Q: What if I cannot attend the incentive trip this year?

A: We hope you make every effort to join us this year, but if you are unable to attend, you will receive a financial payout. Payment will be issued via payroll deposit following the completion of the incentive trip dates.

Q: What if I can only attend part of the trip but not all of it due to a previous commitment?

A: If you need to depart early or arrive late to the trip, we are happy to accommodate your request. Every effort will be made to provide as many of the trip inclusions as possible. Regrettably, we cannot give any credits or offer variations to the daily trip itinerary.

Q: How do I submit changes to a registration form already processed?

A: Once your registration is complete, you can contact the Alcon Events Team via phone at +1 (972) 661-6447 or traveldesk@vcpresidentsclub.com to submit changes.

Q: What is the attire for the trip?

A: Attire descriptions can be found below in the attire glossary.

• Travel Attire: Comfort is key when traveling; casual, loose-fitting clothes that don’t wrinkle easily and comfortable shoes are best suited. Layered clothing will allow you to adjust to the difference in temperature between your home and Florence.
• Smart Casual: Combines well-fitted, polished business wear with elements of casual attire. Examples include dark-washed jeans, trousers, chinos, blouses, polo shirts, button-downs, dresses, and skirts. Practical footwear for walking, closed-toe shoes for men and ladies (no flip-flops). Shorts are not allowed.
• Cocktail Attire: Well-fitted and stylish, yet classic and polished. Examples include dress slacks, button-up shirts, blazers, dresses, jumpsuits, pantsuits, skirts, and blouses. Dress shoes for men and heels or dressed-up flats for ladies.

Please note, Florence has mainly cobblestone streets. Please pack comfortable walking shoes.

Q. What is the President’s Club Cash Allowance and what are the funds meant to cover while on the trip?

A. A pre-paid payroll deposit will be made to your account just before the trip, to cover all additional expenses. Alcon Corporate T&E cards are for business charges only and no longer allowed for use on the Incentive trip. The President's Club trip is an award trip and not considered business travel. Personal Debit/Credit Cards or Cash should be used while on the trip.

You will receive $1,500* (which is grossed-up*) to cover the following items:

• Personal expenses (childcare, pet care, etc.)
• Ground transportation to and from your home airport
• Parking costs for airport parking in your home city
• Airport meals on arrival and departure day
• Other travel expenses (country-specific immigration or entry authorization fees, luggage fees, international cell phone plan, etc.)

You will receive an additional 505€* (plus gross up) per person (which will be converted to USD*) to cover the following: 

• Non-hosted food and beverage (lunch, snacks, dinner at leisure) while on the trip

Q. *What financial or tax implications are there for winning this trip?

A. Under IRS regulations, prizes, and awards (such as incentive trips) given by an employer to an employee are taxable and included in the employee’s wage and subject to withholding. The value of the prize or award and the cash allowance are “grossed-up” and recorded in payroll for W-2 purposes. Alcon pays the applicable income taxes on behalf of the employee. The employee will receive a pay statement showing the grossed-up amount of the prize, less taxes, with the offset representing the net value of the prize. Please note that the trip value is for both you and your guest.

Q: What is included in this trip?

A: Your Vision Care President's Club trip includes:

• Round-trip airfare for you and one (1) guest
• Hotel accommodations (one sleeping room), all taxes, housekeeping gratuities, and porterage at the St. Regis Florence for the trip dates of Thursday, April 9 – Tuesday, April 14, 2026
• Two (2) hosted individual activities per person for you and one (1) guest offered on Saturday, April 11 and Monday, April 13, 2026
• All planned group functions as noted on the daily itinerary
• Daily breakfast at Balconata
• Lunch and dinner each day of the trip provided via either master bill, pre-paid cash allowance, or group function
• All taxes and gratuities for hosted program events
• Ground transportation for all arrival and departure dates, as long as you are staying at the St. Regis Florence
• President's Club cash allowance paid via payroll prior to the trip to cover all additional expenses not listed above (See Cash Allowance section for details) 

Q: What is not included in this trip?

A: You will be responsible for the following items NOT included with the Vision Care President's Club trip:

• Upgraded airline ticket to business or first class
• Car rentals (Arranged at your own expense)
• Additional activities over and above the two (2) individual activities per person offered as part of the trip
• Incidentals and all personal expenditures, such as laundry service, telephone usage, minibar, hotel retail shop purchases, movie rentals, spa treatments, and beauty salon visits (A personal credit card will be required at the time of check-in for any incidental charges)
• Food and beverages not included in group activities/events
• Additional fees incurred for baggage, transportation, and/or parking for guests traveling on their own and/or from a separate airport (Alcon will NOT reimburse for these charges)
• Hotel extensions of the trip either before or after the incentive trip dates

Q. May I be reimbursed for personal expenses while I am on the trip?

A. No, you may not be reimbursed for personal expenses while on the trip. You will receive a cash allowance prior to the start of the trip to cover all personal expenses. (see Cash Allowance section for details)

Q. Can I use my Alcon Corporate T&E card for any charges during the trip?

A. No, Alcon Corporate T&E cards are for business charges only and no longer allowed for use on the Incentive trip. The President's Club trip is an award trip and not considered business travel. Personal Debt/Credit Cards or Cash should be used while on the trip and at the hotel.

Q: Who do I contact about travel-related questions?

A: All travel-related questions should be directed to the Alcon Events Team listed under Contact Us at the bottom of each page.

Q: When does the trip officially start?

A: Please find the trip dates below:

• Depart your home city - April 8
• Arrive in Florence - April 9
• Depart Florence - April 14
• Return to your home city - April 14

Q: When will I receive my travel documents?

A: The Alcon Events Team will mail the final travel documents to the address you list in your registration form about two weeks before the trip. If you change addresses after registration, please notify the Alcon Events Team immediately to ensure delivery.

Q: Do I need a passport to get to Florence?

A: Yes, U.S. Citizens will be required to present a valid passport to fly to Florence.

Q: How do I get/renew my passport?

A: U.S. Citizens: You must have a valid passport for your trip. The name on your passport must exactly match the name on your airline ticket.

If you do not have a valid passport, please apply for one. Alcon partners with CIBT can help expedite the process. To get started, click on the following link: How to Expedite Passports | CIBTvisas Expedited Passport Solutions.

Please refer to the U.S. Department of State website for additional information regarding the application process. You may contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) toll-free at +1 (877) 487-2778 (TDD: +1 (888) 874-7793). Processing time is currently 8 – 11 weeks or 5 – 7 weeks with an expedited application through CIBT, so do not delay.

Please use the Alcon winner's corporate T&E card for any passport fees and indicate in Concur that the expense is related to the Alcon President's Club trip. Let your manager know Alcon covers this expense and it is okay to expense this fee for you and your guest.

Q: Are there any baggage limitations for the airlines?

A: There is no longer a standard set of rules that apply to all airlines' baggage limitations. The airlines are imposing a fee for luggage exceeding their weight limits. For most airlines, this is 50 pounds for checked luggage and 40 pounds for carry-on bags. Please check with your carrier for luggage allowance and restrictions before departing for the airport. Fees will apply to excess checked and/or carry-on bags.

The airlines have a per-person limit for carry-on bags of one personal item and one carry-on bag. Personal items are identified as one of the following: a purse, briefcase, small backpack, or laptop computer. Passengers exceeding the carry-on limit may not be allowed through the security checkpoint.

Q: Will Alcon reimburse me for baggage fees?

A. Baggage fees are not reimbursable by Alcon as this should be covered in the cash allowance deposit.

If your guest is traveling on their own and/or from a separate airport, additional fees incurred for baggage, transportation, and/or parking will NOT be reimbursed by Alcon.

Q: What is an e-ticket?

A: It is a confirmation of your airline travel; the airlines are no longer issuing paper tickets. You will still need a passport to check in and receive your boarding pass from your airline. The name on your ticket MUST be exactly the same as the name on your passport.

Q: Can I upgrade using Frequent Flyer miles or coupons?

A: Yes; however, any deviations or upgrade charges with your ticket will be at your own expense. All frequent flyer requests for upgrades need to be personally handled by the respective airlines.

Q: Who may I bring as my guest?

A: You are allowed to bring one (1) guest to share in your celebration. This guest is defined as your spouse, domestic partner, family member, or friend who is at least 21 years of age. Please note that you are not allowed to invite another Alcon employee as your guest unless they are your spouse, domestic partner, or you are engaged to be married.

Q: May I bring additional guests or children under the age of 21?

A: No. Additional guests or children under the age of 21 are not allowed to attend.

Q: What if I need to change my guest?

A: Please contact the Alcon Events Team as soon as possible at +1 (972) 661-6447 or traveldesk@vcpresidentsclub.com. If you change your guest after you have registered, any additional charges or airline change fees will be at your own expense.

Q: Can I extend my stay at the hotel before or after the trip?

A: Yes; however, any additional expenses incurred as a result of an extended stay will be at your own expense. For additional details, please contact the Alcon Events Team (see Contact Us at the bottom of the page).

Q: What hotel accommodations will be provided?

A: Winners are entitled to one room, (1) King or Two Twins, at the St. Regis Florence (to be shared with a guest) for the official trip dates of Thursday, April 9 – Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Maximum occupancy per room is two (2) adults. Every effort will be made to accommodate any special hotel requests; however, actual hotel room assignments are dependent upon availability and arrival/departure schedules.

Q: If I extend my stay, will airport transportation be provided?

A: Yes, transportation will be arranged for your arrival and departure based on your flight itinerary as long as you are staying at the St. Regis Florence. If you are pre- or post-extending locally at another property, please reach out to the Alcon Events Team to arrange your transportation. If previous arrangements are not made, you will be responsible for your own transportation to/from the St. Regis Florence and your extension property.

Q: How far is the St. Regis Florence from the Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR)?

A: The hotel is approximately twenty (20) minutes from the airport.