Visas, Flights and Insurance
Visas
British citizens travelling to China must have a full British passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of intended departure from China. All British passport holders require an entry visa for mainland China, even if entering from Hong Kong. Although part of China, Hong Kong has different requirements from the mainland and no visa is required.
Sportsworld, in conjunction with The Visa Company, will be providing single entry visas for full British passport holders on a three day turnaround basis when you purchase any of our tour packages. The visa is included in the package price and is valid for three months from date of entry into China. On confirmation of your booking, your visa documentation will be sent through for subsequent completion.
Note that we can offer a ‘visa only’ service, if required.
If you are not a British passport holder or you require a multi-entry visa, please contact the Sportsworld office to confirm requirements. Please be aware that additional visa costs may apply.
Sportsworld is working with the major airlines to provide you with easy travel options in and out of Beijing. Direct non-stop flights from the UK to Beijing are currently limited to British Airways and Air China. A number of other airlines are applying for permission to fly direct into Beijing. This shortage of direct flights means that demand for seats will be very high and it is likely that standard air fares will rise considerably.
Air China is the official airline for Beijing 2008 and is in the process of upgrading its fleet of aircraft in advance of the Games.
A number of other airlines fly indirect to Beijing via different hub cities. This could provide options for stopovers en route to Beijing. European airlines such as KLM and Air France fly via Amsterdam and Paris respectively and the stopover time is just 1.5 hours (approx). Prices are likely to be cheaper on indirect routings.
Flight allocations
Sportsworld will have a secure allocation of seats in economy and business class to suit our Olympic tour dates. Whilst the airlines are still to confirm exact allocations and prices, we expect to receive this information in the coming months and certainly prior to the airlines releasing their seats into the open market (usually 11 months prior to travel).
Flight routings and timings
Below are sample timings of typical flights to Beijing. These are for guidance only and do not represent the schedule for 2008.
|
Direct |
Depart |
|
Arrive |
|
| Outbound |
Heathrow |
2115 |
Beijing |
1405 (following day) |
| Inbound |
Beijing |
1405 |
Heathrow |
1750 |
| Indirect |
|
|
|
|
|
Heathrow |
1600 |
Paris |
1810 |
| Outbound |
Paris |
1855 |
Beijing |
1050 (following day) |
|
Beijing |
1000 |
Paris |
1440 |
| Inbound |
Paris |
1600 |
Heathrow |
1610 |
Note that the time in Beijing is 7 hours ahead of British Summer Time.
Flight prices
Indicative flight prices for the major airlines in economy and business class are set out below. Please note that these prices are subject to confirmation.
|
Estimated price per person |
| Airline |
Economy |
Business |
Service |
| Air China |
£895 |
£2355 |
Direct |
| British Airways |
£1125 |
£2875 |
Direct |
| KLM / Air France |
£665 |
£1775 |
Indirect |
| Taxes* |
£150 |
£190 |
|
*The basic price of your flight will be confirmed when booked but taxes, fees and other applicable charges must be paid at time of ticketing.
Flying from regional airports
As outlined, some indirect carriers offer flights from regional airports. For direct flights to Beijing with Air China and British Airways or for flights from Heathrow with Cathay Pacific, for example, regional connecting flights can be booked at additional cost.
Please note that Air France/KLM operate services from many UK airports to their European hub and then directly into Beijing. If you require a quotation for a connecting flight, please provide us with details on the booking request form or our online booking system.
Tailor-making your itinerary
If you are planning to extend your travel within China or to other worldwide destinations, or you have a specific itinerary that you wish to follow en route to or from Beijing, please supply us with full details on the booking form or our online booking system and we will source the best quotation for you. Flights, accommodation and transfers can all be arranged by our travel team as part of a single booking.
Booking your flights
We would urge you to request your preferred airline, class and travel dates during your booking in order that we can provide the airlines with the information as soon as possible.
At the time of submitting your booking we will ask for details of your flight requirements. We will continue to work closely with the various airlines to try to provide you with your first choice of routing and dates.
Once we receive our allocations and confirmed prices we will automatically confirm your flights provided the basic price is the same or less than the relevant price listed above.
We will then provide you with the details on a revised tour confirmation.
Should the actual basic flight price exceed the indicative price shown, we will provide you with a quotation and await your approval before proceeding.
Please note that if you request flights outside of our stated tour dates or on alternative airlines or routings, it may be necessary to pay for these in full to guarantee the fare.
N.B. In order to make your flight reservation and submit your booking details to the airline, we require a copy of the passport of each person flying within your party.
Special requirements
Please ensure that any special dietary requests or health-related issues are noted in the relevant area during your booking order that these can be passed to the airline.
Please note that Sportsworld cannot guarantee requests on behalf of the airline.
Sportsworld, in partnership with Arch Insurance Company (the underwriter), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, has arranged a comprehensive policy designed to suit the requirements of your Olympic Games tour and, in particular, travel within China.
A summary of the maximum limits of cover is provided below. We recommend that you read the full Sportsworld insurance policy
| Personal accident |
£25,000 |
| Medical & expenses |
£5,000,000 |
| Cancellation & curtailment |
Up to maximum
cover of policy
(e.g. £5,000, £7,500 or £10,000) |
| Delay compensation |
£25 for first 12 hours delay & £25 for each full 12 hours thereafter up
to a maximum of £250. Up to maximum cover of policy if after 24 hours
delay it is decided to cancel the trip |
| Personal baggage |
£1,500 |
| Personal money & event tickets |
£500 (£300 limit in respect of cash, currency, bank notes and event
tickets) |
| Loss of passport |
£250 |
| Personal liability |
£2,000,000 |
| Legal expenses & advice |
£50,000 |
| Missed departure |
£1,000 |
| Catastrophe |
£250 |
| Restricted
enjoyment benefit(hospitalisation,
false arrest,hijack, kidnap) |
£1,000 |
As with most travel insurance, you are only covered for an event which occurs after you have purchased the policy. With regard to health, you must declare to the insurer’s helpline any pre-existing illnesses or conditions in the last 12 months, including any condition under investigation, relating to all persons on whom the travel plans depend (important - this includes those persons not travelling with you). The insurer reserves the right to impose terms.
If you arrange your own travel insurance, it must be at least equal to the policy we offer. You must ensure that your insurance covers the total cost of your arrangements including sightseeing tours, flights and event tickets.
If you wish to make your own insurance arrangements, you must fill out the insurance section during your booking.
Choosing the correct policy for you
We have provided a tiered system of insurance (as detailed in the table) to cater for the variable tour package costs.
We can provide cover (subject to the insurer’s acceptance of any health declaration) for those up to the age of 80 years. For persons aged 81 years and over, we are able to apply for insurance on your behalf. Family and couples insurance policies are also available on request. Family policies include all dependant children under 18 years at the date of issue.
What you must do
- Calculate the total cost of your Olympic Games package together with any flights, sightseeing tours and event tickets, per person
- From the Sportsworld insurance premiums summary table, choose the Period (total number of days of your tour) and cross reference with the Age bracket you fall within, and the Total package cost of your tour to obtain the cost of your premium, per person
- Fill out a health declaration form, available to download (one per person applying) and return to Sportsworld. If you answer “yes” to any of the questions, you will need to ring the medical screening service company to obtain your reference number, which must be included on this form. Don’t forget to sign the form before returning.
| Individual Adults – premiums per
person |
|
Worldwide, excluding USA, Canada, Caribbean & Mexico |
Worldwide, excluding USA, Canada, Caribbean & Mexico |
| Age |
Up to 64 years old |
65 – 80 years old |
| Total Cost |
£5k |
£7.5k |
£10k |
£5k |
£7.5k |
£10k |
| PERIOD |
| 1 to 5 days |
£41.21 |
£141.21 |
£241.21 |
£82.42 |
£282.42 |
£482.42 |
| 6 to 10 days |
£45.83 |
£145.83 |
£245.83 |
£91.66 |
£291.66 |
£491.66 |
| 11 to 17 days |
£49.43 |
£149.43 |
£249.43 |
£98.86 |
£298.86 |
£498.86 |
| 18 to 24 days |
£52.96 |
£152.96 |
£252.96 |
£105.92 |
£305.92 |
£505.92 |
| 25 to 31 days |
£57.58 |
£157.58 |
£257.58 |
£115.16 |
£315.16 |
£515.16 |
| Add Week |
£11.75 |
£11.75 |
£11.75 |
£23.50 |
£23.50 |
£23.50 |
| Premiums are inclusive of Insurance Premium
Tax (IPT) 17.5% |
| Couples – premiums per person |
|
Worldwide, excluding USA, Canada, Caribbean & Mexico |
| Age |
Up to 64 years old |
| Total cost |
£5k |
£7.5k |
£10k |
| PERIOD |
| 1 to 5 days |
£36.06 |
£136.06 |
£236.06 |
| 6 to 10 days |
£40.10 |
£140.10 |
£240.10 |
| 11 to 17 days |
£43.26 |
£143.26 |
£243.26 |
| 18 to 24 days |
£46.34 |
£146.34 |
£246.34 |
| 25 to 31 days |
£50.38 |
£150.38 |
£250.38 |
| Add Week |
£10.28 |
£10.28 |
£10.28 |
| Premiums are inclusive of Insurance Premium
Tax (IPT) 17.5% |
N.B. Couples aged 65 or over are excluded from this policy
Our commitment to you
If, having examined your policy, you decide not to proceed, you have 14 days from the date you receive your policy document to cancel this policy and receive a refund of premium, providing you have not taken a trip, made a claim or intend to make a claim.
If you have any queries in relation to Sportsworld’s insurance policy, please call us on
0870 385 0808.
Sportsworld is an appointed representative of Fogg Travel Insurance Services Limited, independent intermediaries, and who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.