Our Terms & Conditions in Plain English:
Carmel Travel Company acts as a professional travel advisor. We plan and arrange travel services on your behalf but do not operate airlines, hotels, cruise lines, tour companies, or other travel suppliers. Your travel experience is ultimately governed by the terms and policies of those suppliers.
Planning and service fees compensate us for our time, expertise, and trip design. These fees are separate from the cost of your travel arrangements and are non-refundable once work has begun.
All deposits, payments, cancellations, changes, and refunds are subject to the policies of the travel suppliers involved. Many suppliers impose penalties or do not offer refunds once reservations are confirmed.
Travel involves inherent risks, including delays, schedule changes, health concerns, and events outside anyone’s control. While we carefully select reputable partners and guide you through your options, we cannot guarantee the performance of any third-party supplier.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended to protect your investment and provide coverage for unexpected events such as trip cancellation, interruption, medical needs, or travel delays.
By moving forward with planning and booking, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and accepted the full Terms & Conditions that follow.
YOUR AGREEMENT WITH Carmel Travel Company, LLC
I have read, understand, and accept the following:
Acceptance of Terms & Conditions
These Terms and Conditions shall be deemed a part of and are expressly incorporated by reference into any and all agreements entered between Carmel Travel Company, LLC, an Indiana Limited Liability Company (hereinafter “CTC” “we” “us” “our” and any similar derivations) and you the client (hereinafter “you” or “your”).
Please read all Terms & Conditions before using our website www.carmeltravelcompany.com. By visiting and using the website and by using our services, you are agreeing that you have read these Terms & Conditions and are signifying your agreement to be bound by them on behalf of yourself and all members of your traveling party.
By paying CTC the planning fee and/or any deposit, you are affirmatively representing that you have read and accept the Terms & Conditions on behalf of yourself and anyone in your traveling party. Our Services as defined herein are limited to, and provided under, the terms stated herein. Terms contained in any other document, correspondence, or other forms that are additional to, or inconsistent with, the provisions in these Terms and Conditions are rejected. No such changes or deviations will be effective unless they are explicitly accepted in writing by an authorized agent of CTC.
Our Services:
CTC, and its independent travel advisors, act as a sales agent on the behalf of different travel service suppliers such as, airlines, hotels, car-rental companies, tour operators, rail & coach companies, cruise lines, or any other service providers named in your itinerary or confirmation. We are sales agents only. CTC does not own, operate, manage, or control these independent suppliers of services, and is not liable for their acts or omissions. CTC LLC’s obligations to you are to make travel bookings on your behalf and to arrange relevant contracts between you and the travel service providers. We have no responsibility for these services, nor do we have the authority to make any warranty or representation regarding any travel service provider’s standards, performance, or capabilities. A request cannot be guaranteed. All bookings are subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by these travel service providers. You understand that you have no legal recourse against CTC LLC for the conduct of any travel service provider and your legal recourse, if any, is against the specific provider, not CTC LLC and its affiliated entities.
Risks of Travel & Release:
There are inherent risks to traveling. We assume no responsibility for and shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any party not under our control, or any acts of God, unsafe conditions, terrorism, health hazards including pandemics, illnesses, weather hazards, or the suitability for a disabled person of any portion of any trip. We have no special knowledge of dangers during travel or at destinations.
For information related to such dangers, we recommend going to the State Department travel website at www.travel.state.gov, click on “Find International travel Information” then click on “Country Information”, and fill in the name of the destination country.
For medical and health information, we recommend going to the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/travel, then click on “Destinations” and scroll to the name of the destination country.
Covid-19 & Other Illnesses:
The client agrees it is their personal decision to travel, and they are doing so with full knowledge of current travel recommendations and travel restrictions with regards to the risks of Covid-19 or other illnesses. We assume no responsibility for and shall not be liable for unsafe conditions or health hazards including pandemics or other illnesses during travel or at destinations.
YOU HEREBY EXPRESSLY ASSUME ALL OF THESE RISKS AND DANGERS, AND YOU HEREBY EXPRESSLY AGREE TO FOREVER RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND HOLD US, AND OUR AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, ASSOCIATES, AFFILIATED COMPANIES, GUIDES, GROUP LEADERS, AND SUB-CONTRACTORS HARMLESS AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTIONS, SUITS, CLAIMS, AND DEMANDS OF ANY AND EVERY KIND AND NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH YOU NOW HAVE OR WHICH MAY HEREAFTER ARISE OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE RISKS AND DANGERS.
Documentation:
Travel documentation appropriate for entry to your itinerary destinations, such as passports, visas & inoculation certificates, remain each traveler’s sole responsibility. It is each traveler’s responsibility to make certain that they have proper immunizations before travel – please see your health provider for advice. CTC may advise you of required documentation, but travelers who do not meet documentary requirements will be denied boarding without liability to CTC. Valid passports are required for all international destinations. If a passport is required to travel, the expiration date must be at least six (6) months following the return date of the planned travel.
Each foreign country holds different views of past criminal offenses – if you have a current or past offense, please contact that country directly for entry and exit requirements. Travelers with DWI or DUI records should check whether current rules exclude admission to foreign destinations. CTC feels it is an invasion of privacy for members of our staff to make such an inquiry, and these requirements remain the traveler’s responsibility.
For further information, please visit the U.S. State Department web site: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid travel documentation, including, but not limited to, passports and visas, which meet the requirements of immigration and other government authorities at every destination, including flight stopover destinations. You are responsible for confirming with the United States Department of State or representative government agency of the country to which you are traveling to confirm the requirements for visas and/or other requirements for admission to your destination. Any fines, penalties, payments, or expenditures incurred because of such documents not meeting the requirements of those authorities will be your sole responsibility. A government issued photo ID is required for travel within the USA.
Travel Insurance Protection:
For your protection, we strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation and travel medical/accident insurance. Please note that, unless you buy a cancel-for-any-reason policy, most policies have a specific clause stating they do not cover epidemics and pandemics, especially when travel warnings are in place. No representation or description of the insurance made by our staff constitutes a binding assurance or promise about the insurance. You agree to hold us harmless for your election not to purchase travel insurance or for any denial of claim by travel insurer as it relates to COVID-19 or any other claim under the policy. By declining appropriate travel insurance, passenger(s) acknowledges and accepts liability for any cancellation penalties, damages and/or out-of-pocket expenses incurred.
Names, DOB & Other Data it Appears on Identification:
Guests are required to make reservations in the full name and correct Date of Birth that is listed on his/her government document they will use for travel. This also includes email, cell phone numbers, passport information and any other information passed on from the passenger to CTC). If the client needs to make any changes to a name, or other important information, after travel documents have been issued, clients will be responsible for all change fees, if applicable.
AIR TRAVEL, SCHEDULE RECONFIRMATION, CHECK-IN & DEPARTURES
Your airline ticket is a contract between you and the air carrier, even if you purchase through CTC. If you purchase air travel through CTC you acknowledge and agree that CTC does not have the right to control the operations of independent airlines, and agree that CTC is not liable for any personal injury, property damage related to your purchase of air tickets or air travel, including, but not limited to any act, error, omission, injury, loss, accident, or delay caused by any act, error or omission of the airline, including their failure to deliver services, partial or inadequate delivery of services, airline policies including refund or rebooking policies, fees for checked or carry-on luggage, fuel increases, bankruptcy or cessation of operations.
You understand and agree that CTC functions solely and exclusively as a booking agent for the air carrier, that we do not handle or hold client funds for airline tickets, and that we are not the Merchant of Record under the meaning of that term under the Department of Transportation’s regulations. Because CTC does not hold or handle client funds, you understand and agree that any refund for cancelled or delayed flights, baggage fees or seat assignments must come directly from the airline and not from CTC.
CTC shall not assume any responsibility for any air schedule changes. In rare instances, upon departure from a country, certain departure taxes must be paid in cash only and may vary in price. Failure to use a reservation may result in automatic cancellation of all continuing and return flights, as well as forfeiture of airfares. Airline e-tickets expire a year from issue date unless carrier fare rules in passenger’s itinerary fare provide otherwise. Due to enhanced security, it is strongly recommended that you check in a minimum of 2 hours prior to scheduled departure for domestic flights* and 3 hours prior to scheduled departure time for international flights*. Reconfirm flight times at least 24 hours prior to scheduled departure time for domestic flights, and 72 hours prior for international flights. CTC does not assume responsibility for any airline delays, TSA delays or schedule changes by any travel service provider or public authority. Recommended check-in times are subject to change without notification. *It is the travelers’ responsibility to remain abreast of changes in condition or airport rules that might require earlier arrival times. This information can be found when entering your confirmation number on the airport website.
Frequent Flyer mileage accrual is at the discretion of the airline(s). CTC has no liability if accrual of miles or points is denied or if upgrades are not allowed. Many airlines do not permit upgrades on airfare purchased in certain fare classes or when using frequent flyer miles, loyalty status or certificates.
Seat assignments are not guaranteed even after they are assigned, and CTC has no control over airline seat assignments. Most airlines charge a fee to prebook a seat.
Pricing and Payment:
Price quotes and availability is subject to change without notice. Quotes are applicable to the date and time at which they are requested. Quotes in foreign currency are subject to fluctuations in exchange rates and international credit card issuer fees.
Travel arrangements involving airline and cruise components can be subject to Suppliers’ supplemental price increases that may be imposed by the supplier and/or government, even after the client has completed their purchase. The client hereby consents to any such price increases and authorize their credit or debit card to be used for them. Suppliers have their own contracts covering cancellation penalties and other terms and conditions, and the client may be bound by those contracts regardless of whether the client receives notice of their terms. CTC is not responsible for any increases due to government-imposed taxes/fees, fuel surcharges, or supplier-imposed increases.
You may be required to make a deposit toward the cost of our Services, and such deposits are non-refundable. Final payment is required no less than 60 days prior to departure unless otherwise stated or agreed in writing. Some airfares or services must be paid in full at the time of booking. CTC accepts debit card or credit cards (AMEX, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover). Should you wish us to charge your credit card we require you to read and sign a credit card charge form set out in the receipt. If for any reason, any travel service provider is unable to provide the services for which you have contracted, your remedy lies against the provider, and not against CTC and in the event that payment has been made to CTC by credit card, you agree that you will not seek to charge back your payment to CTC. If CTC incurs any costs, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, to recover any payments charged back by your credit card company, you agree that you will be liable for these costs. If the credit card is declined, you guarantee that you will settle any amounts owing to CTC via money order, wire payment or cash immediately. CTC may charge interest on any invoiced amounts not paid within 30 days of the due date at a rate of: (1) 1.5 % per month; or (2) if the laws of the jurisdiction in which the project is located mandate a lower rate, the highest rate allowable under the law.
CTC, its agents, and independent contractors charge service fees. The client agrees to pay planning, booking, change and cancellation fees as outlined in the service agreement. These fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable. See Service Fee Structure section for specifics…
Supplier Penalties & Fees:
Individual suppliers have their own unique terms & conditions and cancellation policies, change fees and penalties that may apply to clients’ travel plans and services. Travel Supplier bookings will often incur cancellation charges up to 100% of the cost of the booking, regardless of whether travel has commenced. Where we incur any liability for a cancellation fee or charge for any booking which you cancel, you agree to indemnify us for that fee or charge. You agree to reimburse CTC LLC the full amount of any such additional fees or charges within 20 days of receipt from us of documentation of the fee or charge. To the extent a travel service provider does offer refunds, and your cancellation meets that service providers criteria for such a refund, we may (but are not obligated to) assist you in requesting such refund. While the cost charged by a travel service provider may be recovered under some circumstances, CTC LLC does not issue refunds of any its own fees for its Services. In addition, there are times when CTC’s cancellation terms will supersede a vendor’s terms for complicated FIT (custom) trip plan plans due to the amount of work involved in planning such trips.
CTC Service Fee Structure
CTC provides travel planning services for the fees listed below or as negotiated by your travel agent. These fee(s) are separate from the cost of your trip and are, in most cases, non-refundable and non-transferrable.
Service Fee Structure:
- Planning Fee / Initial Consultation Fee: As Determined by Trip & Your Travel Consultant:
- Cancellation Fee: As Determined by Trip & Your Travel Consultant
- Domestic or International Air Ticketing Fee or Change
- Frequent Flyer / Award Booking Fee Domestic or International
- Possible Trip Rebooking Fees
- Accommodation or Other Feature Change Fees
Price Drops:
If a Supplier drops the price of a trip after booking, we will try to assist the client with rebooking if the Supplier allows it, and a fee may apply. We do not guarantee any refunds or successful rebooking.
Tour Groups: Minimum Passenger Requirements
Often CTC may offer tours where prices are based on contract rates based on a minimum number of travelers. When the number of passengers falls below the minimum required, a surcharge may be imposed, or the tour may be cancelled. Likewise, there will be no refund for any unused portion of a tour.
Hazardous Materials:
USA federal law prohibits passengers from bringing hazardous materials on the aircraft. (1) USA federal law forbids the carriage of hazardous materials aboard aircraft in the passenger’s luggage or on the passenger’s person. A violation can result in five years’ imprisonment and penalties of $250,000 or more (49 U.S.C. 5124). Hazardous materials include explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives, and radio- active materials. Examples: Paints, lighter fluid, fireworks, tear gases, oxygen bottles, and radiopharmaceuticals. (2) There are special exceptions for small quantities (up to 70 ounces total) of medicinal and toilet articles carried in the passenger’s luggage and certain smoking materials carried on the passenger’s person. For further information, each passenger should contact the relevant airline representative(s) on their itinerary. Restrictions on hazardous materials are listed http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items.
Insecticide Notice:
All passengers are referred to always check the list of countries that require airlines to treat the passenger cabin with insecticides prior to the flight or while on the aircraft on the DOT’s website, as this list is updated from time to time: http://www.dot.gov/office-policy/aviation-policy/aircraft-disinsection-requirements
Disclaimers of Liability:
Generally: CTC LLC is not the source or supplier of the travel services requested and acts solely as a booking agent for disclosed principal supplier cruise lines, hotels, airlines, ground transportation and other companies providing accommodations, transportations, and/or other services. Each of these suppliers is an independent entity with its own management and is not subject to the control of CTC LLC. CTC LLC is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any travel service provider or of any third party. In addition and without limitation, CTC LLC is not responsible for any injury, loss, death, inconvenience, delay, or damage to person or property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation, or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time. Also be advised that certain foreign facilities such as air- conditioning systems in public places, hotels and motor coaches may not be up to U.S. standards. If due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors you must spend additional night(s), you will be responsible for your own hotel, transfers, and meal costs. Baggage is entirely at owner’s risk. You may see the name CTC LLC affixed to motor vehicles, on signs around the hotel or elsewhere. This use of our name is purely for reasons of identification and does not denote ownership, supervision, or control by CTC LLC in any way. The prices of these tours are based on rates in effect (including foreign exchange rates) at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice. Under circumstances where liability cannot be excluded, such liability is limited to the value of the purchased travel arrangements. You specifically agree that CTC LLC is not liable for any consequential loss or damages you may incur incident to your trip or to the Services
Health Concerns:
It is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of, and that you appropriately manage any health concerns you have or requirements for your travel destinations. You must also ensure that you carry all necessary vaccination documentation. Please tell your consultant of any special requirements you may have, for example, special meals, medical requirements and so on.
Right to Refuse Service:
Service providers reserve the right to refuse service to travelers at their sole discretion and including without limitation if the traveler:
- Lacks proper documentation for the country of destination.
- Has a contagious disease.
- Is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or narcotics; and/or
- Manifests disruptive and/or unruly behavior.
CTC LLC assumes no liability for the acts of the service provider in refusing service.
Advertising Disclosure Policy
Carmeltravelcompany.com provides editorial web content that relates to travel products and services that CTC may sell to consumers. We are also part of an affiliate sales network. This means that we may, on occasion, receive referral fees or commissions from the companies that manufacture or sell travel products you see on this site. This policy is valid from March 26,2023.
This website is created by CTC, doing business as CTC. For questions about this website, please contact us through our website at http://www.carmeltravelcompany.com/contact.
Our website accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions, or other forms of compensation. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made on this site. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content. However, even when the owner of this site is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites, and various other topics, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this site are purely our own, or of our guest writers, who at times may post their own opinions. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party in question.
Our blog does not have any content which might present a conflict of interest. We greatly appreciate it when you choose to use our links to buy travel products, or to connect to companies with which we partner.
