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by Annette Mongelli, Convention Coordinator
With slightly more than two months to go, BVA staff, regional
groups, members, and families of blinded veterans are busy preparing
to arrive in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for the BVA 58th National
Convention.
Here are some of the more important logistical details:
Booking a Flight
BVA suggests using one of six airlines: AirTran, Continental,
Delta, Hooters Air, Spirit, and US Airways in order to receive
the lowest possible airfare. Final destination should be Myrtle
Beach International Airport.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS: Please refer to File #WYR082003. Call for reservations
at 866-68EVENT or 866-683-8368. AirTran is offering a 10 percent
discount on the lowest available fare. No minimum length of stay
is required, and an advance seat assignment will be taken at booking.
AirTran Event Saver fares are nonrefundable. Any itinerary changes
will be subject to a $50.00 penalty and any difference in fare
charges.
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES: Refer to File #ZARG-UG7L0B. Call for reservations
at 800-468-7022. The airline is offering a 10 percent discount
on all published fares, and an additional 5 percent discount applies
to tickets issued 60 days or more in advance.
DELTA AIRLINES: Refer to File #196609A. Call for reservations
at 800-241-6760. Delta’s "restricted" (non-refundable)
airfare discount is 5 per cent off the lowest applicable published
fares and 10 percent lower for those attendees who purchase their
tickets 60 days in advance of departure. To arrive in Myrtle Beach,
Delta flights must connect in either Atlanta or Charlotte. Delta
is offering a 10 percent discount on an "unrestricted"
(refundable) round trip with no advance 60-day purchase required.
Those who are able to book 60 days in advance, however, will receive
a 15 percent discount on "unrestricted" tickets.
HOOTERS AIR: No file number exists for Hooters Air. Call for
reservations at 888-359-4668 or 888-FLYHOOT. Hooters Air is a
new airline with limited departure cities. The carrier has economical
rates out of the following cities: Baltimore, $129 one way plus
a $10 tax; Atlanta, $59 one way plus a $10 tax; and Newark (New
Jersey), $159 one way plus a $10 tax. The above flights are direct
and nonstop into Myrtle Beach.
SPIRIT AIRLINES: No file number exists for Spirit. The airline
does not allow discounts unless there are 10 or more people traveling
together. A 25 percent discount will be applied if a deposit or
full payment can be made at least 38 days prior to traveling.
Call for reservations at 800-772-7117, Ext. 7441. Spirit has flights
destined for Myrtle Beach that depart from Atlantic City, New
York LaGuardia, and Detroit.
US AIRWAYS: Refer to Gold File #39632749. Call for reservations
at 877-874-7687. US Airways is offering 5 percent off all "restricted"
(nonrefundable) flights. A 10 percent discount will be applied
when reservations are made at least 60 days in advance. The carrier
is offering a 10 percent discount on "unrestricted"
(refundable) published fares seven days in advance and 15 percent
off when the reservations are made 60 days in advance. This discount
applies to US Airways, US Airways Express, and US Airways Shuttle.
Arriving in and Departing Myrtle Beach
It takes about 20 minutes by car to reach the Hilton Myrtle Beach
Hotel from the airport. A complimentary shuttle will be available
to convention attendees. More information on this shuttle will
be available on the BVA web site, www.bva.org,
or by calling BVA National Headquarters at 800-669-7079. Taxi
cost is approximately $25 one way. Look for a hotel shuttle directly
outside the baggage claim area.
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