1. Why should I book Petrabax products?
2. Can I book through my travel agent?
3. When should I book?
4. Do I need to send you a deposit to book?
5. When is the final payment due?
6. If I have to cancel my trip, do I get my money back?
7. How can I reach you by phone of fax?
8. How do I know if my reservations are confirmed?
9. What are escorted tours?
10. Are your escorted tours conducted in English?
11. What is the average age group on your escorted tours?
12. Is smoking allowed on your escorted tours?
13. Do you allow children on your escorted tours?
14. What is independent travel?
15. Are escorted tours and independent travel combinable?
16. I'm not interested in an escorted group tour nor do I want to travel independently, what do you suggest?
17. Can I book hotels only?
18. I'm not sure of how to plan my trip; can you assist me?
19. What's the best way to visit Spain and Portugal?
20. Who is PTB Hotels?
    
    

1.Why should I book Petrabax products?
In one word, experience. Petrabax has been providing quality, reliable travel services for clients from the USA for over 15 years, and over twice that long for clients in Europe. A family company (now in the the third generation), Petrabax has long established relationships with hotels, motorcoach companies, airlines and other travel service providers which assure seamless vacation packages for Petrabax clients.

2.Can I book through my travel agent?
Absolutely! Petrabax encourages you to use the services of your
Professional Travel Agent. Petrabax rates are the same when booked through your travel agent, and you have the added advantage of his or her expertise.

3.When should I book?
Generally, the best rule is to book as far in advance as possible, in order to assure the best selection of hotels and/or tours. Be sure, however, of your travel dates as there can be monetary penalties for cancellations or changes. Occasionally, last minute specials may be offered, but they are often restricted to certain dates and itineraries.

4.Do I need to send you a deposit to book?
Yes; A deposit of $ 150 per person (or $ 300 per booking if 2 or more persons) is required to hold a reservation. The deposit is due upon making reservations. No reservation can be considered definite until a deposit is received by Petrabax.

5.When is the final payment due?
In most cases, final payment is due 45 days before departure date. In some cases, providers (hotels during special event periods) may require payment farther in advance. On bookings made less than 45 days prior to departure, final payment is due immediately.

6.If I have to cancel my trip, do I get my money back?
Unfortunately, this depends on how far in advance you cancel your trip. There is usually a nominal $ 50 administrative fee that we charge for all cancellations. Any additional cancellation charges depend on which type of product you are booking and the cancellation policies of the hotels and other services providers. Some products are non-refundable. See our terms and conditions page for additional information. We highly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance through your local travel agent.

7.How can I reach you by phone of fax?
Petrabax maintains a nation-wide toll free reservations phone number: 800-634-1188. Our fax number for the Los Angeles office is 818 884-4075.  Our fax number for the New York office is 718 275-3943.

8.How do I know if my reservations are confirmed?
After making your reservation online, a Petrabax representative will either email or fax you a written confirmation/invoice of your tour, hotels or other services, which will show clearly which elements of your reservation are confirmed and which are still pending.

9.What are escorted tours?
Escorted tours are motorcoach itineraries where the clients are assisted or "escorted" through the programmed activities by either a local or accompanying guide. This does not mean that there will not be some "free time", when the client may be on his or her own for shopping or personal activities. Escorted tours generally include transfer from the arrival airport to the first hotel, then private motorcoach transportation between visited cities with appropriate guided sightseeing, assistance with hotel check in and check out, and sometimes a transfer to the departure airport at the end of the tour.

10.Are your escorted tours conducted in English?
Our escorted tours of Spain, Portugal and Morocco are conducted by a professional bilingual (Spanish/English) tour director/guide. Local city tours are conducted by local bilingual guides also in English and Spanish. In the event that there are sufficient participants on a specific tour to merit English only or Spanish only service, the tour would be conducted in a single language. Our European escorted tours "Circuitos Europeos" are conducted exclusively in Spanish language.

11.What is the average age group on your escorted tours?
The average age group on our escorted tours varies greatly from departure to departure. We do not cater to any specific age group, however, participants are usually in the 40 to 60 year old range.

12.Is smoking allowed on your escorted tours?
No. Smoking is prohibited while traveling by motorcoach.

13.Do you allow children on your escorted tours?
Yes. Petrabax does permit a limited number of families with children on our escorted tours (usually up to 2 or 3 families per departure). One child must be accompanied by two adults in the same room. Four in one room is not permitted.

14.What is independent travel?
Independent travel generally consists of reservations for hotels, rental cars, trains, air flights, or whatever service the client requests, usually without the services of a guide (although airport transfers and local sightseeing may be requested). The client travels on his own and is responsible for hotel check in and check out, and for getting him or herself between the various reserved elements.

15.Are escorted tours and independent travel combinable?
Definitely. Many clients choose to take an escorted tour with independent packages at either end or both. Escorted tours, however, may not be interrupted for independent packages; they must occur either at the beginning or the end of the escorted tour, or both.

16.I'm not interested in an escorted group tour nor do I want to travel independently on my own, what do you suggest?
For the more particular and demanding traveler, Petrabax can put together a customized tour of any of our destinations which would include a private car and driver, hotel accommodations and sightseeing as requested. Obviously, the price of such a service would be considerably higher than a regular group tour. If you have special requirements, the best thing is to contact us directly by email with your special request.

17.Can I book hotels only?
Yes. Some clients do this to assure themselves of accommodations, while leaving the rest of their arrangements as flexible as possible.

18.I'm not sure of how to plan my trip; can you assist me?
Most definitely. Petrabax reservationists are experienced in offering helpful suggestions for itineraries, times of the year best to travel and not-to-be-missed places. They will ask you a few questions about your travel preferences, then make suggestions accordingly. Feel free to accept or reject suggestions so you will be completely comfortable with your final travel arrangements.

19.What's the best way to visit Spain and Portugal?
That's a big question. Many factors could affect the answer. Many clients--especially first time travelers to a country--prefer the ease of an escorted tour. On the other hand, some prefer the freedom of independent travel, allowing them to go at their own pace with more free time. It all depends on YOU! Petrabax will advise you, taking into consideration your age, travel experience, language skills, and other factors. The best way to visit Spain and Portugal is the way that makes you feel most comfortable, so you can best enjoy these magnificent countries!

20.Who is PTB Hotels?
PTB Hotels is a division of Petrabax, especially formed to represent distinctive hotels in the Iberian Peninsula and Europe. PTB Hotels is currently the Official Representative of the Paradores of Spain, an outstanding chain of unique hotels operated by the government of Spain. Many Paradores are historical buildings such as castles, former monasteries or convents, palaces or fortresses; others are modern buildings built in sites of great natural beauty. PTB Hotels offers instant availability and confirmations at all the Paradores.