Travel and Accommodation 2022
Departure arrangements to airport
TRAVEL
The General Synod Office is responsible for the cost of General Synod members travelling to attend General Synod.
Flight bookings are coordinated by General Synod’s contracted travel agent FCM Travel and seats have been reserved on a group fare basis on suitable flights from departure destinations across the 23 dioceses.
Some GS18 members living within reasonable proximity to the Gold Coast may choose to drive rather than fly. Vehicle expense claims may be submitted to the General Synod Office and will be processed within General Synod travel policy guidelines.
If you require a flight booking you will be asked to select your departing airport and to request allocation on pre-selected flights.
Depending on the airport of departure, flights will arrive at the Gold Coast Airport or Brisbane Airport with coach transfers to the meeting venue.
In pre-selecting the flights, consideration has been given to cost, direct routes and convenient departure and arrival times.
Most flights arrive during the day on Sunday 8 May and depart in the afternoon/evening of Friday 13 May. Due to flight schedule restrictions, some GS18 travellers will need to arrive earlier on Saturday 7 May or overnight at a transit destination on the way home. These additional costs are covered by General Synod.
If you have unavoidable commitments and cannot travel on the pre-selected flights you can indicate this in the ‘Flight change request’ section of the registration form. FCM Travel will contact you to make other arrangements. Depending on the circumstances, you may be responsible for any additional cost associated with the change.
Requests to travel on an alternative airlines solely for airline preference or loyalty membership reasons cannot be accommodated.
ACCOMMODATION
Dioceses and NATSIAC are responsible for accommodation costs for their representatives at the RACV Royal Pines.
When registering, you will select accommodation (room and breakfast) at the resort. Your accommodation will be confirmed to coincide with your dates of arrival and departure.
If your diocese has advised that you will be staying elsewhere, or you have chosen to make your own arrangements, please select ‘No accommodation required’ when registering.
Spouse, family member or accompanying persons
You are welcome to have an accompanying person share your hotel room.
The cost for an accompanying person sharing a hotel room, breakfast and dinners included in the program is $400. Details are provided in the registration link.
FCM Travel will contact you to arrange payment and can assist with booking flights for accompanying persons on request.
Accompanying persons will be issued with a name badge providing access to the dining room for breakfast and dinner.
Extended stay
Should you wish to extend your stay before or after GS18, FCM Travel can assist with bookings. Additional charges associated with extended stays and changes to pre-selected
flights will be your responsibility.
Credit card authorisation – Personal expenditure
If you confirm a room at the RACV Royal Pines in the registration form you will be asked to provide credit card details. Your credit card details will be provided to the hotel to take
a holding bond and for any incidental expenses during your stay. It is also required to expedite an express check-in process. The hotel will require your authority before
processing any charges.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further information about registration, accommodation, travel and accompanying persons is available in the first member circular.