Terms and Conditions

Travel Counsellors - Terms and Conditions

Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, “Traveler,” “You” and “Your” means you, the person who purchases travel plans or any person on whose behalf you agree to purchase travel plans for and who is listed on the booking form or any person to whom you transfer travel plans which you have bought. The person making the booking must be at least 18 years old and must be authorized to make bookings on behalf of the members of the traveling party.

It is the responsibility of the person making the booking to bring these Terms and Conditions to the attention of all of the members of the traveling party.

“Travel Counsellors” and the “Company” mean Travel Counsellors, LLC and its agents, with whom you are booking your travel plans.

Your Documentation
Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully. They apply to all bookings made through Travel Counsellors and govern your relationship with the Company. Other conditions may apply from the specific suppliers with whom you are contracting. Copies of those Terms and Conditions are available on request.

Please review your booking confirmation, invoice and travel documents carefully. Immediately notify your Travel Counsellor with any discrepancies or questions.

Proof of Identity is required for all travel. Without proper identification, which in some cases may require a passport and/or visas, the traveler may be denied departure. It is your responsibility to obtain the proper travel documents.

Deposit and Final Payment
A deposit, as required by the relevant suppliers’ terms and conditions, will be taken at time of booking. That deposit is non-refundable. No rates are guaranteed until a booking has been confirmed by the payment of a deposit or, in some cases, full payment. The deposit forms part of your final payment which is due up to 12 weeks prior to departure. If we do not receive final payment by the specified date, we reserve the right to cancel the reservation. In the case of billing errors, we reserve the right to re-invoice with correct pricing. Charge card payments require certain information.

Not Included in Program Prices
The following may not be included in the price or your tour or trip: Federal Inspection Fees for the U.S. Customs and Immigration; International Air Transportation Tax; Agricultural Tax; Security Fee; airport taxes; any other taxes; passports; visas; tips to your tour director, tour driver, and local city guides; gratuities on cruise ships; laundry, beverages, food not on the regular table d’hôte menu (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, restaurant or ship); optional excursions; and other items of a personal nature. Please ask your Travel Counsellor if you are unclear what the price of your tour or trip covers.

Revision Fees
In addition to any fees charged by the supplier, a minimum service fee of $35 per transaction will be charged for any alterations or revisions. Spelling corrections to clients’ names after air tickets have been issued are subject to airline revision fees. Courier delivery costs will also apply if any changes are necessary within five weeks prior to departure. Any changes requested after you have made your final payment might be treated by the supplier as a cancellation and could trigger cancellation charges.

Cancellations and Cancellation Fees
Cancellations are very costly and usually do not occur in time for resale of the cancelled tour or trip. If cancellation in writing is received by Travel Counsellors the cancellation charge you incur will be determined by the relevant supplier’s terms and conditions.

Any changes to your itinerary may incur additional costs, including the Revision Fees referred to above. Flight changes after deposit is received or flight cancellations after tickets are issued incur airline revision and airline cancellation fees. Optional tours cannot be refunded after purchase.

If the supplier cancels a tour we will attempt to re-book passengers on the same tour with a different departure date or a similar tour. All re-bookings are subject to availability. If that tour is unacceptable, Travel Counsellors will refund all monies paid to Travel Counsellors; there is no additional liability. Travel Counsellors cannot assume responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other travel arrangements not made through Travel Counsellors.

Non-Refundable Air Tickets
If you are purchasing a non-refundable air ticket, please make sure that your Travel Counsellor explains the restrictions associated with non-refundable airfares. Travel Counsellors cannot be held responsible for any change/cancellation penalties associated with these non-refundable airfares.

Refunds for Unused Services
No refunds will be made for unused services once travel arrangements have commenced.

Tours/Packages, Hotels and Cruises
Due to currency fluctuations tours, packages, hotels and sightseeing excursions are subject to tariff variations which may affect pricing as quoted. Prices may be based on a minimum number of participants. Surcharges may apply, consult with your Travel Counsellor for specific details. Cruises are generally quoted according to the specific cruise line, the itinerary and level of stateroom requested. Rates are subject to change and are not secured until full payment has been received. Cancellation is subject to penalties imposed by the supplier as well as any service charges applied by Travel Counsellors.

Travelers Who Need Special Assistance
Any condition or disability requiring special attention must be reported to Travel Counsellors at the time of booking. Travel Counsellors will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of disabled travelers, but is not responsible for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, lodges, restaurants or other independent suppliers. Motorcoaches and mini-buses are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. We regret we cannot provide individual assistance to a travelers for walking, dining, getting on/off motorcoaches and other transportation vehicles or other personal needs. Travelers who need assistance must be accompanied by a qualified and physically able companion.

Passports and Visas
A valid passport is required of all travelers. It must be valid six months after date of return. Your Travel Counsellor can help you obtain the necessary forms for passport application. Non-U.S. citizens must consult with the appropriate consulates to determine if any visas are needed. It is suggested that all travelers, regardless of the passport they hold, check with the appropriate consulates of the countries being visited to determine if any visas are needed. Securing any needed visas is the responsibility of the traveler. It is the responsibility of the person making the booking to bring this passport and visa information to the attention of all of the members of the traveling party.

Baggage
Different restrictions and charges apply to the baggage you can carry, depending upon the form of travel that you book. Please make sure that your Travel Counsellor has explained the restrictions and charges that apply to your tour or trip.

Smoking
Please note that some of the trips and tours we sell will be non-smoking trips and tours. Please check with your Travel Counsellor if you are unsure whether you would be able to smoke on the trip or tour that you wish to book.

Health Requirements
You, the Traveler, assume the responsibility of choosing an itinerary which matches your physical abilities and stated health. We recommend that you consult a physician with regard to immunizations and any travel medicines well in advance of your travel date. Proper medical and pharmaceutical precautions are the sole responsibility of the Traveler. We strongly urge you to obtain adequate travel and medical insurance to cover any and all of your medical and/or emergency evacuation needs should such unfortunate emergencies arise as well as to cover trip cancellation and/or trip interruption costs. Travel Counsellors assumes absolutely no responsibility regarding provisions of medical care or evacuation. By forwarding payment, you certify that you do not have any physical or mental conditions which would create a danger or hazard for you or other travelers. Once any fees have been paid by you to Travel Counsellors, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy as set forth above.

Disclaimer of Liability
Travel Counsellors, LLC of Lake Mary, Florida, its owners, agents and employees hereby give notice that they act only as agents for hotels, transportation companies, land operators, and suppliers of travel services and assume no responsibility or liability whatsoever in connection with the operation or service of any aircraft, motor vehicle, motorcycle, boat, or other conveyance, inn, lodge, hotel, or tour services which may be used wholly or in part for services arranged by Travel Counsellors. Travel Counsellors, its owners, agents, and employees will not be responsible for any act, error, or omission nor for any injury, loss, accident, delay, inconvenience, irregularity or damage which may be occasioned by any cause whatsoever including, but not limited to, acts of nature, civil disturbance, government restrictions, failure of any means of conveyance to adhere to published schedules, or due to neglect or other willful acts of suppliers of travel services or other persons or entities due to any reasons whatsoever.

Travel Counsellors reserves the right, at any time, either prior to or after departure, to, in its good faith sole discretion, make reasonable changes to any tour, trip or expedition. This includes, but is not limited to the right of Travel Counsellors to reasonably alter or omit any part of an itinerary, reasonably substitute similar hotels, reasonably substitute tour guides, or reasonably change any means of conveyance without notice and without any refund.

Travel services are provided by various suppliers who are independent contractors and are not agents or employees of Travel Cousellors. By utilizing the services of these suppliers, Traveler agrees that Travel Counsellors, its owners, agents and employees will not be liable for any harm to participant arising from occurrences or conditions during traveler’s trip, including, but not limited to any physical, emotional, indirect or consequential harm due to willful or negligent acts or any person or entity whatsoever, including Travel Counsellors and any other parties.

Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for and hereby releases Travel Counsellors from any duty of checking or verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements of each destination, and all safety or security conditions at such destinations, and all baggage restrictions, during the proposed length of travel. For information concerning possible dangers at international destinations, we strongly recommend the traveler contact the Travel Advisory section of the U.S. State Department at (202) 647-5225 or their web site at www.state.gov.travelandbusiness. For medical information, refer to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at (404) 332-4559 or their web site at www.hhs.gov

Disputes and Service Inquiries
While Travel Counsellors makes every attempt to ensure that every aspect of your travel plans are pleasant, in the event that you experience difficulty or are unhappy with any service, you must advise the supplier and Travel Counsellors immediately at the time the difficulty occurs. The Company will attempt to resolve any issue immediately. If you are still dissatisfied, you must contact Travel Counsellors in writing within 28 days of your return. Failure to lodge a complaint and advise the supplier at destination may render the dispute irresolvable. If you have any other inquiries about the service provided that cannot be resolved immediately during your tour or trip please also contact Travel Counsellors in writing within 28 days of your return.

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