YOUR FIRST CFTG JOURNEY
A Warm Welcome. A Little Preparation. An Adventure to Share.
Welcome to Crew & Friends Travel Group! Whether you’re joining longtime friends or meeting everyone for the first time, we’re happy you’re considering a journey with us.
CFTG brings airline crew members and friends together through cultural discovery, comfortable stays, and distinctive celebrations. Each journey combines planned group experiences with the pleasure of exploring in good company.
Joining a new travel group naturally comes with questions. This guide explains what to expect, how registration works, and how to prepare. Please also read the itinerary, booking confirmation, and Guest Reservation & Travel Agreement for your selected departure. This FAQ is a general guide and does not replace those documents.
Getting to Know CFTG
What is Crew & Friends Travel Group?
CFTG is a travel community rooted in airline friendships. We organize group journeys that bring together destination experiences, accommodations, transportation, and shared celebrations. Our community includes returning travelers and guests discovering CFTG for the first time.
Do I have to be an airline crew member to join?
Our community includes active and retired airline crew members, along with friends who share our enthusiasm for travel. Contact us before registering if you have questions about joining a particular departure.
Can I join if I don’t know anyone?
Yes. Shared meals, guided visits, and group gatherings offer opportunities to meet fellow travelers. You don’t need to arrive knowing everyone—or anyone—to enjoy traveling with the group.
Who organizes the journeys?
Rafael Hernández, an airline flight attendant and CFTG’s founder and lead organizer, coordinates the journeys with local partners and independent travel suppliers. These partners provide services such as accommodations, transportation, guided tours, and cruises.
What makes a CFTG journey different?
We consider the destination and the group experience together. Alongside sightseeing and comfortable stays, our programs include opportunities to connect through meals, cultural experiences, and signature celebrations inspired by the places we visit.
How do I know whether a journey is right for me?
Read the complete itinerary and consider its pace, transportation, activities, and time commitments. Some programs involve early starts, frequent hotel changes, walking, stairs, boats, or overnight trains. Ask questions before registering so you understand what the journey requires.
Can I bring a friend, partner, or family member?
Contact us about availability and any participation requirements for the departure. Each guest who is financially responsible for their own reservation must complete a separate registration form. Ask about age requirements before registering a child or younger traveler.
Registration & Accommodations
How do I reserve a place?
Request the registration materials, review the itinerary and agreement, complete the required information, and submit the requested deposit or payment. Your reservation is confirmed once CFTG has received and accepted the required deposit and processed your booking.
Does expressing interest guarantee a place?
No. An inquiry, email-list signup, or conversation about a journey does not confirm a reservation. Availability remains subject to the registration process and acceptance of the required payment.
What information will I need to provide?
Registration may require your legal name, contact information, passport details, emergency contact, rooming preferences, payment authorization, and relevant dietary or accessibility requirements. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport and keep your information current.
Can I travel on my own?
You are welcome to inquire as a solo traveler. Single-room availability, additional charges, and any room-sharing arrangements depend on the departure. Confirm your accommodation arrangements before registering.
Will CFTG find me a roommate?
Do not assume roommate matching is available or guaranteed. Contact us to discuss your departure options and what happens if a suitable roommate isn't available.
Can I request a particular room, bed type, or roommate?
Yes. Submit your preferences during registration. Requests depend on supplier availability and should not be treated as confirmed unless CFTG confirms them. Changes may involve additional costs.
Pricing and Payments
What is included in the trip price?
Inclusions vary by journey and selected package. Your trip documents explain the accommodations, transportation, meals, tours, entrance fees, gratuities, and other services included. Review the exclusions just as carefully.
What additional expenses should I budget for?
Depending on the program, additional expenses may include flights to and from the destination, visas, travel insurance, optional activities, meals outside the itinerary, drinks, personal purchases, laundry, baggage charges, and extra hotel nights. Only services expressly listed as included should be considered part of your package.
Are payment plans available?
Some departures offer installment plans or other payment options. Your booking confirmation and payment authorization explain the amounts, due dates, and conditions for your selected plan. Payment options may carry different cancellation terms.
Will installment payments be charged automatically?
Where you have authorized automatic payments, scheduled charges may be processed using the payment method on file. You are responsible for keeping that information valid and ensuring sufficient funds are available.
How do I change my payment method?
Contact CFTG in writing before the next scheduled charge. Follow the notice period in your payment authorization; the current Vietnam registration form specifies at least five business days. A new authorization may be required before updated card information can be used.
Are there processing or administrative fees?
Additional fees may apply and are disclosed in your booking materials. These can include credit card processing, late payments, returned payments, wire receipts, and name changes. Review the fees for your departure before selecting a payment method or requesting a change.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Contact CFTG promptly. Missed or unsuccessful payments do not remove your payment obligation and may result in fees or cancellation under your agreement. Do not assume a payment extension has been approved unless it is confirmed in writing.
Can the trip price change after I register?
The agreement allows certain price adjustments, including changes related to exchange rates, transportation costs, supplier charges, and government taxes or fees. Review the pricing provisions for your departure, including the exceptions that may apply after final payment.
Cancellations and Changes
Is my deposit refundable?
Deposits are generally non-refundable once processed or confirmed, as specified in your registration materials. Read the deposit terms before paying and ask about anything you do not understand.
What if I need to cancel?
Send written notice to contact@cftravelgroup.com. The cancellation date is based on when CFTG receives that notice. Applicable penalties depend on your booking terms, payment option, and the timing of your cancellation.
Will I receive a refund if I cancel because of illness or another personal emergency?
A personal emergency does not automatically create a refund entitlement. Your reservation remains subject to its cancellation terms. If you have travel insurance, contact the insurer to determine whether your circumstances qualify for coverage.
Can someone take my place?
A substitution requires approval and is not guaranteed. Name changes may involve CFTG administrative fees, supplier charges, deadlines, and restrictions. Some services, particularly airline tickets, may not be transferable. Contact us before making arrangements with another traveler.
Can the itinerary, hotels, or activities change?
Yes. Adjustments may be necessary because of safety concerns, weather, supplier availability, transportation changes, or operational needs. CFTG will communicate significant changes as reasonably possible. Minor changes do not automatically qualify for a refund.
What happens if CFTG cancels or postpones a journey?
The applicable arrangements depend on the reason and the terms of your booking. Different provisions address minimum participation, operational cancellations, and events beyond CFTG’s control. Review those provisions before registering, particularly before purchasing separate flights or other non-refundable services.
Will CFTG reimburse flights or other expenses I arrange separately?
Do not assume separately purchased services will be reimbursed if the group program changes or is canceled. The agreement limits CFTG’s responsibility for expenses such as independent airfare, visas, and insurance. Consider these costs when choosing your bookings and travel coverage.
Flights, Documents, and Arrival
Are flights included?
Check your selected package. Flights within an itinerary may be included while flights from your home to the starting destination are separate. Ask for clarification before purchasing any ticket.
When should I book my flights?
Wait for the official dates and flight-booking instructions for your departure. Check the required arrival and departure times carefully, including any recommended arrival buffer. Contact CFTG before buying if you are unsure whether your proposed flights fit the program.
Can I use standby travel or airline employee benefits?
Discuss your plans with CFTG before booking. Standby travel does not guarantee arrival, and the group itinerary cannot depend on seat availability. You remain responsible for reaching the required meeting point on time and for costs arising from delays or missed arrangements.
Who is responsible for passports, visas, and entry requirements?
Each traveler is responsible for obtaining the documents required for their nationality, destinations, and transit points. Check current official requirements, including passport validity and any health documentation. Missing or incorrect documents can result in denied boarding or entry and financial loss.
Are airport transfers included?
Only transfers specifically listed in your package are included. Coverage may depend on your arrival date, airport, and scheduled transfer arrangements. Provide your flight details by the requested deadline and ask about additional charges if your plans fall outside the group arrangements.
Can I arrive early or stay after the group journey?
Ask before booking. Additional hotel nights, transfers, and activities may require separate arrangements and payment. Confirm where your independent plans end and your included group services begin.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Notify CFTG as soon as you can and keep your airline informed. Assistance with revised arrangements depends on availability and circumstances. The group may continue as scheduled, and additional transportation, accommodation, or catch-up costs may be your responsibility.
Life With the Group
Will we be together all day, every day?
The balance of group activities and independent time varies by itinerary. Review the daily program to understand the pace. Group journeys work best when travelers are comfortable sharing transportation, following schedules, and spending time with others.
Can I skip an activity or explore independently?
Discuss your plans with the organizer beforehand, particularly when transfers, hotel changes, or other scheduled transportation are involved. Independent plans must not delay the group. Unused included services generally do not qualify for refunds or credits.
What is the no-waiting policy?
Scheduled tours, transfers, and activities depart at the announced times. Be at the designated meeting point ready to leave. If you miss a departure, you may need to arrange and pay to rejoin the group, if feasible. Missed services are non-refundable. Genuine emergencies may be considered individually.
What behavior is expected?
Treat fellow travelers, staff, local residents, and the destination with respect. Follow local laws, supplier rules, safety instructions, and group policies. Unsafe, illegal, or seriously disruptive behavior may result in removal from the journey at the guest’s expense and without refund, as described in the agreement.
What should I pack, and are there dress requirements?
Follow the packing and baggage guidance issued for your departure. Consider the climate, walking conditions, cultural sites, and transportation limits. Signature celebrations may have a theme or attire guidance, which will be shared in advance.
Health, Accessibility, and Insurance
How physically demanding are the journeys?
Requirements vary. A program may involve extended walking, uneven surfaces, stairs, boarding boats, or managing luggage between transportation connections. Discuss any concerns before registering so you can assess the itinerary and the arrangements available.
Can dietary needs and food allergies be accommodated?
Disclose requirements in writing at registration or by the stated deadline. CFTG will communicate them to relevant suppliers, but specific meals and allergen-free environments cannot be guaranteed. Guests with severe allergies should also discuss ingredients and preparation directly with food providers.
What if I need accessibility arrangements or additional support?
Contact CFTG at booking or as soon as possible. The current agreement requests notice no later than 60 days before departure. Arrangements depend on the destination, facilities, transportation, and suppliers involved. Discuss specific needs—including equipment, service animals, or personal assistance—before assuming they can be accommodated.
Who is responsible for medications and medical care?
Travelers are responsible for their medications, medical supplies, required documentation, and medical expenses. Access to care can vary by destination. CFTG is not a medical provider, although representatives may help seek assistance in an emergency as described in the agreement.
Should I purchase travel insurance?
CFTG strongly recommends comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, medical treatment, and emergency evacuation. Insurance may be required for certain departures. Review exclusions, coverage limits, and purchase deadlines directly with the insurer; coverage and claim approval are determined by the insurance provider.
Communication, Photography, and Personal Information
How will I receive trip updates?
CFTG uses the website, email, and designated group communications to share information. Registered travelers will receive instructions for accessing their trip resources. Read updates regularly and complete requested actions by their deadlines.
What is the difference between Behind the Journey and the Traveler Hub?
Behind the Journey shares preparation stories and updates about the work behind our adventures. The Traveler Hub is intended to bring registered travelers’ practical resources together, including trip documents, payment information, and preparation instructions. Access details will be provided as resources become available.
Will photographs and videos be taken?
Photography and filming may take place during the journey. The agreement includes permission for CFTG to use guests’ images and recordings for promotional and other stated purposes without additional compensation. Read the full media-release provisions before registering.
What if I prefer not to appear in promotional photographs?
Notify CFTG in writing before departure so your preference can be discussed in advance. The agreement provides for prospective opt-out requests and explains their timing and limitations. It may not be possible to exclude you completely from incidental or group images.
How is my personal information used?
Information is collected to arrange and operate your journey, support reservations, communicate with you, and meet applicable requirements. Necessary details may be shared with suppliers and relevant authorities. CFTG’s agreement states that it does not sell guest personal information.
What should I do if something goes wrong during the trip?
Raise the issue promptly with the organizer or the relevant supplier so there is an opportunity to address it while you are traveling. For an immediate emergency, seek local emergency assistance first. Keep relevant booking details, receipts, and written communications.
What should I know about the agreement before signing?
Read the entire agreement, including its provisions on cancellation, supplier responsibility, travel risks, liability, photography, and personal information. It also contains arbitration provisions, waivers, and deadlines for claims. Ask questions before registering; this FAQ does not explain every contractual provision.
Who can I contact with additional questions?
Email contact@cftravelgroup.com or use the website’s contact form. Include the journey name and enough information to explain your question. Please contact CFTG directly about personal booking, payment, health, or accommodation matters rather than posting sensitive details in the group chat.
We Look Forward to Welcoming You
You bring your curiosity, consideration for others, and enthusiasm for discovery. We bring the planning and opportunities to share the experience. Together, we look forward to exploring new places, enjoying good company, and creating memories that become part of your own CFTG story.
TRAVEL
FRIENDSHIP
CONNECTION
ADVENTURE