BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

 

In consideration of being permitted to participate in a Lois & Claire LLC trip or experience, I hereby acknowledge, and agree to the following  terms and conditions:

 

All bookings are made with Lois & Claire Travel LLC, a California limited liability company and the owner of all of its advertised itineraries (“Lois & Claire,” “we” or “us”). By booking a trip with us, paying a deposit or signing this agreement, you accept all of the terms in this agreement on your own behalf and on behalf of all persons listed on the booking, including any minor under your custody, care or control (“Minor” or “Child”) (individually, “Traveler,” and collectively, “Travelers”), and direct us to perform services for each and every Traveler. The terms and conditions set forth in this agreement constitute the entire understanding and agreement between you the Traveler (“you” or “your”) and Lois & Claire with respect to any and all bookings, reservations, trips, or transactions made with Lois & Claire.

All Travelers must be 18 years of age or older to travel with Lois & Claire Travel unless they are accompanied by an adult. 

 

I. Insurance Requirements

 

It is strongly advised that all of Lois & Claire’s travelers provide proof of current and adequate travel insurance before the trip begins. Travel insurance should cover personal injury, medical treatment, repatriation, and evacuation expenses, including helicopter rescue and air ambulance internationally. It is recommended that travel insurance also address personal property and trip cancellation coverage. Trip cancellation insurance may be the only means of receiving reimbursement for flights and other non-refundable expenses should a Lois & Claire trip be canceled for any reason, whether voluntarily by you or as a result of Lois & Claire’s actions. You are responsible for understanding the specifics of your travel insurance policy, ensuring that your policy covers all optional and included activities listed in the trip itinerary, and ensuring that there are no exclusion clauses (e.g., air delays due to mechanical issues) that would limit the coverage that you might reasonably need. If you have current health insurance coverage, check your insurance policy to see if it provides the coverage described above while traveling outside your country. It is your responsibility to verify your insurance policy details with your insurance provider to ensure Lois & Claire’s requirements are satisfied.

 

 

II. Deposits, Payments, Refunds, and Cancellations

 

 

Bookings may be made through our online booking system or through us directly. The deposit and payment schedule for our various trips appears below. Review the deposit and payment schedules carefully, as they vary depending on the type of trip, e.g., private versus non-private trips and multi-day versus single day trips. Note that a booking is not accepted and there is no contract between us until we confirm your booking in writing.

 

 

The following are specifically excluded from the Program rates and are the sole responsibility of each Traveler: Airfare, costs of obtaining passports; visas; excess baggage charges; items of purely personal nature, such as drinks, laundry, communication (calls, faxes, emails etc.); international airport departure tax (to be paid in US dollars or acceptable foreign currencies); excursions or deviations from any trip itinerary.

 

 

Cancellations

 

Regarding cancellations, any cancellations by you will result in the loss of your deposit and other monies paid to us for your trip. For this reason, we strongly recommend you have comprehensive travel insurance for every traveler within your group that includes cancellation coverage so everyone is protected financially in case anything comes up that prevents them from joining the trip. More information about our cancellation policy appears below, which we urge you to read carefully.

 

Flights

We ask that you wait until you get confirmation from us in the form of an email with the subject “It is time to book your flight” before you book your flight.  For each trip, we have a set number of people required in order for the trip to go. This ensures you will not book your flight and the trip will be canceled.

 

Single Day Trips

a) For single-day (i.e., “Local LA Experiences”) excursions, all payment is due at the time of booking. If you cancel after booking, Lois & Claire does not offer refunds on single-day trips.

 

If Lois & Claire is forced to significantly alter or cancel your trip, we will let you know as soon as possible. In these circumstances, you can choose one of the following options:

 

i. Accept Lois & Claire’s offer of a comparable replacement trip (offered at Lois & Claire’s sole discretion and subject to availability), or

ii. Receive a refund of all monies paid.

 

When accepting an offer for a replacement trip:

 

i. If the cost is lower than the price of your original trip, you will receive a refund for the difference in cost.

ii. If the cost of the replacement trip is equivalent to or higher than your original trip, you owe nothing. 

 

Multi-day Small Group Trips

a) If booking a multi-day trip more than 25 days before the departure date, a deposit totaling 50% of the trip cost is due to confirm your space. The remaining balance is due no later than 25 days before the departure date. If your booking is made within 25 days or less before the trip departure date, the entire trip cost must be paid at the time of confirmation.

 

b) Cancellations

 

i. Any cancellations by you will result in the loss of all monies collected from you. For this reason, we strongly recommend you have comprehensive travel insurance that includes cancellation coverage so you are protected financially in case anything comes up that prevents you from joining your trip.

 

ii. Total balance due 25 days before the departure date or your booking will be canceled, resulting in the loss of all money collected.

 

iii. If Lois & Claire is forced to significantly alter or cancel your trip, we will let you know as soon as possible. In these circumstances, you can choose one of the following options:

 

1) Accept Lois & Claire’s offer of a comparable replacement trip (offered at Lois & Claire’s sole discretion and subject to availability), or

2) Receive a refund of all monies paid.

3) When accepting an offer for a replacement trip:

i. If the cost is lower than the price of your original trip, you will receive a refund for the difference in cost.

ii. If the cost of the replacement trip is equivalent to or higher than your original trip, you owe nothing. 

 

Private Multi-day Trips

a) If booking a private multi-day trip more than 60 days from the departure date, a deposit totaling 40% of the trip cost is due to confirm your space. The remaining balance is due no later than 60 days before the departure date. If your booking is made within 60 days or less before the trip departure date, the entire trip cost must be paid at the time of confirmation.

b) Cancellations

 

i. If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due when we receive notice of your cancellation:

• 61+ days prior to departure: 50% of the total trip cost is non-refundable

• 31 to 60 days prior to departure: 50% of the total trip cost is non-refundable

• 0 to 30 days prior to departure: 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable

 

ii. If you do not pay the balance of your trip 60 days prior to the departure date, your booking will be canceled, resulting in the loss of all money collected.

 

iii. If Lois & Claire is forced to significantly alter or cancel your trip, we will let you know as soon as possible. In these circumstances, you can choose one of the following options:

 

1) Accept Lois & Claire’s offer of a comparable replacement trip (offered at Lois & Claire’s sole discretion and subject to availability), or

2) Receive a refund of all monies paid.

2) When accepting an offer for a replacement trip:

i. If the cost is lower than the price of your original trip, you will receive a refund for the difference in cost.

ii. If the cost of the replacement trip is equivalent to or higher than your original trip, you owe nothing. 

 

Specialized and Chartered Trips

A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required to confirm all specialized, private, or chartered trips. This payment is used to secure your vehicle, trip guide, and any reservations needed to fulfill the trip. The final balance is due 60 days prior to the departure date. Requests for specialized, private or chartered group trips made less than 60 days before the departure date must pay the entire cost of the trip at the time of confirmation.

 

Form of Payment:

Prices are in US dollars, and all payments must be made in US dollars.

 

Cancellation Process:

To cancel your booking, you must send written notice to us by email at info@loisandclaire.com. Cancellation fees will be applied per person according to the schedule set forth in this section, based on the date we receive your written notification, not when you send the email.

 

Unused Portion of Trip (no refunds):

No refunds will be provided for any unused portion of a trip once the trip begins, including but not limited to: if you leave a trip for any reason, miss the trip’s departure date or an activity, or have to be removed from a trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation and refund policy, including for reasons related to weather, civil strife, personal, family or medical emergencies or any other circumstances beyond our control. For this reason, we highly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

 

III. Changes by You

 

Change requests to our itineraries can be very disruptive. If you request to change your trip dates or alter your itinerary after we confirm your booking but before your trip’s departure date, we will consider whether we can reasonably accommodate your request without any disruption to the trip. If we are able to make such changes, a change fee may be applied. (There is no change fee for transfers to replacements trips described in the preceding section.) The type and scope of change will dictate the amount of the change fee and such fees can be substantial. Our outside suppliers, including hotels, often impose additional fees or penalties for changes and cancellations. It is in our sole discretion whether to accept a change request.

 

IV. Alterations or Cancellation by You After Commencement of Travel

 

We will forward any alteration that you request after your trip has commenced to our independent suppliers.  We will work with them to try and accommodate reasonable requests but cannot guarantee that any changes will be possible after your trip has commenced. Changes after departure can create severe complications. In the event you request a change, you will be liable for any cancellation charges and change fees that may be imposed for the booking of revised arrangements and for all costs associated with the arrangements themselves. It is in our sole discretion whether to accept a change request.

 

V. Cancellations or Changes by Us and Flexibility

 

We reserve the right to cancel, alter or modify any trip without prior notice for any reason, including but not limited to for the safety and/or comfort of clients and for circumstances of Force Majeure, which is defined in this agreement below. This includes the right to replace or substitute guides and accommodations in the trip materials, modify the order in which places are to be visited, and make other changes in the itinerary. You acknowledge that the amenities, accommodations, transportation, route, schedule, and itinerary may change without prior notice due to local circumstances or events, which may include mechanical breakdown, flight cancellations, illness, strikes, political disputes, weather, border crossing problems, and other unforeseeable factors. If prior to departure, we make a significant change because of a problem with a supplier (e.g., bankruptcy), we will, as soon as reasonably possible, notify you of available alternatives.

 

If we must cancel a trip due to insufficient enrollment, all trip members will be notified a minimum of 60 days before the trip departs and will receive a full refund of payments made to Lois & Claire.

 

Any changes may require a supplemental payment from you or result in a partial or full refund. A supplemental payment is a rare situation; however, such a payment may arise due to unexpected events (e.g., an increase in government fees). We typically try to absorb any increased fees as a result of a change by us under this section. If we cannot absorb the extra cost, we will give you advance notice in the rare event that a change by us would require a supplemental payment. A refund under this section will constitute a full settlement of claims you may have arising out of our cancellation. Unless doing so would create an unstable financial situation for Lois & Claire, we will refund any deposits already paid in the event of a cancellation due to Force Majeure less any non-refundable deposits paid to our third-party suppliers. We will work with our suppliers to try and obtain any non-refundable deposits so that we can give you a full refund. We cannot guarantee such a result, though.

 

VI. Denial of Participation

 

Lois & Claire reserves the right to deny participation in the trip to any Traveler that Lois & Claire, in its sole discretion, judges to be incapable of meeting the rigors and requirements of the trip activities, or whose actions or deportment it judges unsuitable for group travel. During the trip, Lois & Claire has the right in its sole discretion to remove anyone whom it determines to detract from others’ enjoyment of the trip. The decision of the guide, host or local supplier is final on all matters that may threaten the safety or interfere with the well-being of others. Any costs resulting from being removed from a trip or being declined participation in a trip is at your expense.

 

VII. Force Majeure

 

We will not be deemed in breach of this agreement or otherwise liable to you, by reason of delay in performance or nonperformance of any of our obligations under this agreement to the extent that any such delay or nonperformance is due to any Force Majeure. ” Force Majeure means any circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including without limitation acts of nature, terrorist activities, insurrection, explosion, flood, tempest, forceful wind, fire or accident, war or threat of war declared or undeclared, sabotage, civil disturbance, labor strikes, requisition, sickness, quarantine, government intervention, weather conditions, and unforeseen circumstances. If we and any of our suppliers are affected by Force Majeure, we and our suppliers shall be entitled to, and may in our sole discretion, vary or cancel any itinerary or arrangement in relation to the trip. Regarding civil unrest, once we have investigated the prevailing situation, as we deem fit, it shall remain in our sole and absolute discretion whether to proceed with the trip.

 

VIII. Optional Activities

 

During any Lois & Claire trip, there may be opportunities to participate in activities or local events, which are not included in Lois & Claire’s packaged trip. Lois & Claire makes no representations about the safety or quality of these activities and events or the standard of the independent operator running it. Activities may include, but are not limited to, vehicle/boat/aircraft trips, walking or guided trips, surfing, fishing, hiking, swimming, zip-lining, and parasailing. Events may include but are not limited to, local festivals, concerts, and organized events. You understand and agree that any assistance given by Lois & Claire’s trip leader or staff to help arrange these optional activities is done in good faith and without any representations or warranties of any kind. Lois & Claire does not sponsor or endorse these activities or events, nor can Lois & Claire be held liable for any injury or illness resulting from your participation. If you decide to participate in these events, you do so voluntarily and should take precautions to ensure your own safety and you will arrange for payment directly with the supplier or independent operators of such activities, event or service.

 

IX. Discounts and Promotions

 

All discounts and reduced pricing are offered and or applied at Lois & Claire’s sole discretion. From time-to-time, Lois & Claire may offer reduced pricing on selected trips. The reduced pricing applies strictly to new bookings only. Bookings for which the Traveler has already paid a deposit are locked into their original price and are not entitled to the reduced pricing.

X. Pre-Departure Documentation

It is important that you carefully read all trip-related documents that you receive from us as soon as you receive them. It is your responsibility to contact us if any information is incorrect. We are not responsible for any errors in documentation if you fail to notify us of any inaccuracies within 45 days of your receipt of those documents. This agreement, our liability waiver, and, if required, a medical statement or certification must be signed and submitted by you in order to travel with us. If we do not receive these signed documents from you prior to departure, we reserve the right to treat your booking as canceled by you and impose the cancellation fees described in this agreement.

 

XI. Passports and Visas

 

You are responsible for ensuring that all necessary travel documents are valid and effective and in your possession for the entire trip. Valid passports are required for travel to most destinations. Please check with the appropriate consulate or embassy for the latest entry requirements. You assume complete and full responsibility for, and hereby release Lois & Claire from any duty of, checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements of each destination, and all safety or security conditions at such destinations. Any information provided to you is merely provided as a courtesy and it is your sole responsibility to ensure you have met all travel requirements for each destination in your itinerary.

 

Lois & Claire is not responsible for delays, changes, or cancellation costs due to incorrect, incomplete or expired traveler documents. In the event that you must cancel, delay or reschedule your trip due to expired or missing travel documentation, you are responsible for all associated costs to rectify the situation. If you are unable to join your trip, you will not be reimbursed or refunded any amounts as per the cancellation terms listed in this document. 

 

XII. Health and Medical

 

You represent that neither you nor the Child (if applicable) does not have any condition, physical or mental, that would create a hazard for you or other Travelers or affect other people’s enjoyment of the trip. If you have a physical condition, dietary restrictions, or other conditions (pre-existing medical) that will require special attention during the trip, you must inform us in writing when the booking is made. We may require a medical certificate stating that you are medically cleared for the destination(s) and/or that you are able to participate in all aspects of your trip itinerary.

 

Lois & Claire strongly recommends that you check with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or similar entity in your country, for up-to-date, destination-specific information related to food and water safety, infectious diseases, and other concerns. At your own cost and expense, you will meet with your doctor at least 8 weeks prior to your trip departure and obtain any and all vaccinations, inoculations, or prescribed medications as directed by your doctor and/or travel clinic for the areas visited, and provide written documentation thereof upon request and as needed for travel documentation.

 

In the event any medical care is administered to you during the Program, Lois & Claire assumes no responsibility for any such medical care provided to you. You are solely responsible for any and all costs of medical care and related transportation, if any, that are provided to you during the Program. 

 

Lois & Claire does not tolerate drug use of any kind during our Programs and strongly encourages responsible alcohol consumption. This policy is in place for your safety and those traveling with you. Lois & Claire reserves the right, at your sole expense, to deny participation in an activity or in the remainder of any trip itinerary if you illegally use drugs, alcohol or other banned substances during a Program. We want you to have fun and encourage you to take advantage of the local culture, but Lois & Claire emphasizes safety as a top priority.

 

XIII. Baggage

 

Lois & Claire is not responsible for and you are solely responsible for securing or protecting your baggage or belongings at any time during any trip.

 

XIV. Photography and Images Release

 

You acknowledge that the designated media creator(s) on your Program if any, (“Media Creator”) will own the rights to the images, photos and videos, and any other copyrightable content that he or she takes or creates during your Program (“Images”). You acknowledge that because the Media Creator will own the rights to the Images that the Media Creator creates during your trip, you cannot sell, transfer, assign, otherwise reproduce any of the Images that the Media Creator creates or shares with you or use it commercially. You hereby agree to use any such Images for personal use only and will credit the Media Creator by including his or her name and a notation that the content is his or her copyrighted content.

 

You also acknowledge and agree that Lois & Claire, your trip host or other parties, including but not limited to the Media Creator, Third Party Suppliers, and other Travelers, may take or create images, photos, sound recordings and videos in any format that may feature you or that may contain your name, likeness, identity, photographic image, videographic image or oral or recorded statements (collectively, “Trip Images of You”).

 

You hereby grant Lois & Claire, including the Media Creator and others Lois & Claire may authorize (including but not limited to Lois & Claire’s licensees, partners or Third Party Suppliers), a worldwide, royalty-free and free of charge, perpetual license to use, re-use, distribute, display, create derivative works of, and reproduce the Images and the Trip Images of You as well as any images, photos, or videos that you provide to us (whether directly or through a photo-sharing service) (collectively, “Your Images”) in any medium or format now in existence or hereafter developed (including but not limited to print, digital and electronic media), for any purpose at any time,  including to promote and publicize Lois & Claire’s travel products and services worldwide.

 

Notwithstanding the above, we, the Media Creator and our Third-Party Suppliers agree not to sell or give permission to Third Parties to sell or license the Images or the Trip Images of You for commercial or merchandising purposes, other than as set forth in this agreement, without your prior written consent.

 

XVI. Complaints and Claims

 

If you have any issues or questions during your trip, promptly notify us or your host or guide so that we can try to address them.

After completion of your trip, if you wish to make a claim, submit a complaint, or request reimbursement for any reason, you must do so email within 30 days after the trip’s completion. Any and all supporting documentation to the claim or complaint must accompany the email. Any claim or complaint received by Lois & Claire after this deadline will not be accepted or reviewed. Send emails to us at info@loisandclaire.com.

 

XVII. Limits on Responsibility

 

At no point, and under no circumstances, is Lois & Claire responsible for payments or costs relating to external services such as flights, accommodations, services, car service, or any other part of travel that was booked and paid for externally to Lois & Claire. Lois & Claire is not obligated to alter any trip itinerary or suspend a trip’s commencement for any reason that prevents you from joining a trip as planned.

 

XVIII. Travel Advisories & Warnings

 

You must conduct your own research and become informed about the destinations in your trip itinerary, including knowledge about any travel advisories and warnings issued by government authorities in your country. In the U.S., you must consult the U.S. State Department’s website at www.travel.state.gov or contact them by phone at the number specified on their website. You are responsible for protecting your own well-being and personal property before, during, and after your Lois & Claire trip. This includes ensuring any and all vaccinations, inoculations, or prescribed medications are taken as directed by your local doctor and/or travel clinic for the areas visited.

 

XIX. Personal Responsibility

 

You are responsible for purchasing the style of trip that fits your desired comfort level and participating in activities that are suitable for your fitness level and capabilities. By making a booking, you acknowledge that Lois & Claire’s trips are adventurous by nature and may involve a personal risk.

 

XX. Seat Belt Policy

 

To ensure the safety of our Travelers and local hosts and guides, Lois & Claire Travel recommends that everyone stay seated and wear their seatbelts at all times while riding in any vehicle that is in motion. This recommendation is not only for your safety but also for the safety of everyone else in the vehicle. It is noted that some vehicles internationally may not be equipped with these restraints as accepted by local laws. Lois & Claire and our transportation suppliers remain focused on protecting your safety, but they cannot be expected to constantly check to make sure everyone is buckled prior to moving a vehicle. Therefore, it is your responsibility to remain seated and wear your seatbelt properly and at all times while the vehicle is in motion.

 

XXI. Cultural Differences and Drug Policy

 

It is acknowledged and understood that traveling to international destinations will expose travelers to unique situations and experiences that are different from those you are familiar with in your home country. These differences enhance the experience of your trip and typically involve cultural and social aspects of the region, such as food, drink, attire, and local laws. Lois & Claire and your guide or host will discuss these differences during your trip, but you also have a responsibility to perform your own research and act responsibly while traveling. Lois & Claire does not tolerate drug use of any kind during our trips and strongly encourages responsible alcohol consumption. This policy is in place for your safety and those traveling with you. We want you to have fun and encourage you to take advantage of the local culture, but Lois & Claire emphasizes safety as a top priority.

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XXII. Applicable Law, Choice of Forum, and Severability

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You agree that this agreement shall be interpreted according to the laws of the District of Columbia in the United States. Jurisdiction over any dispute arising out of, in connection with, or relating to this agreement and/or the transactions and relationships among the parties contemplated by this agreement shall be filed exclusively in federal or superior court in the District of Columbia. You agree to personal jurisdiction in the specified forum. If any portion of this agreement is determined by a court to be null and void, the remaining portions of this agreement shall nevertheless remain valid and binding upon the parties. You also agree that this agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted under applicable law. You agree that if any portion of this agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

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XXIII. Limitation of Remedies

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You agree that the sole remedy for any default by Lois & Claire arising under this agreement shall be the return of the paid trip cost, to the extent consistent with applicable law. To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, Lois & Claire shall not be liable for any special, consequential, indirect, incidental or other damages arising out of or in any way connected to this agreement, including lost profits, whether such damages arise in contract, negligence, tort, under statute, in equity, at law, or otherwise, even if Lois & Claire has been advised of the possibility of such damages. You expressly waive any right you may have to recover such damages.

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XXIV. Merger

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This agreement is the final, complete and exclusive statement of the parties’ agreement on the matters contained in this agreement. It supersedes all previous negotiations and conditions that apply to the trip and services provided by Lois & Claire.​

 

Email: infot@loisandclaire.com