completed online. You pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) at the same time as your NZeTA. This costs NZD $35. Visithttps://immigration.govt.nz/nzeta for full details or to request an NZeTA. It can take up to 72 hours for an NZeTA request to be processed.

Important Information when travelling to Europe

You must complete this yourself: From 2024 Australian Passport holders now required a ETIAS Visa for Europe & Schengen Area: ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for Nationals of visa-exempt countries (i.e. Australia) travelling to any of these 30 European countries. It is linked to a traveller's passport. It is valid for up to 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you will need a new ETIAS travel authorisation.

Applying for an ETIAS travel authorisation: You can fill out the application form using either the official ETIAS website for the ETIAS mobile application. Applying for the ETIAS travel authorisation costs EUR 7, though some travellers are exempt from paying this fee. Red more about what you need by clicking here. https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/what-you-need-apply_env

Your ETIAS check-list:

• Apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation well in advance – before you buy your ticket or book your accommodation.
• Make sure your passport details correspond to those in your ETIAS authorisation – you will be refused boarding and entry at the border if they do not match.
• Make sure your ETIAS travel authorisation is still valid.
• Check how long you can stay in the European countries requiring ETIAS.
• Make sure your passport is valid for three months after your intended departure from the European countries requiring ETIAS - you will be refused entry at the border if it is not (exceptions apply).

Flight Changes

Outbound changes can vary by airline Airlines may not allow change of outbound and/or return flights, or in most cases with a fee, and a fare increase if booking class changes. Changes to confirmed flights for any reason will require ticket reissue with airline fare rules applying. Changing your return flight is subject to availability at the time, and it is difficult to predict any fare increase until availability on the new date is known. This may mean travelling at a significantly higher fare. Travelplan ski fares are substantially discounted over regular fares, as such can be subject to higher fare reassessment in some cases. If Travelplan needs to rebook your flight, please note a service fee will also apply. There

are many reasons for requesting a change to flights, and you will need to check if your travel insurance covers costs for your circumstance.

Outbound changes- Most airlines require a recalculation of your fare at current fare levels if outbound flight changed. Some require cancellation of the ticket less a cancellation fee, and purchase of a new ticket at current fares.

Baggage Allowance

We recommend prior to departure; you check exact baggage restrictions with the airlines on your itinerary. Japan domestic flights usually include a smaller free checked baggage allowance than the international flights. US and Canadian domestic flights usually do not include a free checked baggage allowance, and you must pay for each piece. These charges are often waived if your flight connects to or from an international flight included on the same booking and ticket. You may need to produce documentation of your connecting international flight on check-in. Note: This waiver will not apply if you check-in for your flight online or kerbside.
View Airline Baggage Policies

Seating Assignment

We will relay your requested seating to the airlines included on your itinerary. In some cases, airlines may automatically book seat numbers based on your loyalty program membership profile. Some airlines will not allow pre-assigned seating in certain booking classes and other carriers, such as Qantas, charge for seat assignment if you are not a certain category of their Frequent Flyer program or flying in first/business class. In this case we suggest you phone the airlines and pay for seat assignment by credit card.

Airlines reserve the right to change seat assignments. Airline check-in staff may claim that no seat assignment has been made in these circumstances. If your printed itinerary shows seat numbers allocated, be assured these have been generated by the airline reservation system. If they have been changed, this has been done so by the airline.

Travel Insurance

The Australian government considers travel insurance to be a necessity to cover unexpected events such as illnesses, accidents, and loss of possessions. If you have not yet taken out insurance, please ask your travel consultant for a quote. If you have already taken out insurance please ensure the policy covers recreational snow sports. Keep your travel insurance details handy when travelling and put the phone number of your travel insurance’s help line in your phone.

View Travel Insurance Smartraveller