Tour Policy

RESERVATIONS

We encourage you to make your reservations at the earliest possible date. Why? A limited number of people can be accommodated on our motorcoaches. In addition, hotel reservations must be made and tickets must be purchased months in advance.

HOW TO MAKE A RESERVATION

By phone during office hours:

• Mon-Sun: 24 Hours
• Local Number: +1-615-365-3434

By Mail / E-Mail: Submit your name, address, phone number,
and name of the tour, departure location and departure date
you wish to join. Also include your roommate’s name (if applicable), and if you wish to purchase tour protection insurance.

E-mail: tours@greatamericantours.com

By internet: You may also submit a reservation request by visiting our website: greatamericantours.com

DEPOSIT & PAYMENT INFORMATION (PER PERSON)

Deposits are due 7 days after making your reservation. Once we receive your deposit, a reservation confirmation will be mailed or emailed to you. Reservations made within final payment deadline will require full payment.

MOTORCOACH TOURS:

• Tours priced less than $150 ………………. Full payment
• Tours priced $150 to $499 …………………. $100 deposit
• Tours priced $500 to $999 …………………. $200 deposit
• Tours priced $1000 to $2999 ……………… $350 deposit
• Tours priced over $3000 ……………………. $500 deposit

FINAL PAYMENT ON MOTORCOACH TOURS is due no later than 30
days prior to departure. Your reservation confirmation will verify the
final payment due date. Penalties on most tours begin 30 days prior
to the tour departure date. Your reservation confirmation will note
any exceptions to this policy.

FLY AND FLY-MOTORCOACH TOURS:

• Land …………. $350 deposit
• Air …………….. $150 deposit

FINAL PAYMENT ON FLY TOURS is due 65 days prior to departure. Your reservation confirmation will verify the final due date. Cancellation penalties begin 65 days prior to departure for fly tours, except for Hawaii tours and those penalties begin 95 days prior to departure. Your reservation confirmation will note any exceptions to this policy.

CRUISES:

Great American Tours deposit, final payment, and cancellation policies for cruises will be as follows:

• Cruises priced $1000 and under ……….. $350 deposit
• Cruises priced over $1000 ………. $500 – $800 deposit
• Air …………………………………………………….. $150 deposit

FINAL PAYMENT ON CRUISES is due 65 to 135 days prior to departure. Your reservation confirmation will verify the final payment due date and when cancellation penalties begin. Cancellation penalties are incurred on or after the final payment date. (Each cruise line’s refund and cancellations policies vary.)

INTERNATIONAL TOURS:

• Land …………. $500 deposit
• Air …………….. $200 deposit

FINAL PAYMENT ON MOST INTERNATIONAL TOURS is due 95 to
180 days prior to departure. Your reservation confirmation will
verify the final payment due date and when cancellation penalties
begin. Cancellation penalties apply on all international tours.

METHOD OF PAYMENT

Great American Tours accepts payments in the form of cash, personal check, or by credit card. Payments can be made by mail, taken by phone, online or in person at our office. Credit Cards: We accept MasterCard, American Express, VISA, and Discover.

REFUND POLICY

Motorcoach Tours: A full refund will be given on most motorcoach tours when cancellations are received prior to 30 days before departure (refer to individual motorcoach tour itineraries for any exceptions). Cancellations made on motorcoach tours
where penalties begin prior to 30 days will be noted on the appropriate catalog page and on your invoice. Penalties on those tours begin 31 to 95 days prior. We recommend you purchase cancellation & trip interruption insurance. See page 16 for details.

Fly Tours, Rail Tours, International Tours & Cruises: Cancellation of these tours will result in a fee. Cancellation fees are normally incurred 155 to 65 days prior to the tour departure. Some tours have special cancellation policies and notification will be on your invoice. We strongly recommend you purchase cancellation & trip interruption insurance.

Regardless of the reason, last-minute cancellations and transfers result in a costly process of letters, calls, record adjustments, refund checks, etc. plus loss of non-refundable tickets and accommodations.

Refunds are not given on tours for attractions, meals, etc. for which individuals do not participate while on the tour. NOTE: When a roommate(s) cancels prior to the cancellation penalty date, the remaining person(s) will be charged the applicable accommodation rate for the number of persons occupying the room.

CANCELLATION & TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE

Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance is highly recommended. Most International destinations require coverage. Cancellation of tours results in costly penalties, especially when you cancel close to the departure date. If you have an emergency or illness while on the tour, trip interruption insurance can provide coverage for expenses incurred. You may purchase Travel Protection Insurance through Great American Tours. The best time to purchase this insurance is within 21 days of making your initial deposit. This ensures eligibility for the PreExisting Conditions Waiver. Travel Insurance coverage must be purchased prior to final payment. See page 16 for details. Medicare, Medicaid and most health insurance plans do not pay outside the United States. For insurance to cover, it must be a qualified reason.

OVERALL HEALTH

Your overall health is important while traveling. We will do our best to notify travelers of any restrictions, specific vaccines or other health requirements. Ultimately, it is the guest’s responsibility to check the entry requirements of their destination prior to departure to ensure they are compliant with the requirements. Should you become sick while traveling and it is confirmed you are contagious, you will need to depart the tour. We strongly recommend travel insurance to cover you for various reasons.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

Transportation: Round-trip transportation (one seat per person) is provided via our spacious late-model Prevost motorcoaches. All coaches are equipped with restroom, air conditioning, adjustable seats, DVD & monitors, stereo and public address system, and tinted panoramic viewing windows. Transportation on Fly Tour & International Tours will receive a similar motorcoach as we provide on our regular motorcoach tours. At times, a smaller vehicle (with fewer amenities) may be used due to the size of the group or the area we are traveling. All passengers are insured while physically on the motorcoach.

Departure & Return Transportation: We provide pick-ups & returns in many different areas for our tours. This transportation will most likely be provided in a motorcoach, midsize van, or minicoach. See page 17 for a list of our departure & return information.

Accommodations: Your highly-rated accommodations are chosen on the basis of location, cleanliness, and dining facilities, as well as the warm hospitality of their management and staff. In peak season areas and national parks, accommodations are sometimes rustic, but afford you the opportunity to view the primitive splendor of the parks and undeveloped areas. Please note most hotels are 100% non
smoking and charge a cleaning fee for smoking or vaping in a non-smoking room. We think you’ll be delighted with our selections. Room assignments are always made by the hotel/motel in an impartial manner.

Rooming Classification:

• Single………….. 1 person / 1 bed
• Double……….. 2 people / 1 or 2 beds
• Triple…………… 3 people / 2 beds
• Quad………….. 4 people / 2 beds

Can I Share a Room? Persons traveling alone may request sharing a Double room. Making your reservations early will greatly aid us in finding a roommate. If we do not succeed, the single rate applies. Price per person will change when a roommate cancels and your accommodation type changes. (Note: Rooming single guarantees you one seat on the motorcoach. When motorcoach is at a greater capacity, a single traveler will be seated with another passenger.)

Sightseeing/Attractions: All sightseeing tours, guides, step-on guide gratuity, and admissions are covered in the tour price as outlined in the itinerary. (Additional gratuity to step-on guides are at your own discretion)

Luggage: Luggage is limited to one bag per person (maximum 48 lbs). Oversized/extra large/large duffel bags are not allowed. Drivers and/or hotel staff can refuse to handle
excessively heavy bags. You will be asked to remove items if overweight. Please pack light. Your luggage can be delivered to your hotel room upon arrival and can picked up the morning of departure.

Carry-On: One small flexible “carry-on” is allowed per person. This bag must be small enough to fit in the overhead storage above your seat. Your “carry-on” is your responsibility to move and carry the entire tour, therefore it is to your advantage to make it as light as possible. Maximum size: flexible 8” deep, 14” high, and 24” long. Larger luggage-style “airline carry-ons” are not allowed inside the mortorcoach. Remember to pack any medication in your carry-on or carry it with you.

Gratuities: All necessary tips to bellmen, doormen, and dining room tips on meals in the itinerary are included. Gratuities on cruises are not included.

Meals: Meals are covered if so stated in the itinerary. The following codes describe what meals can be expected: B – Breakfast, CB – Continental breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner. Due to circumstances beyond our control, it may be necessary to substitute meals on different days of the itinerary. Every effort will be made to provide the number and type of meals described.

Special Requests: Special requests such as king size bed, side-by-side rooms, travel on the same motorcoach with friends, dietary, etc… Please advise our reservationist of any
special needs when making your reservation, or at least 30 days prior to departure. We try to honor all of these requests, but in some hotels and locations, special requests cannot always be honored. Great American Tours is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

THE TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Gratuities to Tour Director and Driver: Gratuities are appreciated and should be extended on an individual basis, not as a group. The amount per person is always at your discretion.

Suggested: $5.00 to $8.00 per person per day for Tour Director
and $5.00 to $8.00 per person per day for Driver

Gratuities for International Tours and Cruises: On all international tours & cruises, you will be given guidelines for expected tipping in your final documents.

Meals: Other than meals stated in the itinerary, most hotels suggest that you give the breakfast attendant a gratuity when a continental breakfast is served.

Personal Expenses: Valet and room service, telephone calls and all other items of a personal nature. Major league parks, theme parks and other places are “cashless” which means you may need multiple forms of payment.

International & Fly Tours: Airline baggage fees and any excess baggage fees. Passport, visa fees, or any other special requirements required to enter another country.

Non-Preventable Expenses: Any additional expenses incurred due to flight delay or flight cancellation, weather conditions, political closures, technical faults, etc. Great American Tours is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged articles or luggage.

ON THE MOTORCOACH

Seat Rotation: Seating on the motorcoach is assigned based
on the order in which the reservation is made. Due to the abundance of requests to sit up front due to motion sickness, health complications, etc., we cannot honor the request to
sit up front. Passengers may request to sit in the back of the motorcoach, otherwise no special seating options will be honored. The seat directly behind the Driver is reserved for the Tour Director.

Prohibited items: Absolutely no smoking (including all vapor devices), tobacco, or alcoholic beverages allowed on any motorcoaches. No firearms, weapons, or explosives are permitted on the motorcoach, in your luggage or carry-on.

Coach Courtesies:

• Persons paying single price will share a seat with another passenger when the motorcoach is filled.
• We request that you cooperate in the seat assignment plan as set forth by the office staff.
• Motorcoach punctuality is extremely important when traveling with a group.
• Each person must be seated before the coach can proceed. We request that you always remain seated while the motorcoach is moving for your personal safety.
• Our motorcoaches are equipped with a restroom. These are typically for emergency use, as we make frequent stops allowing you the opportunity to use public restrooms and stretch your legs.
• Limit cell phone use to breaks & stops only

AIRFARE

Air prices in our catalog are quoted from Charlotte, NC. Because of availability of seats, fuel surcharges and taxes, these rates are subject to change. Our in-house travel consultant can offer rates for other cities as requested. Airline seating is in coach class. You can pay an additional fee for aisle seats or other specific requests. We make every effort to assign seats for you & your roommate together. We are unable to guarantee seat locations.

Included in the Charlotte flight price: Round-trip transportation to the Charlotte airport and round-trip transfers from the destination airport to the hotel. If a passenger’s individual flights are booked separate from the group, transfers are not included.

Not included: Airline baggage fees and any excess baggage
fee are not included in the flight cost.

NECESSARY IDENTIFICATION

Photo ID (such as a driver’s license) is a necessity on any trip. Passports are the type of travel identification recommended to US citizens by the US Department of State. A valid passport is required for all travel outside the USA. Certain international tours require a visa. You will be advised should any international tour require a visa. Please be aware if you have been convicted of a criminal act, you may not be allowed into Canada or other
countries. When planning international travel, be sure your passport will be valid for at least six months after the return date of the tour. You may obtain the passport forms through the Clerk of Court, the Post Office, or go online at www.state.travel.gov.

REAL ID and Domestic Air Travel: Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, for domestic air travel. A REAL ID compliant license is one that meets, and is issued by a state that complies with the REAL ID Act’s security standards.

Proof of Vaccination: Please ask our reservationist if a vaccination is required for your tour destination.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA): Required Travel Authorizations are changing in 2025 when traveling to Europe & The United Kingdom. Travelers from the US (and other countries) wishing to enter Europe will be required to have an European Travel Information & Authorization System (ETIAS) authorization to enter. Travelers from the US (and other countries) wishing to enter The United Kingdom, will be required to have an electronic travel authorization (ETA) starting Jan. 8, 2025.

DOCUMENTS

Seven to ten days before your tour departure, you will receive your final tour information, including your specific departure point & time, rooming list, baggage tag, hotel list with phone numbers and any changes in the itinerary. Call our office immediately if your pick-up point is incorrect or another pick-up point is more convenient.

YOUR TEAM

An important factor in the success of any guided tour is the Tour Team (Director & Driver). Your Great American Tours Team is experienced and personable. Our trademark is personal, impartial service to each tour member.

Tour Director: Tour Directors are members of our staff and have been trained according to the highest Great American Tours standards. You can be assured of traveling with a knowledgeable and courteous tour director, one who will help you to enjoy the most interesting things in the areas through which we travel.
Your tour director will see to your comfort while on the motorcoach, as well as handle all the details of the tour from beginning to end so that you may relax and enjoy a truly carefree vacation. Special requests should be brought to the attention of the Tour Director on the first day of your tour. All special requests should be given to our office/reservation staff 30 days
prior to the departure date.

Tour Driver: Great American Tours drivers are hand-picked professionals selected for their reliability, safety record, congeniality, and genuine concern for our passengers’ welfare. The cooperation between the Tour Director and the Driver assures you of a restful, relaxing travel experience. Their concern is for your pleasure and comfort, so you will return from your vacation with many golden memories.

YOUR HEALTH & TOUR PACE

Your health, physical and mental condition is important in order to participate on any tour. Concerns requiring any type of special attention or treatment must be reported when your reservation is made (at least 30 days prior to the departure date). Great American Tours will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special need of disabled travelers in accordance with ADA. We are not responsible for any denial of services by any other independent supplier. Great American Tours cannot provide individual assistance to tour participants with special needs for walking, dining, or other routine activities. Travelers requiring personal assis- tance should be accompanied by a physically able companion who will assume responsibility for their well-being. The Americans with Disabilities Act is not applicable outside of the United States. Facilities outside the United States are limited. The tour pace varies by itinerary and is subject to personal interpretation. Things to consider: How many nights in each hotel, overall length of tour, an average of 12 or more hour’s daily involvement, and your personal physical abilities or limitations.

ACTIVITY LEVEL: Each destination’s sightseeing and activities are unique. For pacing and activity level of a tour, please refer to the “Activity Level” description below and note the activity level on the tour itinerary page. If you have additional questions re- garding a specific tour, please ask our reservation team before you make your initial reservation. Our travel team can help you determine the perfect trip for you. Some sites visited have limited motorcoach access and may involve considerable walking, stairs or inclines. Some programs include destinations in high el- evations which may have varying effects on individual travelers. For your comfort, we recommend packing comfortable walking
shoes so you can fully enjoy every aspect of your tour.

1 out of 5: Tour requires intermittent walking. This would include walking from the hotel reception area to hotel rooms and dining areas, with occasional slight inclines and stair climbs, including boarding the coach.

2 out of 5: Tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground, gravel and cobblestoned streets.

3 out of 5: Tour requires moderate physical activity and a moderate amount of walking. There will be time to rest on the coach while traveling between attractions. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces, gravel and cobblestoned streets should be expected. Be prepared for a combined 2 – 3 hours of walking each day.

4 out of 5: Tour requires some strenuous physical activity. The more fit you are, the more you’ll enjoy it. You need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain and gravel, climbing stairs and considerable periods of standing. Some of the touring days may be longer, with select included activities occurring later in the evening. Be prepared for up to 4 consecutive hours of walking each day. The tour’s pace can limit the amount of resting time on the coach.

5 out of 5: Our highest physical rating. You’ll be required to be physically fit for this trip, as difficult activities are included. Tours include well-paced walking tours with intermittent breaks. Be prepared for up to 4-6 consecutive hours walking each day, and extended periods of time standing. This itinerary has more strenuous activities which may include such things as: extensive walking tours, physically demanding attractions, transfers over uneven and dusty terrain, high altitudes, early morning departures, late night activities, or extreme temperatures.

SUNDAY SCHOOL, WORSHIP & DEVOTIONAL ACTIVITIES

We will attend local church worship services when listed in the itinerary. Devotions are conducted each day of the trip. A Sunday School lesson is taught on the motorcoach on
Sunday, usually while in transit.

CHANGES IN EVENTS OR ATTRACTIONS

If a change is made in events or attractions as stated in the itin- erary, a similar or better event or attraction will be substituted. Occasionally, an attraction will be changed for the sole pur- pose of improving the tour. For various reasons the itinerary may be arranged in a different order than indicated in the catalog.

PHOTOGRAPHS OR IMAGES

Photographs or images appearing in this Travel Adventures catalog should be used solely as an indication of facilities and attractions. Actual facilities and attractions may vary according to itinerary. All photos are used under Creative Commons licenses or provided by the photographer/attraction. Maps shown on the tour itinerary pages are current at time of printing and may not reflect the actual tour routing should the itinerary change.