TERMS, CONDITIONS & GENERAL INFORMATION
Please read the Terms, Conditions & General Information contained in these pages very carefully. They outline the terms under which your SITA tour will operate and they limit our liability. Payment of deposit and/or final payment is an acknowledgment of receipt of these terms & conditions and constitutes acceptance of such as outlined.
RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS & FINAL PAYMENTS
Early reservations are essential to ensure availability of space. A deposit of US$700 per US-resident is due to SITA at the time of reservation. A CAN$ 700 deposit is applicable for each Canadian resident. (A higher deposit may be required for some tours and services). If the deposit is not received at our offices within 7 days from the date of reservations, booking/s is/are subject to cancellation. After receipt of deposit by SITA, any change/s made to the reservation/s will incur a processing fee of $75 per change (see also cancellation clause). Final payment is due to SITA 90 days prior to departure date, If the reservation is made within 90 days before departure (and if space is still available), the entire tour price must be paid in full at the time of reservation.
While most tours require a deposit of $700 per person there are some exceptions, which will be clearly indicated, for which a 35% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. It is highly recommended that travelers obtain insurance in order to protect their valuable investment.
CREDIT CARD PAYMENT AGREEMENT
TRAVEL AGENT and the AGENCY represented, warrant and agree that:
- TRAVEL AGENT and the AGENCY represented will exercise due diligence in verifying the Cardholder’s identity and signature, and securing proper authorization from the Cardholder for the transaction. TRAVELAGENT may fill and sign SITA’s CC authorization form as Cardholder only when TRAVEL AGENT receives written authority from the Cardholder to use his/her credit card for purchase(s), and only after identity has been verified by the TRAVEL AGENT. TRAVEL AGENT must provide SITA with a copy of the TRAVEL AGENT’S charge form or cardholder’s written authority upon request.
- TRAVEL AGENT and AGENCY represented accept full responsibility for charge-backs, disputes and other non-payments by the Passenger, Cardholder or Credit Card Company. In this event, SITA will first present to the credit card company the charge form, signed by the Cardholder or the Cardholder’s (verified) written authority as provided to us by the TRAVEL AGENT. If the credit card company rejects the authorization for any reason, TRAVEL AGENT will pay SITA the full amount of the charge-back within 15 days of written notice.
PRICES, RATES & FARES
All tour prices are based on a minimum of 2 passengers traveling together. Single Occupancy rates are applicable with a minimum of 2 people traveling together, each in a single room. In the case of just 1 passenger traveling, Single Traveling Alone (STA) prices will be applicable (quoted on a case by case basis). All price and rates shown are in United States Dollars or Canadian Dollars respectively (Canadian website) and are per person sharing a double-bedded hotel room. These prices are in effect at this time and are subject to change at any time prior to departure. Quoted tour prices are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as applicable at the time of booking. SITA reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs of tariffs, taxes, park fees and fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. Airfares (if shown) are from the gateways of JFK or LAX and should be used as a guideline only. Best available airfares will be quoted, as applicable at time of departure, based on individual gateways for the complete air itinerary. Due to constant fluctuation in fuel surcharges and taxes SITA is unable to publish airfares. Competitive fares, matching the tour, are available upon request at the time of booking.
SCHEDULED TOURS / INDEPENDENT TOUR / JOIN IN TOURS
SITA has a variety of tour choices. Our scheduled departure tours are for exclusive SITA guests and operate with a minimum 2 – 10 passenger and maximum 15 passengers, based on the destination. Independent Tours operate on a daily basis with a minimum 2 passengers. Join in Tours are not SITA exclusive tours. These are pre-packaged itineraries, with guests joining the tours from around the world. Tour escorts are provided (where applicable) only with a minimum 15 passengers.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Passenger names reported to SITA for land and flight reservations must be based on the respective passport name of each traveler. All participants must be in possession of a passport valid for 6 months beyond the re-entry date into the United States or Canada respectively. A visa or visas may be required for some or all of the countries visited on the holiday or tour selected. It is the traveler’s responsibility to check visa requirements at the time of booking. SITA, if asked, will recommend a reliable visa service that will assist in obtaining visas for nominal fees. Non U.S. Citizens and Non-Canadian citizens may have different requirements. Passengers are responsible to ensure that all applicable visa and passport requirements are met.
TOUR INFORMATION
Acknowledgement of booking will be sent immediately upon initiation of a reservation. Electronic receipt will be sent upon deposit. Final tour documents consisting of detailed tour itinerary, vouchers, hotel list, baggage tags, general information are dispatched from our offices approximately 10 days prior to departure. If documents are required / requested for earlier delivery, a handling fee of $75 will apply to cover expedited handling and processing.
CANCELLATIONS & CHANGES
Due to the special nature of the programs, suppliers impose rigid cancellation fees; please be aware that SITA has no control over such fees and cannot make any exceptions to these charges.
Note: All cancellations must be received by SITA in writing; cancellations will be effective when the written notice is received at SITA’s offices in Encino, California. If a cancellation is received after SITA is in possession of the initial deposit, but more than 90 days prior to departure, the cancellation fee incurred will be $350 per person (a higher cancellation fee may apply to some tours). If cancellation is received between 90 and 60 days prior to departure the fee incurred will be 50% of the entire tour price. NO REFUNDS whatsoever will be made for cancellations received within the last 60 days prior to departure.
Airfares are subject to different rules and cancellation fees; some may be non-refundable. Details can be provided at the time of booking but it is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure airfare conditions and cancellations are understood and adhered to. To protect against cancellation charges, we strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance including Cancellation Protection and Travel Interruption (see Insurance clause).
UNUSED TOUR ITEMS
No refund will be made for any unused accommodations, missed meals, transportation segments, cruise portions, sightseeing tours or any other service. Such unused items are neither refundable nor exchangeable (no exceptions).
INSURANCE
SITA strongly recommends the Travel Protection Program designed exclusively for guests on SITA tours, cruises and holidays and underwritten by Travel Insured International or Travelex. The plans protect you and your investment in the event of a medical emergency before or during your trip and offer an array of additional coverage. By reading this insurance clause and acknowledging you have read the terms & conditions, you acknowledge you have been made aware of the importance of travel insurance. If you elect not to purchase travel insurance you agree to hold SITA World Tours and its subsidiaries and affiliates harmless from any damages resulting from the failure to carry travel insurance.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Health regulations for some countries visited on featured tours may require proof of inoculation and/or vaccination certificates; such certificates should be in your possession throughout the entire tour. It is the passenger’s responsibility to understand required health regulations for each country he or she visits. SITA strongly recommends that you consult with your personal physician or nearest travel clinic as well as Passport Health at 888-499-7277 or via the web at www.passporthealthusa.com in regards to your itinerary and required inoculations. You may also visit the website of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) at www.cdc.gov.
REVISION FEES
A handling fee of $75 per transaction is charged for any alteration or revision made to an existing reservation. Spelling corrections to client’s names after tickets have been issued will be subject to airline revision fees. Courier delivery costs apply if any changes are made within five weeks prior to departure. A change of date or itinerary within 60 days of departure will be treated as a cancellation and new booking; in this case regular cancellation fees apply.
CRUISE AND RAIL JOURNEYS
Deviations to the planned cruise or rail itineraries are possible, although every effort will be made to keep them as they are shown. All cruise or rail routes are subject to change without notice. Should conditions render cruise or rail routes unsafe for navigation, alternative services may apply, including but not limited to, accommodation on the docked ship (for cruise itineraries) and/or substitute ground arrangements.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations on a double occupancy basis will be provided at the property specified or similar. Rooms will be assigned by the respective supplier/s on a run-of-the-house basis, in categories as specified in the itinerary. The hotels featured in the itinerary will be in accordance to the level of the program – First Class, Deluxe or Luxury – (this term may be defined by the hospitality industry in the region providing such accommodation or by trade custom). All per person rates are based on double occupancy of the respective accommodation units as described above. A tour member occupying a single room, either by choice or by circumstance, is required to pay the single room supplement. Quoted single room rate does not necessarily mean single occupancy of a double room, as some of the establishments and destinations featured in this website have specially designed single occupancy units.
MEALS
Meals for each tour are included as stated on itinerary. A la Carte, Buffet meals and/or table d’hôte are offered. Special meals and entertainment are included as shown in the itinerary. In some rare instances, a meal may not be of a standard expected under the term of “deluxe” particularly in remote areas.
SIGHTSEEING & LAND TOUR SERVICES
The following services are included in your tour price unless otherwise noted: transportation between the airports and hotels, sightseeing with English-speaking guides as mentioned in the itinerary and all entrance fees to attractions visited as described in the itinerary. Sightseeing will be via motor coach, private car and other modes of transportation (air conditioned where necessary and available), as determined by the nature of the terrain and as outlined in the itinerary. Transfers are not included when arriving or departing at the first/last destination gateway by means other than the scheduled tour flights, but can be arranged at additional cost.
SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT
Cultural entertainment events, gala evenings and/or festivals are included as per the itinerary.
AIRLINE CLAUSE
The airlines used in conjunction with tours and holidays featured in this web site are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passenger/s is not / are not on board their aircraft. The passenger tickets / confirmation in use by the airline, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and passengers. Airfares, where used, are subject to change without notice. Flight reservations can only be made and are only valid with the passenger’s correct cell phone number and email address recorded as part of the flight booking.
LATE BOOKING CHARGE
Bookings made within 30 days of departure incur a $75 handling fee.
NON REFUNDABLE AIR TICKETS
If you are purchasing a non-refundable air ticket, please make sure that your travel agent explains to you and/or you understand the difficulties associated with these airfares. SITA cannot be held responsible for any change/cancellation penalties associated with non-refundable airfares.
LUGGAGE WHILE ON LAND TOURING WITH SITA
Arrangements include transportation and transfer of one standard-sized suitcase per person. Please also see below Airline Baggage rules, which may differ.
AIRLINE BAGGAGE REGULATIONS
Baggage allowance, size, and the cost to transport baggage vary by carrier and flight length. It can also vary by the mileage-status a passenger holds with a preferred air carrier. Travelers will need to check with their air-carrier in regard to the specific baggage rules & regulations applicable to each of them. Baggage and personal effects are at owner’s risk throughout the tour and baggage insurance is strongly recommended (see insurance clause). Carrier liability for tour members’ baggage is clearly stated on the passenger contract and in the airlines’ terms & conditions sections. Liability for checked and unchecked baggage shall in no event exceed the actual loss incurred by the passenger, subject to proof of the amount of loss. Please read all of the conditions of your ticket. Federal law and treaties limits the amount of recovery for loss of or damage to your luggage or its contents. To protect against such limitations, we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance (see insurance clause).
TOUR PRICE EXCLUSIONS
Your tour price does not include: Air transportation (unless specifically stated as included); costs and fees to obtain or extend your passport/s; visa fees and processing fees; inoculations and vaccinations (if required); health certificate; airport taxes and country departure taxes (if applicable); all items of a personal nature including alcoholic beverages (except on certain occasions): meals not specified, tips to tour guides; excess baggage charges; cancellation, health, accident and baggage insurance; private, non-group transfers; and any items not specifically listed as included.
PHOTOGRAPHY
SITA reserves the right to take photographs during the operation of any program and to use resulting photographs for promotional purposes. Any passengers who prefer that their images not be used are asked to notify their tour escort at the beginning of the program.
RESPONSIBILITY-LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
SITA World Travel, Inc. (dba SITA World Tours) of Encino, California and all affiliates (herein referred to as “SITA”) act only in the capacity as an agent for the hotels, airlines, bus companies, railroads, ship lines, and/or contractors providing accommodations, transportation or other services to the client. The client is advised that SITA purchases such transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant and other services from various independent suppliers who are not affiliated with SITA. SITA makes every effort to select the best suppliers of the aforementioned services. However, SITA does not control the operations of these agents and as a result, CANNOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR OTHER CLAIM which may occur as the result of any and/or all of the following: (1) the wrongful, negligent or arbitrary acts or omissions on the part of the independent supplier, agent, its employees or others who are not under the direct control or supervision of SITA; (2) defects or failures of any vessel, aircraft, vehicle or other instrumentality which is under the control of an independent supplier; or (3) loss, injury or damage to person, property or otherwise, resulting directly or indirectly from any Acts of God, dangers, incidents at sea, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, or wars (whether declared or not), acts of terrorism, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferage, medical epidemics, destination closures, quarantines, or customs regulations, defaults, delays or cancellations or alterations in itinerary due to schedule changes, or from any causes beyond SITA’s control. Further, SITA is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from insufficient or improperly issued passports, visas or other legal documents. All coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets issued by SITA are issued subject to any and all tariffs, terms, and conditions under which any services are provided by such hotels, airlines, bus companies, railroads, ship lines or owners or contractors or by their person in employ.
Special COVID-19 Note:
Countries welcoming you and allowing open travel may have a Covid-19 rule-set in place. Visitors must be familiar with these requirements and are expected to adhere to all rules. Requirements will differ from country to country and may also change over time. It is therefore important that all travelers are secure in their understanding of what will be expected of them before departing their home and upon entering a foreign destination or returning to their home destination. Please also refer to clause Health Requirements. COVID-19 may be present anywhere. The World Health Organization and medical experts have stated that guests with existing health challenges are exposed to heightened risks. It is important that travelers take personal responsibility for their well-being and strictly follow instructions, whether given verbally or through public announcements and signage. When traveling with SITA World Tours you agree to accept all risks associated with exposure to COVID-19.
RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
SITA (when deemed necessary) reserves the right to: (1) cancel any itinerary or any part of it; (2) make any alterations to the itinerary (including, but not limited to, alterations to substitution of hotels); and (3) decline to accept or to retain any person as a tour passenger should such person’s health, mental or physical condition, in the sole opinion of SITA, impede the operation of the tour of the other passengers. Tour members are held responsible for being in sufficient good health to undertake the tour. If a passenger is asked to leave while the tour is in progress, that person will be responsible for charges incurred on account of such departure from the tour and/or their return to the USA or Canada respectively. In such a case, SITA will refund any monies that can be recovered for the unused portion of the tour, taking into account additional charges incurred by SITA. Other than to refund such sum, SITA will accept no further liability or obligation toward that person or third party.
DISCLAIMER
SITA is not responsible for any errors, omissions or misquotes contained in brochures or on websites or any other accompanying promotional documentation. The contents of brochures, websites or promotional documentation may be changed at any time (including, but not limited to, rates and itinerary) without notice and at SITA’s sole discretion.
VENUE
It is specially agreed that this agreement is entered into in the district of Van Nuys, county of Los Angeles, state of California. In the event any legal or equitable action is brought against SITA concerning the interpretation, enforcement or breach of any term, obligation or duty as contained or related to the terms and conditions set forth in this website, or pursuant to federal law, statute or treaty to which the United States is a signatory, the venue of such action shall lie exclusively in the district of Van Nuys, county of Los Angeles, state of California.
CHOICE OF LAW
It is specifically agreed and stipulated that the law of the state of California shall govern and apply to any legal or equitable action brought against SITA concerning the interpretation, enforcement or breach of any term, obligation or duty contained in this website, or pursuant to any federal law, statute or treaty to which the United States is a signatory.
HOW TO BOOK
Contact your travel agent for more information and further assistance with reservations on any tour. Your travel agent can also assist you with obtaining visas, travel insurance and can provide general destination information. You may also call SITA at 833.974.7141.
