Terms of Service

Welcome to France Awaits Travel. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our travel planning services. By engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. Please read them carefully.

1. Services Overview

France Awaits Travel provides customized travel planning services for trips to France. Our services include, but are not limited to:

• Custom itinerary creation and trip design
• Hotel and accommodation research and booking
• Restaurant reservations
• Tour and activity booking
• Transportation arrangements (trains, private transfers, car rentals)
• Pre- and post-cruise planning
• Travel consultation and destination advice

2. Service Tiers and Fees

Planning Fees

Our planning fees vary based on the service tier selected (Turquoise, Emerald, or Diamond). Current pricing is available on our Services & Pricing page. Planning fees are separate from the actual cost of travel arrangements (hotels, tours, etc.).

Fee Structure

• Initial Deposit: A non-refundable planning deposit is required to begin work on your itinerary. The deposit amount varies by service tier.
• Balance Payment: Remaining planning fees are due upon itinerary approval, prior to booking.
• Travel Costs: Actual travel expenses (accommodations, tours, transportation) are billed separately and subject to vendor payment terms.

3. Booking and Payment Terms

Booking Process

1. Initial consultation to discuss your travel vision and preferences
2. Payment of planning deposit to begin itinerary creation
3. Presentation of proposed itinerary for your review
4. Revisions as needed (number of revisions varies by service tier)
5. Final approval and payment of remaining planning fees
6. Booking of travel arrangements with deposits as required by vendors
7. Final payment for travel arrangements per vendor deadlines

Payment Methods

We accept major credit cards, bank transfers, and other payment methods as agreed. All payments are processed securely through our payment partners.

Currency

Planning fees are quoted in US Dollars (USD). Travel arrangements may be priced in Euros (EUR) depending on the vendor. Exchange rates are applied at the time of booking.

4. Cancellation and Refund Policy

Planning Fees

• Initial Deposit: Non-refundable once planning work has begun
• Planning Fees: Non-refundable once the itinerary has been finalized and approved

Travel Arrangements

Cancellation and refund policies for hotels, tours, transportation, and other travel arrangements are determined by each individual vendor. These policies vary significantly and may include:

• Non-refundable deposits
• Sliding scale penalties based on cancellation timing
• Full non-refundable bookings (especially for peak season or special experiences)
• Vendor-specific terms and conditions

We will clearly communicate all cancellation policies before you confirm any bookings. You are responsible for understanding and accepting vendor cancellation terms.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical coverage, and emergency evacuation. We can provide referrals to reputable travel insurance providers upon request.

5. Client Responsibilities

You agree to:

• Provide Accurate Information: Supply correct passport details, travel dates, contact information, and any special requirements
• Timely Responses: Respond to communications in a timely manner to meet booking deadlines
• Travel Documents: Ensure all travelers have valid passports with at least 6 months validity beyond travel dates and obtain any required visas
• Health Requirements: Comply with any health requirements or recommendations for your destinations
• Payment Deadlines: Meet all payment deadlines to secure bookings
• Review Documents: Carefully review all travel documents and notify us immediately of any errors

6. Our Responsibilities

France Awaits Travel agrees to:

• Provide professional, personalized travel planning services
• Use our expertise and local knowledge to create exceptional itineraries
• Clearly communicate all costs, terms, and deadlines
• Make bookings accurately based on approved itineraries
• Provide comprehensive travel documentation
• Offer support and assistance during your trip planning process
• Act in good faith and in your best interests

7. Limitations of Liability

Third-Party Services

France Awaits Travel acts as an intermediary between you and travel service providers (hotels, airlines, tour operators, restaurants, transportation companies, etc.). We are not liable for:

• Acts, omissions, or defaults of any travel supplier
• Service quality issues with third-party vendors
• Delays, cancellations, or schedule changes by airlines, trains, or other carriers
• Loss, damage, or theft of personal belongings
• Illness, injury, or death during travel
• Natural disasters, weather events, or force majeure circumstances
• Political instability, strikes, or civil unrest
• Changes to vendor policies or pricing after booking

Liability Cap

To the maximum extent permitted by law, France Awaits Travel's total liability for any claims arising from our services shall not exceed the planning fees paid to us for the trip in question.

8. Travel Risks and Acknowledgments

By using our services, you acknowledge that:

• International travel involves inherent risks
• Conditions at destinations may change without notice
• You are responsible for researching and complying with entry requirements
• Travel insurance is strongly recommended
• You assume responsibility for your health and safety decisions

9. Changes and Modifications

Pre-Departure Changes

Changes to your itinerary after final approval may incur additional planning fees and are subject to vendor availability and change fees. We will communicate any additional costs before making changes.

Vendor-Initiated Changes

Occasionally, vendors may change or cancel services. We will notify you promptly and work to arrange suitable alternatives, though we cannot guarantee equivalent arrangements.

10. Intellectual Property

Custom itineraries created by France Awaits Travel are for your personal use only. You may not reproduce, distribute, or share itineraries commercially without our written permission. Our brand, logo, and website content are protected by intellectual property laws.

11. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or our services shall be resolved through good faith negotiation. If a resolution cannot be reached, disputes shall be subject to binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, conducted in the United States.

12. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.

13. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

14. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any service agreement signed for specific trips, constitute the entire agreement between you and France Awaits Travel regarding our services.

15. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Significant changes will be communicated to active clients. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

16. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: