Terms and Conditions
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Click on any of the links below for IMPORTANT RESERVATION INFORMATION, relevant disclaimers and our Reservations and cancellation policies. |
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| PAYMENTS: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A $250 non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking to secure your reservation. If you have selected instant purchase, non refundable air, you are required to pay the full air cost in addition to the $250 deposit at time of booking (all of which is non-refundable). For Antarctica, a $500 per person deposit is required at time of booking, with an additional deposit of $1000 due 180 days prior to departure. Should you decide to purchase our trip cancellation waiver, you must do so at the time of booking. Payment of a per person waiver fee guarantees a full refund of all payments (including deposit), except for the waiver fee itself, in case of cancellation of your travel plans for any reason prior to the day of departure. Trip cancellation waiver does not cover instant purchase, non-refundable air. The balance is due 60 days before departure on all tours, except cruises. The balance is due 120 days before departure for cruises. Payment may be made by charging to clients’ Mastercard, Visa, American Express or Discover (card imprint and signature required) or by sending a check or money order. All land rates are guaranteed upon deposit.
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| REVISION FEES: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A handling fee of $25.00 per transaction will be assessed for any change or revision made to a reservation. A change of departure date within 90 days of departure will be treated as a cancellation and cancellation charges will apply. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| CANCELLATION CHARGES: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cancellations of confirmed bookings and transfers to new travel dates both result in penalties and fees assessed by travel suppliers. If you have not purchased waivers, and you need to transfer or cancel for any reason prior to tour departure, the following cancellation fees will be assessed on your land or cruise product. Air is 100% nonrefundable once paid in full. If cancelled prior to being paid in full, the following cancellation fees will also apply to air. (*see cancellation and unused services waiver fees and exceptions):
Ocean Cruises:
Upon cancellation of transportation or travel services where you, the customer, are not at fault and have not cancelled in violation of the terms and conditions above, you will be refunded 100%. |
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| CANCELLATION WAIVER & INSURANCE PLAN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Payment of a Per Person Waiver Fee guarantees a full refund of all payments (including deposit), except the Waiver Fee itself, made to Collette Vacations for travel arrangements in case of cancellation of your travel plans for any reason prior to the day of departure. The Waiver Fee with Air only covers airline tickets you have purchased from Collette Vacations. Instant purchase, non-refundable air is not covered by waiver. Exception: If you originally purchased non-refundable airline tickets, the Waiver does not provide a refund for the airline tickets, taxes or fees in the event of a cancellation. The Waiver Fee does not cover any single supplement charges which arise from an individual’s traveling companion electing to cancel for any reason prior to departure. In this case, the single supplement will be deducted from the refund of the person who cancels. Division of this charge between the two passengers involved is solely their responsibility. If insufficient funds are deducted from the canceling client, the traveling client will be charged the remaining portion of the single supplement. Payment of the Waiver Fee (if chosen) must be received by Collette Vacations with your Deposit. The Waiver is non-transferable and valid for each applicant only. Collette Vacations can assume no responsibility for and cannot be held liable for any wrongful, negligent or unauthorized acts or omissions of any travel agent or travel agency other than that of Collette Travel Service, Inc. itself, and its own employees. On tour, insurance benefits are provided if you: must interrupt your trip or return home early for a covered reason; incur medical expenses for a covered sickness or injury; need medical assistance or evacuation; suffer a baggage loss or delay; or are delayed on tour for 12 hours or more for a covered reason. Following is a schedule of the Part B insurance benefits provided.
PART B CONDITIONS & LIMITATIONS Certain exclusions and limitations apply and are detailed in the Certificate of Coverage. For example, coverage does not apply to: any sickness or condition of you, a Traveling Companion or an Immediate Family Member traveling with you that existed during the 60 days prior to the effective date of the coverages (this exclusion is waived if your plan payment is received by Collette Vacations within 7 days of your initial deposit/payment for your trip and you are not disabled from travel at the time your plan payment is received), suicide, normal pregnancy, war or any act of war, mental or nervous disorders. A Traveling Companion is defined as a person booked to share accommodations in the same room with you during your trip. Sickness or injury must require care by a Physician and must commence while the Travel Protection Plan is in effect for you. This plan does not cover a loss that results from an illness, disease, or other condition (of you, an Immediate Family Member, Traveling Companion or Business Partner), event or circumstance which occurs at a time when this plan is not in effect for you. Part B of the plan is underwritten by: Stonebridge Casualty Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio 464-03 Where to Present Part A Claims To request a refund under the Cancellation Fee Waiver, please call Collette Vacations and send any unused airline tickets to: Collette Vacations ATTN: Customer Service Department 162 Middle Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860 If cancellation occurs prior to departure, contact the Collette Vacations Reservations Department. When a client cancels prior to departure, any refunds are processed through the booking agent. Agent commissions are only protected when cancellation penalties of 100% of the tour cost apply. All Inquiries and Claims under Part B should be reported to the Plan Administrator: Trip Mate, Inc.* 9225 Ward Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64114 Tel: 800-888-7292 * In CA, dba Trip Mate Insurance Agency CANCELLATION WAIVER & INSURANCE PLAN PRICING (Per Person) Land Only Clients:
Air Inclusive Clients (Collette Flex Airfare is purchased through Collette Vacations)
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| CONSUMER PROTECTION PLANS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collette Vacations is a member of the following organizations: The National Tour Association, The United States Tour Operators Association, The Alliance of Canadian Travel Associations, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario, and the Association of British Travel Agents. Some of these associations operate a consumer protection plan to cover deposits placed with any tour operator member. In the case of USTOA, the consumer protection bond is $1 million. Full details are available from the organizations or Collette Vacations. Collette is pleased to give this additional protection to our clients. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP |
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A Valid Passport is required for all trips outside the U.S.A. All passengers should check with the appropriate foreign consulate for entry and validity requirements. Passports and Visas are the responsibility of each client. Government issued identification is required for air travel. Any child under age 16 (traveling without a parent or legal guardian to Canada) must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian. All other travelers should contact the appropriate consulate for entry requirements. Please be advised that if you have been convicted of an offense, or have committed a criminal act that is an offense under the laws where it occurred and would be an offense in Canada, you may be inadmissible into Canada. You will need to apply for a Minister's Permit of Approval of Rehabilitation at a Canadian Consulate. |
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| LAND AND AIR RATES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Land and air rates are per person, double, during certain seasons, for specific gateways, and include airline fuel surcharges. These fuel surcharges are assessed by the airlines and are subject to increase without notice. Government taxes and fees are additional. Availability of prices in the brochure is limited, and at the time you purchase your tour, prices may be higher. Land rates are guaranteed at time of deposit. For tours departing after May 1, 2009, air rates (including fuel surcharges) will be protected against rates changes when you have paid in full within 11 months prior to departure. Certain taxes/fees are to be paid upon exiting the country in local currencies. Please refer to the appropriate tour itineraries for details. Taxes and Fees Government and Other Authority Taxes and Fees are not included in your air rate and will be added to your vacation package:
Checked Baggage Charges: Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline's checked baggage policies. INSTANT PURCHASE NON-REFUNDABLE AIRFARE Instant Purchase, Non-refundable Airfare includes round trip airport /hotel transfers (excluding pre or post days and extensions). Instant Purchase, Non-refundable Airfare requires full payment at the time of booking. This air ticket is not covered by Collette Vacations travel protection or waiver policies. Tickets will be issued immediately and, once issued are non-refundable, may only be changed for a fee up to $300 plus any difference in airfare for travel in the following 12 months; specific fees and policies may vary by airline. All airline tickets are subject to a variety of foreign and domestic government taxes including passenger facility charges up to $18, segment fees of $3.50 per domestic segment, September 11th Security Fee up to $10 and international departure and arrival fees. These tickets include an administration fee and round trip airport to hotel transfers of which both hold no airline reissue value. Once issued, there can be no fluctuation in price due to an increase in government taxes or in airline fuel surcharges. |
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| TRAVELERS NEEDING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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You must report any disability requiring special attention to Collette Vacations at the time the reservation is made. Collette will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of tour participants. Such participants, however, should be aware that the Americans with Disabilities Act is inapplicable outside of the United States and facilities outside the United States for disabled individuals are limited. It is strongly recommended that persons requiring assistance be accompanied by a companion who is capable of and totally responsible for providing the assistance. Neither Collette nor its personnel, nor its suppliers, may physically lift or assist clients into transportation vehicles. If a traveler thinks he or she might need assistance during a trip, he or she should call Collette to determine what assistance might reasonably be given. Collette cannot provide special individual assistance to tour members with special needs for walking, dining or other routine activities. |
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| BAGGAGE DISCLAIMER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Although every effort is made to handle passengers’ luggage as carefully as possible, Collette Vacations is not responsible for and does not assume liability or accept claims for loss of or damage to luggage due to breakage, theft or wear and tear through hotel and group carrier handling. It is recommended for your own self interest and protection that you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Check with your sales agent for low cost insurance to cover these risks. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| HOLIDAY AND MUSEUM CLOSURES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or many religious, state and local holidays observed throughout the world. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| MOTORCOACH WASHROOMS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Most motorcoaches used on our tours are equipped with washrooms (except safari vehicles, exotic locations, and some of our Explorations by Collette tours). These are typically for emergency use, as we make plenty of comfort stops, allowing you the opportunity to use public restrooms and/or stretch your legs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| MAPS AND PHOTOS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maps shown on tour pages are current at the time of printing and may not reflect actual tour routing should the tour change. Photos shown on tour pages are reflective of the area(s) visited, but may not be included in the actual tour itinerary. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| EXPLANATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND TOUR CONDITIONS FOR COLLETTE VACATIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Any person reserving or purchasing any Collette Vacations product published in this brochure accepts the condition that Collette reserves to itself the exclusive right to change or cancel itineraries, hotels, and other tour components whenever it is deemed necessary. If this occurs, every effort will be made to offer alternate dates and/or programs. Published times on itineraries are as accurate as possible but subject to change due to traffic, weather, mechanical and any other conditions beyond Collette’s control that prevent Collette Vacations from operating as scheduled. Collette Vacations expressly disclaims any liability for any damages that may be incurred for any changes, cancellations or delays on any itinerary on any Collette tour. All rates on foreign tours are subject to fluctuations of currency and may be changed when necessary without advance notice prior to deposit. All rates published are per person as indicated and are based on double occupancy when only one rate is shown. Reservations will be accepted subject to availability at the time of a request and will be considered confirmed only upon receipt of a minimum deposit. Child land rates are available and are valid for ages 5-12, sharing a room with two full paying adults. Collette Vacations does not accept liability in the case of any passenger being denied boarding by any airline carrier due to the carrier’s over-booking of a flight. All cancellation charges, fees and refunds for any tour within this brochure are in effect as of the effective date as indicated below and supersede any other previously printed policies relating to these same charges. |
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| GENERAL DISCLAIMER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Neither Collette Travel Services, Inc., its affiliated entities and its and their employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents, and assigns (collectively “Collette”), own or operate any person or entity which is to or does provide goods or services for these trips. Because neither maintains any control over the personnel, equipment, or operations of these suppliers, Collette assumes no responsibility for and cannot be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of (1) any wrongful, negligent, willful or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any of the suppliers or other employees or agents, (2) any defect in or failure of any vehicle, equipment, or instrument owned, operated or otherwise used by any of these suppliers, or (3) any wrongful, willful or negligent act or omission on the part of any other party not under the supervision and control of Collette. Additionally, responsibility is not accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, lack of appropriate medical facilities or practitioners, weather, strikes, theft or other criminal acts, war, terrorism, computer problems, or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws of the country in which they are provided. Collette reserves the right to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their sole judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the tour. They reserve the right to withdraw any tour announced. Both parties reserve the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by the tour manager to be in the best interests of the health, safety, and general welfare of the tour group or of the individual participant. Neither does Collette accept liability for any carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable airline or other ticket to the tour departure city and return or otherwise. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owner at all times. Participants may be photographed for the promotional purposes of Collette. Payment of the deposit to Collette constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions. |
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| ARBITRATION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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I agree that any dispute concerning, relating, or referring to this contract, the brochure or any other literature concerning my trip, or the trip itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration according to the then existing rules of
the American Arbitration Association in Rhode Island. Such proceedings will be
governed by substantive Rhode Island law. |
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| SPECIAL OFFERS AND DISCOUNTING POLICY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Collette may periodically offer special deals on certain tours and departure dates. These special offers unless otherwise noted, are land only, valid on new retail bookings only and not combinable with any other offer. Please also refer to our Privacy Policy for more information. Collette Vacations also has a policy on discounting. The Collette policy is to not promise a discount off Collette prices (either explicit or implicit). Percentage-off offers are prohibited, as are statements that say, "We discount Collette tours." This policy is in effect for all types of online advertising, including (but not limited to) Collette promotion on a company web site, search engine or email marketing campaign. Collette maintains the right to refuse bookings from any partner who does not comply with this policy to our satisfaction. |
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