Set out below is an explanation of the conditions that apply when you book a tour with American International Sports Tours (AIST) and its suppliers. It is important that you read these conditions as they not only define our obligations to you but also impose some important commitments upon you. We look forward to being your tour provider under the following Terms and Conditions:
Terms and Conditions of the Team Travel Agreement (hereinafter “Agreement”) between American International Sports Tours Inc.(hereinafter “AIST”) and Team or Group (hereinafter "Participant(s)") to participate in AIST's travel abroad program.
Waiver of Liability In consideration ofparticipation in AIST's travel abroad program, Participant(s) hereby releases AIST, its officers,employees, volunteers, officials and agents from any and all claims, liability,loss of services and causes of action of any kind for personalinjury and property damage arising in any way out of said participation inAIST's programs. Participant(s)acknowledges that this release also covers any claims, liability, loss of services and causes of action of any kindalleged to have been cause by AIST's own negligence, and the negligence ofAIST's officers, employees, volunteers, officials and agents. Further, Participant(s) agrees toabide by and comply with all AIST rules and regulations.
Modification No modification, amendment, addition to, or waiver of the provisions of this Agreement shall be valid or enforceable unless made in writing and signed by an authorized agent of AIST.
Jurisdiction and Venue The jurisdiction of any proceeding between the parties arising out of or with respect to this Agreement shall be in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Missouri.
Governing Law This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Missouri.
Tour Contract When you make a booking you guarantee that you have the authority to accept and do accept on behalf of your group the terms of these booking conditions. When a tour is booked by you a contract exists on issue of our invoice. This contract is made on the terms of these booking conditions and is governed by United States Law. Any dispute will be dealt with by US Courts.
On receipt of our invoice it is your responsibility to check thatthe information and booking details stated on our invoice are correct.
GeneralTour Information
· All prices quoted are in United States Dollars (USD) unless otherwise stated
· AIST will make all best endeavors to secure billeting if required and fixtures with host schools/clubs. We act as a point of contact between touring and host schools and will not be held responsible for non-provision, cancellation or standard of billeting arrangements
· Training sessions with players/coaches/teams are subject to the participants(s)/coaches/teams commitments, schedules, restrictions and availability
· Prices are based on current exchange rates at the time of quoting and will need to be re-checked upon confirmation. These are subject to change until a tour is paid in full due to travel services, such as taxes and levies, currency fluctuations and other charges beyond our control
· In order to ensure all arrangements are appropriate, any physical, mental or emotional disability that may require special attention, handling or treatment, must be notified in writing with your reservation request
· Any changes in airfare due to scheduling, price increases or other actions imposed by the airline will be subject to change with the current status of the airlines. Additional charges may be applied until airline fares are paid in full.
Quotation Waiver
The passenger cost quotation that is provided within your contract is subject to change prior to receiving the initial deposit. In addition, the cost quoted is subject to change after depos its are received in accordance with the exchange rate, group size or other factors that may cause price to change. On your teams final proposal you will see the current rate of exchange your tour was booked at. Our quotation is based on air and land package exclusively and expires unless seats are reserved with a deposit. Airline pricing is subject to change until tickets are purchased in full.
Registration
Upon your final review we will forward a registration form for you to complete. Make sure you have read the terms and conditions before submitting your registration. As organizer of the group you will be signing the agreement for all passengers in your group. Each individual in the group is required to register online and agree to the terms and conditions.
Sample Payment Schedule
When you make your booking you must pay the deposit amount as indicated on the final proposal to confirm your reservation. The balance of the price of your travel arrangements must be paid as per the below conditions. If the deposit and/or balances are not paid as per the following schedule, we reserve the right to cancel your travel arrangements/tour booking.
· A deposit of$250 per person is due to reserve space on your tour.
· A further deposit of 50% of the balance is due 5 months prior to your scheduled departure date. This amount may be amended, should a supplier impose a heavier deposit clause on AIST.
· Final payment of outstanding balance due 60 days prior to departure.
· Payments options can be found at www.aist.us/make-payment.
· We prefer online payments when possible. However, if you would like to mail in a check you can send your payment to AIST 6212 Bent Grass Way Columbia, MO 65201.
Fuel Surcharges
Airlines may impose a fuel surcharge before ticketing. AIST is not able to predict these costs. If your group incurs a fuel surcharge for the airline ticket, everyone ticketed with the group will be charged the amount of the fuel surcharge. This amount can be any where from $0 - $100 from our experience. You will be notified of this charge prior to your final payment due date.
Airfare
Airfare is quoted upon request. The cost of the fares will not be guaranteed until deposits are received per seat. Passengers will be subject to the restrictions of current airline policies. Any additional charges implemented by the airlines will be added to the cost of your tour. ie: Fuel Surcharges or name changes for the passengers. When airfares have been purchased with ground arrangements, the airline’s conditions, cancellation policy and fees will apply.
Final Balances
Final balances for all passengers are due 60 days prior to departure. Failure to pay promptly renders your place onthe tour liable to cancellation with the loss of monies paid as stated under“cancellation”.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policies are provided to each group based on their booking. Depending on the program, destination and inclusions determines the flexibility of our cancellation policy. Airline and ground package cancellations can result in loss of payments depending on the timing of your cancellation. We recommend purchasing insurance to protect your investment. There are options for insurance to cancel for any reason so that you can recover any fees that may be incurred due to dropping from the tour.
All cancellations must be in writing and post marked prior to cancellation policy and sent to the following address: AIST 6212 Bent Grass Way Columbia, MO 65201 or emailed to info@aist.us. (This policy does not include airline cancellation fees that may be applied depending on your group booking.)
Airline tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be assigned. This is the current policy of most major airlines. Once tickets are issued, these guidelines will supersede all communications except those dictated by the airline. AIST will pursue any and all options with the airline to amend their change and cancellation policies to the benefit of our traveling clients. We must have the correct and legal spelling of participant’s name as it reads on his or her passport. Accuracy of passport information is the responsibility of each individual participant. Any name changes could incur a change fee of $75 - $350.
Act of War or Terrorism
In the event that your tour is disrupted due to acts of war or terrorism, AIST will only be able to refund those portions of the tour that are refunded to us from our suppliers. We highly recommend purchasing insurance for your tour that covers acts war of terrorism. AIST will do everything we can to divert or change the tour if needed due to unrest in destinations of your itinerary. In the event that changes do occur, each passenger will be responsible for any additional fees charged for the changes.
If WeChange or Cancel Your Tour
At times there may be circumstances beyond the control of American International Sports Tours and our suppliers that necessitate revisions of the itinerary. These revisions include tour dates, scheduled games and tours, and any other activity on the itinerary. In the event of changes, we will make every effort to maintain the intent of the original itinerary. Regardless of the cause, American International Sports Tours shall not be or become liable or responsible in any way whatsoever for loss, injury, or damage due to sickness, weather, strikes, war, quarantine, acts of terrorism and injury during the program events. American International Sports Tours reserves the right to alter any part of the tour it deems necessary or advisable. The additional cost resulting from such change shall be paid by the program participant. Items listed as optional are not included in cost of trip.
AIST suggests travel insurance and does notsell insurance.
AIST reserves the right to:
· Substitute any hotel/lodge/motel accommodation should circumstances necessitate at its discretion. Should any substitution occur then the accommodation provided will be of a similar standard.
· Cancel your tour arrangements in any circumstances: for example, if the minimum number of clients required for the tour is not reached.
· Cancel a tour either in whole or for an individual passenger in the event that circumstances beyond the control of AIST necessitate alternative arrangements to ensure the safety of other tour participants or their reasonable participation in and enjoyment of their tour. In such an event AIST reserves the right to decline to make any refund of any tour cost. (For example, Covid-19 forced postponing all tours in 2020 – in some cases a minimum cancellation fee was charged to cover penalties from suppliers and administrative fees.)
Covid19Policy We no longer consider Covid19 a threat to our tours. However, you must use yourown judgement to consider joining an AIST tour. We will follow all protocols ontour as instructed by the local communities. It is your responsibility toresearch your destinations’ rules on vaccination and testing. AIST will not beresponsible for any Covid19 related issues. We encourage all passengers to bevaccinated but do respect your choice on this matter. Please check all rules ontravel for your destination to ensure you are legal to travel.
Distribution ofInformation
Airline ticket information and a comprehensive itinerary will be distributed to you two weeks prior to departure. Please note, that we will not have hotel or game information available until approximately two weeks prior to your departure. Once we have all the final details they will be forwarded to you in an email. In addition, all telephone numbers and addresses of accommodations will be provided within an itinerary at that time. AIST will not be responsible for providing any tour information or services to travelers who are not booked with the group.
For your Group Leader:
Lists
A final travel roster is due at AIST 4 months prior to departure for airline ticketing. Once tickets have been issued they are non-refundable, non-cancelable and a new ticket must be issued and paid in full at the rate indicated at the time of new issue. Any changes in ticketing will be charged $350 or the current cost imposed by airlines. Please note that airline tickets will be electronic and only your passport is needed for check-in.
Rooming lists are due at AIST 3 months prior to departure.
On most tours Quads, Triples, Doubles and Single rooms will be available. If you are staying in Hostel accommodations, there may be rooms of up to 12 per room or more. The rooming situations can be determined based on your final travel numbers and customized to your preference in most cases. Most rooms will have twin beds for each person in the room. If you require a double bed for couples please notify us in your rooming list. All bed situations are subject to availability of the hotel.
Passports
A passport is required to depart the USA for International destinations. You can get passport applications and file them at any US Post office. We recommend processing your passport immediately! It may take up to 2 months to process.
You will need:
1) An original birth certificate
2) 2 forms of ID
3) A check for amount of passport (Approximately $135)
4) A passport picture (no substitutes)
Visas
Some countries require a visa for travel. If you are traveling to a country that requires a visa you will be responsible for obtaining the visa.
Friends and Family Members Joining the Tour
Friends and Family members are certainly encouraged to tour with the group. If family members wish to meet the group on tour, AIST can quote a land portion fee. However, under no conditions will we allow family members an option to join the group as travelers without payment for the land portion expense. AIST is under no obligation to provide information regarding tour routing, accommodations, and game information to anyone other than those on tour with the team. We are under no obligation to provide services or transportation to anyone who deviates from the itinerary as supplied to the team. Any individual(s) joining the land portion of the tour must do so in conjunction with the AIST package for your team and costing on a day to day basis.
Additional Supporters
As the tour develops more supporters will want to travel with the team. We can accommodate these requests up until the point of ticketing, but can’t guarantee the price after we run out of reserved seats. All payments must be made current at time of inclusion on the tour. Additional costs may apply for hotel arrangements and additional transportation to meet the group.
Lost Tickets and Passports
AIST issues e-tickets for airline seats. We will always have a record of your flight schedule and ticketing information. We also suggest that 1photo copy of the individual passport be forwarded to us at time of last payment. We recommend each passenger to carry a photo copy of the Identification page of their passport with them throughout the tour.
Disclaimer
AIST reserve the right to amend any itinerary due to conditions beyond our control. Every effort is made not to delete a specified inclusion but to fulfill the conditions and terms of sale for the best interest of all parties. Conditions such as changes in weather, ticket availability, airline, train, or rental car type and availability, etc., can add selected changes to events and activities planned in advance of departure.
Insurance
Individual Travelers insurance is not included with your package. AIST recommends the purchase of travel insurance. Please contact Angela Hecht at angelahecht09@gmail.com.
Waiver Statement
I recognize that because of the potential hazardous nature of this activity that an injury might be sustained. In the event of such an injury to myself, if I or my family members cannot be contacted, I give my permission to the attending physician to render such treatment as would be normal and agree to pay the usual charges for such treatment. I now release American International Sports Tours Inc., its employees, volunteers, agents, and assigns from responsibility for any personal injuries to property caused by or having any relation to this activity. I understand that this release applies to any present or future injuries and that it binds my heirs, executors and administrators. I understand that participants may be videotaped or photographed during this activity. I have read this release and understand all of its terms. I sign voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance.
Exchange Rate
It is not possible for AIST to predict the rate of exchange for each international trip. Therefore, we reserve the right to add a charge if necessary depending on the current rate of exchange. If needed, a final adjustment to your pricing will be added before your final payment is due. The exchange rate at which we booked your tour will be stated on your final proposal.
Deposits and Payments
All tour costs are correct as of the date of quotation. AIST reserves the right to adjust those as necessary. If any other currency is required then prices stated in such currency are subject to currency fluctuation until full payment has been made in clear funds to AIST.
The items included in each tour fare are clearly stated on the itinerary, written quotation or website. All other expenses including but not by way of limitation; refreshments, drinks, laundry, visa/passport fees, departure taxes, telephone and communication costs, taxi fares, excess baggage charges and all other matters of a personal nature are not included and must be paid for separately by you when required.
Changes and Amendments to Your Tour
Once a contract exists between us, you may wish to change your travel arrangements. For example, your chosen dates of travel, accommodation etc. and we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the person who made the booking. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of$25.00 per booking change and any further costs we may incur in making this alteration. You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should therefore contact us as soon as possible.
· Any changes or amendments to the group numbers or the travel itinerary should be notified immediately in writing. Last minute changes may result in non-availability, higher costs and/or cancellation fees
· Occasionally there may be unforeseen changes in transportation, accommodation or event schedules, which are beyond our control. AIST will endeavor to keep changes to a minimum. However we reserve the right to make changes when necessary
Tour Organizer
The tour organizer is to be the sole point of contact with AIST
The tour organizer should:
· Ensure all members of the group have a passport valid for six months and appropriate visa requirements.
· Ensure all members of the group are advised of any health precautions. Please call the Embassy of the Country you are visiting for information.
· Take all reasonable and necessary steps to ensure the success of the tour.
· Provide anames list for airline ticketing with correct spelling four months prior todeparture. Names must be spelled as theyappear on the passport.
· Ensure all names are correct as per individual passports. Any tickets that need to be re-issued as a result of misspelling or name changes will be charged $300 or current airline prices for name changes.
· Provide AIST with correct and detailed information about the touring teams’ capabilities.
· Provide correct passenger and rooming lists, including any special requirements, at least three months prior to departure.
· Register any complaints immediately with AIST
· The tour leader must have a contingency fund large enough to cover the cost of emergency accommodation should billeting not be provided or withdrawn by the host school or be deemed to be unsuitable.
Luggage Limits
· Please check with your airline for baggage limits and weights. There may be additional charges for extra baggage.
· In addition, to ensure the comfort of all passengers, one piece of hand luggage such as tissues, cameras, makeup, handbag etc. is allowed and will be carried inside the coach in luggage racks.
· Extra luggage is only carried if space is available.
· Please advise AIST at the time of booking if you expect you will need extra capacity for luggage.
· Please contact your airline supplier for restrictions on luggage before you depart.
Liability
AIST will not be liable for any:
· Loss ordamage to luggage or personal effects.
· Personal injury or death of a passenger arising whilst travelling with AIST or any of its nominated suppliers.
· Damage, personal injury or death arising as a result of any of activities included on tour or optional activities. Some of these involve an element of risk assumedby each participant.
Our Commitment to You
AIST’s goal is to exceed your expectations with top quality service for you and your group. We look forward to providing you with an opportunity of a lifetime.
