Your purchase of travel services constitutes a contractual arrangement between yourself (“Client”), Great Escapes., (“Great Escapes”) and the supplier(s) of services (“Suppliers”) and confirms your acceptance of the terms and cancellation penalties governing your travel. Your acceptance of these terms is required prior to our processing payment for your arrangements.

‘PERSONALIZED PLANNING PROGRAM’ – Trips we design and the arrangements we secure on your behalf are covered by Great Escapes ‘Personalized Planning Program’.  The ‘Personalized Planning Program’ is a charge for our consulting and support services and is non-refundable.

REVIEW OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Please review your documents immediately upon receipt, and contact Great Escapes if there are any discrepancies or questions. It is your obligation to review trip documents for accuracy. This includes: the correct spelling of the names of all travelers (as shown on their passports or other document used for travel), all dates of travel, itineraries, cruise and/or accommodations, transfer services and sightseeing. It is the client and or travelers obligation to know and abide the terms and conditions from all travel suppliers/vendors.   

All travelers assume complete and full responsibility for checking the accuracy of their travel documents and itineraries upon receipt. Travelers agree to read carefully through all travel documents, invoices, sales contracts to ensure the accuracy.

PROOF OF IDENTITY:  Travelers assume complete and full responsibility to secure necessary valid government issued photo ID, Passport or Visa documents and to be aware of any changes for these requirements. While Great Escapes may assist in providing information in acquiring these documents, all travelers release Great Escapes from any liability for incomplete, invalid or lack of required documents or vaccinations. Great Escapes bears no responsibility in any denial of boarding or entry/exit regarding any port or country.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires all travelers to carry a government-issued identification card to board a flight. The name, date of birth and gender that appears on your identification must exactly match the same such data listed on your airline ticket and in the booking record. Failure to strictly comply with these requirements may result in denied boarding or an undue delay at an airport security checkpoint causing one to miss their flight.

For travel anywhere outside of the U.S. a passport is required, valid for at least six months following your return home. Passport and visa information may be obtained by contacting the Travel Advisory Section of the U.S. State Department at 202.647.5225 or by visiting the  State Departments web site. Depending upon destination and traveler’s nationality, one or more visas may be required. For assistance with visa services please contact CIBT Visas. Non-U.S. passport holders should be sure to contact the embassies of their destination and transit countries to obtain entrance requirements.

COMMUNICATION: Travelers agree to read all email communication timely sent from Great Escapes . There may be times when the supplier vendor will email you with important travel information. All itinerary information is provided to you electronically through email, online websites and an itinerary – document phone app.

SPECIAL NEEDS: In advance of any booking or reservations, the client must advise of any disability or dietary requirements that may require special assistance or consideration.

PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALLY: We respect and protect your privacy. We do not share your data with any other party, except with Suppliers as needed to secure your reservations. Travel arrangements are kept confidential among those that need to know in working on your itinerary and securing your arrangements. Actual itineraries we plan are deemed our work product and not otherwise confidential. If you need us to avoid discussing arrangements with family or others, please inform us.

PAYMENT OF INVOICES: Reservations, Deposits & Payments –Travel services are NOT confirmed until we receive written confirmation for services, and/or payment or a credit card guarantee is provided to secure them. Use of a credit card requires your Credit Card Authorization.

The client and or traveler agrees to pay the balance of the signed for invoices, sales contracts and arrangements in full prior to the due date. Credit card authorization: The client certifies they are the cardholder or an authorized user of the card account. The client agrees to the amount being charged for travel related purchases.

Minimum deposits are required to initiate reservations and bookings. Deposits and payments are not refundable. Charges will appear on your statement from the suppliers/vendors listed in your sales agreement. – Our role is to facilitate the sale, collect funds on your behalf, and remit those funds to the Suppliers.  The client authorizes Great Escapes the use of their credit card that has been provided to pay for charges on their behalf for travel reservations and cancellation fees on your sales agreement. Unpaid invoices or reservations past due are subject to penalties and cancellation, in addition to any other collection fees. If suit is instituted to collect, purchaser agrees to pay all attorney’s fees and costs. The client agrees not to dispute or charge-back any of the signed for purchases.

EXCURSION, PROMOTIONAL AND GROUP FARES: Many fare types involve restrictions. Changing any aspect of one’s travel arrangements may result in the payment of additional money. Obtain agency or airline assistance before making changes. In addition, some group tours are based on a minimum number of passengers traveling; if the number of passengers falls below the minimum required, a surcharge may be imposed or the tour may be canceled.

CHANGE OF PLANS: If your plans change, contact Great Escapes or the carrier/supplier directly for assistance. Changes must be requested in writing to Great Escapes.  Depending on the fare type, you may be able to apply the value of any unused tickets towards a new ticket. Additional fees may apply for any changes. If an airline issues a refund directly, please be sure to ask for a receipt.

MODIFICATION & CANCELLATION FEES – Great Escapes charges the following fees: One to three single changes, addition or modification to your reservations 45 days prior to travel is $125.00 and  44 days prior to travel is $175.00. In the event you cancel for any reason a $200 per person cancellation fee will be charged by Great Escapes to your credit card on file. Itinerary changes are subject to time limitations and availability. These fees are imposed by Great Escapes and are separate from any supplier/vendor cancellation charges. 

ACCOMMODATIONS:  are usually confirmed on a guaranteed payment basis. Inquire about the property’s cancelation/change policy before you commit. Policies vary. No shows may result in being charged one or more night’s lodging. 

PRICES: Unless otherwise noted, pricing is quoted in USD. All pricing is packaged rates. Our partners do not provide component pricing to protect their contracts, therefore Great Escapes is not able to provide component pricing.  Pricing is subject to change due to currency fluctuations, tariff changes or increase in operational costs and prior to payment in full. Prices will not increase after full payment when there is an air component included as part of a package, except for charges resulting from a government imposed fee and tax. Otherwise, travel suppliers may add charges, such as a fuel surcharge, taxes, fluctuations in foreign exchange markets, or other assessments. We are required by law to secure your consent and your authorization of Great Escapes to charge your credit card for such additional amounts due to an increase in cost for one or more of the travel components of the travel services purchased that is mandated by airlines, cruise lines or land operators or travel service providers.

Travelers should be aware certain air carriers, and in some cases other suppliers, may operate under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Great Escapes recommends the use of a credit card as method of payment as this may offer the opportunity to dispute a charge should a vendor cease operating.

CANCELATION FEES: are imposed on most trips by the service provider or vendor involved (airline, hotel, cruise line, transfer company, sightseeing operator, etc.). In some cases, there is NO REFUND once booking is made and paid for. All cancelation requests must be sent to Great Escapes in writing. Your right to a refund if you change/cancel your plans is limited.  Each vendor or supplier of services may have their own specific terms and conditions that apply to your booking. Cancelation penalties are advised at time of booking and provided to you with your sales agreement invoice. Once travel has commenced, any changes or cancellation is at your expense.  If you have any questions, or any penalties are unclear, please contact Great Escapes prior to your initial deposit.

PROCESSING FEES: Great Escapes or third parties impose processing fees for many transactions. A transaction is defined as: a reservation, ticketing, ticket exchange, refund, void, or any other service provided by Great Escapes and/or its affiliates. If a credit card charge is disputed and the charge is found to be valid, Great Escapes will apply an additional handling fee.

NOTICE OF RESPONSIBILITY – Great Escapes acts solely as an agent for the actual suppliers of travel services being requested or arranged, and is not the source or supplier of such services. As such, Great Escapes is not responsible for any damages, loss, delay, injury or accident due to any act or default on the part of any company or person engaged in providing transportation, lodging, sightseeing or other services. Great Escapes will advise customers the names of suppliers who are responsible for providing travel services being purchased, and their names will appear in the information supplied. Great Escapes will neither be responsible for monies not in its possession, nor responsible for any fluctuations in fares or rates or price differentials from the tariff offered to and accepted by the customer. Great Escapes is not responsible for cancelation of any service(s) and/or refunds from any suppliers or carrier that ceases operation.

Refunds or unused services to be provided by the supplier/vendor or any obligation service or monies are not the responsibility of Great Escapes. The travelers assume any and all including but not limited to; financial responsibility should they modify or cancel the travel itinerary in any way. In the event of a pricing error or any other misrepresentation or  omission, Great escapes reserves the right to adjust the pricing or make any other corrections. There are no representations or promises made by Great Escapes that in any way take precedence over this disclaimer.

The payment of any partial or full payment for a reservation shall constitute consent to the use of those suppliers and agreement neither to hold Great Escapes liable for any injury, damage or loss on account of any conditions, actions or omissions that are beyond its reasonable control, nor hold Great Escapes responsible should any of these suppliers: 1) fail to provide the travel services purchased; 2) fail to comply with any applicable law; or 3) engage in any negligent act or omission that causes any sort of personal injury, damage, delay or inconvenience.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: The purchase of a travel insurance policy is recommended to cover to help cover unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss, a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. Travel insurance may be purchased anytime prior to departure. Certain benefits may apply when purchasing your policy within 15 days of your first travel deposit.  Payments are always non refundable once purchased.  The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Some countries require visitors to have travel insurance.

SMART TRAVELER: If traveling internationally, and as a precaution, you may sign up in the Smart Traveler Enrollment program to register your travel information with the U.S. Department of State.

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH: To obtain medical information, you may contact the Centers for Disease Control at 404.332.4559 or visit the CDC’s Web site

PRIOR CONVICTIONS: U.S. citizens should be aware certain countries permit immigration authorities to deny entry to foreigners if they have been charged or convicted of a serious crime, Or in some cases, a DUI or misdemeanor. Please check with the consulate for your destination if applicable.

DUPLICATE BOOKING:  Duplicate booking requests may cancel out all of your reservations. In such cases, Great Escapes will not be responsible for any loss of confirmed space.

RECONFIRMATION OF FLIGHTS: Schedule changes do occur. Please reconfirm flight times at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure time for domestic flights and up to 72 hours prior for international flights. Failure to use a reservation may result in automatic cancelation of all continuing and return flights as well as forfeiture of fare.

AIR FARES TICKETS: Air tickets are electronic (e-tickets) and will require you provide proper photo ID and flight information upon check-in. Failure to use all ticketed segments may result in automatic canceling of all continuing and return flights and possible charges from the airline. It is the passenger’s responsibility to notify the airline if an e-ticket is not used. The passenger ticket in use, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines and purchaser. Air schedules are subject to change without notice. Great Escapes and/or our Suppliers are not responsible for airline cancellations, reschedules or delays. Airline fees may apply if you change or cancel once the ticket is issued. Many flights are operated as code shares (advertised by one airline and operated by another airline’s aircraft.)  Purchase of airline tickets constitutes the traveler agrees to the airline contract of carriage. This can be found on each of the airlines website.

FLIGHT CHECK-IN: Due to enhanced security it is recommended you check in a minimum of 1 to 1-1/2 hours prior to your scheduled departure time for domestic flights, and 2 to 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure time for international flights.

FLIGHT DISCLAIMERS RE: HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND INSECTICIDE SPRAYING
a) Under Federal law, passengers are prohibited from bringing hazardous materials on the aircraft, such as aerosols, fireworks and flammable liquids. If you do not understand these restrictions, please visit the FAA’s prohibited items webpage for more information.
b) Whether or not the flight itinerary is subject to insecticide spraying prior to the flight or while you are on the aircraft, Federal law requires that we refer you to the Dept. of Transportation’s DOT’s disinfection website.

AIRLINE BAGGAGE POLICIES AND FEES: Each airline governs the amount of baggage any passenger may bring and/or check in for its flights, as well as the baggage fees it imposes. You can check here for each airline baggage fees.

ACTS OF GOD: Great Escapes shall not be responsible for, including but not limited to; acts of God, acts of government agencies, fire, strikes, war, weather, climate conditions, local law, criminal acts, injuries, mechanical or construction failures, difficulties, diseases, damages or losses caused in connection with terrorist activities or abnormal conditions.