TERMS & CONDITIONS

BLOWES & STEWART TRAVEL GROUP LTD. (BST) – TRAVEL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

DBA – BST Vacations / Carefree Journeys / Founders Tour / Lady Escapes

Last update: July 2021

 

Please carefully review the Terms & Conditions outlined below. Any reservation made with BST constitutes a binding agreement signifying your acceptance of, and your agreement to follow, these Terms & Conditions, and to be bound by them.

Note: BST is a retail travel agency and tour wholesaler and does not own, manage, control or operate any aircraft, ground transportation, hotel, resort, cruise ship, restaurant or other suppliers associated with the assembly of your travel package.

 

Third Party Information

BST Suppliers operate under their own terms and conditions. These additional terms and conditions will apply to your selected travel package based on the supplier selected as part of the travel package. Please read those additional terms and conditions carefully.

All supplier descriptions are accurate at time of publication. For reasons beyond BST’s control, changes that affect supplier descriptions may occur. Any modifications will be updated and communicated at time of the change.

In such a case, we will provide a substitute of a similar standard than those named. Tour operators are required by the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations to caution travelers that living standards, accommodations, utilities, other services and general conditions elsewhere may be different from those here in Ontario.

 

Pricing

All prices listed are per person in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise noted. Pricing is based on supplier cost, currency exchange rates and conditions in effect at the time of brochure printing. Final payment may fluctuate based on changes to the currency exchange at that time. Should there be a pricing increase to taxes and/or government imposed fees, fuel surcharges or additional airline fees before final payment, these increased charges will be levied to the customer and applied to the final invoice. No additional surcharges may be applied after the trip is paid in full.  All trips may be subject to change in situations beyond our control.

When you receive any and all travel documents, it is your responsibility to review and verify all information for accuracy. Contact BST & your Travel Advisor immediately if changes or corrections are required.

 

Deposit and Final Payment

A non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking to secure your reservation.  The deposit amount due is published on each itinerary, and advised at time of booking. 

Please make cheques payable to Blowes and Stewart Travel.  We also accept in-office cash / debit payments, or Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards.  

The final payment deadline is due in our office on or before the date included on your invoice.

Final payment is non-refundable.

Completion of the credit card authorization form commits you to your reservation and the charges on your credit card.

All payments for travel are due prior to departure according to each Supplier’s terms and conditions of booking. You understand that prices can and do fluctuate, according to each Supplier’s policy, and failure to make final payment or any violation of a Supplier’s conditions of purchase may result in cancellation of your reservations, in your being denied access to any flights, tours, hotels, cruises, or other travel services, or in your forfeiting any monies paid for your reservations. In some cases, there is NO REFUND once a booking is made and under deposit. You may not be entitled to a refund if you change or cancel your travel plans after confirmation of a booking.

 

Escorted Group Cancellation Policy

All escorted groups require a minimum number of passengers to travel. Should minimum numbers not been reached, the Company has the right to cancel the tour with a full refund to the passengers booked.

 

Standard Change Fees & Cancellation Policy

The Company reserves the right to cancel a reservation if payment has not been received by the specified due date.

If you wish to make a change to a confirmed booking, certain charges will apply depending on the destination you have booked and the supplier of your travel goods or services.

All cancellation requests must be sent to BST & your Travel Advisor in writing. As a result of cancellation, third-party Supplier’s cancellation penalties will apply. Cancellation fees will be charged to the credit card or other payment method you authorized to pay for travel services or deducted from the Supplier’s refund.

**Supplier Change/Cancellation terms apply and are in addition to any fees charged by BST

 

BST Administrative fees:

If you wish to cancel a confirmed booking, the following BST Administrative charges will apply:

• 45 days or MORE prior to departure: $75.00 CAD per person

• 44-0 days prior to departure: $150.00 CAD per person

In addition to the applicable change fees, the following conditions also apply to any change:

• If a change is made to room occupancy and results in a higher rate, the remaining travellers are responsible for the rate applicable for the revised occupancy.
• Change requests must be made through BST and cannot be made directly with any supplier.

Cancellation fees are liquidated damages to compensate BST for prepayments made on advance booking of travel services, and for administrative costs involved in processing a cancellation.

Medical and Cancellation Insurance

BST highly recommends the purchase of cancellation/interruption for all tours. BST will not be held responsible for loss of monies due to cancellation.

Medical insurance is mandatory for all tours outside of the Province of Ontario. If client has out of province medical insurance with a separate insurance provider, BST must be advised of insurance company name, policy number & company contact information prior to tour commencement.

Cancellation insurance may allow for full refund of the cost of the trip for unforeseen circumstances when purchased at the time of initial deposit (**Exclusions apply – Ask your travel advisor at time of purchase).

Cancellation/medical insurance pricing will vary based on the cost and duration of the trip and the age of the traveler. Ask one of our travel professionals for full details about the insurance options available.

If you decline to purchase any additional insurance coverage as explained during the initial booking process (deposit), we will respectfully request that you sign a waiver confirming that you have declined additional insurance protection, and release BST from any liabilities should personal injuries/accidents occur prior to, or during the tour which may cause cancellation and/or interruption of the tour.

For additional information on packages/plans offered, please visit https://www.igoinsured.com/Direct/ManulifeGlobal.aspx?ag=STEWPET&lang=E

 

Covid-19

Customer acknowledges the risks related to the spread of infectious or contagious diseases. It remains the customer’s responsibility to take the necessary precautions applicable to any health hazards, including but not limited to COVID-19. To ensure the safety of all guests and employees, suppliers may have mandatory safety protocols in place, and the availability of their services and facilities may be impacted.

Customer agrees to follow all current and future regulations/protocols set forth for safety in compliance with government policies at your own expense.

BST is not responsible for any fees for, or associated with, mandatory government PCR/Covid testing in destination or for returning to Canada, quarantine or expenses relating to COVID-19 or similar.

If additional insurance protection is declined, it remains the customer’s responsibility to verify if their travel insurance policy covers COVID-19.

BST will not be held liable should customers be denied boarding due to insufficient proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to departure, or displaying symptoms of COVID-19 upon check in.

No monies will be refunded to customers who have been denied boarding.

 

Not Included in the Trip Cost

All quoted trip costs do not include items of a personal nature such as but not limited to: medical insurance, cancellation/interruption insurance, alcoholic beverages, phone calls, airline baggage fees where applicable and meals that are not included or listed in the itinerary.

 

Gratuities

Gratuities have been prepaid for included meals, local guides and drivers unless otherwise noted on the itinerary.  

 

Legal Names/Copy of Passport

BST will require a copy of your valid passport at time of deposit.  If not available at time of deposit, a copy must be supplied on or before the final payment due date to verify legal name and birthdate for travel documents. Failure to provide proper documentation at time of booking or time of final payment may result in charges assessed by our suppliers and are the responsibility of the customer.

 

Travel Documents

When travelling outside of Canada all Canadian passengers require a valid passport. Most countries require passports to be valid for 6 months beyond the expected return date. If travelling with a foreign passport BST must be advised at time of reservation/deposit.

Some countries may also have visa requirements for entry. Any fees to obtain visas or additional travel documentation that may be required are the responsibility of the traveler. Entry into another country cannot be guaranteed, and is at the sole discretion of the local authorities.  BST takes no responsibility for a customer being denied entry into another country.  Cancellation charges and any additional fees will be at the customer’s expense. 

It is the passenger’s responsibility to obtain information, and to have in their possession, all the required documentation to travel (such as passports, visa where applicable, etc.) required by the relevant governmental authorities, for themselves and passengers in their care. Note that the documents required for the outbound portion of your travel may differ from those required for the return.

BST is not responsible for any missing or inappropriate documents. Failure to have proper travel documents will result in denied boarding and automatic cancellation of your reservation without refund.

When you receive any and all travel documents, it is your responsibility to review and verify all information for accuracy. Contact Blowes & Stewart Travel & your Travel Advisor immediately if changes or corrections are required. Any corrections and/or changes required after your booking is confirmed, may result in supplier-imposed charges of up to 100% of the purchase price, and/or an administration fee.

 

Baggage

Baggage restrictions vary by airline and destination. Specific details will be provided with your final travel documents. Please ensure that you have secured baggage tags to your luggage prior to arriving at the airport, train station or boarding the coach.

Please note that you are responsible for carrying your own luggage and are responsible for the safety and security of your luggage at all times. BST will not assume liability for loss, theft or damage due to breakage, fire, water, or theft, during transport on the plane, coach, train or at hotel.

 

Special Requests

Hotel room assignments are completed by the hotel prior to arrival. Special rooming requests are provided to the hotel with the rooming list but are not guaranteed.

Airline seating requests are taken into consideration and sent to each airline if applicable.  Additional charges apply for premium seating on plane. Please do not purchase exit row seating on the plane if under the age of 16, require a seatbelt extension or are physically or mentally unable to assist in the case of an emergency.  Those seating costs are non-refundable once purchased.

Specific seating on coaches or trains cannot be guaranteed. BST will try to accommodate all requests but cannot guarantee.

 

Transport of Passengers with Disabilities

BST accepts any passengers that have a disability, intellectual or physical condition providing they are able to care for themselves during the trip which includes boarding the plane/bus on their own; participating in any included tours/sightseeing without assistance; the ability to understand meeting points/times and the ability to care for their own documents.   BST will accept any passenger who’s intellectual or physical condition is such as to render him/her incapable of caring for him/herself without assistance, provided that he/she is accompanied by an attendant (at an additional cost) who is responsible for the passenger en route and with the care of such attendant, he/she will not require attention or assistance beyond that which is usually provided by BST tour escort.

 

Departure Days

BST must follow strict rules in place for everyone’s safety imposed by CATSA and TSA, or any other regulatory body.  This rule include checking passports prior to boarding any form of transportation.  Hats and sunglasses must be removed to confirm identity.

BST Representatives reserve the right to deny boarding or terminate the tour of any passenger who;

1. Is abusive or disruptive to others or if you show signs of intoxication by alcohol or drugs.
2. Refusal to permit search of his/her person or property.
3. If the travel documents of a passenger are not in order, including passports, visas, eta’s.
4. When a passengers intellectual or physical condition is such as to render him/her incapable of caring for himself/herself without assistance.
5. When a passenger has an obvious contagious disease.
6. Becomes pregnant after booking and the departure date falls in the 9 weeks before the expected delivery date or any time after that date.
7. Develops any complication of pregnancy within the first thirty-one (31) weeks of pregnancy.

On departure days please keep in mind that check-in times vary depending on destination, flight and airline. Please ensure you have arrived for check in at least two (2) hours prior to departure or you may be denied boarding.  There are no refunds of unused flights. Costs of returning will be endured by the client. 

BST reserves the right to decline any person as a member of the trip at any time before or during the trip should such person’s presence be considered detrimental to the interest, comfort and enjoyment of the other members.  Persons leaving the trip after commencement will not receive a refund of unused services and all costs of returning to the point of embarkation will be borne by the client. 

 

Photos Posted to our website and Social Media

On occasion, your BST Representative will be taking photos of group members participating in various activities.  These photos may be posted on our social media outlets. If for any reason you do not wish to have your photo taken and published please advise your tour escort on Day 1 of your journey.  This clause indicates your permission to use photos and eliminates all photo waivers used in the past.

BST prohibits participants from publishing to social media any proprietary documents pertaining to our trips.

 

Privacy Policy

To process your reservation, we will need your personal information including your name, address, telephone number, email address, passport number, date of birth, citizenship and information you have disclosed regarding health, medical, dietary, mobility and other special requirements.  

We will not in any circumstances share your personal information with other individuals or organizations without your permission, including public organizations, corporations or individuals, except when applicable by law.

We do not sell, communicate or divulge your information to any 3^rd party mailing lists.

 

Our Role

In offering travel arrangements for sale, BST represents suppliers of travel services as an agent only and cannot be held responsible for supplier errors or omissions. We do not maintain any control over the personnel, equipment or operations of any supplier and we assume no responsibility for, and shall not be expected or required to pay for any financial loss, personal injury, other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity which you may experience either by reason of (1) non-performance by any supplier for whatever reason (2) wrongful causes, negligent or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any supplier or its employees or on the part of any other party not under the control of BST or (3) any defect, breakdown or other failure of any aircraft, train, bus, automobile, accommodation, ship or other equipment or instrumentality operated and owned or otherwise used by a supplier.   BST is not liable for any loss, damage, injury or death resulting from circumstances beyond its direct control such as unexpected weather conditions, civil unrest or any other unforeseen circumstances.

Availability of refunds for unused travel reservations will vary as your payment becomes property of the supplier upon remittance to BST.  In the event of any supplier bankruptcy, you should seek refunds directly from your credit card company, the supplier, travel insurance policy (if purchased and applicable), or the Ontario Travel Compensation Fund.  

Persons leaving the tour during operation will not receive a refund of unused services and all costs of returning to the point of embarkation will be borne by the client. 

 

Force Majeure

The performance of this Contract is subject to any circumstance making it illegal or impossible to provide or use the travel components or creating a significant risk to participants’ health or safety, including, acts of God, war, national emergency, government regulation (including, quarantines or curfews), disaster, fire, strikes or other labor disputes, terrorism and responses thereto, or any other extraordinary occurrence outside the control of the cancelling party, making it impossible or illegal for participants to attend, or creating a significant risk to participants’ health or safety.  This Contract may be terminated without payment of any fee for any one of such reasons by written notice from one party to the other and upon mutual agreement between the Traveller and the chosen Travel Supplier, that such cancellation is indeed justified and with valid cause, in which event the Traveller will receive a full refund of all deposits made prior to the date of termination. Financial difficulties of either party or other performance problems pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Contract shall not be deemed to be a force majeure event.