Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions

THIS INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY.

Responsibility Clause:¶ÿ Lakeland Tours, LLC d/b/a WorldStrides, its employees, shareholders, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, successors, agents, and assigns (collectively, ƒ°ßWorldStridesƒ°ò) does not own, operate or control any person or entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip, including, for example, lodging facilities, airline, vessel or other transportation companies, guides or guide services, local ground operators, entertainment or sightseeing operators, providers or organizers of optional excursions, food service providers, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors.¶ÿ As a result, WorldStrides is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or of any third party.

Without limitation, WorldStrides is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay, or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of force majeure, war, civil unrest, insurrection, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind or the threat thereof, lost or stolen belongings, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely, dangers associated with animals, sanitation problems, food poisoning, epidemics or the threat thereof, lack of or quality of medical care, illness or disease, difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency, actual, perceived or threatened epidemics, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of WorldStrides.

Changes or substitutions in hotels, itinerary, inclusions, or airports may be made depending on your travel dates, arrival and departure times, national holidays, and events beyond WorldStridesƒ°Ú control at the discretion of WorldStrides as it deems necessary or desirable.¶ÿ On certain dates some attractions or activities may be closed.¶ÿ WorldStrides at its sole discretion may cancel a program due to insufficient enrollment, unforeseen operational difficulties, lack of projected availability, or any other reasons at any time. If a trip is canceled by WorldStrides, the sole obligation of WorldStrides is to refund all funds collected from any registrant minus merchandise fees.

WorldStrides reserves the right to make audio and visual records of any of its trips and participant agrees that WorldStrides may use any such records for promotional and/or commercial purposes, as well as approves of such uses by third parties whom WorldStrides may engage without any remuneration to participant. Participant assigns to WorldStrides all rights, titles, and interest in or to any and all media related to a WorldStrides trip without any remuneration to participant, including photographs provided directly to WorldStrides or through websites in which his or her name or likeness may or may not appear.

WorldStrides reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of any trip. In the event a member is expelled from a trip, no refund of any kind will be made. These terms and conditions can be changed only by a writing signed by an officer of WorldStrides.

Participants understand that they are solely responsible for their pre-program, program, and post-program medical care in all respects, including, but not limited to, obtaining and taking necessary medication(s), vaccinations and any other medical care and treatment.¶ÿ

Schools, colleges, and universities hold varying policies regarding a studentƒ°Ús eligibility to earn or redeem course credit from other accredited institutions. Students should consult their school guidance counselors and/or school policy handbooks to determine their eligibility.

Arbitration: Any dispute concerning this contract, the Terms & Conditions and/or rules and regulations concerning the trip, the literature arising out of or relating to the trip and/or arising out of or relating to the trip itself including, but not limited to, any events and circumstances occurring during the trip, shall be resolved solely and exclusively by binding arbitration in Charlottesville, Virginia pursuant to the then existent commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association. In any such arbitration, the substantive (but not procedural) law of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall apply. The arbitrator and not any federal, state, or local court or agency shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, conscionability, or formation of this contract, including but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this contract is void or voidable. In any such arbitration, the arbitrator may, but is not required to, award attorneyƒ°Ús fees to the prevailing party. Each party irrevocably and unconditionally expressly submits to the foregoing binding arbitration agreed for the purposes of dispute resolution hereunder and further irrevocably and unconditionally waives any and all jurisdictional, venue and convenience objections or defenses to such arbitration or to any related action, suit or proceeding in the courts of Virginia to enforce this Agreement to arbitrate or any award rendered therefrom.

Price and Payment Information

Price Adjustments: The price quoted is based upon a minimum number of travelers, the content of the program as outlined in your trip letter and the date of your registration. A registrant may receive a special price by registering by the registration deadline in the trip letter. WorldStrides can only maintain the special price offered until the registration deadline, after which time price increases applicable to the upcoming season will apply. ¶ÿIn either case, the price is also subject to adjustment if the minimum enrollment is not met, if the program content changes, or in the event of circumstances beyond WorldStridesƒ°Ú direct control. These include, but are not limited to, increases in travel security charges, government imposed fees and taxes, fuel and energy costs and charges, and airline, vendor, or group imposed schedule changes or delays. If your price is guaranteed for a minimum number of participants of 34 or less, your group may be combined with other group(s) on the program. The combinations may not be of the same age level or have the same itinerary. If the Program Leader chooses not to be combined and travels with less than the minimum number of participants, an additional cost will be charged to your account.

Program Fees Not Included: WorldStridesƒ°Ú program prices do not include optional additional college credit fees (beyond those shown in your trip letter as included).

Additional Charges for Adults: Adults are automatically registered two to a room and WorldStrides charges an additional 15% of base trip price. If WorldStrides is unable to accommodate adults in a double room because of group configuration and/or hotel availability, adults are then required to pay a 30% single-room supplement of base trip price. Upon all partiesƒ°Ú approval and subject to availability, adults may share a triple room for an additional charge of 10% of base trip price. There is no surcharge (0%) for quad occupancy of a room by adults (for Florida science programs only, a 5% charge applies for adults sharing a quad room).

Payment Plan: If you register directly with WorldStrides, you will have three payment options: (1) pay in full (2) make regularly scheduled installment payments under an installment plan established by WorldStrides or (3) establish automatic payments to be charged to your checking account at a US banking institution via WorldStrides EZPay program. If you choose to follow the installment payment plan, WorldStrides charges a $6 non-refundable handling fee on each installment payment following your registration, except the initial deposit and the final payment.¶ÿ There are NO HANDLING FEES associated with payments made through the EZPay program.

Reservations are not transferable at any time. Frequent flyer miles are not available to participants. All programs must be paid in full by the final payment deadline as stated on your trip letter. Your program space is not guaranteed if you do not adhere to the terms of the required payment plan(s).

Late Registration, Late Payment, and Fees: WorldStrides charges a late registration charge, equal to the greater of 10% of the base tour price or $30, for registrations received after the final payment deadline. If you register prior to the final payment deadline as stated on your trip letter but your account is not paid in full by that date, WorldStrides charges a $60 late payment fee. The fee for any late payments made after any scheduled installment date is $15. No personal checks or business checks will be accepted after the final payment deadline. There is a $35 service charge on returned checks, declined credit cards or declined e-check. A $100 fee may apply for any correction made to your name within 75 days of the departure date. (For Costa Rica programs, a $150 fee may apply for any changes made within 105 days of departure).

Program Information Letter: Approximately two to three weeks prior to departure, you will be sent details regarding flight and hotel information, departure and return times, packing tips, drop-off/pick-up locations, etc.

Medical Insurance: ¶ÿAll participants are provided accident, illness, and accident-related dental insurance coverage (underwritten by American Income Life) up to $7,500 for accident, $1,500 for illness, and $750 for accident-related dental. Pre-existing conditions are not covered (full details are available by calling 1-800-849-4820). Any charges not covered are the responsibility of the participant. (For Costa Rica program participants only: Overseas medical, accident coverage is underwritten by Travel Guard and includes $50,000 of medical evacuation coverage. Please contact Travel Guard at 1-888-747-0252 for additional information).

Supervision/Behavior: WorldStrides, the Program Leader, and chaperones establish behavior rules and directions for all student participants. Failure to abide by the rules or directions may result in the student being sent home at the parentsƒ°Ú expense without any right to a refund. Consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages or non-prescription drugs of any kind, as well as violation of certain other rules, constitute grounds for immediate expulsion. All program participants will be responsible for their own actions at all times and Program Leaders and chaperones are responsible for the actions of all participants in their group. On occasion, program participants may be allowed by the Program Leader and with the consent of WorldStrides to leave the group and to explore on their own. WorldStrides has no responsibility for those participants when they are on their own and it is the sole responsibility of those participants to take whatever actions are necessary to rejoin the group, if that is their intent, at their own cost.

Participants understand that Program Leaders and chaperones receive support for their work through discounted travel with their group, opportunities for additional educational and professional development, the ability to provide scholarships for needy and deserving students, and/or through salary or stipends. Annual price increases may be limited by multiple-year commitments.

Young Travelers: Parent/guardian agrees that WorldStrides can use participant email and/or cell phone contact information in the context of this program. (For science programs only: Registration for children under the age of 12 is subject to individual review by WorldStrides. The decision to allow participation in a trip is at the sole discretion of WorldStrides).

Travel Documentation: Every participant must have the required documentation necessary to participate in the trip prior to the date of departure, including date of birth and necessary identification that fully matches the name provided to WorldStrides for inclusion on travel documentation and airline tickets, and must meet any other applicable compliance requirements issued by the Transportation Security Administration or related agencies.¶ÿ WorldStrides provides online and customer service means for keeping the program participantƒ°Ús information current and it is the participantƒ°Ús sole responsibility to assure that this information is fully up to date no later than 60 days prior to the groupƒ°Ús departure date.¶ÿ If changes occur after that date, the participant must contact customer service and additional change fees might apply. Visit the Transportation Security Administration website at www.tsa.gov for more information. ¶ÿ

In the case of international travel, including Costa Rica and programs originating in Mexico, the participant is additionally and solely responsible for obtaining a passport or visa in order to travel. Passports must be valid for at least six months after your return date.¶ÿ It is the responsibility of the participant to check and fully comply with the requirements for travel between the United States and the countries that you will be traveling to or through. Visit the Department of State at www.travel.state.gov for more information.

If a participant is unable to travel due to the lack of a proper identification, passport or visa, or necessary inoculations, the standard cancellation policy will apply.

Privacy: Because the nature of our business requires coordination with various providers who deliver the travel services you request, it is necessary to share some personal information that you have provided.

CANCELLATIONS

Cancellations: All cancellations must be made in writing by or on behalf of the person listed on the registration form to WorldStrides, P.O. Box 9033, Charlottesville, VA 22906-9033, must be postmarked prior to the groupƒ°Ús departure, and must include account number, registrantƒ°Ús name, and complete address. Refunds are only issued to the person listed on the account. All refunds are issued in the original payment form that was made to the account and take approximately four to six weeks to process.¶ÿ There will be no refunds for unused services or program features if program cancellation occurs more than seven days following receipt of your registration confirmation or initial payment invoice (whichever is received first).

Full Refund Program (FRP) Benefits: Within seven calendar days following receipt of your registration confirmation or initial payment invoice (whichever is first), you may cancel your WorldStrides program and receive a full refund. If you cancel beyond the seven day grace period, the Full Refund Program protects your payments and provides a refund* minus the FRP fee if you, the Program Leader, school, or schoolƒ°Ús administration need to cancel at any time prior to departure for any reason. The program also protects against loss of employment by providing a refund*, including the FRP fee, for participants who must cancel and who provide required supporting documentation at least 75 days before departure date. Participation in this program is optional. If elected the additional fee for the program will be added to the trip price on your first invoice. You may enroll in this program by indicating your preference on the front of your registration form. The FRP fee is based on the trip price stated in your trip letter.

Trip price is $149 or less	FRP fee is $19	Trip price is $1,000 to $1,199	FRP fee is $129
Trip price is $150 to $299	FRP fee is $29	Trip price is $1,200 to $1,399	FRP fee is $139
Trip price is $300 to $499	FRP fee is $69	Trip price is $1,400 to $1,599	FRP fee is $159
Trip price is $500 to $599	FRP fee is $89	Trip price is $1,600 to $1,799	FRP fee is $179
Trip price is $600 to $799	FRP fee is $99	Trip price is $1,800 to $1,999	FRP fee is $199
Trip price is $800 to $999	FRP fee is $109	Trip price is $2,000 or above	FRP fee is $219

All payments, inclusive of the FRP program fee, if elected, are due as of the final payment due date for your program. If, as of that date, the additional amount for the FRP program has not been received in full, your FRP election will be canceled. In the event that the trip is canceled as a result of or following an act of God, war (whether declared or not), terrorism, civil unrest, or in the event of WorldStridesƒ°Ú bankruptcy, insolvency, or cessation of business the Full Refund Program will not make refunds and the below stated Standard Cancellation Policy will apply.

Standard Cancellation Policy:

This policy applies to participants who choose not to be enrolled in the Full Refund Program. Within seven calendar days following receipt of your registration confirmation or initial payment invoice (whichever is received first), you may cancel your WorldStrides program and receive a full refund. Beyond the seven day grace period, if you, the Program Leader, school, or school administration cancel, WorldStrides will retain 25% of the base trip price* (minimum charge of $120 if base trip price is $400 or more) if your cancellation letter is postmarked more than 75 days prior to the groupƒ°Ús departure, 50% of the base trip price* if your cancellation letter is postmarked 45 to 74 days prior to groupƒ°Ús departure, or 100% of the base trip price* if your cancellation letter is postmarked 44 days or less prior to groupƒ°Ús departure.

For Costa Rica program participants and travelers from Mexico, the following schedule applies: For cancellations occurring within seven days following receipt of registration confirmation or initial payment invoice, you are entitled to a full refund. Beyond the seven day grace period, WorldStrides retains 25% of the base trip price* (minimum charge of $120 if the base trip price is $400 or more) for cancellation letters postmarked more than 110 days to departure, 50% of the base trip price* for cancellation letters postmarked 45-109 days prior to departure, or 100% of base trip price* for cancellation letters postmarked 44 days or less to departure. In the event that your group size falls below 10 participants and you cancel or are canceled, your entire airfare amount may become non-refundable. Should you be eligible and elect to earn college credits beyond those included in the base price of your program, if any, the fees follow separate cancellation terms and may become immediately non-refundable.

The standard cancellation policy is based on the originally scheduled trip dates. This policy does not apply in the event of WorldStridesƒ°Ú bankruptcy, insolvency, or cessation of business.

*Please Note: The non-refundable deposit, handling charges, merchandise fees, fees for returned checks, fees for declined credit cards or electronic drafts, or late payments and registration fees are not refundable.

Changes in Travel Dates: WorldStrides strives to keep your original travel dates. However, Worldstrides reserves the right to change the date of departure due to heavy demand on certain peak travel dates by no more than one or two days from the original departure date. Customer acknowledges that these changes are not grounds for cancellation without penalty or for refunds after the tour. On occasion, WorldStrides must change dates of a scheduled program by 3 days or more, if you find it necessary to cancel because your program dates are changed by WorldStrides, you will be refunded all monies minus fees for returned checks and merchandise fees if your letter of cancellation is postmarked no more than 14 days after the date change is announced to the Program Leader. Your letter must state that the date change is your reason for canceling.

Cancellation by a Supplier: ¶ÿ(For California residents only) Upon cancellation of the transportation or travel services, where you, the customer, are not at fault and have not canceled in violation of the terms and conditions, if any, of the contract for transportation or travel services, all sums paid to WorldStrides for services not received by you will be promptly refunded by WorldStrides to you unless you otherwise advise WorldStrides in writing. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the state of California. WorldStridesƒ°Ú principal office is located in Charlottesville, VA. This transaction is not covered by the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. You are not eligible to file a claim against that Fund in the event of WorldStridesƒ°Ú default. (For Washington State residents only) If transportation or other services are canceled by WorldStrides, all sums paid to WorldStrides for services not performed in accordance with the contract between WorldStrides and the consumer will be refunded within 30 days of receiving funds from the supplier with whom the services were arranged, or if the funds were not sent to the supplier, the funds shall be returned within 14 days after cancellation by WorldStrides to the consumer unless the consumer requests WorldStrides apply the money to another travel product and/or date.

USTOA Membership Means Youƒ°Úre Protected: WorldStrides, as an Active Member of USTOA, is required to post $1 million with USTOA to be used to reimburse, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program, the advance payments of WorldStridesƒ°Ú customers in the unlikely event of WorldStridesƒ°Ú bankruptcy, insolvency, or cessation of business. Further, you should understand that the $1 million posted by WorldStrides may be sufficient to provide only a partial recovery of the advance payments received by WorldStrides. Complete details of the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program may be obtained by writing to USTOA at 275 Madison Avenue, Suite 2014, New York, New York 10016, or by e-mail to information@ustoa.com or by visiting their website at www.ustoa.com.

Seller of Travel Numbers:

California Seller of Travel Registration No: 2041618-20

Lakeland Tours, LLC DBA: WorldStrides is registered with the state of Florida as a Seller of Travel - Registration No: ST24541

Hawaii TARS-5388; IA 568; and WA 601 887 646, 602 011 744.

Rev. 12/12