Frequently Asked Questions. Fares and travel can get complicated very easily, but that needn’t be the case.
On the right are some of the most commonly asked questions. Please browse through the list–chances are that whatever query you have is answered there. However, if you have any other questions please contact us and we will be happy to answer them for you.
What is Spotnana?
Spotnana is a specialized travel company that offers international First and Business class solutions for executives in small and medium scale businesses around the globe. When required, we are happy to help them with their leisure travel needs as well. We pride ourselves on the unlikely combination of offering some of the lowest fares around with the highest level of service. To learn more, please browse around this section or give us a call.
What does your name mean?
The story of how Spotnana came upon its name is shrouded in the mystery. Besides, it is a long story that might be of interest to only a few. For your purposes, however, consider the following: in our organization, we have a few obsessive staff members we call Spotters. They like nothing better than to stare at their screen all day as various fares roll past their eyes on our custom-built software. If they aren’t on their computers, they are probably working the phones to ferret out information from our various partners. They constantly harangue airline reps to pass us special discounted fares before they are released elsewhere. All in the name of getting you the best possible deal.
How long have you been in existence?
We started Spotnana in 2004 in Austin, Texas. Since then, we have moved our US headquarters to New York, and established our European headquarters in London. We also have staff in India, based out of Mumbai.
Why First and Business class only?
We all have to specialize in something! If you travel even moderately, you know how tiresome air travel can get. Especially over long sectors, this can truly be a soul-altering experience. We sincerely believe that comfortable seats, extra legroom, and a little special attention are the only way to travel. First and Business also allows us to bring our expertise into play by offering our customers the most savings and the level of custom service that upper class travel requires.
How do you get these discounted fares?
At Spotnana, we have spent a lot of time over the years to build expertise in the arcane world of airline fare construction. The same seat, on the same flight, on the same sector on the same day can be listed at up to a dozen different fares. And the difference between the highest priced ticket and the lowest one can be a staggering 80% at times. It’s pretty crazy, we agree, but with the right relationships and the knowledge to know where to look, one can find a multitude of options. Needless to say, we have exclusive, privileged relationships with airlines, consolidators, tour operators, and other industry suppliers to consistently bring unbeatable fares to our customers. Across all the major airlines.
How are you different from any other travel agent?
First off, we are not a consolidator. Or a tour operator, or any other kind of airfare bundler. It might be best to think of us as a boutique. We offer a unique package to this market. We charge no membership or booking fees, and our fares are among the lowest in the industry. We add to that by offering faster turnaround times and better service than anybody else. We can tell you what seat you will be sleeping in on your aircraft, we can advise you on your mileage options and we can custom design itineraries that you didn’t think possible. With our focus on the supply side (First & Business) as opposed to the usual demand side (clients only from specific industries), we truly believe we are one of a kind.
How much savings can I expect from you?
We offer discounts of up to 50% off on published fares. While this may vary on each individual ticket, typically our customers expect to save at least 25-30%. For example, a trip from San Francisco to London on a leading UK carrier in business class is listed at $13,122. We can usually offer this for $7450. Have a look around the site, especially in the sample fares section, to get an idea of what you can expect.
Do you really offer 24/7 service?
Our official hours are Monday-Friday, 9AM-6PM in New York and in London. However, we realize that you may be at the mercy of changing plans and unexpected delays. So we attempt to offer service and support on a 24/7 basis as far as possible. If you call us, chances are someone will pick up the phone no matter what time it is. Or will return your call very shortly. In addition, if the situation calls for it, we provide personal numbers of our staff who will assist you at any time of day or night.
Which airlines do you work with?
We work with all leading airlines in the world. We understand that most of our customers have loyalty programs with their favorite airline. And we do our best to accommodate that. One can never have enough miles!
Do you focus on any particular travel sectors?
No. We do specialize, however, in international travel originating from North America, United Kingdom, and India. This is largely because we can service our clientele better (speaking the same language helps). In case your travel needs have you originating from destinations outside these regions, please contact us and we should still be able to assist you.
Is there a contract? What about booking or membership fees?
We have no contract–customers are not required to sign any contract whatsoever with Spotnana. The same applies for fees – we charge no booking fees or membership fees to access Spotnana fares. However, fees might apply due to change of tickets, and will be levied by the airlines directly.
Who are your clients? Can I get references?
Definitely. We have clients in Fortune 500 corporations, leading private equity firms, and other financial, legal and entertainments companies. Some of them are listed on the Clients & Testimonials page. Frequently, they also take the trouble to say kind words about our service and we take enormous satisfaction in that. So if you need any additional references, please let us know - we will be happy to provide them to you.
Are your tickets any different from full-fare tickets?
Apart from the significant savings, the tickets are exactly the same. You earn full mileage, and date changes are allowed as well. Sometimes there might be restrictions on a lower cost ticket (such as weekend, minimum and maximum stay), and all such restrictions are clearly mentioned at the time of the initial ticket quote. Overall though, you gain much while sacrificing next to nothing.
Do you I need to book tickets well in advance?
That’s difficult to say. It depends on the sector you wish to travel, airline preferences, dates, and some other factors. As you might have guessed, it’s best to book as early as possible to get all your requirements customized. We offer our clients the possibility of confirming seats without issuing them. And we can usually hold these seats for 48 hours so that you have enough time to make your final decisions.
Are your tickets changeable? Are there any penalties?
Date changes are allowed on tickets in accordance with standard airline regulations. Please be aware that all the rules and restrictions on the original ticket still need to be met after any date changes. There is usually a fee associated with all changes, and this varies depending on the itinerary and airline. We do not markup any such charges so you pay exactly what the airline rules stipulate. For our First class passengers though, we bear this cost. Please note that for some changes we may need to reissue the ticket, which might carry its own associated penalties. All our tickets are valid for 1 year from the date of issue.
Are your tickets refundable?
Absolutely–our tickets are refundable subject to a cancellation fee. Occasionally we sell a non-refundable fare (if there are no options or if the savings are too great) and we communicate this upfront to our clients. Or we might offer our clients the same itinerary at both a refundable and a non-fundable fare basis, so that they have the option of choosing flexibility over additional savings and vice-versa.
Are these e-tickets? What if I want a paper ticket?
All major airlines have implemented the e-ticket option, and we prefer that as well. In case there is an airline that doesn’t offer this option, or if you would like a paper copy of your ticket, we will courier them to you at your preferred mailing address free of charge.
What payment options do you accept?
You can purchase your ticket via a corporate check, wire transfer, credit card or PayPal. We prefer not to accept cash or personal checks–but we do accept all major credit cards.