The travel month begins when the au pair's program ends, whether that's after 12 months, 18 months, 21 months, or 24 months. It is a chance for the au pair to travel within the U.S. before going home. The programs will still pay his/her airfare home when (s)he leaves at the end of a travel month. However, they want proof that the young person has health insurance during that time. They can purchase it through the program or through another insurance company. Sometimes the young person shows proof that they are covered by insurance from their home country (especially if they are still the age of a traditional student). Some au pairs choose a health insurance plan that includes coverage for the travel month before they even arrive for their au pair term(s) - speaking of APIA for that, not sure about other agency's offerings.

Although not obligated, I allow my AP to keep her phone during this month and to stay at our house for a few days after traveling and before flight home

Lots of bad info in some of these replies, OP (especially the 10:54am reply). If you are really a HM or HD, just ask your LCC to explain to you. Basics are they they are entitled to stay for up to 30 days after their last working day and should pay the small $ to continue their insurance for whatever time they choose to stay.

So, the way CC explained it to me is: AP has a 12 month contract and her last work day is when her 12 months are up. She can choose to leave, travel whatever, up to 30 days in advance of that "last work day" but must notify CC and the host family of her decision. So it's not exactly an au pair travel month....they can stay and work, return home, or travel and it could be for 1 week or up to 4.

Anonymous wrote:Qe also gift out AuPairs some of our frequent flyer miles so they dont have to pay for flights. All of our APs have taken advantage of the cheap travel packages put there specifically for AuPairs

Same here. We gift our FF miles as well. Aside from flights their packages they offer APs for travel are pretty affordable.

Anonymous wrote:From CCAP,

Additional Month coverage
After an au pair’s last day on the program, they officially start their 30-day grace period or “additional month” and no longer have the Basic or Extended coverage. To ensure that au pairs are covered throughout their stay in the U.S., Cultural Care Au Pair requires that au pairs choosing to stay for any part of the 30-day grace period secure coverage for the additional month.

Thanks a lot for the detailed and comprehensive reply, I've been searching a solution for the same problem at different travel forums , and found it only here I travelled by au pair program, too, by the way.

Qe also gift out AuPairs some of our frequent flyer miles so they dont have to pay for flights. All of our APs have taken advantage of the cheap travel packages put there specifically for AuPairs

From CCAP,

Additional Month coverage
After an au pair’s last day on the program, they officially start their 30-day grace period or “additional month” and no longer have the Basic or Extended coverage. To ensure that au pairs are covered throughout their stay in the U.S., Cultural Care Au Pair requires that au pairs choosing to stay for any part of the 30-day grace period secure coverage for the additional month.

I’ve never heard of this - how do they keep insurance if it’s provided by the agency? Our ap is planning to stay at least 10 days past her end date, partly to be with us (dc has a birthday right after) and to visit with some friends. She may end up taking a longer trip after too.

PP here. I should clarify - showing health insurance is not a requirement to stay in the country, but for CC to book their return flight home on a date past their last legal working day.

There is no extension to apply for - the terms of their Visa permits it. They only thing that they need to show (at least from what CC requests) is that they will have health insurance during that month.

Anonymous wrote:ditto OP.
APs can stay in America for an extra month after they are finished working.
You are not required to house or pay them. It is meant for "travelling"

Thanks to you and PP. Do they need to apply for this extension separately?

ditto OP.
APs can stay in America for an extra month after they are finished working.
You are not required to house or pay them. It is meant for "travelling"

Yes, the travel month is at the end of their year.
Let's say they work for you 12 months and the 13th they can travel on their own - their visa allows them
You don't pay them on that month and they don't live with you any more, unless you have agreed to it (most APs don't though)

Can anyone please explain what the AP "travel month" is? I know they get 2 weeks of vacation--is the travel month separate?