Terms & Conditions for Tours and Travel Packages
— TERMS & CONDITIONS/CONSUMER DISCLOSURE NOTICE & Release of Liability, Waiver, Assumption of Risks, and Arbitration Agreement. Each page must include participant initials and the final page must be signed by the participant. Please return one completed set of pages for each participant.
PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE. IT CONSTITUTES PART OF YOUR CONTRACT FOR TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES. PLEASE CHECK YOUR DOCUMENTS WHEN YOU RECEIVE THEM. CALL THE TRAVEL AGENCY IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. MOST DISCOUNT FARES INVOLVE RESTRICTIONS. CHANGING CARRIERS OR FLIGHTS COULD RESULT IN THE AIRLINE DEMANDING AN INCREASED FARE. CHECK WITH THE AIRLINE OR THE TRAVEL AGENCY BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES.
- Scope
Group Tours USA, LLC (dba Tour Washington DC) is acting as a mere agent for SUPPLIERS in selling travel-related accepting services, or in accepting reservations or bookings for services that are not directly supplied by this Travel Agency (such as air and ground transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, tours, cruises, etc.). Travel Agency/Tour Company, therefore, shall not be responsible for breach of contract, failure to comply with any laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or any intentional or negligent actions or omissions on the part of such suppliers, which result in any loss, damage, delay, inconvenience or injury, or death to travelers or travelers’ companions or group members. Unless the term “guaranteed” is specifically stated in writing on your tickets, invoice, or reservation itinerary, Travel Agency/Tour Company does not guarantee any of such supplier’s rates, bookings, reservations, connections, scheduling, or handling of baggage or other personal effects. Travelers have done due diligence, are aware of the quality of the hotel accommodations chosen and agree that Travel Agency/Tour Company will not be responsible if they are not satisfied.
- Risks, Cancellation, and Insurance
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for, and hereby releases Group Tours USA, LLC from, any duty of checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements of each destination, and all safety and security conditions of such destinations, during the length of the proposed travel. However, we specifically recommend that U. S. Citizens travel with a valid U. S. Passport or other acceptable Government issued ID, which may be required during your travel or for entry into certain venues. For information concerning possible dangers at international destinations, contact the Travel Advisory Section of the U.S. State Department, (202) 647-5335 http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings.html. For medical information, please refer to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), (404) 332-4559 or use their fax information service at www.cdc.gov/travel (404) 332-4565.
Group Tours USA, LLC shall not be responsible for any injuries, losses or damages in connection with terrorist activities, social or labor unrest, mechanical or structural integrity of air, sea, and ground transportation and accommodations, diseases, local laws, terrorist acts, climatic conditions, Acts of God, delays, changes or cancellation of travel due to weather conditions, hotel services, accidents or health related problems before or while in-transit to (e.g., an accident on the way to a tour), during, and after a tour, or any other actions, omissions, or conditions.
If travel plans are delayed or cancelled for any reason there will be no refunds issued by Group Tours USA, LLC, except in those circumstances where Group Tours USA, LLC has issued its own schedule of cancellation, applicable to all or a portion of a booking (whenever such a schedule is issued, it will specifically indicate which trip component(s) it is issued for and it will apply ONLY to the specific trip component(s) indicated). Please note that a ‘trip’ or ‘booking’ often consists of multiple components, each of which may carry its own cancellation penalties (example: an airline ticket, a pre-trip hotel night, a multi-day adventure vacation by a tour operator, a post-trip extension designed by Group Tours USA, LLC, all of which may be subject to a different set of cancellation policies). You may be provided with the individual cancellation policies to the extent that these are available in a distributable format, for your records, but Group Tours USA, LLC is not responsible for this policy distribution. Clients are responsible for obtaining the applicable policies, either by contacting Group Tours USA, LLC and requesting a copy (if available, otherwise it will be verbal delivery). No refund(s) will be issued for cancellations due to actual or threatened terrorist events. Furthermore, there will be no refunds due to fear of travel from actual or threatened terrorist, health, political or other similar events.
It is the traveler’s responsibility to protect their purchases and Travel Insurance is strongly recommended. Traveler is advised to obtain appropriate insurance coverage against these risks; information is available through this Travel Agency/Tour Company regarding travel insurance. Traveler’s retention of tickets, reservations, or bookings after issuance shall constitute consent to the above and an agreement on his/her part to convey the contents hereto to his/her travel companions or group members.
By embarking upon his/her travel, the traveler voluntarily assumes all risks involved in such travel, whether expected or unexpected. Traveler is hereby warned of the above risks as well as possible travel industry bankruptcies and medical and climatic disruptions, and the possibility traveler may be unable to travel as scheduled because of personal emergency.
I acknowledge that I have been made aware of the benefits of travel insurance and authorize the purchase thereof by signing this form and/or all credit card authorization forms issued to me which include the purchase of travel insurance. I also hereby agree to sign the Travel Insurance Refusal form (available from — on request) should I for some reason wish to not to purchase travel insurance.
- ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
The issuance of any tickets, reservations, or bookings by Group Tours USA, LLC is done on the express condition that: 1. Group Tours USA, LLC shall not be responsible for any changes in fares, rates, charges, or prices initiated by the carrier(s) or supplier(s) of services, and 2. Group Tours USA, LLC shall not be responsible for any damages resulting from cancellations, changes, or disruption of any services and/or for refunds of monies already paid or transmitted to any carrier or supplier of services.
Customer’s initial retention of tickets, reservations, or bookings after issuance shall constitute a consent by customer, on his/her behalf and on behalf of his/her companions, to the above.
Nothing agreed to herein by the customer is meant to interfere with customer’s legal rights against any carrier(s) or supplier(s) of services.
Group Tours USA, LLC is acting as a mere agent for suppliers as stated above and its agents, servants, and employees, shall not be responsible for personal injury or property damage, loss or delay, or change of itinerary incurred by any person or tour participant arising out of the act of negligence of any direct or supplemental air carrier or other person or entity engaged in transporting the passenger, hotel or other person rendering any of these services, or accommodations being offered in these tours; nor shall Group Tours USA, LLC be responsible for any injuries, death, damages, loss, or delay in any means of transportation or by reason of any event beyond the actual control of TATC or of any agent or supplier or due to force majeure. The right is reserved to decline or accept or to retain any person as a member of a trip; change a trip from ‘escorted/guided’ by Group Tours USA, LLC, to ‘partially escorted/guided’ by Group Tours USA, LLC or by a replacement escort, to ‘unescorted’ by Group Tours USA, LLC or by a replacement escort, should circumstances preclude the designated Group Tours USA, LLC escort or replacement escort from accompanying the trip for whatever reason; or to cancel a trip outright due to low passenger sign-up numbers, illness of a service provider, supplier default, or any other circumstances beyond the control of Group Tours USA, LLC.
The right is reserved to substitute hotels of similar category (if available) or change schedules without prior notice should circumstances so demand. In the event of a change in the itinerary necessitated by factors or conditions beyond the actual control of Group Tours USA, LLC no refund can be made nor will credit be allowed or refund given for any services provided in the itinerary should any such services not be utilized by tour members. We reserve the right to alter any itinerary, arrangement(s), or date(s), if it becomes necessary or advisable, and each trip participant/ agrees to pay additional expenses required by such alternative(s), if any. All prices are subject to change without notice. Availability of refunds for air transportation included in a tour and additional transportation costs for a person who does not utilize an air transportation part of the tour will vary with the type of transportation and the point at which transportation is not used, and shall be made at the sole discretion of Group Tours USA, LLC.
All rates quoted in the description(s)/itinerary/brochure(s) are based on the current carrier tariffs and current international exchange rates, and are subject to adjustment without prior notification in the event of changes therein, and any increase resulting from such adjustment shall not modify the cancellation provisions in the tour description/itinerary/brochure or the Trip Reservations and Details from accompanying this disclosure notice.
It is understood that at times carriers may increase fares after the trip/tour has been booked. These fares are most-often in the form of fuel surcharges due to increased fuel costs. It is understood that these extra charges will be passed on to the customer as a part of the charges. Though we do not anticipate the addition of any surcharges, they are always possible. Our company will alert you if or when they are applied.
III. Covid-19
WAIVER of LIABILITY.–The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is reported to be contagious. The state of medical knowledge is evolving, but the virus is believed to spread from person-to-person contact and possibly by contact with contaminated surfaces and objects or in the air. People reportedly can be infected and show no symptoms and therefore spread the disease. The exact methods of spread and contraction are unknown, and there is no known treatment, cure, or vaccine for COVID-19. Evidence has shown that COVID-19 can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness and even death.
Group Tours USA, LLC cannot prevent you [or your child(ren)] from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 while utilizing [company]’s services or premises. It is not possible to prevent against the presence of the disease. Therefore, if you choose to utilize [company]’s services and/or enter onto Group Tours USA, LLC’s premises you may be exposing yourself to and/or increasing your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK.– I have read and understood the above warning concerning COVID-19. I hereby choose to accept the risk of contracting COVID-19 for myself and/or my children in order to utilize Group Tours USA, LLC’s services and enter [company]’s premises. These services are of such value to me [and/or to my children,] that I accept the risk of being exposed to, contracting, and/or spreading COVID-19 in order to utilize [company]’s services and premises in person
WAIVER OF LAWSUIT/LIABILITY.– I hereby forever release and waive my right to bring suit against [company] and its owners, officers, directors, managers, officials, trustees, agents, employees, or other representatives in connection with exposure, infection, and/or spread of COVID-19 related to utilizing Group Tours USA, LLC’s services and premises. I understand that this waiver means I give up my right to bring any claims including for personal injuries, death, disease or property losses, or any other loss, including but not limited to claims of negligence and give up any claim I may have to seek damages, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen.
IV. Cancelation Policy
Unless otherwise stated, the following Cancelation policy is in effect for all tours that are operated by Group Tours USA, LLC. This policy only applies to tours which originate and are arranged by Group Tours USA, LLC. Any tours which are operated through a third party vendor will have their own Cancelation Policy and that will take priority over this one.
Days Before Tour Amount Refunded
Less than 120 Days Prior to Travel 75% Refund. Deposits are non-refundable up to $200
60 to 89 Days prior to Travel 50% Refund minus any applicable vendor fees
31 to 60 Days prior to Travel 25% Refund minus any applicable vendor fees
30 days or less prior to Travel No refund
TERMS & CONDITIONS AND WAIVER ACCEPTANCE
I acknowledge that I have carefully read the above paragraphs as well as the ‘Trip Reservations and Details’, including the information regarding cancellations and refunds, and by signing below I fully agree to all stated conditions therein. I DO HEREBY EXPRESSLY AGREE TO FOREVER RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND HOLD Group Tours USA, LLC and its agents, employees, officers, directors, associates, suppliers, affiliated companies, and subcontractors HARMLESS against any and all liability, actions, causes of action, debts, suits, claims, and demands of any and every kind and nature whatsoever which I now have or which may hereafter arise out of or in connection with my trip or participation in any activities arranged for me by Group Tours USA, LLC and its agents, employees, associates, suppliers, affiliated companies, or subcontractors. THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL SERVE AS A COMPLETE RELEASE AND EXPRESS ASSUMPTION OF RISK for myself, my heirs, assignees, administrators, executors, and all members of my family, including any minors accompanying me. I HAVE READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE PROVISIONS AND THE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF THIS RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND I HEREBY AGREE TO ALL OF ITS CONDITIONS. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT — HAS RECOMMENDED THAT I HAVE MY ATTORNEY REVIEW THIS RELEASE PRIOR TO MY SIGNING IT. I further agree that any legal dispute involving these travel services is subject to the ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION CLAUSE herein but that in the event that any legal action shall necessitate the use of a court(s) the action shall be heard only by the courts of Adair County, Missouri, U.S.A. I acknowledge that in calculating the cost of the tour or trip, Group Tours USA, LLC has relied on my consent to these terms and on their enforceability. In the absence of this Release, the tour/trip cost would have been higher, or, alternatively, Group Tours USA, LLC would be unable to offer these services to me. I fully understand that this is a legally binding and enforceable contract and sign it of my own free will. I agree that if any portion of this agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.