GENERAL INFORMATION AND TERMS OF AGREEMENT
Bookings
Choose your tour & departure date. Our tours tend to fill up well in advance so avoid disappointment by booking early.
Deposits
A deposit is required to confirm each reservation at time of booking. The deposit may vary depending on the tour.
We cannot guarantee space being held if deposit requirements are not met. By paying a deposit, you acknowledge that you have read & agree to the terms and conditions applying to your tour.
Final Payment
Balance is due 30 days before departure but may vary depending on the type of tour. Please refer to your brochure for deadlines. Full payment is required at time of making a reservation within 30 days of departure payment can be made by cash, cheque or approved credit card & is held in trust for your protection. BC #1851-3.
Tour Prices
All prices quoted are in Canadian funds based on rates at time of publication and include all items listed on individual brochures.
Tour price guarantee
Sunwest tours reserves the right to amend any tour cost. All tour prices quoted are subject to change prior to departure if circumstances require. Passengers who have paid in full at time of booking will not be affected by any price increases on their tour other than as may be necessitated by any air fare fluctuations.
Sunwest tours reserves the right to make, with or without notice or liability, any changes in hotel, transportation, accommodation or schedule which may be necessary due to local conditions or which may add to the comfort & well-being of the group.
Sunwest tours reserves the right to cancel for any valid reason any trip or tour without liability on the part of Sunwest tour or its’ agents. The company responsibility shall be limited to the refund of all monies paid to the company by the tour participant.
Not included in tour price
All items of a personal nature such as laundry, beverages, room service, telephone calls, food and entertainment not specifically listed as being included in the cost will be additional.
Harmonized sales tax will be charged for Tours entirely in Canada, Tours in the U.S.A. are charged tax at a reduced rate. The tax is not included in published fares.
Accommodation
Quality accommodations have been chosen for all tours and they are constantly evaluated for service, cleanliness, comfort & convenience. On certain occasions some accommodations may be changed and alternate properties used. If you require lower level, wish to be located next to a traveling companion or any other special requires, let us know at the time of booking and we will endeavor to assist, but can not guarantee. Special requests cannot be accepted after final payment has been made. As this may necessitatcostly toll calls.
Occupancy is as follows:
Single…………………… One person/one bed
Double…………………. Two persons/one bed
Twin……………………… Two persons/two beds
Triple……………………. three persons/two beds
Quad……………………. four persons/two beds
(Quad accommodation is not always available).
Changes: please make sure documented information is correct due to the increasing costs of administration & communication. A $25 person file service fee will be charged for any changes or alterations made to your booking after final payment have been made. (example: special requests, pick-up, name changes, ect.)
Single travelers
Single travelers who would like us to find them a traveling companion should advise us at the time of booking & we will do our best to accommodate your request. You will be charged the single rate & if a companion is available the rate will be adjusted. should the companion cancel prior to departure. The single fare will be re-instated. You should contact the suggested partner before departure to ensure compatibility. Sunwest tours will not assume added costs due to the disagreements encountered while traveling.
Physically challenged passengers
Sunwest tours welcomes you to travel with us but must be accompanied by a traveling companion fully capable & responsible for assisting you. Please notify us of any disabilities when reservations are made so that we may better assist you.
Meals
Not included unless otherwise specified. Where meals are not specified as being indluded, you may use $35 – $45 per day as a guideline in most cases.
Clothing
Wash & wear casual are recommended for travel. Suitable evening wear should be brought along. A light coat & sweater for cooler evenings is advisable and comfortable shoes. You may wish to bring a swimsuit as many of our accommodations have pools, hot tubs & saunas. When seasonal temperature change, think *layers* and remember the wise travelers travels light. Do not over pack.
Gratuities
Tokens of appreciation may effect services rendered & reflect on the reputation of Sunwest tours & its clients. When traveling If you feel that you have received good service, it is customary to leave a gratuity. As a guide may we suggest for waitresses & taxi drivers 15%, complimentary shuttle service-$1.00 /ride and any local step-on guides $2.00 per day per person. Other individuals rendering personal service include bartenders & barmaids, particularly when complimentary vouchers are used; room service& chambermaids tips for baggage handling and any meals included in the cost of your tour will be paid by Sunwest tours. People also wish to give a token of appreciation to the tour director and driver for a job well done. If warranted, this should be done on an individual basis rather than as a group gratuity.
Baggage
One piece of regular-sized luggage per person will be handled for you throughout the tour unless otherwise specified. One piece of hand luggage may also be carried on the coach but must be easily stowed under the seat or in the overhead rack. All baggage must be identified with your name & address and suitcase must have the Sunwest baggage tag that is proved. Maximum care will be taken to ensure safe handling of your baggage but Sunwest tours or its’ carriers cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for the loss or damage of your luggage or personal belongings. Refer to package insurance for coverage.
Medication
Remember to pack an adequate supply of any prescription drugs you are taking. Also, ensure the prescription label is affixed to the bottle. It is a good idea to have a letter from your doctor.
Identification
Travelers to the USA require a passport
Currency
We suggest you exchange your currency in Canada. To exchange Canadian monies outside of Canada can be very difficult and, in most cases, has to be transacted at a bank. It is not always convenient or possible to find a bank that handles foreign currency. Canadian funds can be exchanged in major us gambling destinations.
Duty-free allowance
Dependant upon the length of your stay outside of Canada, you may be able to utilize a duty-free allowance. With respect to alcohol & tobacco products, you must limit yourself to no more than the specified allowance. Your strict adherence to this will make your border crossing much easier. Present personal exemptions are:
24 hours………………. $50 Canadian funds
48 hours………………. $400 ”
7 days ………………….. $750 ”
Punctuality
For the consideration of fellow passenger, punctuality is extremely important. Anyone unduly late may be left behind at the discretion of the tour director or driver without liability to them or Sunwest tours.
Coach courtesies
For the benefit of all passengers-please refrain from using excessive perfume, aftershave or other scented products. Smoking is not allowed on the coach but frequent stops are made. People traveling single or triple must sit with others so as to allow couples to sit together. All seating is done on a first come-first serve basis the fist morning of the tour. While on tour, mandatory seat rotation will be done each morning at the direction of the tour director or driver affording all passengers different seating position, a variety of views and allows you to meet fellow passengers the seats directly behind the driver is reserved for the tour director if applicable. Seats cannot be reserved for any reason other than medical. This must be confirmed by a letter from the physician and seating will be allocated to the first 5 rows of the coach; but not the front seats.
Offensive behavior
Sunwest tours reserves the right to decline and reject any passengers, as a member of our tour at any time before or during the tour without recourse. This applies to anyone who is abusive of others, whose behavior disrupts the operation of the tour or affects the rights of other passengers.
Out of town passengers
Special rates for accommodation required before and after a tour are available through Sunwest tours. If required, Sunwest tours will assist you in making the reservation.
Pick-up points
Kamloops, Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Oliver, osoyoos and other intermediate points as deemed appropriate. As these pick-up points may vary depending on the tour selected, please consult Sunwest tours for the time and exact locations nearest to you. For the convenience of all passengers, we will not hold up the coach for tardy passenger, so be on time.
Early booking discounts
Per person discounts are offered on some tours. Please refer to the individual brochures for details. It is our way of showing appreciation to those who plan ahead.
Senior discounts
A per person discount for the mature adult of 55 years and over. This discount, if applicable to the tour, expires 48 hours prior to departure. Please check brochure to see if a discount is offered.
Sunwest travel club membership
Travel club discount points are earned on all tours with the exception of day tours. The points have no cash value but offers our members a fabulous $1.00 per point discount on your 6th tour.
Lost items
Please make sure you have all personal belongings when disembarking at the end of your tour. Lost items will be held at the Sunwest office for a maximum of 30 days.
Comment forms
We always strive for a high standard of service. As our customers and their positive or negative comments are very important to us, we appreciate the completion of the comment sheet which is distributed and collected on most tours. Management reads all sheets, evaluates and administers changes as required if under our jurisdiction.
Photo waiver
Sunwest tours reserves the right to take photographs of any tour or part thereof, and each tour member agrees that Sunwest tours may use such photographs for promotional purposes. Any tour member who is opposed to this should notify the tour director.
Private group tours
Sunwest tours can arrange a customized tour itinerary to the specifications of any club or organizations, or for transportation only, on our affiliate, western bus lines, air-conditioned coaches are equipped with washroom, , video and stereo and range is size from 28-56 passenger
Insurance coverage
SUNWEST TOURS SELLS MEDICAL INSURANCE (WHICH APPLIES TO THE DURATION OF THE TOUR) AND CANCELLATION INSURANCE (WHICH APPLIES FROM THE BOOKING DATE TO THE DEPARTURE DATE). THIS INSURANCE APPLIES TO ALL PASSENGERS WHO DO NOT HAVE ANY PREEXISTING FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS, WHICH MEANS PASSENGERS THAT HAVE HAD PRESCRIPTION CHANGE OR HAVE VISITED A HOSPITAL ON THEIR OWN BEHALF IN THE PAST SIX MONTH ARE NOT COVERED FOR WHAT EVER THE PRESCRIPTION IS OR THE VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL WAS FOR. PASSENGERS MUST PURCHASE CANCELLATION INSURANCE AT TIME OF BOOKING, AND THE MEDICAL INSURANCE CAN BE BOUGHT UP UNTIL A WEEK BEFORE THE TOUR. YOU MUST HAVE CANCELLATION INSURANCE TO RECEIVE ANY FUNDS BACK, IN WHICH THE PASSENGER WOULD INFORM SUNWEST TOURS THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO ATTENDED THE TOUR THEN CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND START A CLAIM. SUNWEST TOURS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE TO RETURN ANY FUNDS TO A PASSENGER IF THEY SHOULD CANCEL.
EXCEPTION, A PASSENGER BOOKED ON A TOUR WITH A DURATION OF THIRTEEN DAYS OR LONGER, AND NEED TO CANCEL FOR A MEDICAL REASON (doctors note included), MAY BE ALLOWED TO CANCEL THROUGH SUNWEST BEFORE THE DESIGNATED TIME OF FINAL PAYMENT. THE PASSENGERS FUNDS WILL BE HELD AS A CREDIT FOR ONE YEAR MINUS A TWENTY-FIVE DOLLAR CHARGE FEE PER PERSON FOR CANCELING AND MINUS THE COST OF ANY INSURANCE PREMIUM.
NAME CHANGE
IF A PASSENGER IS UNABLE TO GO ON THEIR DESIGNATED TOUR AND CAN FIND (ON THEIR OWN, with out sunwest’s assistance) A PASSENGERS TO FILL THE SPOT, THE original PASSENGER AND THE NEW PASSENGER MUST CONTACT SUNWEST TOURS TOGETHER. THE NEW PASSENGER will be CHARGED A CHANGE FEE OF TWENTY FIVE DOLLAR AND MUST BUY NEW INSURANCE IF APPLIES, THE ORIGINAL PASSENGER WILL NOT RECEIVE THE INSURANCE PREMIUM BACK.
Responsibilities/liability
Sunwest tours, referred to as “the Company”, is responsible to you in making arrangements for the tour services offered in the brochure including transportation, sightseeing and hotel accommodation. The carriers, hotels and other suppliers providing tour services are independent contractors and are not agents, employees or servants of or joint ventures with the company or its affiliates. All certificates and other travel documents for tour services issued by the company are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the supplies and to the laws of the countries in which the services are supplied.
If the services included in the tour cannot be supplied, or there are changes in an itinerary for reasons beyond the control of the company, the company will arrange for the provision of comparable services. Any resulting additional expense will be payable by tour participants and any resulting saving will be refunded by the company to tour participants.
The tour participant does not agree that nether the company nor shall its affiliates be liable for any damage, loss (including personal injury, death and property loss) or expense occasioned by any act or omission of any supplier providing tour services or of any other person.
No person, other than an authorized representative of the company by a document in writing, is authorized to vary, add or waive any term or condition of the tour, including any term or condition set forth in the preceding provisions.