general policies
Policies – Join a Tour
Have a fun trip!
Please listen to your bus driver’s personal and/or recorded safety message. It is important.
Overnight Pricing: Multi-day trips are priced per person, double occupancy. Single rates are available.
Payments: Full payment is due 30 days prior to departure. Credit cards are accepted including Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Checks drawn on US banks are accepted. Cash is good, too. Trips must meet a minimum, if a trip is cancelled due to lack of participation, a full refund is issued. On some trips we may be able to add you on up to departure day, so please call.
Cancellation penalties on day trips and overnight tours with a per person fee of $499 or less: A $25 service fee is charged for all customer cancellations before any refund is calculated. Cancel 14 or more days prior to departure to receive a full refund (less service charge). If you cancel 7-13 days prior to departure you will receive a 50% refund of the balance remaining after the service charge is applied. If you cancel 6 or fewer days prior to a departure, there is no refund. You are welcome to sell or gift your ticket. Passengers may wish to purchase travel insurance through Tour West America.
Cancellation penalties on tours with a per person fee of $500 or more: A $20 service fee is charged for all customer cancellations before any refund is calculated. Cancel 46 or more days prior to departure to receive a full refund (less service charge). If you cancel 31 – 45 days prior to departure you will receive a 50% refund of the balance remaining after the service charge is applied. If you cancel 30 or fewer days prior to a departure, there is no refund. You are welcome to sell or gift your ticket. Passengers may wish to purchase travel insurance through Tour West America.
Occasionally, Tour West America acts as an agent for another tour company. For these tours, The cancellation policy of the other company is in effect, and this information is provided on the tour web page. For example, for Copper Canyon tours, A Closer Look Tours cancellation policy applies. $200 per person is due when booking, the balance is due 30 days prior to departure. The $200 is fully refundable, minus a $20 service charge, up to 30 days before departure. After 30 days there is no refund.
Travel Insurance: Tour West America offers travel insurance through Travel Guard. To cover pre-existing conditions, it must be purchased within 14 days of the date you originally reserved your tour. We would be pleased to provide more details and/or a brochure that outlines coverage and fees.
Disclaimers:
No alcohol consumption or smoking on the bus, please.
We are not responsible for vehicles left at pick-up locations. We are not responsible for items left on the bus.
The gratuity for our driver and/or escort is not included in the
pricing: $5 per day each for the driver and escort is customary for a job well done.
Policies – Charter a Bus
Have a fun trip!
Please listen to your bus driver’s personal and/or recorded safety message. It is important.
Reservation: A signed copy of our charter confirmation must be returned to our office to officiate the charter reservation. All due dates will be set.
When a deposit is required, the amount must be received by the due date or risk cancellation. This amount will be 10% with a $100 minimum. The deposit will be requested up to 30 days after the reservation is made. No deposit will be requested for any reservations departing within one month. In such a case full prepayment will be due.
Any balance due must be received by the due date, (usually 30 days prior to departure) or risk cancellation and return of deposit.
Cancellation Policy is as follows:
- A full refund will be made if the trip is cancelled 72 hours or more before the scheduled report time.
- The full charter price up to a maximum of $500 will be charged for cancellations made within 24 and 72 hours of the scheduled report time.
- The full charter price up to a maximum of $1000 will be charged for cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled report time.
- Alternative policy may apply if noted in the confirmation.
Miscellaneous charges: Tolls, national park fees, parking, driver accommodations or any other miscellaneous charges are the responsibility of the chartering party unless arrangements otherwise are put into the confirmation.
Use of alcohol:A special use deposit (up to $1000) may be required when alcoholic beverages are to be consumed onboard. Kegs and glass containers are prohibited. The deposit is refundable upon completion of the trip following the satisfactory inspection of the coach by a Tour West America representative. Legal State age requirements apply.
Smoking and illegal substance use is prohibited.
No glass beverage containers are allowed onboard.
Damages: The charter party will be billed for any damage to vehicles over and above normal use.
Driver Hours of Service Regulations: The US DOT and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has adopted certain regulations for the protection and safety of both the traveling public and the bus driver. Bus drivers are limited to:
- 15 consecutive hours on duty in any period before taking a minimum of 8 consecutive hours off duty. Tour West America reserves the right to increase this minimum.
- A 10 hour maximum of this 15 can be accumulated behind the wheel.
Disclaimer: Tour West America reserves the right to refuse the transport of any person whose conduct is objectionable to the comfort and safety of passengers and/or driver.
Disclaimer: Tour West America is not liable for the damage to or loss of baggage or other property. Baggage and all other property will be handled at the passenger’s risk and only in an amount that can be conveniently carried in the storage areas of the vehicle.
Methods of Payment Information
Tour West America and Tour West Travel accept payments via cash, credit card, check (US checks only), or wire transfer.
Cash may only be hand delivered. Do not mail.
Credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Payment may be called in, faxed, emailed, or hand delivered.
Checks for Tour West America in Phoenix should be made out to and mailed or delivered to:
Tour West America, Inc.
4256 E. Elwood Street
Phoenix, AZ 85040-1924
Please include charter order number on check.
Checks for Tour West America in Yuma should be made out to and mailed or delivered to:
Tour West America, Inc.
333 S. Main Street
Yuma, AZ 85364-2316
Please include tour number on check.
Checks for Tour West Travel should be made out to and mailed or delivered to:
Tour West Travel
333 S. Main Street
Yuma, AZ 85364-2316
If you need to make a wire transfer to Tour West America in Phoenix, please call 480-237-8888 for the necessary bank information. If you need to make a wire transfer to Tour West Travel or Tour West America in Yuma, please call 928-783-8888.