THIS DOCUMENT CREATES A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRIP CONNOISSEURS INC. (hereafter “Trip Connoisseurs”) AND YOU, THE CUSTOMER/CLIENT/PARTICIPANT WHO PURCHASED ANY TRAVEL AND/OR TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES FROM TRIP CONNOISSEURS OR OTHERWISE RECEIVING GOODS AND/OR SERVICES THROUGH TRIP CONNOISSEURS. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLYING TO ANY TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS PROVIDED BY TRIP CONNOISSEURS.

TO RESERVE A TRIP WITH TRIP CONNOISSEURS AND SIGNING OUR AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZATION FORM INDICATES ACCEPTANCE OF, AND YOUR AGREEMENT TO FOLLOW TERMS AND CONDITIONS HEREUNDER.

PRICING

Trip Connoisseurs’s products are available for purchase using US Dollars (USD$) and Canadian Dollars (CAD$). The currency applied to the Client’s booking will be determined by Trip Connoisseurs, in consideration of the booking location of the Client. The Client will be advised of the applicable currency prior to making any payment to Trip Connoisseurs.

Prices shown herein are calculated in US funds and Canadian prices were converted from US based on Bank of Canada’s exchange rate as of March 30, 2016. All prices are on a per person basis for double occupancy accommodation including the current taxes & V.A.T of each destination. All prices are dependent on fuel costs, applicable V.A.T and local taxes, rates of currency exchange and other variable factors and are subject to change at any time should major circumstances and currency fluctuates. We reserve the right to increase the price of any product should these costs increase. In the event that the increase in price is greater than of 7% (unless caused by an increase in government tax), upon receiving notification from Trip Connoisseurs, the Client may choose to either (a)accept the change of price; or (b) cancel the applicable item without incurring a penalty. The Client must notify Trip Connoisseurs of their decision within 14 days of receipt of notice of the increase, or they shall have been deemed to have accepted the price change and have accepted liability for payment of the increase. Every effort will be made to advise the Client of any price increase at least 30 days prior to their departure date.

The prices in the brochure are valid for travel until 31 December 2017. Prices for travel from January 2018 will be available on October 30, 2017.

Trip Connoisseurs will guarantee the land rates for travel beyond March 2016 once the trip is paid in full and the Client receives trip confirmation in writing.

CHILDREN RATES

Children 12 years of age or above at time of travel will be charged adult rate. Child rate may apply for children younger than 12 (at the time of return) and proof of age is required at the time of booking and can only apply when a child is accompanied by two paying adults. Child rates vary from airline to airline and hotel to hotel, and normally between 15% and 20% discount of the adult rate, provided they share the same room with two adults with an extra bed. Otherwise the full adult fare applies.

AIRFARE

The intra tour airfares are normally included (unless otherwise specified). The miscellaneous surcharges such as airport taxes airline fuel surcharges are excluded.

The international airfares are additional and we will quote it separately at the time of quoting for the travel dates requested. Quotes provide an indicative price only, and represent no price commitment by Trip Connoisseurs or the applicable airline(s). Trip Connoisseurs acts only as a sales agent for the applicable airline(s) and the terms and conditions of the air ticket apply to the purchase and use of such ticket.  Please consult the airline’s applicable terms and conditions for disclaimers. Trip Connoisseurs is not responsible for changes in air itineraries, flight times and flight statuses.

HOTELS & MEALS

Trip Connoisseurs offers accommodation at the hotels stated in the programs including daily breakfast (if indicated), service charges and taxes. We reserve the rights to substitute the hotels with same category when necessary. Specific bed types should be requested at time of booking and cannot be guaranteed. Single supplement is chargeable to individual traveller who wishes to secure a private room on a trip. Specific meal must be requested in advance and cannot be guaranteed.

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Sightseeing tour is conducted with English-speaking guide (guide speaks other languages available upon request, surcharges may apply) as shown in the itinerary, including entrance fees for places visited. Air-conditioned vehicles are utilized when available. The sequence of the itinerary may change.

BAGGAGE

The Client must consult with their travel agent or the specific airlines on which the Client is travelling for the dimensions and weight restrictions.

However, since most of the intra tour flights operated by regional carriers have a baggage restriction of only 1 piece; 44 lbs per person, therefore, we highly recommend 1 piece of checked luggage and 1 soft carry-on baggage per person. Baggage and personal effects are at owners risk throughout the tour.

EXCLUSIONS

Prices exclude any expenses of personal nature, meals not mentioned in the itinerary, gratuity, travel insurance, cost of obtaining passport or visas, and other items not mentioned as being included.

ADMINISTRATIVE QUOTE FEES

Quotes provided to Clients regarding private and tailor-made tour arrangements are subject to a non-refundable Administrative Quote Fee of CAD or USD $50 (as applicable). Should the booking be confirmed, the amount will be deducted from the final payment owing to Trip Connoisseurs by that Client. Trip Connoisseurs also reserves the right to apply other Administrative Quote Fee of CAD or USD $100 at its discretion to certain bookings which require a higher level of service and/or support. Such Administrative Quote Fees will be communicated to the Client by Trip Connoisseurs before initiating a quotation.

RESERVATION & PAYMENTS

Early reservations are essential. To reserve a trip, we require a non-refundable deposit plus any applicable insurance premium. Deposits and all payments may be made by cheque, web banking or credit card (Visa & MasterCard) to Trip Connoisseurs Inc. or directly to vendors (if applicable). Deposit schedules are for tour arrangement costs only. Air payment schedules are determined by the airlines’ policies. If the Client has selected instant purchase, non-refundable air, the Client is required to pay the full air cost in addition to the land arrangement deposit at the time of booking (all of which is non-refundable).  The following is our payment schedule:

               For escorted and private tour arrangements – land only without special restrictions

At the time of reservation: CAD or USD $500 per person

               For escorted and private tour arrangements – with rail, cruise, or special restrictions

At the time of reservation: CAD or USD $500 plus additional deposit amount and alternate cancellation terms (if applicable).

               For ad hoc private tour arrangements

Alternate payment schedule to be shared at the time of reservation. Alternate cancellation terms apply.

We reserve the right to request additional deposit for any booking if required by hotels and vendors, especially for peak seasons such as (but not limited to) Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year, Easter and Thanksgiving.

The balance of payment is due 60 days prior to departure (except for bookings of rail, cruise, ad hoc groups and tour arrangements with special restrictions which will be advised on the invoice). Any booking made within 60 days of departure must be payable in full at time of confirmation. To confirm the reservation, traveller(s) and/or their representative must provide us with complete mandatory information of traveller(s), sign and return the relevant documents no more than 3 days after receipt.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENT

The Client’s authorization to use their credit card to pay for travel services provided by Trip Connoisseurs indicates the Client’s acceptance of and compliance with Trip Connoisseurs’s booking Terms & Conditions, regardless if the Client have physically signed the appropriate credit card slip. Verbal authorization for the use of a credit card confirms the reservation and simultaneously the Client is also acknowledging their acceptance of our Terms and Conditions. Therefore, by providing the Client’s Travel Agent or Trip Connoisseurs with authorization to use their credit card to pay for travel services, the Client is confirming that he/she will pay the total amount charged for those services to the card issuer according to the Client’s cardholder agreement.

CANCELLATION PENALTY

Any cancellation request must be received in writing. Both cancellations of confirmed bookings and transferring to new travel dates will result in penalties and fees assessed by travel suppliers. If the Client needs to transfer or cancel for any reason prior to departure,  written notice of cancellation must be received within the time periods described below, and the following cancellation fees will apply.

Days prior to departure       Cancellation Fee

60 +                                        A non-refundable deposit will be retained

60 – 46                                   50% of the trip price or 100% total cost if the booking value is less than $1,000

45 – 31                                   75% of the trip price or 100% total cost if the booking value is less than $1,000

30 – 0                                      100% of the trip price

Note: Alternate cancellation terms will apply to arrangements with rail, cruise, special restrictions, and to ad hoc tour arrangements and will supersede the above cancellation terms.

Any significant changes including but not limited to a change in the destination, dates, or key components of the itinerary will not be considered a change and will be governed by the applicable cancellation terms.

Cancellation for air reservations is subject to airline fare rules and normally is 100% non-refundable once paid in full.

Trip Connoisseurs reserves the right to cancel, reschedule or amend any itinerary in accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its control or if the quality of the trip or the safety of travellers is judged to be compromised. In such a case, refund of payments received by Trip Connoisseurs shall constitute full settlement.

Trip Connoisseurs is not responsible for any other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations. Where amendments beyond our control require us to add or amend a service(s) resulting in an increased cost, a surcharge may be payable by the Client for the additional or amended service(s). Trip Connoisseurs cannot assume responsibility for any loss incurred on account of non-refundable air tickets.

REVISION AND SWITCHING TRIP DATES

More than 60 days prior to a Client’s original departure date, the Client will have a sole opportunity to request a date change to land only arrangements to a different date in the same calendar year upon payment of an admin fee of CAD or USD $100 per person in addition to penalties and fees associated with the date changes. Other fees may be applicable for tour arrangements with rail, cruise or special restrictions.  Within 60 days of departure, no change can be made and the applicable cancellation fees will apply.

A revision fee of $50 per person applies to any alternation or revision made to a confirmed booking.

Any significant changes will result in cancellation and require rebooking.

ACCURACY OF INFORMATION

Trip Connoisseurs makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein and to the best of its knowledge, all information is accurate at the time of publication. We attempt to ensure that the prices in the brochure and on the website are accurate; however, errors do occur and we reserve the right to refuse to accept bookings at any price published in error.

In addition, Trip Connoisseurs reserves the rights to change the itinerary when necessary for reasons beyond our control and provided the travel facilities or other services are of at least the same standard or value. We strongly recommend you to visit our website www.tripconnoisseurs.com for the most up-to-date information.

DOCUMENTATION

The Client is responsible for obtaining and paying for all visas and entry documents, for meeting all health and other requirements, and for any documents required by the laws, regulations, orders, and/or requirements of the countries the Client will visit and for their return home. Canadian citizens can contact Foreign Affairs Canada at www.travel.gc.ca and US citizens can contact the U.S. Department of State at http://www.state.gov/travel for assistance in obtaining this information. Citizens of other countries should check with their corresponding Tourism Board or Consular Office of the destination which they are intending to visit. Visa and entry documents must be obtained independently prior to departure. Trip Connoisseurs will assume no responsibility whatsoever for passenger(s) denied carriage by the airline or refused entry into any country.

Trip Connoisseurs strongly recommends that the Client carries a valid passport when travelling outside of their home country. Please note that most countries now require your passport to be valid for up to six months after the completion of your travel in order to be accepted by them as a valid travel document. Trip Connoisseurs cannot accept liability for any passenger refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure of the passenger to carry the correct documentation.

Some ground operators in foreign countries require Trip Connoisseurs to collect and pass on certain personal and other details related to the Client, including but not limited to government-issued identification and passport details in order to confirm their transportation or accommodation. If the Client fails to supply the details as requested fully and accurately, their trip may be interrupted or cancelled. There are no refunds for failure to provide documentation or failure to provide documentation by the time required.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Trip Connoisseurs strongly recommends that all travellers review and purchase their trip cancellation and health insurance to ensure they have coverage appropriate to meet their needs when confirming on a trip, in case of any cancellation penalty, loss of property, or liability of medical treatment during the trip. Please consult your travel agent or Trip Connoisseurs for premium. If we do not receive payment for the insurance at the time of the Client’s deposit, it will be assumed that the Client has declined coverage.

HEALTH

Clients are responsible for assessing their own suitability and capability to participate in the tour arrangements such Client has booked.  Trip Connoisseurs encourages all Clients to seek their physician’s advice regarding the Client’s fitness for travel, necessary vaccinations, medical precautions, or other medical concerns regarding the entirety of the Client’s travel with Trip Connoisseurs. Trip Connoisseurs does not provide medical advice. Certain Products may not be suitable for all people. It is the Client’s responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each tour arrangement in light of such Client’s limitations due to physical, mobility or cognitive disability, pregnancy or various other physical or mental conditions of such Client.

By sending a deposit to Trip Connoisseurs towards the Client’s trip purchase and/or completing traveller information form, the Client certifies that he/she does not have any physical, mobility or cognitive disability or any other limitations that would create a hazard for him/her or to other travellers and that the Client has received all appropriate mandatory vaccinations.

Travellers who need special assistance due to any limitation(s) must be brought up to the attention of Trip Connoisseurs in writing at the time of booking. Trip Connoisseurs will not be liable for any consequences resulted from the Client’s failure to notify their limitations at the time of booking.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

We promise to make sure that all travel arrangements we have agreed to make, perform or provide, as applicable, as part of our contract with the Client are made, performed or provided with reasonable skills and care. The Client’s purchase of travel services provided by Trip Connoisseurs is based on the traveller’s agreeing to this Limitation of Liability.

Travellers must accept each and all terms and conditions herein and assume full responsibility for any loss, injury, death or damage to them, their family or their dependents arising in connection with their participation in the trips. Travellers must have their own insurance appropriate to their needs and the needs of their family or dependents in respect of such loss, injury, death or damage. On the Client’s behalf, Trip Connoisseurs arranges with airlines, independent ground suppliers to provide the Client with the travel services the Client has purchased. We use our best efforts in selecting these companies with respect to their performance and reliability. However, we have no direct or indirect control over these suppliers; and therefore, Trip Connoisseurs cannot be held responsible for injury, loss or damage whether mental, emotional or physical howsoever sustained, resulting from any error, omission or negligence of any company or person, agent, employee or sub contractor supplying any of the services, flights, transfers, tours or accommodation provided as part of the Client’s trip. Trip Connoisseurs as the tour operator and/or its agents does not assume responsibility for any claims, losses, damages, costs or expenses arising out of personal injury or death, loss of enjoyment, upset, disappointment, illness, distress or frustration whether physical, emotional or mental, resulting from any of the following:

1. i) Any negligent act or omission by the airlines, transportation companies, coach tour operators, car rental organizations, hotel/resort properties or other suppliers or their personnel or any company or person not under our direct control;
2. ii) Government actions, political issues, weather, equipment failure, labour disputes, sickness, theft or any other cause beyond our direct control;

iii) Failure of the passenger to obtain the necessary documentation or meet the required health regulations in order to complete their travel arrangements;

1. iv) Failure of the passenger to arrive at the airport by specific airline’s check-in deadlines on the day of departure whether due to missed connections, adverse weather conditions, mechanical failures or any other reason whatsoever;
2. v) The need for us to change itineraries or substitute accommodation or services, provided that every effort is made to supply the most comparable services and accommodations available;
3. vi) Cancellation of trip arrangements made by Trip Connoisseurs, provide all monies paid by travellers are fully refunded back to travellers;

vii) While every effort has been undertaken to ensure accuracy, photographs, artist rendering and written descriptions in this brochure are representational only and are not a guarantee that everything will be exactly the same as at the destinations.

INDEMNIFICATION

The passenger agrees to indemnify and save harmless Trip Connoisseurs against any liability, actions (including legal fees), claims, losses, costs and damages, which Trip Connoisseurs may incur, sustain or pay arising out of or in connection with the passenger’s negligent or intentional act or omission, in relation to any incident alleged to have occurred in destination and/or in relation to services provided by Trip Connoisseurs.

ACT OF GOD/FORCE MAJEURE

Trip Connoisseurs and/or its agents, act only as agent(s) for travellers in all matters pertaining to the trips. We shall not be liable for any claims, losses, damages, costs, expenses, delays or loss of enjoyment, of any nature or kind whatsoever, resulting from events beyond our or a supplier’s reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, strikes, lockouts or other labour disputes or disruptions, wars, blockades, insurrections, riots, earthquakes, weather conditions, floods or acts or restraints imposed by government authorities. Trip Connoisseurs shall be excused; discharged or released from its performance to the extent such performance is so limited or prevented, without liability of any kind.

Travellers agree that Trip Connoisseurs is the trustee of the respective rights under this Limitation of Liability, which will apply to a traveller’s trips with Trip Connoisseurs, and any transfer of a reservation to another trip, including any deviations or extensions. This Limitation of Liability is binding upon all members of the traveller’s family, dependents, estate, heirs, successors and legal personal representatives. Any claim or dispute arising out of or relating to this Limitation of Liability or its interpretation, the trip, or the traveller’s relationship with Trip Connoisseurs will be resolved exclusively in the courts of the Province of Canada in which the particular office of Trip Connoisseurs is located and with which traveller had contracted their trip and will be governed exclusively by laws of that province of Canada.

CLAIMS & REFUND POLICY

Except for verifiable extenuating circumstances, there are no refunds, whatsoever, for any unused travel arrangements and services including but not limited to accommodations, meals, intra tour transportation or sightseeing. Any refunds for unused travel arrangements and services shall be issued in the sole discretion of Trip Connoisseurs. Any adjustment considered will be based on the actual cost of the service involved and not on a per diem basis.

All claims must be made in writing to the Client’s travel agent and accompanied by receipts, reports and other documents pertaining to the claim and must be received by Trip Connoisseurs for investigation no later than 14 days after the Client returns from their trip. We will not consider any request for refund received by it after 30 days of tour termination.