Booking and Payment Terms and Conditions
CONSENT TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Access to and use of the services of FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO., INC. (“FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO.” and/or “our”) and our website is subject to acceptance of these terms and conditions (“Terms and Conditions”). By accessing, using, or obtaining any content, products, or services through our offices or through our website, you, the purchaser, and/or traveler (“customer” and/or “you/your”) agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not accept all of these terms, then please do not use our services or our websites. These terms and conditions govern the relationship between FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. and you, the Customer. No alterations to these terms and conditions may be made by any FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. employee, authorized representative or agent, unless in writing by an authorized officer of FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO..
RISKS/SAFETY. Travel to certain destinations may involve greater risk than others. FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. urges customers to remain informed on a daily basis as to current news events, as well as to review travel prohibitions, warnings, announcements, and advisories issued by the United States Government prior to booking travel to international destinations. Information on conditions in various countries and the level of risk associated with travel to particular international destinations can be found at www.state.gov, www.tsa.gov, www.dot.gov, www.faa.gov, www.cdc.gov, and www.cbp.gov
BY OFFERING FOR SALE TRAVEL TO PARTICULAR DESTINATIONS, FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. DOES NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT TRAVEL TO SUCH POINTS IS ADVISABLE OR WITHOUT RISK, AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR COSTS, DAMAGES, OR LOSSES THAT MAY RESULT FROM TRAVEL TO SUCH DESTINATIONS. CUSTOMER PARTICIPATION CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF SUCH EVENTS AT THE CUSTOMER’S OWN RISK.
USE OF FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. ACCESS AND INFORMATION FOR TRAVEL BOOKINGS. You warrant that you are at least 18 years of age and possess the legal authority to enter into this agreement and to make travel bookings with FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. by any means, including our Web site in accordance with all terms and conditions herein. You agree to be financially responsible for all of your travel bookings (as well as for use of your account by others, including, without limitation, minors living with you). You agree to supervise all usage of FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. communications by minors under your name or account. You also warrant that all information supplied by you or members of your household transacting business with FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. is true and accurate. Without limitation, any speculative, false, or fraudulent reservation or any reservation in anticipation of demand is prohibited. You agree that the travel services reservations facilities provided by FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. shall be used only to make legitimate reservations or purchases for you or for another person for whom you are legally authorized to act.
Separate supplier terms and conditions will apply to your reservation and purchase of travel-related goods and services that you select. You agree to abide by the terms and conditions of purchase imposed by FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. and any supplier with whom you elect to deal, including, but not limited to, payment of all amounts when due and compliance with the supplier’s rules and restrictions regarding availability and use of fares, products, or services. You understand that any violation of any such supplier’s conditions of purchase may result in the cancellation of your reservation(s) or purchase, in your being denied access to any flights, hotels, cruises, or automobiles, in your forfeiting any monies paid for such reservation(s) or purchase, and in FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. debiting your account for any costs FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. incurs as a result of such violation. You shall be completely responsible for all charges, fees, duties, taxes, and assessments arising out of your travel bookings through access provided by FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO..
GENERAL. This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, USA. You hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of courts in Harford County, Maryland, USA, in all disputes arising out of or relating to travel bookings with FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO., including the use of the FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. Web site. Use of the FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. Web site is unauthorized in any jurisdiction that does not give effect to all provisions of these terms and conditions, including, without limitation, this paragraph. If any part of these Terms and Conditions is determined to be invalid or unenforceable pursuant to applicable law including, but not limited to, the warranty disclaimers and liability limitations set forth above, then the invalid or unenforceable provision will be deemed superseded by a valid, enforceable provision that most closely matches the intent of the original provision and agreement shall continue in effect.
These Terms and Conditions (and any other terms and conditions referenced herein) constitute the entire agreement between the customer and FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. with respect to travel bookings made with FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. by any means accessing such information, including its’ Web site, and it supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether electronic, oral, or written, between the customer and FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. with respect to communications with FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO., including the FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. Web site. A printed version of this agreement and of any notice given in electronic form shall be admissible in judicial or administrative proceedings based upon or relating to these Terms and Conditions to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as other business documents and records originally generated and maintained in printed form. Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved.
SELLER OF TRAVEL. FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. is a registered seller of travel in California, CST 2146762, Florida, #ST43019 and Washington State Seller of Travel. Seller of Travel laws require all sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond. FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. maintains a trust account for all client payments and deposits as required.
PAYMENTS AND CANCELLATION. The client is authorized to permit FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. to charge the credit card or bank account indicated on payment invoices. By paying the invoices, the client acknowledges payment is for the services described on the invoice. Final payment is due prior to departure according to each supplier’s terms and conditions. If final and full payment is not received by the applicable due date, reservations are subject to cancellation and deposits shall be forfeited. As a result of such cancellation, FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO.’S and third party supplier’s cancellation penalties will apply, which are detailed in your travel documentation, each supplier’s Web sites and www.friendlikemetravel.com.com FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. will refund you 100% of whatever the supplier refunds to us, except for our cancellation fee as detailed on your FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. invoice. All cancellation fees will be charged to the credit card you authorized to pay for travel services. This transaction is not covered by the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund, and FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. is not a participant in said Fund. All payments are run through vendors’ payment systems unless otherwise noted and therefore refunds are at the mercy and timing of the supplier. Friend Like Me Travel Co. is not liable or responsible for providing these refunds. Note: UNLESS SET FORTH IN WRITING, AIRLINE RESERVATIONS MAY NOT BE INCLUDED IN YOUR TRAVEL PLANS. In such an event, it is the customer’s responsibility to make appropriate air arrangements, as well as transportation to and from the destination where the travel booking originates and returns. FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. shall not assume any responsibility for any air and/or ground schedule changes. Every attempt has been made to include all taxes in your package. In rare instances, certain departure taxes must be paid in cash only, upon departure from a country, and may vary in price.
RESEARCH, PLANNING, AND SERVICE FEES. Supplier commissions are paid to FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. to facilitate the booking of commissionable vacation plans. Service offerings beyond these items are at the sole discretion of the independent contractors/travel agents that are affiliated with FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. are permitted to create their own fee schedule and enforce these according to their discretion. In the event that your vacation package is canceled, all plans made by the Travel Agent associated with the trip will also be canceled by the Travel Agent. All plans made are based on availability. There are no guarantees or indications of availability. The Agent is not responsible for attraction downtimes, closures, weather delays or cancellations, etc. The client may upgrade their service plan at any time. Services will not be rendered until full payment is received. However, all fees are nonrefundable and you may not downgrade. The fee paid is towards the original set of dates. If the dates of the vacation change, the fee will be null & void. Pricing is subject to change at any time, however, once the payment is made, the price is protected from future increases. In the event that the guest makes changes without first consulting the Travel Agent, the changes will not reflect the Travel Agent’s work. While some changes can be made upon request, they are subject to availability. Clients may request up to 3 changes to their plans (which will be made based on availability). After that, each change will incur a change fee of $25. The change fee applies to itinerary pieces including, but not limited to, dining and specialty reservations. Clients will be contacted via email with reminders that important planning dates are upcoming with the proper procedure for letting the travel agent know their selections. In the event of no response, the agent will take that as notice that the client intends to book that portion of the trip themself. No refund (partial or full) will be given if services are not claimed. The travel agent is not responsible for emails going to spam. The client understands that the Walt Disney Company has STRICTLY prohibited travel agents from booking any park reservations for clients and the guest will be responsible for booking that themselves regardless of the service tier the client has chosen.
LATE BOOKINGS. Prospective customers are advised to reserve early to avoid disappointment and additional fees.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS. It is the responsibility of each customer to obtain and carry a valid passport, visa(s), and all other documents required by applicable government regulations. FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. strongly recommends that you take into account that certain countries will not admit a passenger if their passport expires within six (6) months of the date of entry. Children and infants also require all such travel documents. Minors traveling with one parent, and/or without both parents, may be stopped and not admitted unless authenticated and verified consent forms are provided to the authorities. Non-United States citizens may require additional documentation. See help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/268/kw/travel and check with your local embassy or consulate. The US Customs and Border Protection Agency requires that for USA child groups under age 19 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate. Parental or legal guardian consent must be provided to the supervising adult/Group Leader.
INDIVIDUAL ENTRY AND EXIT REQUIREMENTS. Each foreign country holds different views of past criminal offenses, whether within or outside of their boundaries. If you have a current or past offense, and you are unsure how the country you are traveling to (or through) views that offense, please contact that country directly for entry and exit requirements. (See:travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html) FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. feels it is an invasion of privacy for any member of our staff to make such an inquiry. For example, if traveling to or through Canada, Americans with a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) record should always check whether current rules exclude admission and potential waivers. (See:www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/faq/inadmissibility/index.asp)
REFUND OF UNUSED ARRANGEMENTS. As FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. tour prices are based on contract rates, there will not be any refund for any unused portion of a tour.
ALTERATIONS TO CONFIRMED BOOKINGS. If you decide to change any portion of your confirmed arrangements prior to departure, we will attempt to assist you. An administrative charge of $150.00 per change may apply where deemed necessary. In the event that it is to be charged, an invoice for the change will be sent. Changes will not be made until the invoice is paid.
HEALTH AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS. It is each customer’s responsibility to make absolutely certain to have the proper immunizations and required documentation of such immunizations before travel, and to make the necessary accommodation for security rules imposed by government authorities. FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. shall not assume responsibility for the accuracy of health requirements or vaccination and/or documentation prior to departure or upon landing at the final destination. See your health practitioner for advice. Prior to travel, required inoculations, if any, must be recorded by the customer’s health practitioner on a valid vaccination certificate, which the customer must carry for proof of inoculation where required. If you are concerned about taking any medications or receiving certain inoculations, check with your health practitioner BEFORE booking. Check the USA State Department Web site travel.state.gov, for relevant information relating to travel to specific destinations, and the USA Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm relating to health issues. For further information relating to security, safety issues, crime, the need for travel documentation (such as passports, visas, proof of health/vaccination certificates), health hazards, and other restrictions regarding travel to your domestic and/or international destination(s), and re-entry into the United States visit www.tsa.gov, www.dot.gov, www.faa.gov.us, www.ustreas.gov, www.cbp.gov Please note that USA rules regarding entry and exit change on a daily basis. Important information: see ostpxweb.dot.gov/policy/safetyenergyenv/disinsection.htm for notice of insecticides used by air carriers depending on the itinerary.
RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLOSURE: FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. is not the source or supplier of the travel services requested, and acts solely as a booking agent for disclosed principal supplier cruise lines, hotels, airlines, air charters, bus companies, ground transportation, boat purveyors or owners, and other independent contractors providing accommodations, transportation, and/or other services abroad. Each of these companies is an independent entity with its own management, and is not subject to the control of FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO.. The customer is advised that the suppliers whose names appear in travel documentation are those actually responsible for providing the travel services purchased, consents to the use of those suppliers, and understands and agrees each supplier’s Terms and Conditions are contained in printed form and/or on their respective Web sites governing the transaction. All bookings are accepted by FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. as an agent for independent overseas ground and tour operators on your itinerary. The transportation, accommodations, and other services provided by the identified sea, ground, and air operators offered are subject to the terms and conditions contained in the tickets, exchange orders, or vouchers issued by them and/or their suppliers, including Terms and Conditions on their respective Web sites. Because FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. does not have the right to control the operations of the independent operators and their suppliers, FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, which may arise out of these services. FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. is not responsible for the willful or negligent acts and/or omissions of such suppliers or of any supplier or their respective employees, agents, servants, or representatives, including, without limitation, their failure to deliver or their partial or inadequate delivery of services. Customer’s retention of travel documents, reservations, or bookings after issuance shall constitute consent to the above, and further, that FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. shall not be liable for any accident, injury, property damage, or personal loss to Customer or to those traveling with Customer in connection with any accommodations, transportation, or other travel services or resulting directly or indirectly from any occurrences or conditions beyond its control, including, but not limited to fuel increases. Weather conditions, including but limited to the presence or absence of snow, sunshine, and rainfall are not guaranteed to occur or not occur, and are clearly outside of the control of FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO.. Volcanic eruptions, ash clouds, and wind may be characterized as adverse weather conditions or a natural disaster by third-party suppliers, which is beyond the control of FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO.. FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. reserves the right to cancel any itinerary or any part of it, to make such alterations in the itinerary as it deems necessary or desirable, to refuse to accept or to retain as a member of any tour any person at any time, and to pass on to customers any expenditure occasioned by delays or events beyond its control. In case of any appreciable variation in its cost, FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. reserves the right to adjust its rates. FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. has solely received a commission and perhaps a service fee for this transaction and the Customer agrees and understands that any recovery from FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. will be limited to the commission and service fee actually received by FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO..
FORCE MAJEURE. “Force Majeure” means, in relation to FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO., any circumstances beyond the reasonable control of FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO., (including, but without limitation, acts of God, explosion, flood, tempest, forceful wind, fire or accident, war or threat of war declared or undeclared, acts of terrorism, sabotage, insurrection, riots, strikes, civil disturbance, requisition, pandemic, epidemic, sickness, quarantine, government intervention, weather conditions, defects in machinery and vehicles, delay, wildlife, or other untoward occurrences).
FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. shall not be deemed to be in breach of these terms and conditions or otherwise be liable to you, by reason of delay in performance, or by non-performance, of any of its obligations hereunder to the extent that any such delay or non-performance is due to any Force Majeure.
If FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO., and/or any of its’ travel suppliers, are affected by Force Majeure, they shall be entitled to, and may in their sole and absolute discretion, vary or cancel any itinerary or arrangement in relation to the trip. Payment of any refund by FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. to you as a result of the non-performance of any obligations hereunder shall remain in its sole and absolute discretion, although FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. shall use its reasonable efforts to reimburse you where possible. However, FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. shall be entitled to deduct from any refund recoverable the reasonable actual and potential costs to FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. of the Force Majeure and applicable cancellation fees.
Regarding civil unrest, once FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. has investigated the prevailing situation, as it deems fit, it shall remain in FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO.’s sole and absolute discretion whether to proceed with the trip. You may in such circumstances cancel the trip subject to each supplier’s terms and conditions.
INSURANCE. FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. recommends you purchase travel insurance, this can help protect you from financial loss. FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. is not responsible for cancellation, emergency evacuation, accidents abroad, illness, lost luggage, flight mishaps, weather conditions, volcanic eruptions and thus recommends that you purchase available insurance coverage at an additional charge. FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. recommends you purchase the following types of insurance:
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation of Remains
- Trip Delay
- Baggage & Personal Effects
- Baggage Delay and more
ALTERATIONS IN TRAVEL PLANS. Alterations in itinerary may be necessitated for any number of reasons, including but not limited to severe weather at the sole discretion of FRIEND LIKE ME TRAVEL CO. and subject to supplier terms and conditions. If a property, supplier, activity, or area is deleted for any reason, it may be replaced with a comparable one.