Booking Agreement
Terms and Conditions
Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before registering for the trip detailed on your registration form. By completing your trip registration, or making a payment for the trip, you, as the Participant or Parent/Legal Guardian of Participant (the “Participant” and “you”), hereby accept the following Terms and Conditions along with any other documentation we provide you (“The Agreement”) and agree to be bound by them. The Agreement describes what you are legally entitled to expect from us when you book your trip through us, in addition to important obligations you make as a participant that affect your legal rights. The terms “we”, “us” and “our”, and “EDT” refer to California Group Associates, Inc. dba Educational Discovery Tours a Nevada corporation. You represent that you are 18 years of age or older. In order to travel with EDT you must agree to these terms & conditions. EDT is not responsible for any participant’s unawareness of the Terms and Conditions.
You acknowledge and agree that we may change these Terms and Conditions from time to time and that those changes become effective immediately. You agree to be bound by the Terms and Conditions that are in effect at the time of your travel or cancellation, whichever applies. You agree that it is your responsibility to be familiar with these Terms and Conditions and to check back from time to time for any changes.
PAYMENT POLICIES
You must make payments in accordance with the instructions and deadlines we give you. Since the operation of educational travel programs requires extensive long-term planning, costs are incurred long before the actual departure date. If we do not receive any payment due in full and on time, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you in which case the cancellation charges set out below will become payable. We reserve the right to refuse a booking without giving any reason and shall, in that event only, return any deposit received. Reservations are non-transferrable.
Late registration: Travelers registering after the deposit due date, up to 60 days prior to travel, must submit the deposit plus the amount of any missed payments, according to the listed payment schedule. Late registration will be subject to availability.
Late-add fees: Travelers wishing to add to a trip within 60 days of departure will be added on a space available basis. EDT will require payment in full and will charge an additional fee equal to 10% of the trip price.
Returned check fee: There will be a $25.00 fee for any check returned by your bank as unpaid.
Credit Card Payments: While we do accept major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, participants must provide to us a signed charge authorization agreement or agree by checking the authorization box, for every transaction for your trip. Your authorization is a binding agreement for us to charge your card and as such you waive any right to chargeback in the case of cancellation for any cause (excepting fraud), including a Force Majeure event, as defined herein, and agree to refund policies and procedures as outlined in these Terms and Conditions. In the event a Participant attempts to chargeback, reverse, or recollect a trip payment already made without the authorization of EDT, we reserve the right to collect all additional costs, fees and expenses associated with such chargeback, reversal or recollection, including, without limitation, attorney fees.
TRIP PROTECTION PLAN
Travel Protection: EDT strongly recommends (and some schools will require) that you purchase travel/medical/baggage protection for the trip. Such plan at a minimum should cover Trip Cancellation or Interruption, Cancel for Any Reason, Medical Expense, Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, and Baggage. Travel protection plans can help protect you in the event of loss of non-refundable trip deposits and payments that result from cancellation or trip interruption (due to a covered reason such as injury or illness before or during the trip). It also helps with reimbursement for medical emergency costs (including very costly medical evacuation costs), missed connections and baggage loss.
Trip cancellation and/or emergency medical insurance can be purchased through Travel Insured at http://www.travelinsured.com/agency?agency=53788 or via the trip specific URL provided on the trip registration flier. EDT is not qualified to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of travel protection plans. EDT cannot evaluate the adequacy of the prospective insured’s existing insurance coverage. If you have any questions about your travel protection, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker.
Declining travel protection plan coverage could result in the loss of your travel cost and/or require more money to correct the situation. You also acknowledge that without this coverage, there may be no way to recoup any losses, costs or expenses incurred. If you choose to travel without adequate coverage, we will not be liable for any of your losses howsoever arising, for which trip protection plan coverage would otherwise have been available.
CANCELLATION POLICY
EDT is required to pay all suppliers well in advance of your tour date. All suppliers have their own cancellation policies, which apply to your booking. Should a cancellation become necessary, please inform EDT immediately in writing and request a written confirmation of your cancellation. Upon, receipt, EDT will follow industry procedures for any applicable refunds as outlined in the supplier’s terms and subject to their review. If you are entitled to a refund, please note that the supplier is responsible for this refund, not EDT. Generally, flight tickets, hotel reservation and other items provided for the travel cannot be refunded if they are partially used. We are not responsible for a supplier’s failure to pay a refund.
In addition to any terms of our suppliers, the following is the EDT cancellation fee schedule. In order to process your cancellation, please be sure to submit your notice of cancellation in writing. If notice of cancellation is received:
Between Point of Registration and 60 days prior to departure, your deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable. (Please refer to the deposit amount listed on your registration form.)
Between 45 and 60 days prior to departure 30% of the total trip cost is non-refundable and non- transferrable.
Between 15 and 44 days prior to departure 50% of the total trip cost is non-refundable and non- transferrable.
Less than 15 days prior to departure 100% of the total trip cost is non-refundable and non- transferrable.
These fees do not include non-refundable items such as theatre tickets or other deposits we have paid on behalf of you or your child; these fees will be in addition to the fees listed above.
Please be advised that travel destinations may require proof of vaccinations at time of travel. If you decide to cancel a trip based on these requirements, the regular cancellation terms will apply, and we will not be obligated to provide any additional refund.
ALL NOTICES OF CANCELLATION MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING. MAILED IN NOTICES WILL BE ACCEPTED ACCORDING TO THE DATE OF THE POSTMARK.
EDT LIMITED LIABILITY
The trip is arranged by California Group Associates, Inc. dba Educational Discovery Tours a Nevada corporation (“EDT”). EDT, and its employees, shareholders, agents, and representatives (together “EDT”) use third party suppliers to arrange tours, transportation, sightseeing, lodging, and all other services related to this tour. EDT is an independent contractor and is not an employee, agent, or representative of any of these suppliers. EDT does not own, manage, operate, supervise, or control any transportation, vehicle, airplane, hotel or restaurants, or any other entity that supplies services related to your tour. EDT is not affiliated with any other tour operator. All suppliers are independent contractors, and are not agents or employees or representatives of EDT. All tickets, receipts, coupons, and vouchers are issued subject to the terms and conditions specified by each supplier, and by accepting the coupons, vouchers, and tickets, or utilizing the services, all customers agree that neither EDT, nor its employees, agents, or representatives are or may be liable for any loss, injury, or damage to any tour participant or their belongings, or otherwise, in connection with any service supplied or not supplied resulting directly or indirectly from any occurrence beyond the control of EDT. EDT assumes no responsibility or liability for any delay, change in schedule, loss, injury or damage or loss of any participant that may result from any act or omission on the part of others; and EDT shall be relieved of any obligations under these terms and conditions in the event of any strike, labor dispute, act of God, or of government, fire, war, whether declared or not, terrorism, insurrection, riot, theft, pilferage, epidemic, pandemic, illness, physical injury, quarantine, medical or customs or immigration regulation, delay, or cancellation. EDT accepts no responsibility for lost or stolen items. EDT reserves the right to refuse any participant or potential participant at its sole discretion.
CANCELLATION BY EDT
EDT reserves the right to cancel any tour at its sole discretion. In the unlikely event a tour is canceled by EDT and EDT is unable to reschedule, all funds collected from any participant will be promptly refunded in full. Money is refunded to the original payer. EDT shall not be responsible for any refund and will pay no damages in the event of cancellation due to Force Majeure.
FORCE MAJEURE
EDT shall not be responsible for, and shall make no refund for, events beyond its control, such as, without limitation, acts of God, strikes, acts of war, terrorism or civil disturbance, government restrictions, changes of schedules or operational decisions of air carriers, terrorist activity or the threat thereof, industrial action, natural or nuclear activity, epidemic, pandemic, illness, physical injury, quarantine, medical or customs or immigration regulation, delay, or cancellation, adverse weather conditions, fire, or for acts or omission of Third Parties or other parties not under the control of EDT and all similar events outside our control. If EDT, and/or any of its travel suppliers, are affected by Force Majeure, they shall be entitled to, and may in their sole and absolute discretion, vary or cancel any itinerary or arrangement in relation to your trip. In any such case no refund will be available.
ADDITIONAL RISKS
Additional risks and dangers may arise including, but not limited to, hazards of travel by train, automobile, motor coach, aircraft and other means of conveyance, animal interactions, swimming, forces of nature, political unrest, other unrest, risks associated with water, food, plants, insects and differing animal regulation, and acts of national and local governments and unrest and acts of others against
Governments; my own negligence and/or the negligence of others, including tour guides, other guests, EDT employees, agents and/or representatives. These risks are not an exhaustive list but are examples of many kinds of risks. You are voluntarily participating in these activities with the knowledge that there are significant dangers involved, and you hereby agree to accept any and all risks. As lawful consideration for the agreement with EDT to participate in such trips and activities you agree you will not make a claim against EDT, its related companies or its personnel or sue for bodily injury, emotional trauma, death, property loss or damage or other loss, cost or expense, however caused, as a result of or related to your contracting for, traveling to or from, or in any and every other way participating in the trip. You release EDT, its related companies and its personnel from any and all claims, known or unknown, arising from contracting for, traveling to or from, and in any and every way participating in a trip. This release of liability and assumption of risk agreement is entered into on behalf of you and all members of your family and party, also including minors. This agreement also binds your heirs, legal representatives and assigns.
Where the guest occupies a motor coach seat fitted with a safety belt, neither EDT nor the Operator nor its agents or co-operating organizations or service providers will be liable for any injury, illness or death or for any loss or damages or claims whatsoever arising from any accident or incident, if the safety belt is not being worn at the time of such an accident or incident. This exclusion and limitation of liability shall not be used to imply that the Operator or its agents or affiliated entities are liable in other circumstances.
CHANGES TO THE ITINERARY
EDT reserves the right to change the itinerary or adjust rates, as a result of changes by our suppliers, or if EDT deems it necessary for your comfort, convenience or safety. In the case of changes, we will arrange for the substitution of comparable services. Such changes will may include but are not limited to: changes to aircraft type, change of accommodation to another of the same standard, any change in the itinerary due to holiday or facility closure, any minor itinerary change where we make a reasonable substitute. For any such change, no refunds will be applicable.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
When travelling domestically or internationally, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advise that everyone carry at least two forms of acceptable identification in order to board a flight found http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/acceptable-ids. Examples: DHS-designated enhanced driver’s license, USA Passport, a foreign government passport. The name, date of birth and gender that appears on the identification card must exactly match the same such data that is listed on airline ticket(s) and booking records. In addition, you are required to be familiar with and obtain any documents, including visas and medical documentation that may be required by the country that you are visiting.
It is the Participant’s responsibility to ensure that all of the details on your travel documents are correct and to bring to our attention any errors or discrepancies immediately. Your travel documents are valuable and should be safeguarded as if they were cash. It is not always possible to replace travel documents in the case of loss, theft, damage, etc
DISABILITIES
Participants with disabilities are welcome and must always be accompanied by a companion capable of providing all required and needed assistance and must not require special assistance from EDT or its suppliers. Participants with disabilities must notify EDT in writing at the time of booking of their status and of the identity of their non-discounted, paid travel companion who will be responsible for providing all necessary assistance. Participants with disabilities should notify EDT if ADA accessible accommodations are needed. EDT will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate this request, but cannot be responsible if ADA accommodations are not available. Any accommodations provided will be at the sole expense of the guest requiring the accommodation.
MEDICAL CARE
In case of medical emergency, I hereby give permission to EDT or the group chaperone to order treatment for me or my child. This includes any necessary medical treatment or x-rays. I understand that an attempt will be made to reach me by telephone when diagnosis is completed. I agree that I am responsible for all charges related to such care and hereby release and hold harmless EDT for any care that is provided.
FOOD ALLERGIES
If a group meal is planned for this trip, please notify us ASAP if Participant has any allergy and food limitation(s). We will request accommodations for Participants with food allergies from food service providers but EDT cannot guarantee the result and is not responsible for food prepared by Third Parties.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
For the safety or our guests, EDT reserves the right to request health information prior to travel and to exclude any participants it deems unfit for travel at its sole discretion.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Participant hereby gives consent to EDT to publish any photographs of the trip or Participant in printed or electronic media without obtaining further consent and without compensation. Each Participant releases EDT and its representatives from any liability in connection with any use of such photographs.
CODE OF CONDUCT
All Participants shall observe reasonable rules of safety and conduct as directed by the Trip Sponsor, aided by teacher(s) and chaperones, who have absolute authority to expel any Participant whose actions or behavior are considered detrimental to the group’s welfare. EDT is released from any liability to any expelled Participant for such expulsion and no refunds shall be made.
When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you. Full payment for any such damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely known) must be paid direct at the time to the accommodation owner or manager or other supplier. You must indemnify us for the full amount of any claim (also including legal costs) made against us. EDT is not responsible for any costs incurred concerning a guest removed from a tour. Guests agree not to hold EDT or any of its related entities liable for any actions taken under these terms and conditions. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.
SEVERABILITY
If any provision of these terms and conditions shall be held unenforceable, such provision shall be struck and the remainder shall remain enforceable.
JURISDICTION AND APPLICABLE LAW
All guest claims must be submitted in writing and received by EDT no later than thirty (30) days after the completion of the EDT Tour. Guest claims not submitted and received within this time shall be deemed waived and barred.
ADDITIONAL TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS ONLY
Upon cancellation of the transportation or travel services, where the guest is not at fault and has not canceled in violation of any terms and conditions previously clearly and conspicuously disclosed and agreed to by the guest, all sums paid to Provider for services not provided will be promptly paid to the guest, unless the guest advises Provider in writing, after cancellation. This provision does not apply where Provider has remitted the payment to another registered wholesale seller of travel or a carrier, without obtaining a refund, and where the wholesaler or provider defaults in providing the agreed-upon transportation or service. In this situation, Provider will provide the guest with a written statement accompanied by bank records establishing the disbursement of the payment, and if disbursed to a wholesale seller of travel, proof of current registration of that wholesaler.
California Seller of Travel
California Registered Seller of Travel # 2072483-50. California law requires certain sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond. This business has a bond.
