These Travel Terms and Conditions and Guest Agreement (“Agreement”) apply to and control any travel services offered by or through SST Tours, Inc, a California Corporation, dba MEMBER ADVENTURES or any of its Affiliates (together and in the alternative, “MEMBER ADVENTURES”, “we”, “us”, “our”). For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Affiliates” means any natural person or legal entity that is controlled by, controls, or is under common control with MEMBER ADVENTURES. “Control” means the ability, whether directly or indirectly, to direct the affairs of MEMBER ADVENTURES by means of ownership, contract, employment relationship, or otherwise. “You” and “your” mean each program participant.
Please read this Agreement carefully. By performing one or more of (i) reserving any program with MEMBER ADVENTURES, (ii) by submitting any payment to MEMBER ADVENTURES, and/or (iii) by participating in any MEMBER ADVENTURES program you acknowledge that you have read and understood the terms of this Agreement, and you accept and agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. In addition, by performing any of items (i) & (ii) above for or on behalf of one or more traveling companions (each, a “Companion”), you represent and warrant to MEMBER ADVENTURES that you are an authorized representative of each Companion, and you agree that the terms of this Agreement are binding on each Companion.
Reservation and Payments. To secure your reservation, a non-refundable, per person, per program Deposit is required for each program and extension (if elected) and is detailed on your Reservation Form and other program documents. Any additional program fees, deposits, or extra fees, are also non-refundable and due at the time of reservation. Full Final Payment for the program, extension(s), and any additional fees, are non-refundable and due no later than 120 days prior to the scheduled program departure date. If the reservation is made fewer than 120 days prior to departure, the entire cost of the program, extension(s), and any additional optional(s), is due and subject to the cancellation penalties listed below. Deposits and Final Payments can be made by check, money order, ACH, wire transfer of same-day U.S. funds, or major credit card. If Final Payment is not received by MEMBER ADVENTURES at least 90 days prior to the scheduled program departure date, (a) the reservation is subject to a late payment fee equal to 2% (or the maximum legal rate, if less) of the total invoice amount (exclusive of taxes and other governmental charges), per week until paid in full, and (b) MEMBER ADVENTURES may, at any time and with or without notice, cancel your reservation in its sole and absolute discretion. All payments we receive from you are herein defined as “Payments”.
Reservation Grace Period. Reservations made no fewer than 98 calendar days prior to the scheduled program departure date may be canceled by you at any time during the four (4) calendar day period (the “Grace Period”) immediately following the date of reservation for a full refund of all Payments received by MEMBER ADVENTURES as of the effective date of termination. Notice of termination must be in writing, must be received by MEMBER ADVENTURES in the Grace Period, and is effective only on timely receipt of such written notice by MEMBER ADVENTURES. For all other reservations and cancellations, the terms of the Cancellations and Refunds section below apply.
Cancellations and Refunds. All cancellations must be submitted to MEMBER ADVENTURES in writing and will be subject to a cancellation fee (“Cancellation Fee”) as follows: (a) if the cancellation notice is received by MEMBER ADVENTURES 120 or more days prior to the scheduled departure date, the Cancellation Fee will be forfeiture of the full deposit per person per program including any extension; (b) if the cancellation notice is received by MEMBER ADVENTURES 119 to 90 days prior to the scheduled departure date, the Cancel Fee is 75% of the total cost of the travel program. Cancellations from 89 to days prior to departure have no refund. Refunds, if any, shall be processed within 30 calendar days of our receipt of your written notice or as we receive from suppliers.
Cancelled Programs. All programs are subject to cancellation by MEMBER ADVENTURES in its sole reasonable discretion prior to the scheduled departure date. In the event MEMBER ADVENTURES cancels your program prior to its scheduled departure date, your remedy shall be as follows: (a) where cancellation is due to a Force Majeure Event (as defined below), MEMBER ADVENTURES will at its sole discretion, either refund a sum equal to Payments received by MEMBER ADVENTURES as of the date of cancellation, less any Payments advanced to suppliers that MEMBER ADVENTURES thereafter cannot successfully recover from such suppliers and any actual and reasonable expenses incurred by MEMBER ADVENTURES to recover such amounts, or alternatively credit any Payments received to a future MEMBER ADVENTURES Program of its choosing; and (b) where MEMBER ADVENTURES cancels a program for reasons other than a Force Majeure Event and at its own discretion, MEMBER ADVENTURES will refund all Payments received by MEMBER ADVENTURES as of the date of cancellation. The Payment refund set forth in the immediately preceding sentence is your sole and exclusive remedy in the event your program is canceled by MEMBER ADVENTURES. Except for your right to the Payment refund as herein provided, you hereby release and forever discharge MEMBER ADVENTURES from, any expense or cost incurred by you arising or resulting from a canceled program, including without limitation, the cost of non-refundable airfare, other transportation, lodging, and meal expense, change fees, visa fees, medical expenses, equipment and clothing purchases, insurance premiums and deductibles, lost wages or income, and the cost of any additional or alternative arrangements you elect or are required to make or incur as a result of a canceled program.
Force Majeure. In addition and without limitation, MEMBER ADVENTURES shall not be liable for any injury, loss, death, inconvenience, cost, delay, or damage to person or property in connection with or resulting from acts of God, illness, disease, acts of war, riot, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, flood, cyclone, hurricane, fire, earthquake or other natural occurrences, weather event or disaster, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning or other adverse health condition, mechanical or other failures of aircraft, vessels or other means of transportation, termination or cancellation of services by suppliers for any reason, for the failure of timely arrival or departure, or for any other reason beyond MEMBER ADVENTURES’s reasonable control (each, a “Force Majeure Event”).
Rates. Program rates are based on minimum participation levels, current fares (air, water, land), vendor expenses, tariffs, and currency values. While MEMBER ADVENTURES does everything possible to maintain the listed program rates, they are subject to change effective immediately upon posting unless otherwise specified by MEMBER ADVENTURES.
Itineraries. Accommodations and arranged excursions are subject to change or substitution at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond MEMBER ADVENTURES’s control. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but adjustments, substitutions, and changes may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. MEMBER ADVENTURES may, in its sole discretion, withdraw a program or any part of it, make such alterations or substitutions to the itinerary or program inclusions as it deems necessary or desirable, and pass on to program participants any expenditures, additional costs, or other adjustments caused by any such modifications, or by delays or events beyond its reasonable control. In addition, MEMBER ADVENTURES may, in its sole discretion, withdraw or modify a program if required by the tour operator or other vendor with whom MEMBER ADVENTURES has contracted or by applicable governmental authority.
Not Included. Unless otherwise specifically noted in the itinerary, program prices do not include the following expenses, which if applicable are your sole responsibility to pay and satisfy: trip cancellation insurance and passenger travel protection plan; domestic, international, and internal airfares; transfers and luggage handling fees except in connection with scheduled group flights; costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas; airport departure taxes; airline ticketing fees; airport transfers when arriving/departing on other than scheduled group dates; excess baggage charges; any new value-added taxes or GST taxes added to program costs by applicable governmental authority; gratuities to drivers, guides, or ship’s crew not specified; meals and beverages other than those specified as being included in the itinerary; sightseeing not included in the itinerary; personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges and optional activities (which are subject to availability); and ship, air, or transportation fuel surcharges, if applicable.
Fitness to Travel. Some programs include physically active elements. To enjoy the program as intended, a minimum level of fitness is required. Accordingly, you must be in good physical and mental condition to participate. You represent and warrant to MEMBER ADVENTURES that you have no physical, mental, or other condition, impairment, or disability that may or will cause or create a risk of injury or other hazards to yourself or others in respect to any aspect of the program you have selected. MEMBER ADVENTURES may, in its sole discretion, limit, restrict, or prohibit from participation in any aspect of any program any individual that it considers in its sole discretion to be impaired or unsuitable due to fitness level. In addition, MEMBER ADVENTURES may, in its sole discretion and at the participant’s sole expense, remove from the program, or restrict the program-related activities of, any individual whose physical or mental condition may, or is likely to cause a hazard to himself/herself or others, or otherwise impair the enjoyment of other program participants. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment must be reported in writing to MEMBER ADVENTURES at the time a program reservation is made. Should you have any questions or need any clarification about a specific program, please ask for details at the time you make your reservation. You acknowledge and agree that nothing in this agreement creates any obligation or duty on the part of MEMBER ADVENTURES to monitor, to make any decision or determination, or to take any action in respect to any program participant on account of such individual’s mental or physical condition, health or otherwise.
Health and Safety. The health and safety of guests is a priority but there are many inherent risks in travel, which can lead to illness, injury, or even death. These risks are increased by the fact that some of our programs take place in remote locations, foreign countries, and far from medical facilities. You acknowledge and agree to assume all such risks associated with participating in any MEMBER ADVENTURES program. MEMBER ADVENTURES also endeavors to reduce the spread of illness during its programs including, but not limited to the novel coronavirus, Covid-19, (herein ‘COVID-19’). However, MEMBER ADVENTURES cannot guarantee that you, your Companion(s), or other guests will not become infected with COVID-19 or other illnesses. In fact, traveling on an MEMBER ADVENTURES trip and to various destinations could increase your risk of contracting COVID-19 or other illnesses. You acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases, and voluntarily assume the risk that you may be exposed to or infected by participating in an MEMBER ADVENTURES trip and that such infection(s) may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, or even death. You understand that the risk of becoming infected by COVID-19 or other illnesses on an MEMBER ADVENTURES trip may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of yourself and others, including, but not limited to MEMBER ADVENTURES employees, suppliers (and their employees), and other guests. You understand that complete knowledge of the risk factors of contracting COVID-19 and other illnesses is not complete and that unknown or unanticipated risks may result in injury, illness, death, or any other loss. You agree that having considered these risks, you still desire to participate in the program and freely and voluntarily assume complete personal responsibility for the risk of exposure, illness, and death due to COVID-19 or other illnesses, even if such injuries or death occur in a manner that is not foreseeable at the time of reservation, and whether a COVID-19 infection or other illness occurs before, during, or after participation in any MEMBER ADVENTURES program.
Guest Code of Conduct. Guest safety and security are an important part of all our programs. We ask that guests abide by basic conduct policies including but not limited to: refraining from verbal abuse or offensive language directed toward anyone including other guests, MEMBER ADVENTURES representatives, and local vendors; refrain from inappropriate or abusive behavior including uninvited physical contact, solicitation, harassment, vandalism, theft, violence, possessions of illegal substances/items or any other illegal or offensive conduct. Failure to act in accordance with this policy may, at MEMBER ADVENTURES’s sole discretion, result in intervention by MEMBER ADVENTURES personnel or law enforcement, reporting of incidents to government or law enforcement authorities for follow-up legal action, and removal of guest(s) at their own expense from the trip.
Travel Advisories and Warnings. It is the sole responsibility of each guest to stay informed about the most current international travel advisories and warnings by visiting the U. S. State Department’s travel website at https://www.travel.state.gov or by contacting the U.S. State Department directly. In the event of an active State Department Travel Warning (“Warning”) against travel to a program’s specific destination location(s) and you elect to travel to the location(s) notwithstanding such Warning, you hereby agree, individually and on behalf of your marital community, heirs, estates, personal representatives, executors and assigns, to assume, and to defend, indemnify and hold MEMBER ADVENTURES harmless from and against, all actual or potential personal injuries, death, property damage and other loss or casualty arising from or related to events that are the same or similar to those specified in the Warning.
Travel Insurance. MEMBER ADVENTURES strongly recommends that you purchase travel and cancellation insurance to protect your interests in the event of unexpected or unforeseen circumstances. including without limitation, force majeure events, that may cause the cancellation of your trip. In addition, we recommend that you consider obtaining a policy(ies) that will cover some or all of your losses associated with damage or loss of luggage or personal effects. If you do not have, but are interested in, purchasing travel and cancellation insurance please refer to www.MEMBERADVENTURES.com immediately. For your convenience, we offer a Travelex Insurance Services protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For more information on the available plans click here or contact Travelex Insurance at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 05-2020.
Children. MEMBER ADVENTURES welcomes the participation of children in its programs. However, in the event you do include your children or other minors for whom you serve as a legal guardian (together, “Dependents”) in your travel plans, you hereby acknowledge and agree that you are and shall be at all times solely responsible for their care, actions, safety and protection during the program and any extension(s). Should you have any questions about whether a particular program or inclusion is suitable for your Dependent(s), please contact us and we will do our best to provide you with answers.
Baggage. Program rates include the price of two (1) pieces of carrier policy-compliant baggage per person during the program only unless specified otherwise in the itinerary. Please be advised that air carriers often impose restrictions or limitations on the number of pieces, size, and weight of luggage and may reject or impose additional fees on luggage exceeding such limitations or restrictions. All such fees are your sole cost and responsibility. In addition and regardless of location or transportation method, your baggage and personal effects are and shall at all times be at your sole responsibility and risk throughout the entire program. Please check with your international carrier for other baggage restrictions and limitations applicable to international flights.
Travel Documents. For U.S. citizens, valid passports are required for travel to foreign destinations and some countries require specific visas prior to entry. Please direct any questions in respect to visa requirements to www.traveisa.com, which can readily indicate the need for a visa. Iit shall remain your sole responsibility and obligation to obtain and verify that you have all required travel documents, including visas, for your nationality necessary and appropriate for the program location(s) and return, as well as a sufficient number of blank pages in your passport for visas and immigration stamps. MEMBER ADVENTURES is not responsible, and hereby expressly disclaims all liability, for any expenses or costs you may incur due to your prohibition or restriction from entering a country on the program itinerary or reentering the United States, or your home country, at the conclusion of the program.
Photos and Videos. MEMBER ADVENTURES and its representatives may, from time to time, make photographic or video recording(s) during a program, which may include images of you and/or your Dependent(s), if any. For and in consideration of the benefits you enjoy and receive in connection with the program, you, individually and on behalf of your Dependent(s), hereby agree and grant to MEMBER ADVENTURES a limited, non-exclusive, irrevocable, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free right, license, and release, with the right to sublicense, to exhibit, publish, display, and promote the photographs, images, videos, visual depictions, and reproductions of you (together “Photos”) recorded in digital or other formats during the program for use by MEMBER ADVENTURES for the limited purpose of promoting and marketing the services of MEMBER ADVENTURES in such manner as MEMBER ADVENTURES may elect in its sole discretion. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the license granted herein includes the right, without limitation, for MEMBER ADVENTURES to reproduce the Photos in digital or other forms, to edit and make derivative works from such materials, and to publicly display, publish and/or distribute such reproductions on MEMBER ADVENTURES’s proprietary website (“Website”) and in such other digital media and print materials as MEMBER ADVENTURES may elect.
Data Rights and Permissions. Data collected and/or derived by MEMBER ADVENTURES resulting from your use of the Website is the sole and exclusive property of MEMBER ADVENTURES and may be used in any manner consistent with the Privacy Policy. By submitting to MEMBER ADVENTURES a digital or hard copy form that includes your personal contact information, including without limitation, your email address and telephone number(s), you give MEMBER ADVENTURES and any other entity identified on the form express written permission to use that information to contact you and as otherwise may be described on the form and/or in the Privacy Policy. Also, you agree any personal information you provide can be stored and used to provide the requested service.
Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to any services or products offered or obtained through MEMBER ADVENTURES, including without limitation, any claim related to bodily injury, death or property damage, shall be adjudicated and conclusively settled and resolved by binding arbitration in Fresno, California before a single arbitrator reasonably knowledgeable in travel services matters selected by MEMBER ADVENTURES in its sole reasonable discretion in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then existing, and judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the controversy.
Limitation of Liability. NONE OF (A) MEMBER ADVENTURES, (B) THE SPONSORING ENTITIES FOR WHOM MEMBER ADVENTURES DESIGNS PROGRAMS, OR (C) ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE EMPLOYEES, MEMBERS, MANAGERS, SHAREHOLDERS, OFFICERS, OR DIRECTORS (COLLECTIVELY, THE “MEMBER ADVENTURES GROUP”) OWN OR OPERATE ANY ENTITY THAT DOES OR WILL PROVIDE GOODS OR SERVICES FOR OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR PROGRAM. MEMBER ADVENTURES PURCHASES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, TRANSPORTATION, HOTEL, AND OTHER LODGING ACCOMMODATIONS, FOOD, GROUND HANDLING, AND OTHER SERVICES (TOGETHER “VENDOR SERVICES”) FROM VARIOUS THIRD-PARTY SUPPLIERS (“VENDORS”), ALL OF WHOM ARE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS AND OVER WHOM THE MEMBER ADVENTURES GROUP HAS NO RIGHT OF CONTROL OR AUTHORITY. THE VENDOR SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND BY THE MEMBER ADVENTURES GROUP. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED ABOVE, THE MEMBER ADVENTURES GROUP MAKES NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT TO THE PROGRAM, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE MEMBER ADVENTURES GROUP SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF ANY VENDOR OR OTHER THIRD PARTY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY DAMAGE, DEATH, LOSS OR INJURY TO PERSON OR PROPERTY CAUSED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY ANY VENDOR OR OTHER THIRD PARTY, NOR THE STANDARD OF CARE YOU RECEIVE IN CONNECTION WITH THE VENDOR SERVICES. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE MEMBER ADVENTURES GROUP BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF WAGES, SAVINGS, OR CONSORTIUM, EVEN IF SUCH DAMAGES ARE FORESEEABLE AND WHETHER OR NOT THE MEMBER ADVENTURES GROUP HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF. THE MEMBER ADVENTURES GROUP’S MAXIMUM AGGREGATE LIABILITY, WHETHER ARISING IN TORT, EQUITY, LAW, OR CONTRACT, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL AMOUNT PAID OR PAYABLE BY YOU TO MEMBER ADVENTURES IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROGRAM AT ISSUE. The limitations set forth in this Section shall not apply where prohibited by law, but instead shall be interpreted to give effect and enforced to the maximum allowable extent.
Other. Dates, program details, and costs, although given in good faith and based on tariffs, exchange rates, and other information current at the time of printing, are subject to change at any time. While we do not anticipate material revisions of the itinerary or its included features, we do reserve the right to substitute accommodations or modes of transportation and to make any changes in the itinerary MEMBER ADVENTURES, in its sole discretion, deems necessary and in that case, any additional expense or cost will be paid by the individual guest. Your baggage and personal effects are your sole responsibility at all times.
MEMBER ADVENTURES may at any time and without notice modify these terms and conditions, and any modification so made will be effective for all reservations made from and after the posted Effective Date.
In the event any term in these terms and conditions is deemed unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the unenforceable clause shall be interpreted to give effect to the party’s intentions to the greatest enforceable extent, and all other provisions hereof shall remain fully enforceable according to their terms.
Acceptance of Contract. ANY PAYMENT TO MEMBER ADVENTURES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DEPOSITS, CONSTITUTES YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AND AGREEMENT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH ABOVE AND IN MORE SPECIFIC TOUR DOCUMENTS.
© 2023 MEMBER ADVENTURES. All rights reserved. MEMBER ADVENTURES, SST Tours Inc, MEMBER ADVENTURES TRAVEL, are service marks of SST Tours, Inc, a California Corporation. The service marks and trademarks of any supplier appearing in these materials are owned by each respective company. CST# 2008750-40