Terms and Conditions for FIT bookings from a Travel ... - Sterling Tours

Terms and Conditions for FIT bookings from a Travel Agency
Reservation and Payments – A preliminary itinerary and estimated quotation will be provided for
client consideration. Upon review and acceptance, receipt of $150 per person good faith deposit will
be required to begin the reservation process. Upon confirmation, a detailed itinerary, pricing, and
payment schedule will be provided, and the deposit shall become non-refundable. Visa, MasterCard,
American Express, Discover, and checks are accepted for payment. Prices quoted in US dollars are
subject to change due to currency fluctuation unless paid in full at the time of booking.
Modifications
Because of the unique and highly specialized nature of our business, once an itinerary is confirmed
and under deposit, any changes made 60 days or more before departure will incur an additional fee
of $25 per person. Changes made 59 days or less before departure will incur an additional $50 per
person fee.
Cancellations
All cancellations must be made in writing and will take effect upon the date they are received by
Sterling Tours. Refunds will be subject to these cancellation fees:
60 days or more before departure – deposit is nonrefundable.
59-30 days prior to departure – 50% of trip cost.
29-14 days prior to departure – 75% of trip cost
Less than 14 days, or no-shows – 100% of trip cost (no refund)
Note: On occasion certain suppliers require a non-refundable deposit for services. Such items will
be noted on the detailed itinerary and will be an additional penalty above and beyond the cancellation
fee schedule above.
Travel Insurance
To protect our clients from penalties and to provide necessary coverage while traveling, we offer
travel insurance with every booking. A quote will be provided at time of confirmation, and nonrefundable
premium must be paid at time of deposit. Agents declining travel insurance are required
to indicate such on the insurance offer form and return it signed along with deposit.
Travel Documents
It is the agent’s responsibility to verify documents and/or medical preparation required for
destinations to be visited. Passports shall be valid at least 6 months beyond last date of travel.
Hotels and Services– Every effort will be made to provide such hotels and services as listed on
your confirmed itinerary, but where unavoidable circumstances necessitate changes, the best
substitute alternatives will be made at the discretion of Sterling Tours.
Tips, Taxes, Service Fees
Today there are frequently service charges and taxes imposed by hotels, suppliers, and governments.
These fees and taxes are included to the extent possible, but where pre-payment is not allowed or
possible, the amounts concerned must be paid locally by tour members. Tips to your guides and
drivers are not included and are left to your discretion.
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Baggage – Sterling is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to your baggage---travel insurance is
strongly recommended to protect against loss. Guests are responsible for airline and governmentimposed
baggage regulations and fees.
Problems while traveling – Should issues occur while traveling, clients are required to notify the
local manager or representative at once. If issues are not resolved locally to client satisfaction, guests
are required to notify their travel agent, who will then promptly advise Sterling Tours.
Exclusions – Your arrangements exclude excess baggage charges, items of a personal nature such as
laundry, communication expenses, room service, meals not specified in your itinerary, gratuities to
guides and drivers, optional sightseeing and other excursions, and any items not listed in your travel
documents.
Responsibility – SterlingTours – the “Operator” and or their agents or representatives, act only as
agents for the various companies involved in providing services. They assume no responsibility or
liability in connection with the service of any means of conveyance which may be used either whole
or in part in the performance of its duty to the passenger. Likewise they will not be responsible for
any act, error or omission or for any personal injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, irregularity or
inconvenience which may be occasioned by reason of any defect in any vehicles, or through any act,
neglect or default, or any company or person engaged in carrying out the purpose for which tickets
or coupons are issued, whether negligent or not, including, but not limited to, any act of God,
terrorism or war. The Operator does not assume responsibility for flight delays or irregularities, and
is not liable for any expenses resulting from same. The client releases the Operator from any claim
for damage or loss from any act of negligence of any carrier, hotel, or person rendering service to the
client. Confirmed arrangements are subject to the laws of the destination country or countries. In
the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of passengers, or for any
reason whatsoever, to alter itinerary or arrangements, such alterations may be made without penalty
to the Operator. The right is reserved to withdraw any or all tours should conditions warrant, also to
decline to accept or retain passengers as members of the tour. Legal proceedings against the
company may be instituted only in a State or Federal Court within the County of San Diego, State of
California, and any claim involved in such proceedings shall be decided in the County of San Diego,
State of California. Any legal proceedings against the company must be commenced within one year
following the date of tour completion. The Operator shall in no case be liable for compensatory
damages, and you hereby waive any right to punitive damages.
IMPORTANT: By placing a reservation and paying a deposit,
the travel agency affirms that these terms and conditions have
been read and accepted and agrees to be bound by these terms
and conditions. It is the agent’s responsibility to explain these
terms and conditions to the end customer.
Sterling Tours, Ltd. 2907 Shelter Island Drive, #105-262 San Diego, CA 92106
Tel: 619-299-3010 800-976-9497 Fax 619-550-3161
info@sterlingtoursltd.com www.sterlingtoursltd.com cst#2023849-40
Rev Jan 2011