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HLTA (Home Leave
Travel Assistance)
to 3rd LOC for DND members
HISTORY:
As a military spouse/family for 20+ years,
and spouse having tour in Khandahar (APR 09), we are well acquainted with the rules
& regs imposed by DND per military travel and more importantly,
HLTA travel.
We've helped many members on previous Rotos with their 3rd
Destination Travel Plans, and we can help you!
(We are aware of the
change in allowances and can help you find a vacation that fits
within your budget!)
We suggest that you
Contact Us once you have your
HLTA dates, to start the planning
process, as there are
numerous arrangements which must be
co-ordinated, such as:
- Spouse's airfare from home to 3rd location
- Member's airfare from theatre to 3rd location
- Actual HLTA tour, cruise or independent travel schedule
We assist with 3rd location needs such as:
- basic airfares to/from theatre location
to 3rd location;
- cruises;
- all inclusive vacations;
- independent travel itineraries to 3rd destination(s) for member and/or spouse/family member.
We look forward to working with
you to make sure you
have a great HLTA leave vacation
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FAQS
Here are some basic answers to some of our DND members
frequently asked questions:
Am I eligible for HLTA assistance?
DND states that Eligible members are members who are deployed
or assigned, if that member:
a) has no dependents and is posted;
b) is attached posted for an expected period in excess of 60
consecutive days;
c) is an accompanied member serving at a post outside Canada who
is deployed or assigned unaccompanied from that post to another
post for an expected period in excess of 60 consecutive days;
d) is a member of an HMCS or allied ship's company when sailing
for an expected period in excess of 60 consecutive days; or
e) is on exchange duty with foreign armed services and is deployed
to an operation or designated post with that foreign armed service
for an expected period in excess of 60 consecutive days.
*Please contact us if you are uncertain*
Who is considered eligible NOK?
Eligible next of kin entitled to travel related costs to reunite
with member under HLTA travel program is limited to:
1) ONE NOK (legal married spouse, or common law
spouse as determined by CO and is documented as such).
2) For single members eligible NOK is considered one parent
(mother or father) or if parents are deceased one sibling (brother
or sister) would be considered eligible NOK. Unfortunately, fiance
or girlfriends/boyfriends are not considered eligible NOK.
What are considered eligible travel
expenses?
HLTA for Travel to HOME or PREVIOUS PLACE
OF DUTY
DND states:
Travel by Air: If travelling by air, reimbursement is
restricted to the following expenses, subject to the provision of
receipts:
a) most economical direct routing airfare from the member's post
to the member's home or previous place of duty.
b) ground transportation to and from the airport.
c) road and ferry tolls necessarily incurred
d) parking at the airport not to exceed 3 hours,
e) airport taxes, fuel and security surcharges when not included
in airfare.
Travel by modes other than Air: If travel is not by air,
the expenses that may be reimbursed, depend on the the
destination and the mode of travel used. *Please contact us for
further details*
HLTA for Travel to a THIRD LOCATION
DND states:
HLTA for travel to a 3rd location is a fixed allowance that is
provided for the following expenses only:
a) airfare (economy class only);
b) ground transportation to and from the airport.
c) the low kilometric rate from where the travel began if a member
uses a PMV;
d) road and ferry tolls necessarily incurred;
e) parking at the airport not to exceed 3 hours;
f) airport taxes, fuel and security surcharges when not included
in airfare;
g) rail or bus pass (contact us for specifics)
h) automobile or motorcycle rental including basic insurance
required by law
i) the transportation portion only of a safari, cruise or tour, if
the safari, cruise or tour includes meals, beverages or
accommodation (contact us for complete reimbursement details)
j) public transit; and
k) any reasonable expense for a mode of transportation not listed
above is to be sent to DCBA for approval.
What is considered a 3rd location?
DND states that "third location is any location 800 km or more
from the member's post, home or previous place of duty, or if a
member is deployed on an operation, any location outside the
theatre of operations."
I want to go home first, meet up
with my spouse/family, so we can all travel to the third location
together. Is this permitted?
Unfortunately no.
DND states, "All travel is to be direct to a third location and a
member is NOT entitled to travel:
a) to or from the member's home or previous place of duty via a
third location; or
b) to or from a third location via a member's home or previous
place of duty.
I want to
travel directly from theatre location to my home. Can you help?
Of course! Once your leave block is approved and you have
completed your HLTA Leave Request in Theatre, please contact us
via
Email or Telephone (1-866-994-9898) with your exact travel
dates (including buffer days). We will then work with you on your
flight details and advise you when to expect travel documents (in
many cases e-tickets will be sent to you).
How do I make my travel arrangements while
in theatre location? When will I get my travel documents?
Once your leave block is approved, we will work with member and
spouse (usually via email and phone calls) and assist with all
aspects of travel plans including flight(s) from theatre location,
your spouse's flight from home location (if 3rd location is
chosen), and any planning, Visa restrictions etc., if your
intention is to travel to a 3rd location.
As soon as we have completed the planning process and booked all
your travel needs (flights, cars, trains, all inclusive packages,
cruises, sightseeing tours, etc) we will complete your statement
of account which you can submit to DND for reimbursement.
We will follow up with all travel documents as issued by the
various travel suppliers (flight tickets - usually issued
30 days prior to travel, car rental vouchers - 14/21 days
prior to travel, cruise documents - 30 days prior to
travel, etc) - we will advise you upon booking completion as to
when you can expect your travel documents. In most cases we issue
the posted member e-documents (for flights), and courier other
documents directly to spouse at home address provided.
Which countries are restricted for travel?
This really varies, depending on the choice of 3rd location, and
can change rapidly, dependent on current political or regional
issues. We work closely with the member and spouse to ensure your
3rd location destination is authorized for travel by DND members.
If we feel there may be issues with your chosen 3d location prior
to travel, we will advise you accordingly. Please consult the
Foreign Affairs website for most up to date travel warnings;
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp
Should I
arrange my HLTA trip (home leave or 3rd location) prior to
deploying to theatre?
While we encourage making your travel plans prior to
deployment, we FULLY understand this is not always possible due to
employment changes and such once in theatre. Please feel
free to contact us at any time to make enquiries or to start the travel planning
process, at 1-866-994-9898.
We know it takes time and fine-tuning to make sure you get the
right vacation and we want to make sure our member's and spouses
have a memorable (GOOD ones) HLTA leave vacations. We have the
inside knowledge to assist with all of your travel needs, and
because we are a military family, we ensure all your travel plans
comply with DND rules and regulations.
I’ve found a great deal online; will
World Travel Warehouse book it for me?
We work with many suppliers and have a good idea which internet
deals are reputable and which aren't. If we can't find the same
package through one of our many suppliers, we will help you with
the booking found online. We make every attempt to assist with
your vacation in any way possible, even if it's found on another
website.
We do charge an additional service fee for packages that are
booked with a non-commissionable supplier or website.
Travel Cancellation Insurance:
Due to the oftentimes erratic nature of our loved one's work
schedules overseas, it is HIGHLY recommended to obtain Travel
Insurance to cover your travel plans. DND rules state, "the member
is responsible to ensure that invoices show transportation costs,
trip cancellation and travel health insurance costs separately." We
take care of this for you!
Cancellation &
Refund Policies:
World Travel Warehouse commits to finding the best suppliers to
fit each of our clients particular needs. By purchasing products
from any particular supplier, all travellers automatically agree
to be bound by the tour operator/suppliers Terms & Conditions and
Cancellation/Change policies. **We waive
our normal $50/person cancellation fees if you do have to cancel
for DND imposed reasons.**
We remind our clients that the sole responsibility lies with the
traveller, to ensure that they have fully read, met and complied
with all terms and regulations as set forth by the specific
supplier the client chooses. The
duty of checking and
verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry
requirements of each destination, and all safety and security
conditions of such destinations, during the length of the proposed
travel remains the final
responsibility of the individual traveler.
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