TERMS AND CONDITIONS

MISSION: To provide enriching experiences, personal attention, interesting itineraries, and travel value in order to bring participants to a closer relationship with, better understanding of, and stronger support for Ohio State.

PROGRAM: To continually provide high quality, educational alumni tours to traditional as well as unique destinations, The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Inc. works closely with expert tour suppliers who specialize in alumni and group travel. Each has met the rigorous financial, operational and administrative specifications that are important in marking the difference between mediocrity and excellence in the Association’s tour program. Our intention is to offer Ohio State alumni and friends only the finest tour values; therefore only quality proposals for travel to destinations where the supplier has strong experience and can perform superior work on behalf of our travelers are considered.

ELIGIBILITY AND MEMBERSHIP: Alumni Association members, their families and friends may travel on an Ohio State Alumni Tour by meeting Association Membership requirements. You need not hold an Ohio State University degree to travel with us, but you must be a member. (Please note: More specific eligibility exists for football bowl tours and will be listed seasonally on this Web site.)

One Association member must be accommodated in each hotel room, ship’s stateroom or the like. The member’s benefits are extended to immediate family members who share accommodations and/or travel with members and to friends sharing accommodations with the member.

TOUR COSTS: Dates, itineraries, features and trip prices (per person, double occupancy) are subject to change and revision and are based on current exchange rates, airfares and tariffs.

INCLUDED FEATURES: Unless otherwise indicated, tours include pre-trip information, round-trip international air fare from a select gateway city, first-class cruise/river ships, trains, hotels (or best available in remote areas), transfers and luggage handling, services of experienced tour directors, local guides and academic lecturers; some meals and sightseeing, souvenir name badge and group photo. Specific included features are noted in individual tour brochures.

NOT INCLUDED: Airline class and hotel room upgrades, domestic air transportation, deviations from the published itinerary, passport and visa fees, optional excursions, airport, departure and/or port taxes, travel insurance, laundry and dry cleaning, wines, liquors, mineral waters and meals not specifically noted, and items of a strictly personal nature. Please refer to individual tour brochures for specific exclusions.

SINGLE ACCOMMODATIONS:Many singles travel with us, and a limited number of single rooms are available at an additional industry-mandated, supplement. Should you choose to share a room with another traveler, you’ll enjoy the advantage of a cost savings and the pleasure of the extra companionship offered. We’ll be happy to trade telephone numbers and addresses of prospective roommates with you so you may determine your individual compatibility. Unfortunately, shared accommodations cannot be guaranteed.

CHILDREN: Most tours are designed primarily for adults interested in the educational and cultural aspect of travel. However, children who share the curiosity and interest are welcome. The Ohio State Alumni Tour program features trips for families on which children enjoy special programs and reduced prices. A parent or guardian must accompany children under 18.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: To enjoy the alumni group travel experience, participants must be in good physical and mental health and be able to keep pace with the group. Travelers who require extraordinary assistance must be accompanied by an assistant or companion who is able and will provide all required assistance. Any physical challenges should be reported when your reservation is submitted. Contact us to assess the activity and/or accommodation level on any of our tours.

GROUP TRAVEL: Participants are expected to enjoy traveling as part of a group and be tolerant of the minor changes or delays that may occur in any kind of travel, whether it be group or individual. While alumni and tour personnel will do their best to satisfy the needs of each traveler, their principal concern must be the welfare of the entire group.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS: Travel arrangements are handled by the tour supplier designated for the tour(s) you select. Every effort will be made to carry out each tour as planned.

EARLY BIRD RESERVATIONS: Space on many of our tours sells quickly. Consider making an Early Bird Reservation. A deposit of only $200 per person, per tour is required to request space and is fully refundable until additional deposit monies are paid. Indicate the number of spaces you wish to request, and send the information with your check payable to Ohio State Alumni Tours. All Early Bird reservations will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Space is confirmed in the order reservations are received. Deposits are applied to the tour cost and will be returned if space is not available. The balance of the tour cost is due upon invoice from the designated tour supplier, according to their payment schedule (usually not later than 75 days prior to departure). Deposits can be made by check or money order payable to Ohio State Alumni Tours. While major credit cards are widely accepted for deposits, final tour costs generally must be paid by check or money order.

REFUND POLICIES: Refund policies vary for certain programs. All cancellations must be submitted in writing. Generally, cancellations received up to approximately 90 days prior to departure are assessed administrative fees and occasional airline cancellation penalties; within approximately 90 days of departure, refunds vary according to tour supplier policies. There are no refunds for unused meals, accommodations or included features while on tour. Be sure to read carefully the cancellation policy in each tour brochure.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: No one expects to cancel or interrupt a planned trip, or to incur costs due to emergency medical expenses or lost luggage. However, such events do occur. We strongly recommend you consider purchasing trip cancellation and medical insurance. Upon receipt of your reservation, information about travel insurance coverage will be sent to you.

ASSOCIATION’S DISCLAIMER: The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Inc. (here after referred to as “Association) is not the Tour Operator. The Association is not responsible for changes of flight times, fare changes, dishonor of airline, hotel or car-rental reservations, delays, losses, injuries, inconveniences, cessation of operations, airline or tour operator bankruptcies, acts of God, or any other event beyond our control. The Association acts only as agent for the participants with respect to travel services, and it shall not be responsible for changes of flight times, fare changes, dishonor of airline, hotel or other reservations, injury, damage, loss of baggage, accidents or for the acts or defaults of any person or entity engaged in conveying participants or in carrying out other arrangements of the tour. Further, the Association shall not be responsible for losses or additional expenses of the participant due to sickness, weather, strike, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, quarantine, acts of God, or other causes beyond its control. The Association shall not be responsible for alteration in the itinerary as deemed necessary for carrying out the tour and the right is reserved to substitute hotels of similar quality. The right is further reserved to cancel any tour prior to departure; in which case the entire payment may be refunded without further obligation on its part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or to retain any person as a member of the tour should such person's health, actions or general deportment impede the operation of the tour or the rights or welfare of the other participants. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour. Applicants for participation on this tour accept in full all of the conditions set forth above.