Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book my flight?

Air travel will be booked through Cars.com travel agent, Kim Gigovski. Once you have completed your registration, Kim will contact you directly to book your flight. Please allow 2 - 3 days for her to process your registration and contact you. Once you have received your flight itinerary, please review it in detail to ensure the spelling of your name matches exactly to your government issued passport. If you are planning to extend your trip at your own expense, please refrain from confirming your flight until you have received confirmation from President's Club Headquarters of hotel availability.

What documentation will we need to enter Mexico?

U.S. Citizens traveling to Mexico and returning to the U.S. are required to present a valid passport. It is highly recommended that your passport be valid for six months beyond your return travel date. Please double check your expiration dates now.

For additional information you may visit travel.state.gov.

When will we receive our confirmation?

After submitting your registration, you will receive an email confirmation with your registration details. If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact President’s Club Headquarters at (972) 661-6402 or info@presidentsclubcars.com.

Approximately two weeks prior to your departure, you will receive your pre-trip package including an airline itinerary, (2) luggage tags, confirmed activities and an itinerary booklet that will highlight the events of the trip. Upon arrival at Secrets Vallarta Bay, you will receive a welcome packet with additional information.

How early do we need to be at the airport to check-in?

Due to airport security measures, please plan to arrive and check-in for your flight at least three hours prior to departure. Whenever possible, seats will be assigned for you; however, boarding passes cannot be issued until check-in at the airport. If your seat assignments are not to your liking, please check with the gate agent prior to your departure.

Should we reconfirm our flight?

There may have been flight number and/or schedule changes since your airline tickets were issued. For this reason, it is always advisable to reconfirm with your originating airline approximately 24 hours prior to departure. Real time flight information can be found at www.fly.faa.gov.  

How do we check-in?

 Many airlines offer any/all of the following options.  Please contact your airline to see which is available and works best for you:

• Online check-in
• Mobile check-in
• Kiosk check-in
• Curbside check-in
• Ticket counter check-in

What is my airline's baggage policy? What are the security restrictions?

Please contact your air carrier for its complete baggage policy. Many airlines now charge for the first and/or second checked piece of luggage per person. Most airlines allow one free carry-on bag per person as well as one small personal item. Additional fees apply when exceeding the free baggage allowance. Your carry-on bag must fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you. Please be aware that items such as pocket knives, razor blades, utility knives and gel shoe inserts will be impounded by security. Pack any such items in your checked luggage. Do not pack your passport, travel documents, money, jewelry or medication in your checked luggage. Please keep these in your carry-on bag. Medication should be clearly marked in the proper prescription bottle.

Air travelers may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints; however all liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed in your carry-on luggage. All liquid containers, gels and aerosols must then be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. All other liquids must be in checked luggage. For complete information on the TSA’s current “3-1-1” program, visit the TSA site at www.tsa.gov.

Dress the part! Metal in your clothing may set off the walk-through metal detector. Pack coins, keys, jewelry, belt buckles and other metal items in your carry-on bag. Shoes must be removed and screened by TSA, so wear shoes you can easily remove to speed the process. Coats, blazers, suit jackets and bulky sweaters must also be removed and put in the bin for screening. Your laptop must be removed from its case and be passed through the screening separately.

How should we identify our luggage?

Please be sure to attach the luggage tags to your luggage.  Print your name and address clearly in the space provided. Using these tags will help ensure your luggage is delivered to your room in a timely manner when you arrive at the resort. 

What if we need to make a change to our flights?

Please contact Kim Gigovski at kgigovski@cars.com or (312) 601-5848 for any changes to flight arrangements.

Please be advised that any changes after ticketing will most likely incur additional costs and will be at your own expense.

If you are going to miss your flight, please advise Kim before your scheduled departure time. The airlines can only assist you if changes are completed prior to your flight time.

What if we are not going to go on the trip or need to cancel?

Please contact the President’s Club Headquarters at (972) 661-6402 or info@presidentsclubcars.com as soon as you are aware that you will not be in attendance.

What if we want to extend our trip and arrive prior to or depart after the program dates?

If you would like to extend your stay at Secrets Vallarta Bay, simply indicate this as you are completing registration. The resort has offered to extend the special group rate of $432 single occupancy/$560 double occupancy for three days before and three days after the program dates, pending availability.Confirmation of your extension will be based upon availability and will be confirmed as soon as possible.  If you would like to extend your stay at a different property, you will be responsible for transportation to that property.

Please note that extending your stay is not guaranteed at Secrets Vallarta Bay.  President's Club Headquarters will contact the resort on your behalf after you complete registration.  Please refrain from booking a flight until you have received confirmation from President's Club Headquarters.  Please allow 3 - 5 business days for follow up. 

What should we pack?

Resort attire is casual during the day. A hat and sunscreen are highly recommended, as the sun is quite strong year round. Don’t forget to pack shorts, t-shirts and swimwear. Bathing suit cover-ups and shoes must be worn in reception areas, restaurants and lounges.

We highly recommend packing swimwear or lightweight clothing, hat and sunscreen in your carry-on bag so you may get comfortable right away upon arrival at the resort!

Some restaurants require dress shirts and long pants for men in the evenings.

Resort upscale attire is recommended for the Welcome Reception, Dine Around and Farewell Dinner.

Attire Glossary:

Resort Casual: Polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts and jeans are appropriate. (Bathing suit cover-ups and shoes are required in resort public areas.)

Resort Elegance: Dress polo shirts or collared shirts, dress shorts or trousers for men and dress shorts, slacks, sundresses or skirts for ladies.

What does the trip include?

President’s Club winners will receive:

• Round trip air transportation between home city and Puerto Vallarta International Airport
• Round trip ground transportation between Puerto Vallarta International Airport and Secrets Vallarta Bay for you and your guest on official program dates
• Three nights’ accommodations at Secrets Vallarta Bay
• Complimentary breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Complimentary Wi-Fi in your guest room and throughout the resort
• Complimentary telephone calls to the U.S. and Canada
• Private Welcome Reception and Dinner on Wednesday, February 24
• Dine Around Dinner on Thursday, February 25 (optional)
• Private Farewell Dinner on Friday, February 26
• Choice of one activity on Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26
• Access to resort gym and fitness center
• Resort daily activities program
• All gratuities for hotel bellmen, housekeepers, drivers and wait staff

What is not included in the trip?

Items not covered by the all-inclusive package at Secrets Vallarta Bay include meals & bar charges outside of the resort, tours & activities not included in the program, faxes, purchases and laundry. These items may not e expensed. 

The resort will keep a separate record of these expenditures for you. Please be sure you settle your incidental account with the resort upon check out. American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

If a guest is accompanying you on the trip, you will be required to remit payment for the cost of their trip. This was completed during registration.

What language is spoken in Puerto Vallarta?

The official language is Spanish; however, English is widely understood.

What is the currency used in Mexico?

The official Mexican currency is the Peso. Foreign currency may be exchanged for Pesos at banks, in airports and at hotels including Secrets Vallarta Bay.  Most purchases may also be made in U.S. Dollars.

What time is it in Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta falls within the Central Time Zone. The Central Time Zone is one hour behind of Eastern time, one hour ahead of Mountain time, and two hours ahead of Pacific Time. When it is 12:00pm in Puerto Vallarta, it will be 1:00pm in New York, 12:00pm in Chicago, 11:00am in Denver and 10:00am in Seattle.

What will the weather be like?

In February, expect dry days and nights with very little rainfall and temperatures ranging from average highs in the high-70's to lows in the mid-70's.

What voltage is used in Mexico?

The voltage and plugs at Secrets Vallarta Bay are 110 to 120 volts AC, which is the same as used in the U.S.

Where can I be reached while in Mexico?

Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta
David Alfaro Siqueiros No. 164
Col. Zona Hotelera Las Glorias
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
48333 Mexico
Phone: +1 (52) 322-226-2900
Email: info@presidentsclubcars.com
President’s Club Headquarters Phone Number: +1 (972) 661-6402

Onsite Contact: Kelly Carroll
Email: kecarroll@cars.com
Phone: (312) 601-6198
Mobile: (312) 213-5127

Will I have Internet access?

Yes, you will have complimentary internet access at Secrets Vallarta Bay.

Will my mobile phone work in Mexico?

Due to high cell phone usage rates in Mexico, we ask you to limit your call on your Cars.com-issued cellular device during your travels. Email is the preferred means of communication as emails do not experience the same high rates. The resort has provided complimentary internet access in all guest rooms during the program dates.

You may bring your own personal cell phone and you can ask your carrier to add an international plan to your service that will work in Mexico.

What am I permitted to bring back to the U.S.?

At the time of publication, U.S. citizens are allowed a duty-free shopping quota of $800.00 per person. Included in the exemption is a maximum of one liter of alcoholic beverages and one carton of cigarettes.

For a detailed explanation of the customs allowances, U.S. citizens may refer to customs.

May I bring a guest?

If you would like to bring a guest with you to Puerto Vallarta, additional charges will apply. An additional fee of $133 per night will be collected during registration. This will cover the cost of their stay at Secrets Vallarta Bay during program dates. 

Guests should arrange their own flights, however ground transportation will be extended to them as long as they are traveling with the President’s Club winner during program dates. Please provide your guest's flight information to confirm their travel plans. Guest are invited to all meal functions and have the option to purchase activities during registration.