Terms & Conditions
Please read each statement –by giving your credit card or making payment for your travel arrangements, you agree, understand and accept the following terms and conditions:
******
I understand that Travel Designed by Stephanie is not the source or supplier of the travel services I have requested, and acts solely as an agent for the actual suppliers of such services. I agree not to hold Travel Designed by Stephanie responsible should any of these suppliers: 1) fail to provide the travel services I have purchased; 2) fail to comply with any applicable law; or 3) engage in any negligent act or omission that causes me any sort of injury, damage, delay or inconvenience.
I accept that Travel Designed by Stephanie is not responsible for, nor will I attempt to hold it liable for, any injury, damage or loss I may suffer on account of any conditions, actions or omissions that are beyond its reasonable control.
I have authorized Travel Designed by Stephanie to charge my credit card or debit card for my travel arrangements as invoiced.
I have reviewed my invoice and everything is correct.
******
I choose to accept the vendor insurance and I agree to the terms of coverage as stated in the brochure.
In the event of a price reduction or claim the savings, I understand and agree a minimum 10% agency service fee (based on the amount of the savings and commission lost) will be added to my booking.
OR
I have chosen to accept Travel Guard for my travel insurance and I have received a copy of my policy with it’s coverages and terms. If purchased within 14 days of trip deposit, pre-existing conditions will be covered.
******
I will review my invoice and travel documents for accuracy upon receipt and understand that I must contact Travel Designed by Stephanie immediately if there are any discrepancies or if I have any questions. I understand that discounted fares typically involve restrictions and that changing any aspect of my travel arrangements may result in the payment of additional money.
******
I have been advised to use a credit card as this may offer me the opportunity to dispute the charge should a vendor cease operating. I understand that by paying for my travel arrangements with a check, cash, or debit card, I may risk losing these payments in the event of a travel supplier default.
I understand that Travel Designed by Stephanie will not provide any reimbursement or travel credit in the event of any supplier default.
******
I understand that if traveling internationally, I must have a valid passport and depending upon my destination and nationality, I may need to obtain one or more visas. The passport must not expire less than six months before returning to the United States.
I have provided my Travel Counselor with my legal name as it appears on my government-issued I.D. or on my passport, if I am leaving the country.
I have chosen to purchase vendor air for the protection it provides and understand that the vendor reserves the right to choose the airline, schedule and routing.
******
It is my responsibility to check the vendor website for their respective terms and conditions and to share them and these terms and conditions with all traveling with me.
When booking your Apple Vacations travel with Travel Designed by Stephanie and a payment is made on your travel package you and your travel companions accept the following terms of our Apple Vacations Fair Trade Contract.
Apple Vacations Fair Trade Contract
If you cancel for any reason within 30 days of departure and have not purchased Apple Vacations’ AV-OK Total Vacation Security Plan you will be subject to 100% cancellation penalty. Cancellations 44-31 days will be subject to a $125 per person penalty and outside of 45 days there is a $45 per person penalty. For land only and scheduled air packages the cancellation penalty is a $45 Apple Fee plus applicable hotel and airline penalties. When a cancellation is made during a penalty period and you purchase the AV-OK Total Vacation Security plan your cancellation fee will be refunded in Apple Vacations’ travel certificates with the balance of the refund made in the original form of payment less the non-refundable AV-OK plan payment.
Your Contract with Apple Vacations
Please also refer to our “Things To Know Before You Go” page accompanying this contract. All vacations are subject to the terms and conditions shown on the Apple Vacations Fair Trade Contract and your booking of the vacation is acceptance of the terms in this contract.
1. Bookings and Payments
All that is required to reserve your vacation is the applicable deposit per person, plus the AV-OK plan payment (if selected). The balance due must be paid at least 45 days before departure (for bookings within 45 days of departure, full payment is due at time of booking). Full payment by credit card is required at time of booking for bookings made directly on our website, applevacations.com. Bookings for travel Dec. 24 through Dec. 28 will require payment in full by October 15. For certain holiday departures, full payment is due 60 days prior to departure. We reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled by you if the balance due is not paid on time.
Deposit requirements: For vacation packages utilizing published airline tickets, full payment of the air portion of the package is required at the time of guarantee (credit cards only); for vacation packages using contracted scheduled air, the minimum deposit is $200 per person; and for Charter air bookings the required deposit is $125 per person.
Ski and Belize have special terms and conditions. Please contact your travel agent for full details on booking these destinations. Late bookings often require us to incur additional costs for faxing, updating and confirming your hotel accommodations. Therefore, we will charge a late booking fee of $10 per person, in addition to the normal price on all vacations booked 14 days or less prior to departure.
Apple Vacations reserves the right to issue scheduled airline tickets once the booking is under applicable deposit.
2. Amendments And Cancellations
If you cancel your vacation or change your departure date, flight, duration, class of service, name, departure city, destination or hotel, the charges shown below become payable by you. Significant additional penalties (i.e. non-refundable airline tickets and fees, non-refundable or non-transferable hotel promotions) may apply.
Cancellation And Change Penalties
Charge per person ($) or as a % of the vacation price.
(including taxes and fuel surcharges)
Notice received by Apple Vacations in advance of departure
Charter Cancel Penalties Charter Booking Changes*
45 days or more:
$45 $45
44 – 31 days:
$125 $75
30 – 8 days:
100% $250
7 – 0 days:
100% $500
Land Only and Scheduled Air Packages
Pre-departure: both the cancel and booking change fees are $45 per person Apple fee plus applicable hotel and airline penalties.
*These fees apply to changes to the departure date, flight, duration, class of service, departure city and destination.
Scheduled air change fees may be and usually are up to 100% of the fare.
HOTEL AND NAME CHANGES
LAND ONLY, CHARTER AND SCHEDULED AIR PACKAGES
$45 per person Apple fee plus applicable hotel and airline penalties.
You must notify us immediately of any arrangements or cancellations. If you booked through a travel agency, all communications pre-departure must be via your travel agent. If you provide a substitute participant on a vacation, cancellation charges will be waived, but change fees apply; restrictions may apply.
If the number of individuals occupying a room changes due to an amendment or cancellation, the remaining travelers will be responsible for any additional costs incurred as a result of a change in the per person occupancy rate.
Suppliers’ cancellation provisions on optional tours only allow a refund if cancelled before noon the day prior to the excursion – see the excursion company to arrange a refund.
At time of guarantee you may purchase the AV-OK Total Vacation Security Plan to cover your cancellation and change fees. Please refer to the Plan Description.
3. Air Carriers
Apple Vacations has made arrangements for international air transportation to your vacation destination via certified charter or scheduled air carriers duly filed under D.O.T. regulations. Apple Vacations reserves the right to substitute alternate aircraft if necessary. Any air transportation provided by a certified charter air carrier may not be cancelled less than 10 days prior to the scheduled departure date unless it is physically impossible to operate the flight.
Passengers returning from any international destination must have a valid passport and for non-U.S. citizens, valid entry documents. (See “Things To Know Before You Go”) Apple Vacations is not responsible for any passenger who is unable to travel as a result of their failure to have a valid passport, and for non-U.S.citizens,failure to have necessary travel documents.
THE FOLLOWING APPLIES FOR TRAVEL TO EUROPE ONLY: A valid U.S. passport is required for all U.S. citizens and must be valid six months after date of return. Non-U.S. citizens must consult with the appropriate consulate to determine if any visas are needed.
4. Airline Responsibility
Apple Vacations and all the airlines it uses issue tickets, coupons or electronic documents covering transportation, hotel accommodations and other services and facilities. Neither Apple Vacations nor these airlines, or their respective subagents, shall be held liable for loss or damage to property or injury of person caused by reason of any defect, negligence, or other wrongful act or omission by any other hotel agency, transportation company or party providing such services or facilities, strike, war, terrorism, weather, quarantine, sickness, government restrictions or regulations, or any other cause beyond its reasonable control. All airlines concerned are not liable for any claim arising out of or in connection with carriage or other services or features otherwise performed or occurring in connection with this package, except as provided in the conditions of carriage for the airlines and the passenger tickets issued in conjunction with this package. Apple Vacations is not responsible under any circumstances for any injury or damages you may suffer in connection with your air or ground transportation.
5. Luggage and Personal Property
When you fly to and from your destination the Conditions of Carriage apply, some of which limit or exclude liability. The Conditions of Carriage are available by requesting them in writing from the carrier or by request at the airport. Some airlines do not cover damage to soft-sided luggage.The airlines’ maximum liability for loss, damage or delay to checked baggage is limited to $3300 per ticketed passenger domestically and $9.07 per pound up to 44lbs per ticketed passenger for international travel. These limits will apply unless an excess valuation is declared at the time of check-in. All lost or damaged luggage must be reported to an airline representative at the destination airport by the passenger before you leave the airport. Checked baggage taken from the terminal building at the destination will be considered to have been received in good condition and no claim for loss or damage will be accepted after baggage has been removed from the terminal.
The maximum liability of the ground transportation company in resort for lost or damaged property is $400. Loss or damage must be reported immediately. Apple Vacations does not accept liability for client luggage or personal property.
6. Forum Selection Clause
The exclusive forum for the litigation of any claim or dispute arising out of or in any way relating to these term and conditions or to any injury, damage, incident or event occurring during the course of your trip shall be the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
What We Provide In Return
1. Price Guarantee
Our intention is to provide you with the vacation which you have selected, at the price in effect at time of booking. If for any reason we have to increase the price of your vacation, including an error made in computing your price, we will offer you the option of cancellation without charge, provided that you advise us within seven days of your receipt of notice of the increase. This does not apply to price increases resulting from a change in U.S. or foreign government taxes or fuel surcharges.
If a scheduled airline initiates a schedule change which results in a fare increase, the passenger is responsible for the additional cost.
2. Flight Information
Your travel agent will be able to confirm the latest flight details at the time you make your reservation, and these will also appear on the booking confirmation we issue when we receive your deposit.
Your flight tickets, which we dispatch two to five weeks prior to departure (except for late bookings), or your electronic documents will contain your flight information. All times are subject to change. It is your responsibility to reconfirm your flight times prior to departing for the airport. Apple Vacations assumes no responsibility for any passengers making independent connections to your flights booked through Apple Vacations.
3. Amendments & Cancellation
Special features offered by hotels are subject to change at the hotel’s discretion. In the unlikely event that a major change involving a pre-departure change of hotel, departure or return date, departure city or destination becomes necessary, we will notify you as soon as possible. If you find the revised arrangements we offer unacceptable, you will have the option of cancellation without charge provided that you notify us within seven days of your receipt of notice of the change (or prior to departure date if notified less than seven days prior).
In the event of a change, we will try to substitute comparable services, but in the event of complete cancellation by us or a supplier, our only liability will be to return all monies paid (public charters only) or provide a refund in the form of an Apple Vacations credit. For charter flights only, if landing rights are denied by a foreign government, the flight will be cancelled with a full refund.
4. Refunds
Any refunds always will be made as soon as possible in the original form of payment. Please note, however, that no refunds will be made for any services provided in the itinerary that you do not use. Passengers who do not travel (charter, land only or scheduled air) are subject to 100% cancellation penalties.
AV-OK Plan payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. Refunds (if applicable) for scheduled air programs will only be issued upon the return of the unused ticket. If you booked your Apple Vacation through a travel agent, all communications prior to your departure, including payment and refund transactions, must be via your travel agent.
If for any reason you should lose your scheduled airline ticket, you will have to purchase a new ticket at your own expense and upon your return home, you must contact your travel agent to begin refund procedures by completing a “Lost Ticket Application” (fees may apply). Any refunds made by the airline will be based on the value of the original ticket issued less any airline processing fees. In most cases the replacement ticket you have to purchase will be more expensive.
5. Our Responsibility to You
Apple Vacations has made arrangements with airlines, hotels and other independent suppliers to provide you with the services you purchase; and is represented in Mexico and most Caribbean destinations by companies organized and existing in that destination, including providers of transportation and access to excursions. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that proper arrangements have been made for your vacation. However, we do not accept and expressly disclaim any liability for the actions or omissions of these independent suppliers. If you find you have any dispute with such persons, however, we will give you as much reasonable help as we can in resolving a dispute.
Please understand that we cannot control and will not be responsible for such factors as weather, government actions, terrorism, mechanical breakdowns, your physical, medical or mental disabilities, your failure to obtain valid travel documents or your failure to follow travel instructions.
Apple Vacations is not responsible for losses or damages arising from bodily injury, property or other damage caused by factors beyond our control, including but not limited to flight delays, airline turbulence, transportation accidents or other unforeseen circumstances.
All prices and features described herein (as well as in Apple’s print advertisements, collateral, and website) are subject to change without notice. Some hotel room photographs do not depict the standard room category.
If any term or provision of this Fair Trade Contract is held invalid or otherwise unenforceable, the enforceability of the remaining terms or provisions will not be impaired thereby.
6. Security
Apple Vacations has surety trust agreements with Susquehanna Patriot Bank, 101 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 for payment of any charter air package refunds as defined by the agreements.
Under these agreements, unless you file a claim with Apple Vacations (or with the bank) within 60 days after termination of your vacation, both parties shall be deemed released from all liability to you.
7. “AV-OK” Total Vacation Security Plan
Protect your travel investment with the purchase of our optional AV-OK Total Vacation Security Plan. For complete details, refer to the AV-OK Plan Description.
These vacations are operated by:
APPLE VACATIONS
- 7 Campus Blvd., Newtown Square, PA 19073
- 101 Northwest Pt. Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
or AVB, LLC
- 300 First Ave., 3rd Flr, Needham, MA 02494-2721
as principal and tour operators.
“AV-OK” Total Vacation Security Plan
The AV-OK Total Vacation Security Plan must be purchased no later than the close of the following business day after you guarantee your booking.
AV-OK Core Plan includes Pre-departure Cancellation/Change Waiver and Tour Guard Travel Insurance
1) APPLE VACATIONS’ PRE-DEPARTURE CANCELLATION/CHANGE WAIVER
This non-refundable plan allows you to cancel or change your vacation up until the flight check-in is closed (approximately one hour prior to scheduled departure time), except for “no shows” and “no show” related cancels. For last minute cancels, call 1-866-860-AVOK no later than one hour prior to your scheduled departure. (“No-shows” include passengers who arrive at the airport or at the gate too late to travel, or who fail to have the required passport and other necessary travel documents.)
Charter/Land Only Vacations: When a cancellation is made during a penalty period, your charter/land only cancellation penalty will be refunded in Apple Vacations’ travel certificates (redeemable through the original booking agency), with the balance of the refund made in the original form of payment less the non-refundable AV-OK plan payment. The entire refund will be in original form of payment if you purchased the “cash back” option at the time of booking for an additional $30 per person. Apple Vacations travel certificates may be used like cash when purchasing an Apple Vacation, are valid for one year, are non-refundable and non-transferable (issued only in the name of the passenger who cancelled) and may not be redeemed for cash. Apple Vacations’ amendment fees are waived under this coverage. Free Child Pricing: The first child (ages 2-12) receives the AV-OK Core Plan Coverage for free when traveling with two covered adults on charter air. If there are two or more qualifying children on a charter air booking, the savings is prorated between all the qualifying children. Additional adults on the booking do not generate additional free children savings. Free Child Pricing is not available for holiday departures. Children pay Cash Back option, AV-OK Plus Plan option and reactivation fees.
Scheduled Air Package Vacations: Scheduled airfares including non-refundable airfares and airline penalties are now covered, with all refunds made in the original form of payment. The AV-OK Plan payment will be deducted from any refund.
Changes: AV-OK coverage is non-transferable and must be repurchased/reactivated if you want to have coverage on certain amended bookings. A reactivation fee of $25 for charter/land only bookings and $45 for scheduled air bookings applies for all departure date, duration, class of service, hotel, departure city and destination changes. Higher reactivation fees apply to holiday departures. Charter fare-class changes also are subject to the $25 reactivation fee unless “AV-OK Plus” is purchased. Changes from charter to scheduled air or between scheduled air carriers, as well as name changes, require cancellation and full repurchase of AV-OK. If the number of individuals occupying a room changes, the remaining travelers will be responsible for any additional costs incurred as a result of a change in the per person occupancy rate.
2) APPLE VACATIONS’ TOUR GUARD TRAVEL INSURANCE PLAN – Post-Departure Trip Interruption, Travel Delay, Baggage and more! Interrupt your Apple Vacation due to a covered reason (including up to $100 per day to a maximum of $500 for a delayed arrival on your Trip due to cancellation of arrangements by an airline as a result of bad weather, mechanical breakdown and organized labor strikes) and your travel investment will be reimbursed.This high-quality travel insurance plan offered by Trip Mate will protect your vacation investment, your belongings, and most importantly, you. This plan also covers you even if you must interrupt your trip due to a pre-existing medical condition and you are not disabled from travel at the time of your Plan payment.You will receive a “Certificate of Coverage” with your travel documents, which provides complete details of the Plan, including conditions, exclusions and limitations. Plan payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
NOTE for groups, ski packages and Belize*: Apple’s Best Price Guarantee and Pre-Departure Cancellation/Change Waiver do not apply to Group Department bookings of 20 or more people, ski packages, and travel to Belize. The Tour Guard Travel Insurance Plan is available and includes a Pre-Departure Cancellation benefit as described below.
AV-OK Plus Plan option includes Best Price Guarantee and protection from fuel surcharge increases
APPLE VACATIONS’ BEST PRICE GUARANTEE – Provides protection from fuel surcharge increases imposed after deposit. In addition, if a lower priced charter fare-class becomes available after deposit, you can claim the savings. If we advertise a discount on the exact same vacation that you have booked (same date, flight, scheduled air fare-class, duration of stay, hotel, and room category) and all components are available, you can claim the savings prior to departure. This does not apply to Air Only, Square Deals, special packages, booking date-restricted sales and hotels with a “closed” booking status. Many added values offered by hotels are booking date restricted and may no longer apply when you activate the Best Price Guarantee.
Tour Guard Travel Insurance Plan
Trip Interruption If you must interrupt your Trip after departure due to a covered Injury, Sickness, or death – your own or that of a Traveling Companion or a Family Member or for Other Covered Reasons, as defined, you will be reimbursed for the unused, non-refundable land or water arrangements and the additional transport charges paid to return home or to rejoin your Trip (limited to economy one-way airfare, or first class only if your original tickets were in first class). Coverage is limited to the value of your original vacation package price.
Travel Delay-$500 Provides up to $100 per day (maximum $500) for reasonable accommodation and traveling expenses, until travel is possible, if you are delayed for 12 hours or more due to a covered reason such as common carrier delay; quarantine; loss of passport, travel documents or money; or natural disaster.
Medical Expense/Emergency Assistance Provides reimbursement up to $25,000 for reasonable and customary medical expenses incurred within 52 weeks of a covered Injury or Sickness which occurs while on your Trip; up to $750 for emergency dental treatment received during your Trip; up to $50,000 for the cost of emergency transport to home or an appropriate Hospital, including escort expense (both, if deemed necessary by the attending Physician) for a covered Injury or Sickness which occurs while on your Trip; or the cost of homeward carriage if deceased.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment-$10,000 These benefits are paid if loss occurs within 180 days of a covered Injury which occurs while on your Apple vacation.
Baggage and Personal Effects-$1,000 Coverage for direct physical loss or damage to your Baggage, passports, or visas while on your Trip. A $600 maximum limit applies to jewelry, watches, cameras and camera equipment, computer, and furs – a $300 per article limit applies to all other items. If, while on your Trip, your Baggage is delayed for 24 hours or more, the plan will pay up to $100 for the purchase of necessary additional clothing and personal articles.
*Trip Cancellation – This benefit only applies to groups of 20 OR MORE PEOPLE, SKI PACKAGES and Belize not covered under Apple Vacations’ Pre-Departure Cancellation Waiver.
If you have to cancel or interrupt your Trip due to a covered Injury, Sickness, or death – your own or that of a Traveling Companion or a Family Member – you will be reimbursed up to the Apple Vacations Trip Cost for cancellation charges imposed on travel arrangements provided by Apple Vacations if you cancel before departure.
Tour Guard Coverage Terms and Conditions
The “Certificate of Coverage” defines Traveling Companion as a person or persons with whom a covered person has coordinated Travel Arrangements and intends to travel during the Trip; Family Member as the following relatives – yours or those of your Traveling Companion – spouse, child, spouse’s child, son-daughter-in-law, parent(s), sibling(s), grandparent(s), grandchild, stepbrother- sister, step-parent(s), parent(s)-in-law, brother-sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, guardian, Care Giver, Domestic Partner, foster-child, or ward: and Sickness is an illness or disease of the body which requires treatment of a Legally Qualified Physician after the effective date of insurance and while you are covered under the policy.
Certain exclusions and limitations apply and are detailed in the “Certificate of Coverage”. For example, coverage does not apply to: a Sickness or condition of you, a Traveling Companion or Family Member traveling with you that existed during the 60 days prior to the effective date of the coverage (this exclusion is waived if you purchase coverage within 7 days of your initial deposit/payment for your Trip), suicide, normal pregnancy, war or any act of war, mental or nervous disorders.
This is a brief description of the plan. For further information ask for the Certificate of Coverage which fully details the coverage, provisions, limitations and exclusions of the insurance offered and is available to you, upon request, at anytime prior to your purchase of the plan.We urge you to obtain and carefully examine this important document. Click here for full details of the plan.
Access Your Medical Records Online With our exclusive Global Xpi Service, you can assure that your most important medical records are available to you or any Physician chosen by you, anytime, anywhere in the world, quickly, wherever internet access is available. Register at your convenience at www.globalxpi.com or call toll-free 1-800-379-9887. It’s free during your insured Trip! Program Code: F430
CLAIM PROCEDURES – To make a change to your existing booking, to “claim the savings” per Apple’s Best Price Guarantee or to cancel your vacation prior to departure, contact your travel agent who will notify Apple Vacations. For all post-departure travel insurance claims (and for Trip cancellation claims for groups of 20 or more people, ski packages and Belize not covered under Apple Vacations’ Pre-Departure Cancellation Waiver) contact Trip Mate, Inc. (In CA dba Trip Mate Insurance Agency) at 1-866- 389-5378 or report your claim on-line at tripmate.com. The Tour Guard Travel Insurance Plan is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, Eatontown, NJ.
