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TRIP PROTECTION AND CANCELLATION POLICIES

TRIP PROTECTION
What is the Full Refund Program?

• This unique plan is designed to protect your investment. If you, the Program Leader, school, or school's administration cancels prior to trip departure, you will receive a refund less the cost of the Full Refund Program and nonrefundable fees - regardless of the reason. No questions asked. Last year we returned more than $5 million to 9,000 families enrolled in the program. These families were forced to cancel for countless unexpected situations, including illness, academic problems, weddings, job transfers, scheduled conflicts and more.
• To remove the Full Refund Program from your account, simply write "No Full Refund" on your first payment coupon and return to WorldStrides or send a written request by the first payment due date.
  

Is this Full Refund Program available for international travel?
No. Groups traveling internationally can purchase travel insurance from Berkley Care.

The General Terms and Conditions state you get a full refund less the cost of the program fee, what is the program fee?
This is the cost of the Full Refund Program. The cost of the program is based on the trip price and is non-refundable. This information can be found in the registration letter or in the General Terms and Conditions.

Is the cost of the Full Refund Program applied toward my child's trip or included in the trip price? No, this cost is in addition to your base trip price.

If my child does not cancel, will I be refunded the cost of the program?
No, this is a non-refundable fee.

Does the Full Refund Program return money for any portion of the trip not attended? For example, if my child returns home due to illness.
No.

What happens if I have to cancel and I am not enrolled in the Full Refund Program?

• If you, the Program Leader, school, or school administration cancel, and you are not enrolled in the Full Refund Program, the Standard Cancellation Policy (domestic travel) applies:
  
  • If your cancellation is postmarked more than 75 days prior to the departure date, WorldStrides will retain 25% of the base trip price (a minimum of $120 if the base price is over $400), plus all nonrefundable fees.
  • If your cancellation is postmarked 35-74 days before the group's departure, WorldStrides will retain 50% of the base trip price, plus all nonrefundable fees.
  • If your cancellation is postmarked 34 days or less before the group's departure, WorldStrides will retain 100% of the base trip price, plus all nonrefundable fees.
    
    
• Standard cancellation policy is based on the originally scheduled trip dates
  

What happens if I have to cancel and I am enrolled in the Full Refund Program (FRP)?
First, we would encourage you to wait to cancel until you are absolutely sure your child has decided against traveling. The Full Refund Program allows you to do this without penalty as long as you notify WorldStrides prior to departure. If you have waited and wish to cancel your registration, you are provided a refund of all monies paid, less the program fee and other non-refundable fees*, as long as your cancellation is received prior to departure. The program does not make refunds in the event the trip is canceled as a result of or following an act of God, war (whether declared or not), terrorism, civil unrest, or in the event of WorldStrides' bankruptcy, insolvency, or cessation of business.

*The non-refundable deposit, handling charges, merchandise fees, fees for returned bank checks or declined credit cards, fees for electronic drafts such as EZPay, late payment and late registration fees are not refundable.

CANCELLATION
I need to cancel my trip. What do I need to do?

• A written request from the Responsible Party is required to cancel the account and begin the refund process. Cancellations can be sent to WorldStrides via mail (WorldStrides PO Box 9033 Charlottesville, VA 22906), fax (1-434-982-8748) or email (customerservice@worldstrides.org).
• Include the registrant's name, customer account number and complete address in the cancellation request.
  

When can I expect my refund?
All refunds take four to six weeks to process

My son or daughter is not able to go on the trip. Can a friend go in his place?
As stated in our registration brochure, reservations are not transferable.

I made my payment with a credit card and I want my refund in the form of a check. Is this possible?
No, refunds are issued in the original form of payment on the account.

The credit card used to pay the account has been closed; how will the refund be handled?

• Refunds will be processed to the closed account. If the account has been closed, WorldStrides will process the refund to the credit card account; it is the credit card company's responsibility to process any refund to the customer.
• The only way to prevent the refund from being sent to the closed account is to provide a letter from the issuing credit card company on their company letterhead stating the account is closed. This letter can be sent via fax (434-982-8748) or email (customerservice@worldstrides.org) when the refund is requested.