TERMS & CONDITIONS
I am excited to help you with your travel plans! The following Terms & Conditions (the "Agreement") describe what you can expect from Ms. Guided Travel ("Agency") and my services:
Business Hours
Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 9am-3pm MST (GMT -7). Please find my calendar link here. Consultations outside of regular business hours can be available by request. Non-emergency phone calls and messages received via email, text, or any other means outside of these hours or stated vacation time will be returned the following regular business day.
Trip Requests
Ms. Guided Travel is a full-service travel agency with a vast range of knowledge and expertise. I have preferred partnerships all around the world that enable me to prepare unique and memorable vacations and incentive trips to just about any destination. Trip requests can be as detailed or minimal as you would like. I typically turn over an initial proposal within 24 hours for hotel requests and within a week for custom, multi-destination programs. I generally do not accept air-only requests, unless they are for private jets or roundtrip, business class, or higher fares. Requests for minor revisions to your program are encouraged and welcomed. I will make every effort to make the necessary revisions to your program for as long as needed. I will accept 1 major revision request per program. A major revision is a complete change in destination, itinerary, or significant date change after trip planning has begun. Additional revisions may be subject to special handling fees. I am happy to assist with villa, home, and boat rentals through one of my preferred partners. However, I do not work with Airbnb, VRBO, and other ‘people-to-people’ home rental sites.
Planning Fees
I reserve the right to charge planning fees at my discretion to retain my professional services. This fee will be communicated and agreed upon prior to the start of trip planning. A hotel-only request starts at $150 if the hotel is known. If you would like me to build a custom, multiday itinerary or to research various hotel options, you will be subject to at least a $350 planning fee. Planning fees are nonrefundable and if your trip is not booked after 3 proposals or within 30 days of the receipt of the first proposal, additional fees may apply.
Special Handling Fees
Bookings requested within 30 days of departure may incur special handling fees up to $500 per person. Bookings within 60-90 days of departure may incur special handling fees of $100-$250 per person. Complex trips or multiple trip requests may incur special handling fees up to $500 per person.
Deposit & Final Payment
Quote/option pricing is not guaranteed until Ms. Guided Travel receives payment or a credit card guarantee. Certain products may have additional deposit requirements. Deposits may be refundable, partially refundable, or non-refundable, I will notify you of the policy at the time of the quotation or on your balance due invoice. The deposit is applied to your final payment, which is due at least 90 days prior to departure. If I do not receive the final payment by the specified date, I reserve the right to cancel the reservation. In the case of billing errors, I reserve the right to re-invoice with correct pricing. Third-party charge cards are not accepted without written authorization.
Cancellations & Cancellation Fees
All cancellations must be advised in writing. At the time of booking, I will advise you of the cancellation policy of your hotel and/or program. If a cancellation policy has not been provided to you, you are to assume the booking is non-refundable. Cancellation policies vary and are implemented by the supplier. Please verify with me if you have any questions about the cancellation policy. While you may feel some circumstances warrant leniency on cancellation penalties, it is not for Ms. Guided Travel to make this decision. I always recommend travel insurance for this reason. Ms. Guided Travel requires the following cancellation fees unless otherwise noted:
• $25 per hotel cancellation
• $50 per customized tour cancellation
• $100 per person, cancellation fee for a custom trip that has been deposited but not paid in full
• $200 per person, cancellation fee for a custom trip that has been paid in full
Restaurant, Spa & Beach Chair Reservations
You will be provided restaurant recommendations and spa menus for the destinations you are traveling to. Three reservations made on your behalf are included in the initial professional fee. Additional reservations can be made for $15 each, must be paid in advance, and are nonrefundable. New reservation requests made 10 business days or less from departure can be made for $30 each. Once confirmed, changes and cancellations to these reservations must be made by you.
Passports & Visas
A valid passport is required of all program participants. Your passport must be valid at least six months after your date of return to the U.S. The name on your reservation must match the name on your passport. Non-U.S. citizens must consult with the appropriate consulates to determine if any additional visas are needed. It is suggested that all passengers, regardless of the passport they hold, check with the appropriate consulates of the countries being visited to determine if any visas are needed. Securing any needed visas is the responsibility of the passenger, although I will assist when possible. Currently, the following popular countries to visit require visas for United States citizens (please note, there are additional countries that require visas that are not included in this list):
• India (e-visa)
• Australia (e-visa)
• New Zealand (e-visa)
• China
• Bhutan
• Russia
• Cuba
• Vietnam (visa upon arrival)
• Cambodia (visa upon arrival)
• Kenya (visa upon arrival)
• Maldives (visa upon arrival)
• Seychelles (visa upon arrival)
Program Prices
Program prices are per person, based on two persons sharing a room, unless otherwise stated. All prices are based on rates (including foreign exchange rates) known at the time of quotation. Guests are responsible for foreign exchange increases or decreases up until the final payment is made. I reserve the right to recover from you any increase in airline-imposed fuel surcharges and taxes, charges, or levies imposed by any government or its agencies, up to and including the first day of travel.
Itinerary Variations
If program improvements can be made or if unforeseen circumstances beyond my control make changes necessary, I reserve the right to vary itineraries and to substitute similar hotels.
Airfare
I generally do not accept air-only requests, unless they are for private jets or roundtrip, business class, or higher fares. Airfare quoted by Ms. Guided Travel or one of my Air Affiliates is only confirmed at the time of payment and when an E-ticket number has been generated. If you do not have an e-ticket number on your reservation, your ticket is not confirmed. Once an air ticket has been issued and a confirmation has been generated, any airline-imposed changes to seat assignments, departure and arrival locations/times, etc are not a result of any actions by Ms. Guided Travel. However, I will make every effort to remedy the situation if you are not happy with the change. Ms. Guided Travel does not work for any airline nor is directly affiliated with any one airline. Therefore, Ms. Guided Travel cannot be held liable for any changes or complications caused by an airline. It is the passenger’s responsibility to confirm that all airline reservations are correct and include the proper spelling of legal names at the time of confirmation. I understand that air travel can be frustrating at times. A benefit to booking your air travel through Ms. Guided Travel is that I am available to advocate on your behalf if you incur airline changes, cancellations, and other disruptions. Please remember that I only offer flight bookings as an additional service that supports your travel program. I will do the best I can within my capacity to make things right for my valued clients. Air ticketing fees are in addition to Service/Planning Fees and are $250 for both domestic and international flights. I will provide 2 complimentary flight quotes before requiring the stated ticketing fees in good faith.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is always recommended to protect you and your trip investment. There are a variety of policies available, depending on your needs and trip costs. I can advise on the basics of every policy as well as send you a policy quote. Keep in mind there are numerous inclusions and omissions to travel insurance policies and that it is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure their needs are met. If you have specific questions regarding what's covered under a policy, please contact the insurance provider, I can provide you with their contact details. Pre-existing condition clauses and supplier financial default clauses vary by policy and typically require you to purchase your insurance soon after the initial deposit. Please notify me as soon as possible if you have any pre-existing conditions (please note, pregnancy also is considered a pre-existing condition). Ms. Guided Travel is not liable in cases of supplier financial default but I will rely on my professional knowledge to recommend companies whom I believe to be financially stable. I cannot vouch for suppliers outside of my preferred partner network when specifically requested by the traveler. Some insurance policies are eligible for “Cancel For Any Reason” insurance, which must be purchased within 15 or 21 days of the base policy. Inquire with me if you are interested in this type of policy. Some insurance providers also offer medical-only policy options. Travel insurance policies are typically limited in emergency evacuation coverage. Therefore, medical evacuation policies are also recommended.
Pandemics and Government Actions
In the extreme case of a pandemic or government action that cancels delays, or interrupts your travel, Ms. Guided Travel will act in compliance with all government regulations and will act according to supplier-imposed policy. I am not liable for any losses incurred during these situations, such as in the case of a refund not being issued by a supplier during extraordinary, unforeseen circumstances. However, I will advocate for the traveler to the best of my ability and within reason before being required to charge a minimum of $100 service fee to the traveler. Please note that traditional travel insurance policies do not cover pandemics or government actions, you must purchase a “Cancel for Any Reason” add-on to be covered for these extreme events.
Digital Travel Itinerary
You will be provided a digital travel itinerary that can be downloaded to your smartphone as an app for your convenience. This itinerary will contain all your day-by-day plans, confirmation numbers, and travel documents.
Documents
If documents are required, they will be mailed 21 days prior to departure. Documents will not be released until full payment and all guest details have been received. As of January 1, 2024, all travel documents are supplied to the traveler electronically. For your records, you will be emailed a document for everything booked by Ms. Guided Travel on your behalf before it is uploaded into your digital itinerary. You are responsible for reviewing these documents for accuracy and confirming they were booked as expected (i.e. dates, times, names, and locations) and informing immediately (within 24 hours) of any necessary revisions. No response from you upon delivery of these documents is assumed to be acknowledged and accepted as correct.
Responsibility
The suppliers providing transportation, sightseeing arrangements, tours, shore excursions, and hotel/cruise accommodations are independent contractors and are not agents, affiliates, representatives, or employees of Ms. Guided Travel, or any of its subsidiaries, related companies, or parents. Ms. Guided Travel has no ownership interest in any Supplier. Any use of the Ms. Guided Travel name by a Supplier is for identification purposes only and does not constitute ownership, agency, supervision, or control by Ms. Guided Travel. All documentation, receipts, and tickets are issued subject to the terms and conditions specified by the Supplier. By utilizing the services of the Suppliers, you agree that neither Ms. Guided Travel nor any of its Parties shall be liable for (1) any accident, loss, injury, or damage to you or to those traveling with you in connection with any accommodations, transportation, or other services (2) loss or damage to property or injury to persons, caused by reason of any act or omission, intentional, negligent or otherwise by such third party Suppliers. For any service issue disputes, please contact me by phone or in writing within 30 days of your return. I will do everything in my power to resolve these issues.
COVID Travel Disruption Waiver
As the worldwide COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic remains ongoing at this time, you acknowledge that for this reason, and other reasons not reasonably foreseeable at this time, travel plans may be interrupted or canceled by the supplier that is providing them, a government entity, or third party over which Ms. Guided Travel has no control. You further acknowledge that the supplier's own cancellation, rebooking, and refund policies, subject to any applicable law that is now or may later be in effect, will govern your rights and remedies, including your right to receive a refund, in such event. Moreover, you understand that if you should elect to purchase travel insurance, the terms of the policy will dictate whether, and to what extent, coverage for any financial loss may exist under the circumstances. By signing below, you hereby agree to hold Agency harmless and release it from any and all liability for any damages, including but not limited to monetary losses, you may incur as a result of interruption or cancellation of these travel plans. While Ms. Guided Travel will help you navigate the ever-changing entry and transfer protocols of the destinations involved with your trip, you understand that it is your responsibility before and during your travels, to know the entry/in-country protocols, ensure you have the relevant documents, and meet the entry requirements of your travel destination(s).
Credit Card Authorization
My signature implies that I understand and agree to the terms, conditions, waivers, and inclusions outlined. I authorize Ms. Guided Travel (Ms. Guided Tours, LLC), an affiliate of TL365, to charge my credit card for the travel-related services I have requested. I certify that I am an authorized user of this credit card and that I will not dispute the payment with my credit card company, so long as the transaction corresponds to the terms indicated on the supplier of travels' invoice(s) it is used for.