Individual Frequently Asked Questions
October 2, 2008
General
How was I selected for the AIST tournament team?
There are a few ways you can get selected for our teams. We are always looking to find good people to represent our program as well as the USA. We have several recruiters throughout the country that will nominate players that are good athletes as well as good people. Collegiate and high school coaches will also recommend players for our program. For our select teams we want to put the best team on the field but we also strive to represent the USA with class and honor.
How will I come up with the finances to make this trip possible?
We have a very effective fundraising opportunity for every player who joins our select teams. A fundraiser letter with your name on it will be sent to you so that you can request donations from your friends and family. With the support of your friends and family you can possibly cut the cost of your tour down by 50%. Other fundraising ideas including camps for kids, golf tournaments, basketball tournaments and much more are a few ways that will help to generate a large sum of the cost for you.
Where do all of the players come from?
We select our players by doing extensive research through statistics posted on the web from previous seasons. We also work with several coaches for recommendations to find the top players to join our teams. We recruit for our collegiate teams from all levels of college. Combining players from all over the USA makes the experience more enjoyable as you will meet people from many different backgrounds.
What level of competition will we be playing?
Most of the teams that enter the tournaments are going to be fairly strong. With our select teams, most of the time we will find ourselves in the championship games but we do have to play well to get there. This also depends on what sport you are traveling with. Some countries are stronger than others and this goes for the USA as well. You will not be disappointed with the level of competition.
How do I get a passport?
All of our International destinations require a passport for travel. Please click here to see how to apply for your passport. It could take up to two months to process a passport, be sure to plan accordingly.
What is included in the tour package?
This will depend on what tour you are traveling on. All of our tours include the price of airfare, hotel accommodations 3 and 4 star, breakfast, transportation, some sightseeing, tournament and game fees, guides and tour managers.
What is not included?
The following is not included with most tours: lunches (some tours do include lunch), tip for bus drivers and escorts (customarily $2 per day), personal items and drinks with dinners. Sight seeing listed as optional on itineraries is also not included.
How do I obtain more information about a tour?
You are welcome to contact us at the office by email or phone to discuss any tour options you would like. You can also speak with individuals who have traveled with us in the past for references.
Does anyone travel with the group?
We will always have some one from staff on tour with the group to manage all aspects of the trip.
Who takes care of all the arrangements while traveling?
You can just sit back and take in all the sites. Our staff will handle all of your needs throughout the tour. We will check you into hotels quickly and easily, get you to your daily tours, show you the best places to see and give you the information you need while traveling abroad.
Travel Needs
What is the gateway city?
Gateway city is not an actual city! It is just the term we use when we have not identified the U.S. city we will be departing from. We are always negotiating for the best fares with airlines and sometimes one airport will have better fares than another. For this reason we do not establish our departure city until we have secured the airfare that is going to best benefit our clients.
What is a connecting ticket and how do I book a connecting flight?
A connecting ticket is needed if you have to fly in order to reach our “gateway city” for the international flight. For example, if you are joining a group leaving out of JFK airport in New York and you are starting in San Diego, California, you will need to make flight arrangements of your own to meet the group. It’s important to make sure your flight times coordinate with the international flight so that you do not miss your connection with the group. You can book your own connecting ticket or contact us and we will provide you with a connecting flight.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is highly recommended to purchase travel insurance within 14 days of making your deposit to travel. Contact us for more information on travel insurance.
Do I need shots or vaccinations?
In most cases the destinations that we travel to do not require any kind of vaccination before departure. However, these circumstances change from time to time and you may want to research your destination to find out the current requirements.
How much extra money do I need?
Depending on each individuals spending habits and the tour you are traveling on, it’s recommended to have an additional $30-$40 per day for personal use. None of our tours include lunch and some do not include dinners. In most cases you can find lunch and dinner at relatively the same cost as you can in the USA. Entrance fees to museums, disco clubs, cathedrals, boat rides and other sight seeing activities will cost anywhere from $5 to $15. In addition to these cost you will need to account for tipping of our bus drivers and escorts which is customarily $2 per day in total. Some countries require a departure tax which can cost around $25 per person.
What if I need electricity while traveling?
If you are traveling to a destination that is on the 220 volt system you will need an adapter. Adapters can be purchased at any travel store as well as Wal-Mart and Target. Be sure you read instructions on your electrical units before plugging them into a foreign outlet.
What is the best way to get money exchanged?
We recommend using an ATM card. You will find that ATM’s are readily available everywhere we travel. The exchange rates are up to date and the fees are usually minimal. You should avoid ATM’s at airports as they tend to be more expensive. Traveler’s checks are safe but they can be an inconvenience to exchange or use. Cash is not recommended as it is risky to carry and you have to find exchange offices to change currency. That can be difficult at times. Credit cards are accepted widely through the world and are a great way to make purchases as the transaction fee for exchange is minimal. If you do use ATM or credit cards you need to inform your banks and credit card companies that you will be traveling abroad. If you do not you may have a security issue with using your cards abroad.
What is the dress code for traveling?
We would like for everyone to where nice pants or shorts with their AIST T-Shirt which will be delivered 2 weeks prior to departure. This will make it easy for everyone to locate each other in the airport.
What are the airline restrictions on packing luggage?
Airlines are constantly changing their rules and regulations on travel. Please check with your airline for the current restrictions on luggage.
How many bags am I allowed?
For international flights you are allowed two small carry on pieces and two checked bags. Your checked bags must not exceed 50lbs. It’s important to pack as light as possible so that all luggage will fit on our bus in case of large groups.
What and how do I pack my sports equipment?
We highly recommend packing your uniform and sports equipment in your carry on so that if your bags do get lost you will still be able to play in games.
What is the best way to call home?
It is best to wait until you arrive at your destination to buy a phone card. Some phone cards have better rates when you purchase them in their own country. Also, some phone cards are made to work with the local phones and it is much easier to call home when you can find a phone that works with your phone card!
Is internet available?
Internet is available in most hotels we stay in. There are also several internet cafe’s in the cities we travel. In most cases the cost will be around $1 for 15 minutes. The cost will just depend on where you are located.
Fundraising and Payment
Will my donations be tax deductible?
We are not a non profit organization. It may be possible for some company to write off the donations as marketing or advertising expenses. It is best that each company check with their personal accountants to find out the best way to use the donation for a tax deduction.
Where do I send my donations?
You can collect the donations yourself and mail them in or have the donors send the donations directly to us with the form from your donation letter. Checks can be made payable to: American International Sports Teams and mailed to PO Box 140373 Kansas City, MO 64114.
How do I find out what my balance is?
We will send you a statement by email or mail anytime you request it. We automatically send the statements out to you once a month that will show your current balance.
What is my payment schedule?
A payment schedule will be set up for you once you register. Some key dates to remember are that we will need 50% of the trip paid 130 days prior to departure. You will need to be paid in full 1 month prior to your departure date. Your initial deposit is non-refundable and goes directly to the cost of your tour.
When do I need to be paid in full?
It’s important that you be paid in full one month prior to departure. Your final itinerary, international airline ticket, and uniform will not be sent to you until you are paid in full.
Who do my donors need to make checks payable to?
American International Sports Teams
How do I make a credit card payment?
Credit card payments can be made toward your trip online. Click here to make a payment now.
What if I raise more money than the cost of my tour?
All personal funds raised above and beyond the said trip cost will be refunded in September of the year traveled. All non-personal funds raised above and beyond the said trip cost become the property of American International Sports Teams and will be used to upgrade the overall trip in some aspect.
Each Team member is responsible for checking the guidelines for raising funds as they pertain to their eligibility with their respective athletic associations.
AIST Selection Teams
Can friends and family join the tour?
Yes, friends and family are welcome to join the tour. Our tours are great experiences for everyone involved. Click here for more information on how you can join one of our tours as a fan!
Can I stay longer to tour on my own?
Yes, it is possible for you to extend your stay. We can help you to make arrangements to meet the team.
Is there a possibility of playing professionally abroad?
Yes, it seems every year we have several of our athletes asked by professional teams to stay and play or come back for another season. There are always opportunities to join these teams if the timing is right for you. Many of the games we schedule or tournaments we attend will open doors for future opportunities.
When do we receive our uniforms, airline tickets and other information regarding the tour?
All the information and materials you will need for the tour will be mailed out in your AIST tour package. We will deliver these materials to you approximately two weeks prior to departure. You will only receive this information after your trip has been paid in full.
Is there a tryout to join the team?
If you have received an invitation from us, it’s up to you to claim your spot on the roster. We do not hold tryouts for our teams because athletes from all over the USA will be invited. It would not be cost effective to have everyone in for tryouts. Instead, the AIST staff does extensive research through stats and coaches to find the top players around the country to send out invitations to.
Does the team meet for practices before we depart?
The first time you will meet your teammates will be at the airport. We will hold practices upon arrival before playing games against international competition when possible.
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5 Responses to “Individual Frequently Asked Questions”
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I would like to join the team, but I am still in school right now and I wanted to know what the date is for games and departures
All of the dates of our tours are posted on your invitation link. You should be able to see them at the top of each itinerary. They are also posted online for each destination.
If I received a friend request/invitation on Facebook from Chad Wilkinson is that the official invitation? Can I put my name down to be on a roster.
Yes, if you received a facebook message from us you have been invited and we have an invitation link for you. The link will have all the details of the tours available. You have the option of picking which team you would like to join. If you need the link please contact us. You can register online at http://www.aist.us to claim your spot on the roster. Contact us by email the email address listed on the invitation to make sure your position is still available. Roster spots are first come first serve basis once we start the recruiting.
Hello, i received the friend request on Facebook from Chad Wilkinson on FB and I’ve read through a lot of the website but how much is the tour?
Prices are found on the invitation overviews. It will be on the link with your sport and should show all the inclusions as well as the due dates.