Travel policies by China discovery tours

CHINA TOURS

CHINA CUSTOM TOURS

TRAVEL INFORMATION

POLICIES

Reservations

Bookings are taken through our home office in Torrance, CA or online at www.chinadiscoverytours.com

Deposit: A deposit of $200 per person is required at time of booking. Optional Travel insurance, which includes medical cancellation is available at time of booking for an additional fee.
Final Payments: Final payment for the balance of tour fare, applicable airport taxes and visa processing fees are due in our office no later than 60 prior to departure. Payment is accepted by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express), with completed Credit Card Authorization Form, up to 60 days before departure. If final payment is received within 60 days of departure, only personal checks or money orders are accepted for payment. If your payment is not received by the due date, the reservation will be subject to cancellation and the deposit will be forfeited.

Tour Fare Includes

Airfare: Prices quoted in this catalog include round trip international economy class airfare from LAX. Domestic airfare within China, Japan or Thailand is also included as noted in itineraries. Departures are also available from JFK (+ $310 approximately) or SFO (+ $150 approximately).
Hotels: Based on two adults sharing one room with two twin beds. Customers traveling alone are required to pay a single supplement and will be invoiced as such at time of booking. Please contact us for a hotel list. Hotels are subject to change without notice.
Meals: Up to 3 meals a day are provided on tours as specified in itineraries. Meals will be served at hotels, local restaurants, or on board cruises or flights. Western style restaurants such as McDonald’s and KFC are located in the bigger cities throughout China and Asia.
Sightseeing: While the sightseeing program is specified in the itinerary, final itinerary may be modified as determined by the tour guides based on local circumstances beyond the control of TDUSA. Such circumstances include but are not limited to: weather, acts of God, dangers, incidents to the sea, fire, break down in machinery or equipment, acts of government or authorities and wars. All representatives of TDUSA will make every effort to follow the predetermined itinerary as accurately as possible.
Tour Admissions/Entrance Fees: All entrance fees for programs or places mentioned in the itineraries in this catalog will be included unless otherwise stated.
Tour Guides: All of our tours are conducted by professional English speaking guides who are there to ensure the safety and pleasantness of your trip.

Tour Fare NOT Includes

Airport Taxes: Applicable taxes as noted in the itinerary are due upon final payment. Due to the increasing costs of fuel, airport taxes are subject to increases by the airline. Until tickets have been issued, in the event of an increase, you will be responsible for the difference.
Visa Fees: TDUSA provides visa services for customers traveling to China for $170 per person. All travelers to China are required to obtain a visa before departing the US. For those traveling to Japan or Thailand, US passport holders do not need a visa to enter these countries on our tours. If you have a passport from another country, please check with the Thailand or Japan consulate to determine if you need an entry visa before arrival into your destination. TDUSA can assist in obtaining this information, but cannot guarantee, nor be held responsible for the accuracy or timeliness of response from consular offices.
Travel Insurance: A comprehensive, affordable travel insurance policy provided in conjunction with Travel Guard International is available for an additional $149 - $249. Please see Travel Insurance section for more details.
Add-on Airfare: Discounted airfare from your hometown to the international departure city can be arranged. Of course you are free to arrange airfare to your gateway city on your own. However if you arrange for your own add-on airfare, TDUSA nor its preferred air carriers will be held responsible for delays, changes or cancellations or other factors beyond our control. We recommend you let us take care of your add-on arrangements with our preferred carriers. If we make your arrangements, we will take responsibility for changes that need to be made so you don’t have to worry about it.
Tips: We recommend $5 per day per person to the national guides. You do not have to tip the bus drivers and local guides individually. The national guide will take care of their respective tips.
Miscellaneous: In addition, TDUSA cannot be held responsible for charges levied by local state, federal or national government agencies, meals not mentioned in the catalog, deviation fees, any expenses due to delay or changes of schedule, overbooking of accommodations, default of any third parties, sickness, weather, strike, acts of God or terrorism, force majeure, acts of government’s civil disturbances, war, quarantine, customs regulations, epidemics, criminal activity or any other causes beyond the control of TDUSA. Any personal charges such as excess baggage charges, phone bills, postage, laundry, drinks, etc., are the responsibility of the customer.

Revision and Cancellation Policy

Revisions: A revision fee of $50 per person will be added for any date or itinerary change within 60 days of departure and will be treated as a cancellation and new booking. Regular cancellation fees may apply.
Postponement: Tours may be postponed up to 60 days before departure with written notice. Revision fees will apply, insurance amount will be forfeited and visa fees will be deducted if visas have been issued. Your balance will be kept with TDUSA and will be applied to any departure booked within one year from date of postponement. Balance will be considered forfeited if future travel is not booked within one year of postponement date.
Cancellations: All cancellations will only be accepted upon receipt of written notice. Tour postponements within 60 days or tour cancellations will be assessed as follows per person:

A transaction fee of $150 per person will be charged for any purposes of cancellation.
Cancellation penalties are strictly enforced and are as follows:

60 days or more $200

59-45 days 25% of total cost

44-8 days 40% of total cost

7-1 days 50% of total cost

No show/ Dep. day 100% of total cost

Travel Insurance does not cover cancellation fees accrued for business class customers and customers with a returning flight from Hong Kong and/or with domestic add-on air portion. If airline tickets have already been issued, there will be an added airline cancellation fee (see #6 below).
In the event of cancellation, the Travel Insurance premium is non-refundable.
The visa fees are non-refundable for any purpose of cancellation if visa has been issued.
Ticket Revision/Cancellation Fee: Once tickets are issued, a $350 per ticket revision/cancellation fee will apply to each ticket plus the cost of express mail charges. This fee is subject to change.

Travel Insurance which includes medical cancellation protection is highly recommended. Please see next page for full details.

Costs

Tour prices quoted are based on double occupancy of two adults to one room. Single room supplement must be added for individual travelers. Included in the tour price is all airfare departing from Los Angeles, all private ground transportation, and all hotel accommodations, meals as per itinerary, and all attraction and event tickets. Not included in the tour cost is the China Visa fee, $170, applicable taxes, $282-$363, and Express shipping and handling, $25 per invoice. (Shipping is waived if picking up your passport and tour package from our Torrance, CA office). These will be added to the tour cost invoice and payment will be due with the tour cost balance 60 days prior to your departure date. $100 will be charged for any passengers deviating from the original itinerary either at the beginning or at the end of the trip. Personal incidentals such as phone calls, room service, mini-bar beverages, etc. are not included. Tips for the guides and drivers are also not included.
Arrive early? Extend Your Stay: Passengers arriving early or departing late must transfer to and from the hotel at their own expense.

China Discovery Tours
20407 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503
Toll Free: 1-866-99CHINA (992-4462)
1-888-371-3228 (Nationwide)
Tel: 310-802-7100 (Local) Fax: 310-370-4987
Office Hours: 9:00am - 6:00pm Pacific Time Monday - Friday
Email: info@chinadiscoverytours.com

Last Updated: May 06, 2008