Terms & Conditions - Membership Information

MEMBERSHIP: Membership is per household and includes spouse or domestic partner and children less than 18 years of age. Depending on your membership plan, you may be entitled to receive our travel brochures and/or have access to the members-only areas of our websites.

The member authorizes that their membership shall be automatically renewed upon completion of their current term (renewal date). Members are sent a courtesy auto-renewal reminder via mail or email, about 30 days prior to their renewal date. Upon the renewal date, the member's credit card shall be charged and their membership renewed for the same term as their most recent membership purchase. Members may elect to choose an alternative membership term by contacting us. The membership will continue to automatically renew. If you prefer that your membership not renew automatically, please contact us at least 10 days prior to renewal day. For current membership rates, please refer to our websites. Memberships have zero ($0) cash value and are not transferable or refundable.

NON-MEMBERS:  If you chose not to become a member of Club ABC Tours or The Women’s Travel Club, then a $59 non-member booking service fee will apply to each confirmed trip reservation.  This fee does not entitle non-member passengers to club member benefits or promotions.  Once the reservation is confirmed, the fee is non-refundable.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:  By joining or renewing your membership or traveling with us, you agree to abide by the Terms & Conditions described herein and any subsequent changes thereto. These Terms & Conditions are subject to change from time to time and without notice. The most up-to-date Terms & Conditions can be found on our websites:  www.clubabc.com or www.womenstravelclub.com.

HOW TO MAKE A RESERVATION:   Reservations may be made by telephone, fax, mail or requested online. You are responsible to ensure that your full, official name is provided to us at the time of booking, exactly as it appears on your valid passport. It can cost up to $200 or more per person for a name change or other ticket adjustments, plus any fare increase if applicable, due to re-ticketing. The airline will deny boarding if your airline ticket does not match your passport.

TRIP PAYMENTS/DEPOSIT: We accept payments by check, American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. A deposit or full payment is required to confirm a reservation.  Initial deposits or payments must be made by credit card. For departures on and after April 1, 2012, members can enjoy an additional 5%* discount on the full tour price with payments made by check. The 5% cash discount extends to the entire tour price. If you choose to pay entire tour price by check, including deposit, a credit card must be provided to hold the reservation. A check for the trip deposit must be received within 7 business days to confirm the reservation and the remaining tour balance must be paid by check on or before 90 days prior to departure. If trip deposit check is not received within 7 business days, the deposit will be charged to the credit card on file. Receipt of your initial deposit or payment indicates that you are in agreement with our Terms and Conditions. Vouchers may not be used towards payment for deposit. Bookings made within 45 days of departure may be limited to credit card payments only. *Cruises, Domestic, Caribbean and Mexico tours are excluded from the 5% cash discount. Discount not valid on insurance and government tax.

DEPOSIT (unless otherwise indicated on the specific tour or cruise): All tours and cruises require a deposit of 35% of the total price, inclusive of taxes & fees.

Cancellation penalties may apply. See Cancellation Penalties and Refunds.

Generally, bookings made more than 90 days from departure will require only a deposit.  Some programs may require you to purchase non-refundable airline tickets at the time of booking, in addition to the required tour deposit. There may also be other exceptions.

Bookings made within 90 days of departure require immediate full payment and may be limited to credit card payments only.

Final payment is due no later than 90 days before departure. The date will be specified on your invoice. If final payment is not received by the date it was due, we will automatically charge the balance due to your credit card.

• If your final payment is not received by the date it was due and we are unable to authorize your credit card payment, we reserve the right to consider this inaction a cancellation. Cancellation penalties will apply as outlined in our Terms & Conditions.

• If you are using a Debit Card as a Credit Card, your financial institution may set limitations and restrictions. Please check with your bank or financial institution before submitting your reservation or final payment.

FUEL SURCHARGE: Fuel surcharges imposed by airlines are included in the price of your Air/Land combined tours. Cruise Lines' land only tour prices do not include fuel surcharges unless otherwise stated. Cruise Lines reserve the right to impose a fuel supplement on all guests which may vary by Cruise Line and individual itinerary.

PRICING: Includes airport taxes, air government fees and fuel surcharges on air inclusive tour package prices. We are not permitted to collect certain taxes and fees that must be paid directly to local authorities. Items such as incidentals, passport/visa fees, or items of a personal nature are not included in the price. All charges and fees that are required to be prepaid in addition to the price will display as separate line items on your invoice. Prices and inclusions are subject to change and based on availability. For any questions, call us at 888-868-7722.

DOCUMENTS: Trip documents are sent as E-Documents by email. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy of your airline tickets and all other documents. You are responsible to ensure that your full, official name is provided to us at the time of booking, exactly as it appears on your valid passport. It can cost up to $200 or more per person for a name change or other ticket adjustments, plus any fare increase if applicable, due to re-ticketing. The airline will deny boarding if your airline ticket or documents do not match your passport.

TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN: It is strongly recommended that you take advantage of our Travel Protection Plan in the event that you need to cancel or interrupt your trip or cruise, require emergency medical assistance, experience a travel delay or lose your baggage. The plan also includes a "Cancel For Any Reason" Waiver for all bookings, including cruises, if purchased within the first 14 days of booking (see below). Our plan is administered by Trip Mate, Inc. (in CA d/b/a Trip Mate Insurance Agency). You can review complete details of the plan on our website. The Travel Protection Plan is not in effect until your payment for the plan is received, and that premium is non-refundable. In order to waive pre-existing medical conditions and to benefit from the "Cancel For Any Reason" Waiver, your premium must be paid within 14 days of booking. The Travel Protection Plan may not be purchased after final payment has been made.

1. If you purchased the Travel Protection Plan prior to July 1, 2010:  Click here for a PDF of the travel protection plan.

2. If you purchased the Travel Protection Plan on or after July 1, 2010: Click here for a PDF of the travel protection plan.

PASSPORT/VISAS: A valid Government-issued photo ID is required at time of check-in for all domestic flights. A valid passport is required for travel outside the United States. If possible, you should renew your passport approximately nine (9) months before it expires. Many countries require that your passport be valid at least six (6) months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. Select countries require additional documentation for children under the age of 18 years. All travelers are responsible to contact the consulate of the country and/or countries they are traveling to for entry requirements and necessary documents, such as visas. For the latest information on travel requirements, log on to the consulate websites. Non-U.S. citizens may have different entry requirements than U.S. citizens.

SPECIAL REQUESTS: We will make reasonable efforts to secure special request and dietary needs. However, requests cannot be guaranteed. For room requests other than what is advertised, there may be an additional cost. We cannot be held responsible for the failure of carriers, hotels or other suppliers to deliver such requests.

TRAVELERS REQUIRING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE: Any disability requiring special attention should be reported to us at the time the reservation is made. We will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of travelers, but are not responsible for denial of services by carriers, hotels, or other suppliers. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance for walking, dining, embarking/disembarking transportation, and/or for other personal needs. A qualified companion must accompany travelers who need such assistance.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT/ROOM SHARES: Our prices are per person, based on double occupancy.  Single accommodations are subject to availability, and may be confirmed for an additional charge. Certain Cruise Lines may charge the single traveler twice for fuel and port charges. Upon request, we will attempt to pair you with a roommate of the same gender. If we are unable to find you a roommate before the departure, a single supplement will apply. In addition, we cannot guarantee that the room-share arrangement will be to your satisfaction and Club ABC Tours will not be held responsible. Once on the tour, if either roommate decides they prefer a single room, they will be required to pay the single supplement for both rooms; their own, as well as their roommate’s. We will charge the credit card on file for the traveler who is responsible for requesting this change.

FLY/DRIVE PROGRAMS: A valid driver’s license issued at least one year prior to rental is required. All drivers must be 25 years of age or older. An additional charge will be applied at the time of pick-up for a second driver. The car is to be returned by the same time of day as it was picked up or you may be charged for an additional rental day. The vehicle will have a full tank when rented and must be returned the same way or you are required to pay the additional amount.

FLIGHTS, FREQUENT FLYER MILES, AND SEAT ASSIGNMENTS: We negotiate special Economy class rates with many major carriers, as well as chartered air carriers. Air arrangements are subject to restrictions on choice of routing, direct or non-stop flights, arrival times, eligibility for frequent flyer miles and seat assignments. We cannot be responsible for flights that are occasionally overbooked, delayed or canceled by the airlines.  All fares and schedules are subject to change without notice. If the airline imposes higher fares, you are required to pay the additional amount. Late bookings are most likely to result in higher airfare.

LUGGAGE/BAGGAGE HANDLING: It is particularly important to observe the rule of one suitcase per traveler on escorted coach trips. Our Tour Directors may assess a onetime fee of $25 per piece if you exceed your luggage allowance on a coach tour. You may also bring one carry-on bag that complies with the airline rules and must fit either under your seat, or in an overhead compartment. It is your responsibility to porter this bag.  Baggage handling, if included, begins curbside at the airport upon arrival and is limited to one bag per person. You may be required to handle your own baggage if transferring between terminals.

On all tours, you are responsible for complying with the airline regulations concerning their baggage allowances and with the airline restrictions on the size, weight and contents of your carry-on bags. To review the most up to date baggage information by carrier, visit www.clubabc.com/baggage. You may be disappointed if you are carrying items of necessity in your carry-on bag, and the airline asks you to check it in at the airport because it didn’t meet their requirement. You will be responsible to pay for any additional baggage charges imposed by the airline or transportation companies. Check with the carrier for luggage guidelines. Luggage travels at owner’s risk throughout. We are not responsible for loss or damage of luggage or personal belongings.  Our protection plan is strongly recommended to cover loss or damage of luggage.

AIRPORT TO HOTEL/SHIP PIER TRANSFERS: Round-trip airport to hotel transfers may be included when the tour is purchased air-inclusive (check details of your tour to see what is included). Occasionally, a transfer may not be available if your flights do not coordinate with the group flight. If you make your own air arrangements, travel from a non-New York area airport, or extend your vacation, transfers are not included. Transfers may, however, be arranged upon request at an additional cost. Round-trip transfers from the airport to the ship pier are included in the air/sea packages only.

HOTEL CHECK-IN TIMES: Hotel rooms are usually not ready for check-in until mid-afternoon.  If your flight is arriving early, especially European flights, you should plan for the day's activity until your room is available. Most hotels will store your luggage until your room is ready.

ITALY HOTEL TOURIST TAX: As of July 1, 2011 all visitors to Italy are required to pay an additional tourist tax for their hotel stay. The new tax has been created mainly to help re-build the ancient cities and is based on how many stars a hotel has - more stars mean higher taxes. This tax imay vary by city and can range from 3 to 5 Euros per person, per night, for a maximum of 10 consecutive nights and must be paid by the visitor, in Euros, directly to the hotel at the point of checkout, which will be presented as a separate charge from anything accrued at the hotel. This fee does not apply to visitors younger than the age of ten.

OPTIONAL TOURS/SIGHTSEEING: On certain programs, we offer a variety of optional tours that can be pre-purchased prior to your departure. For others, you will receive information about optional tours (if available) for purchase upon arrival in your destination.  We review these tours and the companies operating them, for appropriateness and quality. Generally, you should sign up for the optional tours you wish to take at the start of your tour. You are under no obligation whatsoever to participate. Sightseeing is subject to final arrangements by local tourist authorities, based on conditions such as minimum number of participants required to operate, weather, time, etc.  Facilities such as museums and banks, restaurants and sightseeing tours maybe closed on certain dates due to, but not limited to, religious holidays and national and regional celebrations.

GRATUITIES: All hotel gratuities are included in the price. When meals are included on land tours, those gratuities are also included. However, gratuities for the tour director, hosts, local guides, drivers and cruise staff (unless otherwise stated) are not included and are at the discretion of the individual traveler. Gratuities for most major cruise lines are not included and will be automatically charged to your onboard account.

RE-BOOKING: Re-booking from one itinerary or departure to another is allowed without penalty when requested 91 days, or more, prior to departure. Changes requested less than 90 days prior to departure are subject to our non-cruise cancellation policies. Rebooking a cruise itinerary is subject to a $50 per person handling fee when requested 91 days or more prior to departure. Some cruises are subject to this fee when requested 120 days prior. Changes for cruise itineraries within 90 days of departure are subject to our cruise cancellation policies. When changes made to a booking after non-refundable airline tickets have been issued, the total value of the airfare will be added to the rebooking fees.

CANCELLATION PENALTIES AND REFUNDS: Cancellation penalties will be strictly enforced.  If you must cancel your reservation, the effective date of the cancellation will be the first weekday your cancellation notice is received by fax, overnight courier, mail or email. Cancellation charges are based upon how long before your departure date the cancellation notification is received. The $59 non-member booking service fee is non-refundable once the reservation is confirmed. Your non-refundable charges and travel protection premiums will be retained in addition to any air cancellation fees or penalties. The charges are as follows; and calculated at the applicable percentage of the total tour price:

*Penalties vary by cruise line. Additionally, on select cruises, penalties may start at 120 days and be subject to an amount equal to deposit requirements. Please note that some tour/non-cruise penalties may vary by destination.

NOTE: The following non-refundable fees will be added to the penalty charges listed on the cancellation schedule above:

• Travel protection premiums.
• Airline tickets - once issued, any airline penalties which may be up to 100% of the ticket value.

Refundable airline tickets will be processed once the original paper tickets are returned to us via a traceable method of mailing. E-tickets do not need to be returned. Lost paper tickets have no refund value.

ITINERARY VARIATIONS: We will make every effort to operate all tours as advertised.  Situations may arise, voluntarily or involuntarily, that require changes or exceptions that include but are not limited to the airport of departure, airlines, the itinerary, hotels or ports of call. On these occasions, we reserve the right to make such modifications and substitutions as deemed necessary.

TOUR CANCELLATIONS: We reserve the right to cancel the entire trip (or any component of the trip) for any reason and/or time. In this event, our liability, if any, shall be limited to and liquidated by refunding to each prospective participant the payments made.

RESPONSIBILITY: These tour terms and conditions apply to Crown Travel Service, Inc., doing business as Club ABC Tours and The Women’s Travel Club (herein referred to as “CLUB ABC TOURS”). CLUB ABC TOURS acts only as a sales agent for any airlines, issuer of air or other tickets, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, transfer companies, sightseeing companies, or other service providers named on your ticket, other travel documents, or your itinerary ("Suppliers"). CLUB ABC TOURS is not responsible for acts or omissions of the Suppliers or their failure to provide services or adhere to their own schedules. CLUB ABC TOURS assumes no responsibility for, and shall not be liable for, any refund, personal injury, property damage (including damaged baggage), or other loss (including lost baggage), accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity which may be caused by: (1) any defaults, wrongful or negligent acts, or omissions of the Suppliers; (2) any defect in or failure of any vehicle, craft, equipment, or instrumentality owned, operated, or otherwise used or provided by the Suppliers; (3) any force majeure, including but not limited to, acts of God, war or terrorism; or (4) any wrongful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of any other party not under CLUB ABC TOURS' control.

CLUB ABC TOURS has no special knowledge regarding the financial condition of the Suppliers, unsafe conditions, health hazards, weather hazards, or climate extremes at locations to which you may travel. For information concerning possible dangers at destinations, CLUB ABC TOURS recommends contacting the Travel Warnings Section of the U.S. State Department at (202) 647-5225 or www.travel.state.gov. For medical information, CLUB ABC TOURS recommends contacting the Centers for Disease Control at (877) FYI-TRIP or www.cdc.gov/travel. You assume full and complete responsibility for checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements of your destination(s), and all conditions regarding health, safety, security, political stability, and labor or civil unrest at such destination(s). You hereby release CLUB ABC TOURS from all claims arising out of anything covered by this paragraph. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating in any way to these Terms and Conditions, to this Tour Agreement, to the brochure, or any other information relating in any way to the trip, or to the trip itself, shall be settled solely and exclusively by binding arbitration in New Jersey in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then existent.

Stated prices are based on rates in effect at time of printing for air, sea, fuel and land and are subject to change without notice. Itineraries may be subject to change due to events beyond the control of CLUB ABC TOURS. CLUB ABC TOURS is not responsible for typographical errors.