Terms & Conditions
Handa Travel Student Trip Ltd. [S-Trip!] is a Retail Travel Agency licensed in the Province of Ontario [Travel Industry Council of Ontario Registration Number: 50015962], British Columbia [Consumer Protection BC License Number: 45830] and an authorized seller of travel in Washington State [UBI: 603042481], operating in accordance with the Ontario Travel Industry Act and the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority Act. S-Trip! makes arrangements with suppliers who provide travel services such as air travel, cruises, hotels, buses, sightseeing, car rental or other activities included in, or offered in addition to, a tour package. S-Trip! does not control, operate, own or manage any vehicle, hotel, resort, cruise ship, restaurant or other supplier of services.
Price, Taxes & Fees
Prices are per person in Canadian or US Dollars [as stated] and are subject to availability at the time of booking. A non-refundable travel counseling fee is included in the package price. The prices advertised are based on fixed costs of suppliers at the time of booking. These costs are dependant on fuel costs, rate of exchange and other factors and the price may increase due to a change in these fixed costs. If the price increase is greater than 7%, unless the increase is a result of an increase in retail sales tax or federal goods and services tax, the passenger has the right to cancel and obtain a full refund.
Billing & Payments
You agree to provide S-Trip! with complete and accurate billing information at the time your account is created and to update this information within 15 days of any change. Such billing information includes, without limitation, your legal name, mailing address, and telephone number(s) and any applicable e-mail addresses. Providing false billing information shall be cause for immediate and permanent termination of your reservation.
Payment Due Dates
All of our trips are broken into easy-to-pay monthly installments with the balance payment due three months before the departure date. Registered passengers can find their specific payment schedule under the Payment Info tab of My Profile. Please keep in mind that your deposit confirms your registration, but you need to follow the payment schedule in order to guarantee your spot on the trip.
Payment for Services Received
You agree to pay for all of services you receive.
Data Privacy Policy
S-Trip! agrees not to use cardholder names, account numbers or other credit card transaction information embossed, encoded, or appearing in any other manner on a card for any purpose other than for the sole purpose of assisting S-Trip! in completing the transaction, or as specifically required by law. S-Trip! also agrees not to disclose or remit cardholder names, account numbers or other credit card transaction information embossed, encoded, or appearing in any other manner on a card or any other document or form evidencing such information to any third party other than the financial institution or its designated agent.
Payment Methods
Credit Card: If the payment method is credit card, the customer may obtain a copy of the invoice upon request via e-mail and it will be sent to the address listed on the e-mail account. A copy of this invoice will also be sent to any email address on file, following any previous payment made. S-Trip!’s system will automatically charge your credit card for the payment. If for any reason your credit card company or bank refuses to make payment of the amount billed to your credit card, your account will be placed in a delinquent status, which may, at S-Trip!’s sole discretion, include immediate termination of your reservation. It is your responsibility to contact S-Trip! with updated information and payment arrangements if you cancel the applicable credit card. Interac: If the payment method is interac you must log-on to your online portal and make payment prior to the payment due date. If you will miss a payment date it is your responsibility to contact S-Trip! and advise of the situation. S-Trip! reserves the right to cancel the reservation if a payment is not made. You are responsible for payment for the Services regardless of if you receive an invoice. Cash is not an acceptable form of payment and will not be accepted.
Delinquent or Non Payment
S-Trip! reserves the right to cancel and remove an account without notice those that are delinquent by more than 15 days and they may be purged from the system without notice and without recourse to the account holder for any lost files or data stored on S-Trip!’s systems. S-Trip! reserves the right to charge a $75 fee to reinstate cancelled reservations.
Cancellation of Services
All cancellation requests for S-Trip! accounts must be given in writing to info@s-trip.com, or must be in writing via Canadian or US mail to be effective. If your payment is set up via credit card it is your responsibility to assure that such charges or withdrawals are stopped upon termination of service as S-Trip!’s responsibility for any such charges collected after the alleged termination of service shall be limited to the Cancellation and Trip Credit Policy made after the written cancellation of your account. Cancellations will be effective as of the end of date received.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
The initial deposit is non-refundable. Within 90 days of the departure date all monies received are non-refundable. In the event of a trip cancellation more than 90 days prior to departure, passengers will receive Trip Dollars for the amount paid above the initial deposit. 1 Trip Dollar is equivalent to $1 that may be used towards a trip with S-Trip!. Trip Dollars are valid for 5 years from the date of cancellation. The initial trip deposit, insurance and any add-ons purchased, as well as any portion of the travel services that have been used or are expired, are non-refundable. Trip Dollars must be used in entirety for one trip – they cannot be combined, separated, or transferred between trips or passengers. Trip Dollars can only be used by the passenger who received the Trip Dollars, they are not transferable.
No credit or refund will be assigned if the Trip Dollars exceeds the per person cost of the new trip. Meaning, if the new trip costs less than the passenger’s Trip Dollars, there will be no refund or credit assigned for the difference. If the total cost of new trip exceeds the total Trip Dollars, the difference must be paid by the passenger in order to confirm the booking. If the passenger cancels for a second time, maximum 90 days prior to departure, after using the Trip Dollars to confirm the second trip booking, the original Trip Dollars will be rendered void. The passenger will be issued new Trip Dollars for the amount exceeding the initial deposit. Trip Dollars hold no cash value, and cannot be refunded for cash.
Trip Dollars can only be used for S-Trip! vacation packages (Busaway, Ski Trip, Spring Break, Ride Project, Surfari, Volunteer, Euro Adventure, EDGE Academy). Trip Dollars may not be used in conjunction with some promotion offers, special trips or discounts.
Change of Name
A name change is possible at the discretion of our suppliers. The responsibility to find a suitable new passenger is yours alone. Any refund of payment for a passenger who has completed a name change form would not be made until the new passenger has made full payment. To request a name change your account must be current and up to date. You cannot do a name change with an existing passenger. Please request a name change form from info@s-trip.com or by calling 1 866 627 8747. Name changes before the final payment date of your trip incur a $75 fee for bus trips and a $150 fee for flight trips. Name changes after the final payment date of your trip but more than 60 days prior to departure incur a fee of $150 for bus trips and $300 for flight trips. Name changes within 60 to 30 days of departure incur a fee of $150 for bus trips and $500 for flight trips. Within 30 days prior to departure name changes are not accepted.
Suppliers
We take great care in selecting our tour operators and suppliers of service, [tour operators, airlines, hotels, coach companies, ground operators and event planners] which together form the tour package you purchase. We act solely as agents for the tour operators and/or the suppliers; these are independent parties over which we exercise no direct control. S-Trip! shall not be liable for any claims, losses, damages, costs, expenses, delays or loss of enjoyment of any nature or kind whatsoever, to you or your traveling companions or group members, resulting from the acts, omissions or negligence by the tour operators or suppliers.
Flight Tour Packages
Tour Packages include the following [unless otherwise stated]: Return Airfare, 7 nights Accommodation [inclusions as stated], Hotel Transfers, Assistance at Destination, Medical Insurance Package from RBC Insurance for Canadians or TravelProtector Basic Insurance Package from RBC Insurance for Americans. Departures may be anytime from Wednesday to Tuesday of the week selected. S-Trip! and suppliers reserve the right to cancel a tour or modify the travel service you have purchased by changing the destination, substituting services, varying the itinerary, changing the aircraft, hotel or otherwise up to the departure. In this case a comparable or superior product will be offered. Suppliers may have the right to substitute other suppliers in their place with or without notice to S-Trip! and/or passengers. S-Trip! will make every effort to accommodate passengers should a service be substituted, however, S-Trip! does not assume responsibility for any claims whatsoever resulting from such substitution. S-Trip! reserves the right to change the destination, tour package and/or itinerary whenever, in its judgement, conditions warrant, or if deemed necessary for the convenience, comfort or safety of the tour.
Air Transportation
S-Trip! uses both scheduled and chartered air carriers. The routing may include a stopover or a connection via highway coach or air carrier. In some cases overnight stays in a city that is not your final destination may be required. In this case S-Trip! will provide overnight accommodation as part of the package price. Baggage allowances vary and should be verified with the air carrier. Airline tickets state the conditions of carriage and liabilities. Scheduled flight times are not guaranteed, as flight delays and rescheduling are an inherent risk with air travel, and may affect the duration of your stay at destination. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to reconfirm inbound and outbound flight times with the respective carrier. Flight delays, missed night accommodations and/or flight connections and expenses incurred due to delays or missed connections are beyond the control and responsibility of S-Trip!. The passenger is responsible for any special connecting travel arrangements which might have been purchased and which cannot be changed without penalty.
Bus Tour Packages
Unless otherwise stated tour packages include: Round Trip Motor Coach Transportation, Hotel Accommodation [number of nights as stated], Daily Schedule of Events & Activities, Additional Inclusions if applicable [as stated], Hotel Security and 24 Hour Staff On-Site. S-Trip! and suppliers reserve the right to cancel a tour or modify the travel service you have purchased by substituting services, varying the itinerary, changing the type of transportation, hotel or otherwise up to the departure. In this case a comparable or superior product will be offered. Suppliers may have the right to substitute other suppliers in their place with or without notice to S-Trip! and/or passengers. S-Trip! will make every effort to accommodate passengers should a service be substituted, however, S-Trip! does not assume responsibility for any claims whatsoever resulting from such substitution. S-Trip! reserves the right to change the tour package and/or itinerary whenever, in its judgement, conditions warrant, or if deemed necessary for the convenience, comfort or safety of the tour.
Accommodation
The hotel accommodation selected is your preferred selection and may be substituted or modified for a hotel within the same category, or from a higher category, at any time. Reasons for a modification in hotel accommodation may include, but are not limited to: construction, change in hotel policy, change in services standards or overbooking. Hotel rooms are based on Run-of-the-House room availability. Cots may be available at an extra cost but can not be guaranteed. S-Trip! does not hold responsibility for charges incurred by passengers in the hotel such as, but not limited to: mini-bar, room service, phone calls, safety deposit boxes or damage to the room. Hotels require a security deposit of up to $100.00 CAD or USD, payable upon check-in, that is reimbursable upon check-out provided there is no damage to the room or property. On certain tours the option to purchase room damage protection is available. Certain hotels have a per diem charge for the use of safety deposit boxes. Regardless of your arrival or departure time, most hotels require departing guests to vacate rooms by 12pm [noon] and only guarantee arriving guests check-in at 3pm. Although hotels do their best to minimize inconvenience, passengers may be without a room for a period of time. For evening or overnight flights, special arrangements may be made for a limited number of courtesy rooms where personal belongings may be left and bathroom facilities are available. For all-inclusive packages, drink and meal privilege may end upon check-out. S-Trip! does not assume responsibility for any loss or damage whatsoever occurring at the hotel.
Rooming
Roommate selection is the preferred choice of the passenger and/or parent if applicable and may not always be available. Pricing is based on quad occupancy [or triple occupancy for certain destinations and hotels]. Lower occupancies [single, double or triple] are available at an additional cost on a request basis only and are not guaranteed. The cost associated with an occupancy change is the responsibility of the passenger. Lower occupancy rooms may not be available due to hotel space limitation. S-Trip! reserves the right to adjust rooming occupancy to maintain a group reservation being held together.
Living Standards
Living standards and practices at the destination and the standards and conditions there with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodation may differ from those found in Canada and the United States of America.
Insurance
S-Trip! recommends ensuring your safety and protecting your investment through the purchase of trip cancellation and interruption, and medical insurance. For Canadians the Youth and Student Comprehensive Package from RBC Insurance which includes limited trip cancellation and interruption insurance is highly recommended. For Americans the TravelProtector Preferred package includes limited trip cancellation and interruption and increased additional coverages and is highly recommended. The RBC Travel Insurance Policy Brochure is available from S-Trip! www.s-trip.com/forms.html or RBC Travel Insurance. Insurance is only included in the price of your package if stated. The cost of insurance is non refundable if you cancel your trip. Insurance is only in effect from the date it is paid and added to your trip.
Documentation
S-Trip! requires that every passenger have a valid Canadian passport. Most destinations require a valid Canadian passport for travel and in certain cases a visa or affidavit may be required. Please verify with the consulate or embassy of the country of travel to ensure that you have all necessary travel documents. Please note that entry to another country may be refused even if the required information and travel documents are complete. S-Trip! will neither reimburse nor assume responsibility for any passenger denied boarding, for any reason, or refused passage or entrance to any destination. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to ensure proper and valid documentation.
Age of Majority
Tours are not school-sanctioned. Passengers under the age of eighteen [18] participating on a tour package must have permission from a parent or guardian. The legal age to consume alcohol at most destinations is eighteen [18]. S-Trip! does not condone the use of alcohol. Neither S-Trip! nor its suppliers assume responsibility for the enforcement of alcohol consumption by passengers. Abuse of alcohol can result in dismissal from the tour.
Passenger Conduct
Every passenger and if under the age of eighteen [18] a parent or guardian must sign the Letter of Conduct agreeing to the tour rules. The Letter of Conduct is available from S-Trip! or at www.s-trip.com/forms.html. The instructions of destination staff are for the safety of the tour and must be obeyed at all times. Failure to obey instructions can result in dismissal from the tour. Fighting will not be tolerated, anyone involved in fighting will be dismissed from the tour. Abuse of alcohol, regardless of age, can result in dismissal from the tour. Use of illegal drugs will result in dismissal from the tour. Neither S-Trip! nor its employees are responsible for passengers, or their actions, while travelling. Passengers should be aware that there may be different rules of law and/or living standards and conditions outside of their home province or state and Canada or the United States and conduct themselves accordingly. S-Trip! shall not be responsible for any damage, loss, injury or inconvenience resulting from different rules of law and/or living standards or any such changes and variations.
Release, Waiver and Indemnity
The passenger, and if under eighteen [18] the parent/guardian, releases and indemnifies Handa Travel Student Trip Ltd., its employees, agents, volunteers and other representatives from all cost, damage, loss and injury or loss of life related to the tour package or any activity associated with the tour package.
Force Majeure
S-Trip shall not be liable for any claims, losses, damages, costs, expenses, delays or loss of enjoyment, of any nature or kind whatsoever, to you or your travelling companions or group members resulting from a Force Majeure, that is an event beyond our or a supplier’s reasonable control including, but not limited to, acts of nature, strikes, lockouts or other labour disputes or disruptions, wars, blockades, insurrections, riots, earthquakes, weather conditions, floods or acts or restraints imposed by government authorities.
At destination passengers should contact their tour representative and representatives of suppliers immediately for assistance to remedy any problem without delay. If a problem cannot be solved please forward the specifics of the incident in writing to S-Trip! within ten [10] days after return to the point of departure. Failing to do so will preclude a passenger from pursuing a claim.
Privacy
By registering I understand and acknowledge that S-Trip! may share this personal information with companies providing travel services including, but not limited to tour operators, airlines and hotels, and with other non-travel related companies, unless I provide a written request stating otherwise. I understand and acknowledge that any photographs or videotape taken of passengers by S-Trip! or its affiliates shall remain the property of S-Trip! and may be used for promotional or marketing purposes without further permission or compensation.
Laws
The ‘Passengers Terms & Conditions’ constitute a legally binding agreement between S-Trip! and the passenger and/or the legal parent or guardian. This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario. Legal action against S-Trip! shall be heard before a court in the Province of Ontario.
