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Terms & Conditions
By booking with Empire Travel, you agree to the terms and conditions contained herein. Any payment constitutes acceptance of these terms. All policies, procedures, and terms contained herein are subject to change at any time without notice at Empire Travels’ sole discretion. All communications, including questions about modifications, cancellation, payments, and future travel credits, must be via email. Independent third-party suppliers operate the following excursions, guided tours, transportation, day and night events sold by Empire Travel. Empire Travel is acting as an agent for these independent third-party suppliers and not as a tour operator itself. Standard policies, payments, and penalties may be more restrictive during holidays and special events. No issuance of future travel credit or refunds for special events shows or attraction passes. 1. Bookings, Deposits & Payments Empire Travel accepts payment by a variety of credit and debit cards. Coming in 2021, we are glad to announce will offer the Uplift monthly payment plan. Payments must be submitted monthly to keep your reservation active. Non-payment or two late payments without notification will result in cancellation, and funds will be forfeited. All travel mates must book under the same package. Choose your travel mates wisely! If a cancellation occurs that changes the occupancy, the remaining occupant(s) will be required to pay the applicable occupancy rate. For example, if you book a triple occupancy room and one travel mate cancels, the remaining parties will be required to pay the double occupancy rate. Reservations that are not paid in full by the final payment deadline assessed a $75 late fee and canceled within 48 hours. All funds paid towards your package will be forfeited. If you made a credit card payment and requested to refund and pay with a different card, be advised that a $40 processing fee charged for refunding a previously applied payment and recharging the other credit card. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations require you to provide your full name as it appears on your travel documents, date of birth, and gender at the time of booking for watch-list screening. Failure to provide this information will result in you not being allowed to travel. For details, visit tsa.gov. When booking with an airline-sponsored credit card, benefits such as free baggage fees may apply when booking with the airline directly, not valid to your Empire Travel Group Getaway Package. To reserve your group getaway package, provide the required booking information and pay the applicable deposit per person, including the Travel Protection (if selected). Suppose you decline Travel Protection and cancel your booking. In that case, a travel protection decline waiver required by our agency, and any refund due (after applicable penalties) will be in the form of a future travel credit. We reserve the right to treat the booking as canceled by you if the balance is unpaid when due. Monthly payments are due each month. You are welcome to pay additional to lower your balance. However, we do not accept rollover payments to satisfy a future monthly payment. Monthly payments due to the 15th of each month unless otherwise stated. The final payment is due 14 days from either the 1st or the 15th. The Terms and Conditions, Empire Website, Informational Packet, and the Client Contract of each event will list the final due date. It is your responsibility to be sure payments arrive at us on or before that date. All event payments must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on the final payment date. If you fail to submit your final amount by the deadline, your reservation canceled, and all funds will be forfeited. Late payments will incur a $25 late fee. Once assessed, your invoice will be adjusted, and the late fee required with your next monthly payment. TERMS & CONDITIONS 2. Definite Departures We guarantee our trips will depart (weather and other conditions dependent, of course). 3. Deposit Protection (updated 09/22/2020) Should your plans change and cancel your booking 60 days or more for a domestic trip and 120 days or more for an international trip before your departure date, you will receive a credit minus $50.00, valid for up to one year the date of cancellation. 4. Agency Service & Consultation Fee (new policy effective 09/16/2020) A non-refundable $25.00 agency consultation fee charge added to all sales. 5. Customer Pricing Notice A 4% service charge added to all sales. 6. Cash Discount As an incentive for customers, we now provide a discount to pay with cash, check or Empire Gift Card of 4%, and as an added convenience, all listed prices represent this cash discount. 7. Gift Cards, Loyalty & Rewards Incentive Program Coming in 2021, we will launch our online Square store. Available for sale will be t-shirts, Empire Gift Cards, and more. Each time you make a purchase, make a payment, and signed up for our loyalty program, you will earn points for dollars spent. Once signed up for our loyalty program on birthdays, you will receive a special gift from Empire. On certain occasions, receive travel coupons. Once you reach a specific tier, you will be able to redeem for gift cards, shirts, Empire sponsored events, candles, natural body products, African American Expression gifts, and more. Ensure you sign up for our loyalty program once released and start earning points for even a free trip. 8. Empire Dynasty Travel Incentive Program Here is how it works. • Refer friends, and you all get rewarded. • You will receive a $25 Empire Dynasty Travel Gift Card for each paid in full "new guest." • The gift card can be applied to any Empire event or any event you set up with Empire Dynasty Travel (family reunion, school reunion, birthday, etc. by land or cruise) • If you are not attending the event yet refer a guest and provide your name and pay their trip in full-we, you will mail you the $25 Empire Dynasty Travel Gift Card. • It pays to travel with Empire as we "treat you like royalty" and consider you family and not a guest. At Empire, we love our family and appreciate you. TERMS & CONDITIONS We have you protected! Is travel protection the same as travel insurance? Travel insurance is an actual insurance product underwritten by large insurance companies and regulated by state insurance agencies. A trip protection plan might only cover a portion of the trip and not reimburse you for a cancellation but instead issue you a credit for future travel. Whether you are traveling in the best of times or in uncertain times, a solid travel insurance policy can save you substantial money and frustration. 9. Is travel insurance a waste of money? Just another expense, right? Wrong. A travel insurance plan can cover you for unexpected costs incurred before or during your trip so that payments can be less likely to come out of your pocket. A travel insurance plan from Travel Guard helps to protect your trip investment with coverages like trip cancellation and interruption, medical expense, and evacuation, lost or delayed baggage, and more. As a bonus - most travel insurance plans also include 24/7 assistance services to re-book flights and hotels on your behalf and act as a personal travel assistant while you are away from home. 10. Travel Protection We strongly recommend that you purchase Travel Protection to cover your cancellation and change fees. Trips get canceled. It is not fun, but it happens. And when it does, that's when trip insurance can make a world of difference. Suppose you need to cancel for work or illness or weather, or any other covered reason. When you are covered, you can begin to relax. Plus, filing a claim is very user-friendly. That is a nice feeling in an unpredictable world. Purchase within 15 days of your initial deposit date, and early purchase benefits may apply. The initial deposit date is the day on which you made your first payment toward the trip. Losing your investment towards a vacation is the absolute worst. Therefore, we highly recommend purchasing travel protection to protect against trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, medical expenses, and more. You may purchase Insurance up to 24 hours before your trip departure date. Travel Protection payments are nonrefundable and nontransferable. TERMS & CONDITIONS The 20 benefits of travel insurance 1. Overseas emergency medical assistance 2. Overseas emergency medical and hospital costs 3. Accommodation and travel expenses 4. Family emergency 5. Cover for your traveling companion 6. Resumption of journey 7. Hospital cash allowance 8. Accidental death 9. Permanent disability 10. Loss of income 11. Credit Card fraud and replacement 12. Theft of cash, traveler's cheques, and travel documents 13. Luggage, personal effects, and delays 14. Cancellation fees and lost deposits 15. Disruption of your journey 16. Alternative transport 17. Personal liability 18. Domestic Pets 19. Domestic services 20. Rental vehicle excess Like all insurance policies, there are restrictions and exclusions to each of the benefits. Always read the policy carefully for complete details of what your policy offers. Each policy will vary from insurer to insurer. TERMS & CONDITIONS Insurance or Protection Available A. Standard Travel Insurance (i.e., Travel Guard) Cost: Varies 1. Standard: Plans can cover trip cancellation, travel medical insurance, and more. Each policy will vary from insurer to insurer. B. Cancel for any reason Cost: Varies 1. Cancel for any reason: The Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option is available as an upgrade on several of our comprehensive travel insurance plans. It is a great option that allows travelers to cancel their trip for any reason otherwise covered in their base plan, provided they cancel their trip more than 48 hours before their departure date. Three required criteria for Cancel for Any Reason coverage: Provided you qualify and unable to take the trip for any reason not otherwise covered by this plan. The insurer will reimburse the insured for a percentage of the prepaid, forfeited, non-refundable payments or deposits for insured trip arrangement(s) up to the maximum limit. 1. The CFAR coverage purchased within 15 days of the initial trip deposit. 2. The trip is canceled more than 48 hours before the scheduled departure. 3. The full cost of all non-refundable, prepaid trip arrangements insured at the time of purchase. Be sure to read your description of coverage. C. Empire Travel Protection (in-house protection) 1. Standard: $25.00 Covered reasons: Sickness (yourself or immediate family member), death (immediate family member), divorce (yourself), job loss, required to work, or unable to leave the country. You must cancel by the final payment due date. An FTC (future travel credit) issued in 50% of the prepaid, forfeited, non-refundable payments or deposits. To qualify, you must purchase and pay the fee within 45 days of the initial trip deposit. (NO EXCEPTIONS) It does not cover pre-existing conditions or a situation that has occurred before the fee paid. You will be required to provide documentation. 2. Cancel for any reason: $50.00 You may cancel for any reason (domestically) 72 hours before the departure date and (internationally) 96 hours before the departure date. An FTC (future travel credit) issued in 75% of the prepaid, forfeited, non-refundable payments or deposits. To qualify for the cancel for any reason protection, you must purchase and pay the fee within 15 days of the initial trip deposit. (NO EXCEPTIONS) Domestic travel canceled within 72 hours before the departure date. International travel canceled within 96 hours of the departure date. You must email the intent to cancel to our office. The email must come from the attendee and no third party. (NO EXCEPTIONS). The full cost of all non-refundable, prepaid trip arrangements insured at the time of purchase. TERMS & CONDITIONS Insurance or Protection Available Continued 3. Event cancelation or postponement Protection: Free Available at no charge to each paid attendee. In the event of a cancelation or postponement by the organizer for any reason (COVID, weather, pandemic, strike, etc.) and you declined travel insurance or travel protection—an FTC (future travel credit) issued without penalties applied. The credit expires one year from the event's postponement or cancelation. 11. Travel Insurance Refunds Claims are filed directly with Travel Guard, processed by Travel Guard, and refunds are handled directly by Travel Guard and not by Empire Dynasty Travel. Your policy will be emailed directly to you once processed by Empire Dynasty Travel. You may contact Travel Guard at 1.800.826.5248 to inquire about the claim. 12. Changes, Cancellations & Refunds You must immediately notify Empire Travel by sending only an email from the registered email address on file with our agency to cancel or make changes to your vacation package. Email your cancellation request to empiredynastytravel@gmail.com with your full name, an invoice number, the event you are canceling, and the reason for cancellation. Changes to an existing reservation will incur a $50 per person fee plus any additional supplier fees. This policy includes name changes and the removal of any services. Within 14 days of a reservation cancellation, you may reinstate your reservation. A fee of $50.00 will be required & paid at the time of reinstatement. For all last-minute reservations and subject to availability, you may pay in full to secure. All applicable cancellation penalties will apply. If your plans change, your right to a refund with the insurance company or a future travel credit with Empire Travel is limited and subject to penalties and fees, as noted herein. If insurance is purchased, please contact Travel Guard at 1.800.826.5248 and provide your policy number. If you did NOT buy Travel Protection, any refund due (after applicable penalties) would be in the form of a future travel credit. If you purchased Travel Protection, and your claim denied, please email the official letter of denial to our office. The total refund due will automatically become a future travel credit as Empire Travel does not issue a cash refund. Future travel credits are valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. The future travel credit must require using for travel commencing before the expiration date. Future travel credit is nontransferable and nonrefundable. Future travel credit has no cash value. The name listed on the future travel credit will match the name listed on the original reservation, with no exceptions. TERMS & CONDITIONS All changes and cancellations are subject to availability, limitations, restrictions, and fees imposed by Empire Travel, hotel, and feature/excursion suppliers. Passengers who do not travel are subject to 100% cancellation penalties. If you cancel your vacation or change your departure date, flight, duration, class of service, name, departure city, or destination, an additional payment may be required. Significant additional penalties (i.e., nonrefundable airline tickets and fees, nonrefundable or nontransferable hotel promotions) may apply. If the number of individuals occupying a room changes due to a cancellation or booking change, the remaining traveler(s) will be responsible for any additional costs incurred due to a change in the per-person occupancy rate. If all travelers change, it is considered a new booking, and cancellation fees will apply. Once travel has begun, there will be no future travel credit for any unused or partially used travel component for any reason. Standard change and cancellation policies apply to bookings made with future travel credits. 13. Credit Card Transactions & Chargebacks The guest agrees that in consideration of the agency, Empire Dynasty Travel agreement to accept payment by credit card, should any dispute arise between the parties, the guest will not submit a "chargeback" or otherwise dispute the credit card company's charge. All such conflicts of disputes mutually agreed to be resolved according to the Dispute Resolution provision of this Contract. If for any reason, any travel service provider is unable to provide the services for which you have contracted, your remedy lies against the provider and not against Empire Travel. If payment has been made to Empire Travel by credit card, you agree that you will not seek to chargeback your payment to Empire Travel. Should the guest submit a chargeback in violation of this provision, the guest agrees that this paragraph provided to the credit card company in response to such chargeback and that the chargeback automatically denied as a result. Suppose Empire Travel incurs any costs, including but not limited to attorneys' fees, to recover any payments charged back by your credit card company. In that case, you agree that you will be liable for these costs. If the credit card declined, you guarantee that you will settle any amounts owed to Empire Travel via money order or cash immediately. 14. Customer Number Your invoice numbers. 15. Travel Documents Your travel documents will be emailed to you once full payment is received. Please check them carefully to ensure that all the information is correct and that passenger names match your Proof of Citizenship. If you discover an error, please contact our office immediately. TERMS & CONDITIONS 16. Required Entry/ Re-entry Documentation Proper documentation is YOUR responsibility. At the time of publication, the following information was provided based on current requirements for U.S. citizens. This information may change; please contact your destination consulate for your travel date's most current requirements. Passengers returning to the U.S. by air from any international destination must have a valid passport. They may be denied boarding by the airline if the passport is damaged, mutilated, or has excessive wear. A "Passport Card" is not acceptable. If your name on your passport (or for non-U.S. citizens, "valid travel documents") does not match your name on your travel documentation, you will not be allowed to travel. A passport valid for up to 6 months past the date of completed travel is required when traveling internationally. Married or divorced women traveling under names other than what printed on their travel documents must supply a marriage license or divorce decree. For details on how to obtain a passport, contact your local courthouse or post office. If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact your destination's consulate or embassy to determine required entry documents. Passports are NOT required for travel within the continental U.S., Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, travel to these U.S. destinations/U.S. Territories require a valid state/government-issued picture I.D. or valid state-issued driver's license compliant with the Real ID ACT. Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act established minimum I.D. security standards and prohibited federal agencies, like T.S.A., from accepting licenses and identification cards for official purposes from states that do not meet these standards. Passengers traveling domestically with a driver's license issued by a non-compliant state with the REAL ID ACT (and has not been granted an extension) will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic air travel to board their flight. To check whether your state is compliant or has an extension, visit dhs.gov/real-id. If your state-issued I.D. or driver's license is not compliant, visit tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification for alternate forms of acceptable I.D. Due to COVID-19, the deadline for domestic airline passengers to secure a Real ID driver's license for use as identification at the airport moved back one year. Enforcement is now due to begin on October 1, 2021. Any passenger who is denied boarding due to a lack of proper documentation will have their vacation canceled. Failure to comply with the above requirements will result in you not being allowed to travel, and no future travel credit granted. 17. Group Harmony To ensure the desired group synergy, Empire Dynasty Travel reserves the right to accept, reject, or expel any individual deemed disruptive or incompatible with the interests of the group. Expenses, including cancellation fees and or costs for alternative travel plans to return home, will be the passenger's responsibility. All unused services are nonrefundable. TERMS & CONDITIONS 18. Traveling Minors We cannot accept unaccompanied minors under 18 for any travel. For certain countries, notarized consent from both parents or legal guardian(s) required for children younger than 18 years old traveling with one parent, or in someone else's custody; or a notarized birth certificate showing only one parent, a parent's death certification or a court order of child custody MAY also be permissible. Be sure to check with your travel agent, inquire with your destination's consulate, or visit websites such as travel.state.gov, dhs.gov, or iatatravelcentre.com. Mexican-born minors under 18 years of age are traveling alone or with someone other than a parent or legal guardian required special documentation for departing Mexico, even if the Minor is a Dual Mexican Citizen. For details, contact the Mexican embassy or click here. Some airlines may require documentation for children traveling without their legal guardian beyond what is mandated by the destination country- contact your airline directly for details. 19. Denial of Entry Certain countries may deny entry to travelers with even a minor criminal record. If not a U.S. citizen, enter back into the U.S. Check with the U.S. Embassy and the embassy or consulate of the country visited to ensure you can travel as planned. Empire Travel does not accept responsibility if denied entry and cancellation penalties apply. 20. Package Pricing - Exclusions If you have not paid for your vacation in full, you will be responsible for any increases in the price of any components of the vacation package. Empire Travel reserves the right to re-invoice your reservation should an error be made in computing your vacation price. You may incur additional expenses that are not included in the package price, including but not limited to (unless otherwise noted): gratuities, meals, and beverages; passport/visa fees; airline seat assignments and baggage fees; departure taxes, environmental levies, and hotel energy surcharges; resort fees, car seats; rental cars; transfers, optional excursions; and items of a personal nature. Rates for packages including a rental car do not include state/local taxes, gasoline, optional insurance, Collision Damage Waiver (C.D.W.), under-age driver charges if under the age of 25, or airport charges, which are payable directly to the rental car company. Minimum age requirements may apply- contact our office for specific information. A valid driver's license and major credit card in the driver's name are required. 21. Hotel Accommodations All rooms requested are a standard king or queen bed or two-bedded rooms with private bathroom accommodations, unless specifically requested otherwise. Please understand that although we will make a bed type request on your behalf, bed types are subject to availability. Room selection in all cases is strictly at the discretion of the hotel’s management. The number of persons accommodated does not dictate the room size. Single and double occupancy reservations may be placed in a single bedded room unless otherwise specified. 22. Special Requests If you request special arrangements such as adjoining rooms/room locations, bedding requests, specific assistance, or special meals, we will pass on your request to the vendor on your behalf. However, since these requests lie outside our contracts with our suppliers, we cannot guarantee special request unless otherwise stated. TERMS & CONDITIONS 23. Handicapped Services and Facilities Should you desire any special service or equipment to assist with a disability, please let us know in advance to advise the air carrier or resort (services vary by carrier, cruise line, hotel, tour company, and resort). Although we will do our best to assist you, Empire Travel does not guarantee the availability of wheelchairs at any airport or location. Wheelchair-accessible rooms may be requested but cannot be guaranteed. Standards vary by property and country, may not be consistent with the Americans With Disabilities Act's standards, and are not within Empire Travel control. 24. Room Assignment Deadline Varies-listed within paperwork for a specific event 25. Hotel Confirmation Numbers Sent directly by Empire Dynasty Travel to each guest! (for international passport tours) For all non-international passport tours and a few selected USA tours, the hotel confirmation will be sent directly by the property to the email address registered with our company. The confirmation will be sent to the lead only. Additional guest is welcome to obtain hotel confirmation by lead or by calling the hotel directly. 26. Itinerary Event itineraries are subject to change without notice. 27. Official Itinerary Release Date Varies-listed within paperwork for a specific event 28. Concert Tickets—Applies to Concert Events We will do our best to ensure the group is together. However, our Ticket Sales Representative is unable to guarantee as the tickets provided subject to availability. You are guaranteed tickets, however, not guaranteed sitting together. TERMS & CONDITIONS 29. Best Time to Purchase Airline Ticket The best time to buy flights for your winter vacation is 62 days in advance, according to the CheapAir report. It is 69 days in advance for fall travel, and for spring travel, it's 90 days in advance. If an airline decides to have a fare sale, it will post it on Monday night, releasing the tickets first on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, other airlines will try to match the price and begin their sales in the early hours of Tuesday. But buy quickly; the airlines usually pull the deals by Thursday evening. The Best Day of The Week to Buy Plane Tickets. Tuesday is usually the cheapest day to buy a ticket. ... Contrary to popular belief, booking airline tickets late is often cheaper. ... Airlines know that business travelers tend to book their seats at the last minute and are willing to pay a premium for their flights. The logic follows that the earlier you book, the cheaper your seat will be. But it is not always so. The days of the week, you fly matter, too, and it matters year-round. For U.S. domestic flights, the cheapest days to fly are usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. For flights to Europe, weekdays tend to be less expensive than weekends. 30. Photographic Release Empire Dynasty Travel or its affiliates may photograph or video its trips. Trip participants grant Empire Dynasty Travel and affiliates permission to do so and use the same for promotional or commercial use without any compensation. 31. Release Authorization Guest authorizes a guest sharing room responsible for picking up all items included in their (the selected event) package and will not hold Empire Dynasty Travel accountable for missing items signed by their guest on their behalf. 32. Assumption of Risk I am aware that travel I am undertaking may involve hazardous activities with the risk of illness, injury, or death. Which may be caused by forces of nature, animals, insects or flora, the negligence of Empire Dynasty Travel, or other persons and companies known or unknown, or of the willful or criminal conduct of third parties. I am aware that weather conditions may be severe, adverse, and unpleasant. I am also aware that medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible during some time during which I am participating on the trip. To partake in this trip's enjoyment and excitement, I am willing to accept the risks and uncertainty involved as an integral part of my adventure. I now accept and assume full responsibility for any risks of illness, injury or death, and the negligence of Empire Dynasty Travel and agree to hold harmless and release Empire Dynasty Travel from third-party negligence claims. I understand the physical requirements of the activity in which I will be participating. I currently have no known physical, medical, or mental condition, which would impair my ability to participate in this tour or my safety in this activity. I am willing to assume all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition. I now authorize Empire Dynasty Travel, my local ground handler, or others to arrange for any emergency medical treatment and hospitalization as necessary for me because of participation in this activity without my further consent. TERMS & CONDITIONS 33. Voluntary Participation I acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate on the trip. And that I have read the description of the trip as it appears in the current Empire Dynasty Travel website relating to the trip, together with all information contained in this application. I am voluntarily participating in this trip with knowledge of the hazards involved. 34. Empire Travel & Other Service Provider Responsibilities Empire Travel is responsible for providing information to you, examining, verifying all documents, and ensuring that you understand all the subject's policies, fees, and requirements. Any affiliate who makes a reservation on your behalf acknowledges this responsibility. TERMS & CONDITIONS 35. Empire Travel' Responsibility Empire Travel plans with third-party suppliers as independent contractors for the various components that comprise your vacation package. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that proper arrangements are satisfied for your vacation. However, Empire Travel is not an agent of these independent travel providers, and we expressly disclaim any liability for their actions or omissions. Service providers reserve the right to refuse service to travelers at their sole discretion. Empire Travel assumes no liability for the acts of the service provider in refusing service. Empire Travel is not responsible for schedule changes issued by the airline, tour company, shuttle service, and does not offer compensation for those changes. Empire Travel will not pay any increase in fare for an alternative airline or transportation. Empire Travel is not responsible for any circumstances for any injury or damages you may suffer in connection with air or ground transportation, hotel accommodations, events, or other travel or excursion services arranged by Empire Travel. Furthermore, Empire Travel and our third-party suppliers do not control and cannot be responsible for bodily injury, property damage, or other loss or damage caused by factors beyond their control, including but not limited to: air turbulence, flight delays, extreme weather, government restrictions or regulations, strikes, war, acts of terrorism, mechanical breakdown, sickness or disease, epidemics or pandemics, quarantine, your physical, medical or mental disabilities, your failure to obtain valid travel documents or to follow travel instructions resulting in denied entry at destination or re-entry into U.S., and negligence related to the public internet, telephone or other communication lines. Neither Empire Travel nor these third party suppliers, or their respective subagents, shall be held liable for loss or damage to property or injury of a person arising out of events of force majeure, including but not limited to strikes, war, acts of terrorism, extreme weather, flight delays or turbulence, quarantine, sickness, government restrictions or regulations, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of such parties. By booking with Empire Travel or using the Empire Travel online booking site, you waive any claim against Empire Travel, its affiliated and subsidiary companies, and their respective officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents, for any loss of or damage to property or injury to any person because of 1. any defect, negligence, or other wrongful act or omission or any failure of performance of any kind by any airline, hotel, ground transportation, or other travel providers, 2. any claim for the inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, mental distress, or other similar claims, any delayed departure, missed connection, substitute accommodation, termination of service or change in fares or rates, and 1. overbooking, flight cancellation, lost or misconnected baggage, or any claim arising from any vacation package's air transportation portion. Under no circumstances will Empire Travel be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the provision of our travel services or vacation packages. Some hotel room images on our promotional materials and our website do not depict the standard room category—maps not to scale. Empire Travel is not responsible for omissions or errors. Empire Travel plans with third-party suppliers as independent contractors for the various components that comprise your vacation package. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that proper arrangements are satisfied for your vacation. However, Empire Travel is not an agent of these independent travel providers, and we expressly disclaim any liability for their actions or omissions. Service providers reserve the right to refuse service to travelers at their sole discretion. Empire Travel assumes no liability for the acts of the service provider in refusing service. Empire Travel is not responsible for schedule changes issued by the airline, tour company, shuttle service, and does not offer compensation for those changes. Empire Travel will not pay any increase in fare for an alternative airline or transportation. Empire Travel is not responsible for any circumstances for any injury or damages you may suffer in connection with air or ground transportation, hotel accommodations, events, or other travel or excursion services arranged by Empire Travel. Furthermore, Empire Travel and our TERMS & CONDITIONS third-party suppliers do not control and cannot be responsible for bodily injury, property damage, or other loss or damage caused by factors beyond their control, including but not limited to: air turbulence, flight delays, extreme weather, government restrictions or regulations, strikes, war, acts of terrorism, mechanical breakdown, sickness or disease, epidemics or pandemics, quarantine, your physical, medical or mental disabilities, your failure to obtain valid travel documents or to follow travel instructions resulting in denied entry at destination or re-entry into U.S., and negligence related to the public internet, telephone or other communication lines. Neither Empire Travel nor these third party suppliers, or their respective subagents, shall be held liable for loss or damage to property or injury of a person arising out of events of force majeure, including but not limited to strikes, war, acts of terrorism, extreme weather, flight delays or turbulence, quarantine, sickness, government restrictions or regulations, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of such parties. By booking with Empire Travel and/or using the Empire Travel online booking site, you waive any claim against Empire Travel, its affiliated and subsidiary companies, and their respective officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents, for any loss of or damage to property or injury to any person because of (i) any defect, negligence, or other wrongful act or omission or any failure of performance of any kind by any airline, hotel, ground transportation, or other travel providers, (ii) any claim for inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, mental distress, or other similar claims, (iii) any delayed departure, missed connection, substitute accommodation, termination of service or change in fares or rates, and (iv) overbooking, flight cancellation, lost or misconnected baggage, or any claim arising of the air transportation portion of any vacation package. Under no circumstances will Empire Travel be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the provision of our travel services or vacation packages. Some hotel room images on our promotional materials and our website do not depict the standard room category. Maps not to scale. Empire Travel is not responsible for omissions or errors. 36. Important Notice: Empire Travel enters contracts with hotels and air, land, or water transportation companies, but all such entities are owned and operated by independent contractors. Empire Travel is not responsible for any negligent or willful act, omission, or failure to act on the part of any such entity or its employees, or of any other third party beyond its direct control. The Empire Travel name and logo may appear on posted or hand-held signs at the airport of your departure or destination, in vans, buses, coaches, hotels, or elsewhere during your vacation. The use of the Empire Travel name and logo is the sole reason to help you identify persons or entities who might provide services to you during your trip. But does not indicate, and should not be understood by you to mean that Empire Travel owns, controls, or operates any entity displaying such a sign, or that Empire Travel employs or controls any person holding or showing such a sign. Empire Travel sells leisure group vacation getaways and tours. If this vacation used for any reason other than leisure group vacation getaways and tours, the hotel may directly assess an additional surcharge or refuse service during the holiday, Convention, or special event periods. Specific exclusions may not apply in some jurisdictions. If you have a claim or dispute with any travel or excursion providers, we will provide you with as much assistance as reasonably possible. TERMS & CONDITIONS 37. Luggage & Personal Property Many airlines charge fees for checked or carry-on bags. Each carrier sets the fees, which vary. Information on carrier baggage policy and fees, liability for lost, misconnections, and damaged baggage or other personal property obtained through our agency or by contacting the air carrier directly, requesting them at the airport, or clicking here. Carry-on luggage is limited to one bag per person and must be small enough to fit beneath the seat in front of you. The denial of excess/oversized baggage may occur at check-in or subject to additional charges. Empire Travel accepts no liability for loss or damage to luggage and recommends a T.S.A. approved lock. All lost or damaged luggage must be reported to an airline representative at the passenger's destination airport before you leave the airport. Some airlines do not cover damage to soft-sided baggage. 38. Advice to International Passengers on Limitation of Liability Passengers embarking upon a journey involving an ultimate destination or a stop in a country other than the country of departure advised that the provisions of an international treaty (the Warsaw Convention, the 1999 Montreal Convention, or other treaties). A carrier's Contract of carriage or tariff provisions may apply to their entire journey, including any portion entirely within the departure and destination countries. The applicable treaty governs and may limit carriers' liability to passengers for death or personal injury, destruction, or loss of, damage to, baggage, and delay of passengers and luggage. We recommend additional protection by purchasing insurance from a private company. Such insurance is not affected by any limitation of the carrier's liability under an international treaty. Please consult your airline or insurance company representative for further information. In the United States of America. The Conventions provide: (1) The liability of carriers for death of or personal injury to passengers of up to 128,821 Special Drawing Rights per passenger shall not depend on negligence on the carrier's part. (2) Such liability shall be limited to 128,821 Special Drawing Rights per passenger in the absence of negligence or other wrongful act or omission on the part of the carrier. Additional information on Special Drawing Rights is available at www.imf.org. For international travel (including domestic portions of international journeys) to, from, or with an agreed to stop place in the United States of America, liability for loss, delay, or damage to baggage limited to 1,288 Special Drawing Rights per passenger for all luggage, including carry-on. Excess valuation declares on certain types of articles. Further information available from the air carrier. For domestic flights, the current maximum liability capped at $3,500. For most international flights, a treaty called the Montreal Convention applies to the carriage of baggage. The maximum baggage liability for flights covered by the Montreal Convention is currently 1,288 Special Drawing Rights. TERMS & CONDITIONS 39. Hazardous Materials Restrictions and Insecticide Notice Federal law forbids the carriage of hazardous materials aboard aircraft in your luggage or on your person. A violation can result in five years' imprisonment and penalties of $250,000 or more (49 U.S.C. 5124). Hazardous materials include explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives, and radioactive materials. Examples: Paints, lighter fluid, fireworks, tear gases, oxygen bottles, and radiopharmaceuticals. There are notable exceptions for small quantities (up to 70 ounces total) of medicinal and toilet articles carried in your luggage and certain smoking materials carried on your person. Special restrictions and limitations for transporting Hazardous Materials and Lithium-Ion batteries, refer to www.faa.gov/go/packsafe for more information. In the event a carry-on bag cannot be accommodated in the passenger cabin. And has to be placed below in a cargo bin for any reason; any electronic device or spare Lithium-ion or any other type of battery permitted in carry-on baggage MUST be removed from the carry-on bag and remain in possession of the passenger in the passenger cabin. For further information, contact your airline representative. Some countries may require aircraft cabin insecticide treatment for in-bound foreign flights. A list of such countries is available at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/spray. 40. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution The laws of Kansas govern the Contract. Should a dispute or controversy arise concerning the terms and conditions or involving a claim for loss, injury, or other damage arising out of or relating to your trip, any legal action against Empire Travel shall be brought exclusively in the Kansas Court of Johnson County? Suppose a court of competent jurisdiction determines any term or provision of this Contract invalid or otherwise unenforceable. In that case, such holding will not affect the remaining terms and provisions' validity or enforceability. TERMS & CONDITIONS 41. Post-Vacation Concerns If you have a complaint while on vacation, you must provide Empire Travel with a reasonable opportunity to rectify the issue during your trip by promptly notifying your Empire Representative, who will make every effort to assist. If unable to settle on the spot, please email the office immediately upon your return. Please understand that we cannot consider post-vacation submissions if you did not provide Empire Travel with a reasonable opportunity to assist you during your trip. We reserve the right to give any compensation due in the form of future travel credits. 42. Knowing and Voluntary Execution I have carefully read these Terms and Conditions and the booking information sections of this document and fully understand its contents. I am aware that this is a release of liability and a contract between myself and Empire Dynasty Travel and agree on my own free will. By signing, I agree to these Travel Terms & Conditions and Empire Dynasty Travel Release from Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Binding Arbitration Clause for myself, each member of my traveling party, and any minor children accompanying me. 43. Force Majeure Empire Dynasty Travel does not own or operate any entity to provide goods or services for your trip. Including, for example, ownership or control over hotels or lodging facilities, airline, bus, or other transportation companies, local ground operators, providers or organizers of optional excursions or equipment used, food service or entertainment providers, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, the Empire Dynasty Travel is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity or any other third party. Without limitation, Empire Dynasty Travel is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to acts of God, actions of government, government imposed prohibitions on gatherings in the city or country in which the event is located, declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organization, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, or the threat thereof, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any loss of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely or safely, dangers associated with or bites from animals, pests or insects, marine life or vegetation of any sort, dangers incident to recreational activities such as swimming, kayaking, sailing, canoeing, rafting, hiking, walking, bicycling, etc., sanitation problems, food poisoning, lack of access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency, illness, epidemics or the threat thereof or for any other cause beyond the direct control of Empire Dynasty Travel. If the event which is the subject of the Contract canceled due to a reason that the parties mutually agree is a Force Majeure, 100% of all deposits/payments paid by the guests will be refunded as a future travel credit only. If the guests purchase insurance, the guest must first file a claim with the insurance company; if denied, the letter of denial forwarded to our office, and a future travel credit is issued. Also, I release the Empire Dynasty Travel from its negligence and assume all risks thereof. TERMS & CONDITIONS 44. Additional Terms Empire Dynasty Travel reserves the right to refuse to accept or retain any person as a participant and to make changes and substitutions in any itinerary of its group travel as it deems necessary for the comfort, safety, or TERMS & CONDITIONS. The convenience of the group travel participants and the proper execution of the event. Empire Dynasty Travel also reserves the right to withdraw any or all events announced in this program should conditions warrant. If an entire event canceled, a full refund of all monies paid to the company by the participant would constitute a full settlement. Please report any disability requiring special attention to Empire Dynasty Travel at the time the reservation made. Empire Dynasty Travel will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs requirements of disabled travelers. But not responsible in the event it is unable to do so, nor is it responsible for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers. Please note that hotels and Empire Dynasty Travel cannot always guarantee bed type choice. We will do our absolute best to accommodate your request. Empire Dynasty Travel is not responsible for itinerary time changes. To include hotel check-in and bus schedules. Empire Dynasty Travel assumes no responsibility and will not be held liable for any personal injury, property damage, or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity because of 1. any wrongful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of its suppliers, 2. any unlawful, careless, or unauthorized actions or omissions on the part of any employee of these suppliers, 3. any defect or failure of any vehicle, equipment or instrumentality owned, operated, or used by any of these suppliers, 4. any wrongful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of any other party not under control, direct or otherwise, of Empire Dynasty Travel, or 5. acts of God. TERMS & CONDITIONS 45. Dispute Resolution/Attorney Fees/Binding Arbitration I agree with any dispute concerning, relating, or referring to this Agreement. The brochure or any literature concerning my trip, or the trip itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration according to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§1-16, either according to the then-existing Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or according to the Comprehensive Arbitration Rules & Procedures of the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (JAMS). Such proceedings will be governed by substantive (but not procedural) Kansas law and will take place in Leawood, KS. Disputes may consist of • interpretation • applicability • enforceability • conscionably • formation It excludes the use of federal, state, local courts, or agencies. By agreeing to these terms and conditions, you (and we) are waiving our right to a trial by jury. 46. Acceptance Upon signature by the guest or by a representative of the group. The Contract deemed valid. A representative of the Empire Dynasty Travel is required to sign the Contract. The Contract returned to the Empire Dynasty Travel by facsimile transmission or a PDF sent by email. Upon the Contract's execution in one or more counterparts, the Contract is deemed the original and the same Agreement once fully implemented. We look forward to working with you and hosting a memorable event.