About Us and Our Programs General Registration Process Payment Questions Trip Protection & Cancellation Policy Trip Information Sightseeing & Touring MyTrip Discovery for Credit Teen Card

TRIP INFORMATION WAITLIST
My child is on the waitlist and I want to cancel. Will I receive a refund?
You are able to cancel the account and receive the appropriate refund after you have been on the waiting list for at least 30 days. Your cancellation request must indicate you are canceling due to waitlist status. WorldStrides will provide a full refund, less any merchandise purchased, handling fees, and service fees for returned payments.

I was never notified that my child is on a waitlist. How do I find this information?
Waitlist status is indicated on all invoices.

How will I know if my child is removed from the waitlist?
If your group is traveling by air, a WorldStrides representative will call to notify you and the indication of your waitlist status will be removed from your invoice.

MERCHANDISE
When will I receive my t-shirt?

• Please allow four to six weeks for delivery.
• Additional delivery time may be necessary for backorder items.
  

I do not want my t-shirt. Can I return it and receive credit on my account?
As long as the shirt has not been worn or washed, you can return it for credit. Credit will be issued to your account once the shirt is received.

My shirt is the incorrect size. Can I exchange it and receive a new size?
Merchandise can be returned to:

WorldStrides
P.O. Box 9033
Charlottesville, VA 22906

SAFETY AND SECURITY
What about safety?
Your child's safety is our highest concern. Your child's hotel room is monitored from late evening through the early morning hours by our night chaperones, which are posted on each floor. WorldStrides staff is available 24 hours a day to handle any emergency that may arise. WorldStrides provides comprehensive medical and illness coverage should your child become injured or sick and need treatment.

I have concerns about crime, safety and security in Washington, D.C. How will I know my child is safe?
The sights that the students visit in D.C. are monitored by outside security personnel (oftentimes, government security) during visiting hours.

What if WorldStrides deems travel unsafe?

• Safety and security are the top priorities for WorldStrides. WorldStrides will not operate any tour or any part of a tour if the safety of any participant is compromised. In order to protect the investment you are making, WorldStrides recommends our optional the Full Refund Program.
• WorldStrides has never cancelled a trip permanently. If we deem it unsafe to travel we will postpone the trip dates. If the new trip dates do not work out for you, you have 14 days to notify us in writing and we will issue a full refund less the applicable fees (only if the dates were changed by 3 or more days).
  

How is the trip chaperoned?
To ensure your child is properly monitored, WorldStrides requires a safe ratio of adults to students on each trip. The Program Leader carefully assigns the trip chaperones. Please contact the Program Leader with any questions or concerns you may have about chaperones.

How can we reach our child in case of an emergency?
Simply call our Tour Central office at 703-933-6143. We have staff on call 24 hours a day so that we will be able to put you in touch with your child in case of an emergency. Please also note that all program participants carry a WorldStrides Identification Badge that provides a toll-free number to our 24/7 Tour Central office in the case of an emergency.

FLIGHT/AIRLINE
What airlines do you use?
WorldStrides has contractual agreements with most major airlines, such as American, United, Southwest, Jet Blue and U.S. Airways.

Can we use or receive frequent flyer miles?
Due to the nature of group travel and discounted group rates, airlines do not allow the use of frequent flyer programs. Group travelers are not eligible to use or receive frequent flyer miles.

How much luggage can my child bring?
We recommend that students bring one suitcase and one carry-on bag. Please remember that students are required to carry their own luggage at times, so keep the weight manageable. The cost for checking baggage is not included in WorldStrides' program price, and travelers should be prepared to pay these fees upon check-in for both departing and returning flights. Please check your airline's website prior to travel for up-to-date information regarding these fees. If you do not yet know your flight arrangements for your program, you can find information regarding most major airline fees at www.sidestep.com/airline-fees.

Additionally, all travelers should be aware of the Transportation Security Administration's guidelines for air travel. For more information, please visit the TSA website at www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm.

I want to depart from the group at the connecting airport on the way home. Can I do this?
No, airline regulations prohibit an individual from departing from the group at the connecting airport.

Can I change my child's flight times and destinations?
Due to the nature of group travel, we are unable to change any aspect of the flight including departure, return flight times, and destinations.

How will I receive the airline tickets?
The Program Leader will be sent the tickets prior to departure. What type of identification is required for airline travel? All participants are required to carry some form of ID. Participants over the age of 17 should have a photo ID such as a driver's license; participants 17 years of age or younger may use a non-photo ID such as a library card, social security card, copy of birth certificate, or student ID.

HOTEL
What hotels do you use?

• All of our hotels are nationally recognized chain hotels such as Marriott properties, Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, Hilton, Sheraton, or comparable locations. Each hotel has been chosen for its cleanliness, hospitality, and safe location. Our hotels are "student friendly" and rated by the teachers leading trips every year.
• Students on Our Westward Adventure programs get to experience life as an early settler: camping in tent cabins, eating around a campfire, and learning to live in the great outdoors.
  

Does my child get to pick his or her own roommate?
Most students get to choose their own roommates. The roommate selection form will be mailed approximately 100 days from your departure date. Ultimate approval of all roommate selections rests with the Program leader.

How many children stay in a room?

• Students are placed four-to-a-room with two double beds in each room (domestic only).
• Students participating in Our Westward Adventure trips sleep four-to-a-tent cabin on individual bunks.

MEALS
What kinds of meals are provided for the participants?
On some programs, breakfasts may range from deluxe continental to full American breakfasts, depending on the hotel or restaurant. Groups usually eat at food courts or enjoy cafeteria-style lunches while traveling and are also provided dinners. In some cases, lunches may not be included in the program price.

Are meals for participants with dietary restrictions available (i.e. Kosher, vegetarian, etc)?
WorldStrides can usually accommodate special diets if given advance notice. Please contact your Program Leader and make him/her aware of any special dietary requirements well in advance of the trip departure.