Question for folks who have gone to USAT AG Worlds before. Has USAT setup a travel agency
to put together complete travel packages for Team USA members?
Dave
they used to set up a tour> it used to be reasonable and easy. Then it got so expensive that i just did it myself. and now i don’t go at all.
Dave
I went to Denmark for LC Worlds. The travel was ALL taken care of Premium Plus sports. I thought Depak did a great job. USAT now uses their own in house Travel Consultant. She quoted me a complete package to go to France for LC Worlds again this year. I don’t think it was her fault, but the trip became way too expensive. I think it is more the case that France in July has other things on it’s mind, and they can charge what they want, and people will pay it.
DB
they used to use PremiumPlusSports for travel packages, however, there were a couple emails sent recently by USAT reminding members of their “divorce” from this company. i say divorce because it seems like something went very sour with PPS…as they kept sending emails with the reminder that they no longer are partners. just my opinion though, have no idea what happened. i believe they now do this travel somewhat in-house, try teamusat.org?
Thanks everyone for the inputs. Yep, I remember them being used for 2005 worlds. I sent USAT a note since I am hoping
they have some type of plan now where folks can get into the same hotel, etc since if the team is not together,
it would take away a lot of the reasons I am considering going. It sure would not be to win anything.
Dave
Found this on the USAT site. Guess I just need to find more info.
Travel: USAT provides travel packages specifically for world championships, which usually include: round-trip airfares, airport/hotel transfers, bicycle transportation, lodging and other benefits. Most U.S. athletes travel as part of the prepared package and with other U.S. athletes. All air packages booked with the contracted travel agency include built-in transportation to and from the airport and team hotel. When necessary, it also includes transportation to and from the race site and on race morning. All costs are borne by the athlete. Land package costs usually run between 80-$110 per person per day (foreign hotels can be very expensive). Athletes are free to book housing separate from the package but do so at the expense of lost team camaraderie.
Dave
Wonder why you stopped going.
Dave
dave, you better plan on an additional $2k when your race wheels all of sudden dont show up.
I assume my wheels will be in a bike carrier so either I have my bike and wheels and wetsuit or nothing.
I know one guy at nationals got his bike lost. He ended up getting it at midnight friday,
put it together, got few hours of sleep, and raced in the 7:15 wave sat. Now, thats stress.
Dave
I recommend, based on bad experiences with them, that you NOT use Premium Plus Sports. Deepak seemed nice at first, but lied to me, would not return my emails or phone calls, and is a very shady business man. You may or may not get so-so service at a high price from him. USAT no longer uses him for a reason.
Very surprising. I’ve only had excellent experience with Deepak and PPS when I’ve used him.
Too bad to hear, but sounds like USAT had no choice but to change vendors since you may not have been the only one to feel this way.
Looks like USAT has a process from what I have read where they again offer complete packages so that a racer can just pay, not
no worry about anything else. Guess I will see soon how the above works. I still can not believe I am going to try and get on an
airplane full of drugs since I am so against drugs. :o(
Dave
Hey Dave,
GReat to finally meet you in Portland. Regarding travel for worlds, I have always booked using a travel agent no affiliated with USAT. She has consistantly found me better deals.
so that a racer can just pay, not
no worry about anything else.
ah, but herein has been the trouble. to me, the travel arrangements have been overpriced, and put the athlete at the mercy of mass planning. that works out to getting places early to wait for everyone. i personally see those arrangements as a loss of freedom. and not everything is, in fact, taken care of.
there is yet another travel set-up this year, so i can’t speak for that one. in all 12 of my worlds trips i’ve thought it better to make my own set-up. i’ve done a part or all of a travel package a couple of times and was entirely unsatisfied. that said, there are some who think it’s fine and want it done for them—and will put up with the gouging and aggravation.
peggy…who loves worlds, just not the travel packages offered to date
For World LC in Australia last year, I looked into the “package” deal. It just didn’t work out for me. I ended up getting everything cheaper and with a better timeline (for me) doing it on my own. I even found a cheaper rate at the Team USA hotel on my own. Get the info where the team is staying and do your own research. The only thing that was a bit of trouble was getting my bike box from Sydney to Canberra. But then I got to rent a car and drive on the wrong side of the road. That was fun!!
Also, we flew Quantas vice United for basically the same price and TONS better service. If you have a choice, go with a foreign carrier (British Air, Quantas, etc) vice a US based carrier.
Yep, was great to met you. Boy are you fast!!
So, you going to Germany?
Dave
Wow, 12 world trips. Guess this implies they are worth the time, money and effort to get to if you qualify?
So, since worlds is only 7 weeks away, how do we get info on the where and when stuff? I guess I would be interested in seeing
what USAT can come up with. So, did they use their “new” inhouse better deal process last year? Might call USAT today and
ask how folks seem to be getting better deals on their own. I sure would hope that something USAT can put together would
give us a better deal than the outside since this is what I seem to hear from them.
Dave
World trips are definatley worth going to, as long as you are in a financial position to do it. And the USAT travel agent, no matter who they are, are always more expensive than doing it yourself. THey have to make a living too, so prices get jacked up to those who are too lazy to do it themselves. Nothing wrong with that, just know it going in. As others have said, not only are there better hotels than the one they choose, you can usually get a better price by booking seperately at the host hotel. But you do have to spend about 60 minutes on your computer to sort out those deals. Long lines, lost bikes in masse, always waiting around for others, that’s what you can expect from the group deals, so no complaining afterwards, you have been forewarned…THe best worlds I ever did was with Emilio and two other friends in NZ. We rented a 5 bedroom house, with guesthouse, on a mountain overlooking the bike course, for half the price that the team paid for crowded condinimums, and just a couple miles away from the transition area…Good luck, and have fun…
I’ve done 3 worlds LC and I think you should definitely go. Staying at the team hotel is a definite plus, in my opinion. I used the USAT vendor, and had a great time, but if you know the hotel they’re staying at, try a search on your own. Another great resource for these trips are Anthony travel. I’ve used them a few times, and it’s nice to just call one person if there’s a problem. They always took GREAT care of me. On another note, start find a way to deal with your fear of flying without the drugs…being able to love flying to events opens up another great world for you. It’s something to savor.
Thanks for the inputs. I can either spend what money I have now, or leave it for the kids. Tough choice, even though I will probably take
them with us if I can get on that darn plane.
Guess I am just niave. I assume USAT does get great group rates, and locations. Oh well, learn things new everyday.
But, will still keep my fingers crossed they come up with a new approach for worlds this year.
Dave