Monthly Update – February 2026
Home Monthly Update – February 2026
February Update From TFT Headquarters
Happy February TFT Families! We have hit the ground running in preparation for Summer 2026 and are ready to help you be prepared as well!
You can expect a monthly update and monthly update video shared during the first full week of the month from now until June 2026.
The goal of our monthly updates is to present to you key information relevant to the time of the year and a centralized place for general information that will help you and your teen prepare for their program.
Items covered in this update:
- Flight Updates
- Traveler Tees
- Payment & Insurance Deadline
- Post-Registration To-Do’s
Looking Forward!
This year will fly by! We want to make sure our families know what to expect as we approach summer. We’d like to share this timeline between now and departure to help you prepare.
February
- Flights released on a rolling basis from end of January through March 15
- Post Registration Webinars – view schedule here.
- Order the free TFT traveler tee!
March – April
- Purchase travel protection & final payment by April 1
- Check your MyTFT parent portal for trip Add-ons in early spring
- Complete all your paperwork
- Additional paperwork requirements for select programs
- Language placement assessment for language immersion programs
- Scuba waivers and certifications
May – June – July – August
- Visa information released by May (when applicable)
- Pre-Departure Webinars
- Introduction to your Trip Leader in mid-June
- Pre-Departure Emails
- General Instructions two weeks before departure
- Travelers join their WhatsApp group a week before departure
- Specific travel Day information one week before departure, including UM info if applicable
All Things Flights!
It’s that time of year! Some families have already received their traveler’s flight information, and if you haven’t yet, don’t worry—you can expect to receive those details between now and mid-March. Flight information is released on a program-by-program basis. When it’s time to book, you’ll receive an email with the subject line: “Ready to book? Important Designated Flight Information for [Your Teen’s Program Name] – Travel For Teens.” That email will include the designated group flight path or booking windows, along with step-by-step instructions for reserving flights through our professional agents.
When it comes to the program travel day, you have several options:
- Designated group flights with connections to the hub airport (JFK, LAX, MIA, SEA)
- Independent arrival or departure from the group flight – fees may apply for staff supervision or private transfers if needed
- Drop off or pickup at the destination – just let the TFT office know if this is a consideration
- Flight windows
Below, you can read through the options on how to book your flight. No matter the route you choose, TFT will provide on-the-ground support at the hub and arrival departure airports, along with flight monitoring and communication for all paths.
Why Should I Book Through TFT?
- Competitive Pricing: We partner with industry professionals who guarantee competitive options and reliable service.
- Bookings for UMs: We can book flights without immediate confirmation of the designated pickup person. Though many airlines require this at booking, our process allows us to add the confirmed pickup person’s information closer to departure.
- 24/7 Service: Receive round-the-clock access to our dedicated agents. See multiple flight options and straightforward pricing, all in your own, personal chat.
- Simplify Complex Travel: Easily book complicated travel paths, including multi-city and codeshare itineraries. Flying with a friend? You will be able to note companions in the survey to ensure you are booked and seated together.
- End-to-End Support: Receive continuous support from the start of the booking process through arrival and departure, including Unaccompanied Minor service, management of schedule changes, delays, cancellations, and travel emergencies.
- Peace of Mind: If issues arise, our agents work directly with the airline on your behalf to resolve them.
If Booking On Your Own
- You can use points or flight credits held on your accounts
- You control the ticket; TFT will not be able to help make changes on your behalf
- Ensure you understand airline codeshares and booking multi-city flights, if applicable
- You will need to provide the details for a ‘fill-in’ person as the designated pickup for the UM service, if required. This can be a parent, aunt, friend, etc and can be changed or removed at a later date
- You will still receive full airport day support for your traveler
- Once booked, please either forward us the confirmation email or upload the information to the MyTFT portal
Booking an Independent Flight Path
Ground transfers and staff placement are scheduled around the group flights. Flights arriving or departing outside of the scheduled times could incur fees if TFT needs to arrange additional transportation or supervision outside of what is planned.
- Our agents can also quote an independent or hybrid flight path for you
- Arriving after the group flight and departing before the group flight will incur private transfer costs
- We allow a 45-minute grace period before or after the designated group flight
- TFT will have staff in our hub airports (JFK, MIA, LAX, and SEA) on departure days, and staff will be waiting at each of the arrival airports. TFT is not able to provide on-the-ground support to travelers transiting through airports outside of our hubs and final destinations.
- If you have an Unaccompanied Minor arriving before the group flight or departing after the group flight, there will be an additional fee for staff time, as our staff is required to accompany your traveler
Order Your TFT Traveler Tee!
Your tuition includes a free bright teal Traveler Tee for your teen to wear on airport days. These shirts help staff recognize travelers as they arrive, and make a great souvenir! We partner with a local print company to provide the t-shirts for summer.
The shirt is optional, and if your teen would like to have one, you can follow the TFT Traveler Tee Order Instructions to order it and have it shipped for free directly to your home. For our Canadian families, there will be an extra international shipping fee.
Unfortunately, we cannot ship tees outside the US and Canada. If you live elsewhere but have family or friends within the US or Canada who are willing to receive the tee and ship it to you, that is a great option!
Payment & Insurance Deadline
The payment deadline of April 1st will be here before you know it! If you’re interested in purchasing a protection plan through TFT, it must be added to the account before the final payment is made. Our insurance webpage has all the information you need, but we’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to schedule a call with our Client Service team.
To select a plan in the MyTFT portal, enter your teen’s trip page and select an option in the Trip Insurance dropdown box. Once selected, you must scroll to the bottom of the page and hit Save Updates. You can also send an email to help@travelforteens.com and we’ll be happy to update the account for you!
Some Items to Check Off Your List
MyTFT
MyTFT, also known as the parent portal, will be your one-stop shop for all trip-related tasks and information. In it, you can currently find your paperwork and trip tasks, invoice, and transportation details. If you have multiple travelers, you can find them all in your account!
In the coming months, your MyTFT account will show optional trip add-ons if the program has them, a detailed itinerary and visa or waiver information (if applicable). We’ll continue to update you as more items are available!
Paperwork
Our paperwork consists of a packet sent via DocuSign and forms to be uploaded directly into your MyTFT account. When accessing the DocuSign paperwork, there will be a web form to complete first. The information input in that form will auto-populate into the packet!
To complete the rest of the paperwork, forms will need to be completed and/or uploaded directly into the parent portal. After logging in, navigate to the traveler’s trip page, and you will see ‘Traveler Tasks’. All tasks will have due dates. If you have any questions or need more time with a task, feel free to reach out to our Client Service team at help@travelforteens.com or call 888-457-4534!
Check out our Webinars!
Our Client Service team is holding monthly webinars! Meet some of the team members that you’ll likely be speaking to in the upcoming months and go over your to-dos between registration and departure.
These sessions provide general information about paperwork, insurance, flights, payments, and other frequently asked questions. If you attend and have questions, a survey is sent out after the webinar, and you can request additional information there! Our team will answer your questions within 24-48 hours.
Starting in June and July, we will hold departure and trip-specific webinars to answer all your last-minute trip questions.
Schedule a Welcome Call
We strongly suggest that all of our families schedule a welcome call with our Client Service team after registering, whether you’re an alum family or new to the fold we’re here to help! During this call, one of our team members can answer any questions you have. Don’t have specific questions? That’s okay! Our Client Service team will cover main topics such as paperwork, insurance, flights, and payment options.
Fun Tidbits!
Amazon Page & Gift Guide
The holidays might be over, but great travel gifts are always in season! Explore our Travel For Teens Amazon page and gift guide for teen-approved gear and trip-ready favorites, all hand-picked by our team to help travelers feel prepared, comfortable, and excited for their next trip.
TFT is Hiring!
Do you know a teacher, outdoor enthusiast or travel aficionado that you think would make a great summer counselor? Travel For Teens is hiring for summer positions now. Applicants must have experience working with teenagers, summer availability, and a clean background.
Follow Us On Social Media
You can wanderlust all year long on our exciting social media platforms! See TikToks, videos, and reels from our favorite destinations and meet our dynamic staff! Not sure which adventure you’ll book for Summer 2026? Check out our Instagram highlights for some inspo!
Beyond the Trip
Travel For Teens programs don’t just create unforgettable memories, they create stories worth telling! Through immersive travel, meaningful service, and real-world challenges, students gain perspective, confidence, and clarity about who they are. Our trusted college admission advisors help students transform these experiences into compelling, authentic essays that showcase growth, leadership, and curiosity— all qualities that colleges value most!
What to Expect Each Month
Want a quick snapshot of what’s next? Check out our “Month to Month” page to see what we do and what you need to do at any point throughout the year!
Helpful Information
