Airline Arrangements

Once we’ve received and processed your registration, the Bernina Program Headquarters air team will contact you via email with a travel itinerary. Because of airline ticketing deadlines, you must respond to the air team within 24 hours of the time the email is sent to you to approve ticketing or discuss changes. After the 24-hour period, the airline will automatically cancel your itinerary, and the original flights may not be available at the time of rebooking. Please contact the Air Department at 847-519-2255 (press 2) or BerninaThailand@btcair.com with any questions you have regarding the air portion of your travel and to approve your flight itinerary within this time frame. Please be aware that most airfares are non-refundable, non-changeable, and/or carry heavy cancellation and change penalties. Any changes you make after the itineraries are finalized are subject to an $82.00 transaction fee, plus applicable airline change fees and any price difference in airfare; these fees are payable by you.

NOTE: Please retain a copy of the email you receive of your flight itinerary. The confirmation/record locator number for your flights will be listed in the “Carrier Ref” area of your itinerary.

Passport Information

A valid passport is required for travel to Thailand. It must be valid for at least six months beyond your scheduled return date. TSA requires that we have the full legal name (including middle name) EXACTLY as it appears on the passport, as well as gender and date of birth for each person traveling. Please have this information available before you fill out the online registration form. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please contact the closest consulate branch of the country in which your passport was issued for required documentation. A visa may be required for non-U.S. citizens. Travel documents must be carried on your person and be readily available after deplaning as well. By law, you must carry your passport, or a copy of your passport, with you at all times in Thailand. 

Entry Requirements for Thailand

For information on the requirements for U.S. Citizens to enter Thailand and registering with Thailand Pass, please visit the Royal Thai Embassy’s website in Washington D.C.  or the Tourism Authority of Thailand News. Following are the conditions in which you can currently enter Thailand.

  • Fully vaccinated (at least 14 days prior to travelling)
  • Have a negative RT-PCR Covid-19 test result  issued within 72 hours before travelling
  • 1 Day reservation at SHA+ or AQ hotel (Note: payment confirmation required) Note: must wait for RT-PCR test result at the hotel for 1 night or until receive a negative result
  • Insurance with minimum coverage of $50,000 USD

Returning to the United States

Effective December 6, 2021, all airline passengers returning to the United States ages two years and older, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within one calendar day of travel.  WILL THE HOTEL OFFER TESTING???

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

The U.S. State Department now offers the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. This program is intended to help you stay informed, stay connected and stay safe during your international travels. We strongly recommend that you enroll in this program prior to departing for your international destination. The link for this program is https://step.state.gov/step/            

As an enrollee in the U.S. State Department’s STEP program, you will receive important information from the local U.S. embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans. This also helps the U.S. embassy contact you in an emergency, whether it’s a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency. It will help family and friends get in touch with you more easily in an emergency.

Airport Transfers

Airport transfers are provided in Bangkok on your arrival day and in Chiang Mai on your departure day. Upon arrival at the airport in Bangkok, you will first go through immigration and then proceed to the baggage claim area. After you claim your bags, you must clear customs. When you exit the customs area, look for a uniformed travel staff representative wearing a black polo shirt and holding a Bernina sign. This person will assist you with your luggage and direct you to awaiting transportation to the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok. The transfer time from the airport to the hotel is approximately 35–40 minutes.