Terms and Conditions
Reservation and Payments
A preliminary day by day and estimated quotation will be provided for client consideration. Upon review and acceptance, receipt of requested deposit (deposit amounts differ from booking to booking) will be required to begin the reservation process. Upon confirmation, a confirmed 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: In addition to the above, certain suppliers will levy a non-refundable deposit for services.
Such items will be an additional penalty above and beyond the cancellation fee schedule above.
Travel Insurance
To protect your clients from penalties and to provide necessary coverage while traveling, we recommend travel insurance with every booking.
www.travelguard.com
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 FeesToday 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.
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 government imposed 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 Ltd.
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
Sterling Tours Ltd – 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.
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.
CST#2023849-40
