Railbookers - Rail Travel

Updated June 23, 2023

Operated by Yankee Leisure Group Inc. (doing business as Railbookers Group, Railbookers, Amtrak Vacations, Yankee Holidays)  500 Cummings Center, Suite 3100 • Beverly, MA 01915-9959

The following booking conditions and any other written information we brought to your attention before we confirmed your booking, form the basis of your contract with Yankee Leisure Group Inc. (doing business as Railbookers Group, Railbookers, Amtrak Vacations, Yankee Holidays), 500 Cummings Center, Suite 3100, Beverly, MA 01915-9959 (“we” or “us”). Please read them carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations.
By asking us to confirm your booking, we are entitled to assume that you have read these booking conditions and agree to them. References to “you” and “your” means all persons named on the booking (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date), or any of them as applicable.
References to “vacation”, “booking” or “arrangements” means the vacation arrangements which we agree to make, provide or perform (as applicable) as part of our contract with you, unless otherwise stated.

By making a booking, the first-named person on the booking
(“lead passenger”) agrees on behalf of all persons detailed on
the booking that:
• He/she has read these terms and conditions and has the authority to and does agree to be bound by them;
• He/she consents to our use of information in accordance with our Privacy Policy which can be found here: https://www.railbookers.com/privacy-policy
• He/she is over 18 years of age and where placing an order for services with age restrictions declares that he/she and all members of the party are of the appropriate age to purchase those services; and
• He/she accepts financial responsibility for payment of the booking on behalf of all persons named on the booking

PAYMENTS

Days Prior to Departure:	Deposits:
120+ Days Prior to Departure	$250 Non-Refundable Deposit for Rail & Sail Packages
91+ Days Prior to Departure	$250 Non-Refundable Deposit for all packages including travel in Europe and Asia as well as any Rocky Mountaineer, Independent Rail Journeys or any custom rail package
61+ Days Prior to Departure	$250 Non-Refundable Deposit for most North American Rail packages
1-60 Days Prior to Departure	Full Payment Due at Time of Booking

*Certain Rail Vacations may require a higher deposit which will be confirmed at the time of booking.

FINAL PAYMENT

Balance is due at 60 days prior to departure on all North American rail packages except select products. The balance is due at 90 days prior to departure on most other packages including Rocky Mountaineer. The balance is due 120 days prior to departure for any Rail & Sail program.

Railbookers Group accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card and American Express. Your booking is not confirmed and payment is not deemed made until the deposit is received by Railbookers Group and you receive a confirmation invoice. Your payment signifies that you agree to these Terms and Conditions, which may be modified from time to time.

If you pay your deposit with a credit card, Railbookers Group will automatically charge the balance due on your final payment date to the same credit card used to make your deposit payment.

Bookings within 30 days of departure will be charged a $35 expedited mailing fee if paper documents are required. Any documents delivered outside of the USA will incur a minimum fee of $50. The actual cost will be advised at the time of booking.

BOOKING CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS

To make a change or cancel your vacation, contact your travel agent or call Railbookers directly.

CHANGES

A fee of $25 per person (per change) as well as any increase in cost will be charged by Railbookers for any alteration or revision made to a reservation after deposit or payment is received. These changes include but are not limited to changing the date or time of service, changing a class of service, adding or removing activities or travellers, or any other change to an itinerary that was printed on the original invoice. Any revision made to a booking may result in the loss of the confirmed rail seat or Sleeping car accommodations. There is no refund permitted on rail tickets once they have been issued. Any physical rail tickets that have been issued may need to be returned at your expense using a traceable delivery service.

CANCELLATIONS AND CHANGES FOR ALL PACKAGES

Where a cancellation charge is applied, the balance of the booking will be returned to you in the form of a Future Travel Credit. The Future Travel Credit will be valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

CANCELLATION CHARGES FOR NORTH AMERICAN RAIL GATEWAY PROGRAMS:

Days Prior to Departure:	Cancellation Terms:	Cancellation Terms with purchase of Trip Protection:
60 Days and Earlier Prior to Departure	Full deposit paid to date issued as Future Travel Credit	Full Trip Value Excluding Trip Protection Issued as Future Travel Credit
59-22 Days Prior to Departure	25% Penalty 75% Issued as Future Travel Credit	Full Trip Value Excluding Trip Protection Issued as Future Travel Credit
21-8 Days Prior to Departure	30% Penalty 70% Issued as Future Travel Credit	Full Trip Value Excluding Trip Protection Issued as Future Travel Credit UNTIL 12pm EST on the Business Day Prior to Departure
7-1 Days Prior to Departure	50% Penalty 50% Issued as Future Travel Credit	Full Trip Value Excluding Trip Protection Issued as Future Travel Credit
Day of Departure	100% Penalty	100% Penalty after 12pm EST on the Business Day Prior to Departure

 

CANCELLATION CHARGES FOR RAIL & SAIL, ROCKY MOUNTAINEER, INDEPENDENT RAIL JOURNEYS, VENICE-SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS OR ANY CUSTOM RAIL PACKAGE:

Days Prior to Departure:	Cancellation Terms:	Cancellation Terms with purchase of Trip Protection:
90 Days and Earlier Prior to Departure	Loss of Deposit	Full Trip Value Excluding Trip Protection Issued as Future Travel Credit
61 Days or Fewer Prior to Departure	100% Penalty	Full Trip Value Excluding Trip Protection Issued as Future Travel Credit UNTIL 12 pm EST on the Business Day Prior to Departure
After 12 PM EST on the Business Day Prior to Departure	100% Penalty	100% Penalty

Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed, and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements, in addition to the charge above. There is no refund permitted on rail tickets once they have been issued.

*Additional restrictions may apply for any rail vacations that include Cruises, Belmond, Rocky Mountaineer, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions, The Blue Train, El Transcantábrico, Tsars Gold, or other luxury trains.

REFUNDS

Please note that any request for refunds is subject to the Terms and Conditions; no refund will be made for unused services of less than 48 consecutive hours, unused transportation where group activity tickets are involved, or for voluntary modifications made by the traveller.

TRAVEL PROTECTION OPTION (TPO)

PART A - PROVIDED BY RAILBOOKERS – REVISED

Trip Protection Option Up to Trip Cost. Cancellations must be made before noon Eastern Time on the last business day prior to the first services offered by Railbookers. The Trip Protection Option will receive a future travel credit for the full value of the reservation excluding the price of the Trip Protection. Customers will have the flexibility to apply their credit to travel on any one of our 3 brands: Amtrak Vacations, Yankee Holidays and Railbookers. This banked credit is transferable and is valid for 2 years.

The TPO must be purchased at time of booking, or when deposit is paid, and is non-refundable and non-transferable. Carefully read the Cancellation Waiver & Insurance Plan by following the link in your invoice. The TPO does not cover cancellation or “no shows” on the day of departure. A “no show” is defined as a failure to notify Railbookers of a cancellation prior to noon Eastern Time on the last business day prior to departure. Note: The TPO does not cover any single supplement charges which arise from an individual’s traveling companion electing to cancel for any reason prior to departure. In this case, the single supplement will be deducted from the refund credit of the person who cancels. Division of this charge between the two passengers involved is solely their responsibility. If insufficient funds are deducted from the cancelling client, the traveling client will be charged the remaining portion of the single supplement. Payment of TPO (if chosen) must be received by Railbookers with your Deposit. The TPO is non-transferable and valid for each applicant only.

WHERE TO PRESENT PART A CLAIMS
To cancel your vacation prior to departure, contact your travel agent who will notify Railbookers or call us during normal business hours, which are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. When filing a claim, please send any/all unused travel documents to: Railbookers, Attn: Claims Department 23461 South Pointe Dr., Suite 390 Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Part B: The Travel Insurance Benefits of this Part B are provided by United States Fire Insurance Company.

Part B - Insurance Benefits (Underwritten by US Fire Insurance Company)	Maximum Benefit Amount
Trip Interruption	Up to 100% of the non-refundable insured Trip Cost
Missed Connection	$500
Trip Delay	Up to $100 Per Day, to Maximum of $500
Accident and Sickness Medical Expense	$25,000
Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains	$25,000
24 Hour Accidental Death and Dismemberment	$25,000
Baggage and Personal Effects	$1,000
Baggage Delay	Up to $100

 

NON-INSURANCE SERVICES

Generali Global Assistance
Multi-lingual professionals are available 24 hours a day to provide help, advice, and referrals for medical emergencies. They will help you locate local physicians, dentist, or medical facilities, amongst other services. A complete list of these services is included in your Plan Document. 

FootprintID®

Access your Medical Records Online - With a Personal Portable Health Record Provided by FootprintID®, you can assure that your most important medical records are available to you or any Physician chosen by you, anytime, anywhere in the world, quickly, wherever internet access is available. Register at tripmate.footprintid.com.

INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW

This advertisement contains highlights of the plans developed by Trip Mate, which include travel insurance coverages underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, Principal Office located in Morristown, New Jersey, under form series T7000 et al, T210 et al and TP-401 et al, and non-insurance Travel Assistance Services provided by Generali Global Assistance and FootprintID®. The terms of insurance coverages in the plans may vary by jurisdiction and not all insurance coverages are available in all jurisdictions. Insurance coverages in these plans are subject to terms, limitations and exclusions including an exclusion for pre-existing medical conditions. In most states, your travel retailer is not a licensed insurance producer/agent, and is not qualified or authorized to answer technical questions about the terms, benefits, exclusions and conditions of the insurance offered or to evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance coverage. Your travel retailer may be compensated for the purchase of a plan and may provide general information about the plans offered, including a description of the coverage and price. The purchase of travel insurance is not required in order to purchase any other product or service from your travel retailer. CA DOI toll free number is 800-927-4357. Plan payment includes: 1) Part A Non-Insurance Cancel For Any Reason Waiver, 2) Part B Insurance Benefits, and 3) a fee for non-insurance assistance services. View plan details and important disclosures: www.tripmate.com/wpF428B. You may obtain information on the plan fees by emailing Trip Mate (assistancefees@tripmate.com). Trip Mate Inc. (dba Trip Mate Insurance in CA and UT) P.O. Box 527, Hazelwood, MO 63042, 1-833-297-2255, claimssupport@travelclaimsonline.com. CA license # 0805270. While Trip Mate markets the travel insurance in these plans on behalf of USF, non-insurance components of the plans were added to the plans by Trip Mate, and Trip Mate does not receive compensation from USF for providing the non-insurance components of the plans.

IMPORTANT

SPECIAL TERMS

Rail and Sail, special events and peak travel periods may require a surcharge and may be subject to special payment, change and cancellation conditions. Cancellation conditions for Rail and Sail and vacations including private rail suppliers including but not limited to Belmond, Rocky Mountaineer, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions, The Blue Train, El Transcantábrico, Tsars Gold, or other luxury trains stipulate that Future Travel Credits for such vacations may require passengers to use their FTC on a similar Rail and Sail and/or private/luxury rail vacation, and expiration dates for these credits may vary based on terms provided by the specific supplier. Railbookers Group cannot apply advertised promotions retroactively to existing reservations. Prices may not be valid for group travel. In the case of human or computer error, Railbookers reserves the right to re-invoice for the correct price or service. A full refund will be made to passengers who choose not to accept the updated reservation, provided Railbookers is informed of the desire to cancel the reservation at the time of notification.

CHANGES TO RAIL TICKETS

If you make a change after travel documents are issued, you may need new travel documents. Railbookers Group charges a re-ticketing fee when it is necessary to reissue physical rail tickets. Before new tickets can be issued, the original tickets, if any, must be returned at your expense by a traceable delivery service to Railbookers Group, Attention: Ticketing, 500 Cummings Center, Suite 3100, Beverly, MA 01915-9959.

Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed, and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements, in addition to the charge above. There is no refund permitted on rail tickets once they have been issued.

PRICES

Prices are subject to change without notice and all reservations are subject to availability. Prices listed are quoted in U.S. dollars, per person, double occupancy. Our lowest prices may not be available on all days or for all sales. Single, triple, quad and child hotel rates may be available upon request. Not all accommodation types are available on all vacations.

Hotel and room facilities vary and may be subject to additional fees. Some will require payment of local city taxes on arrival. Please contact us for details. Please note changes and errors occasionally occur. We reserve the right to increase/decrease and correct errors in advertised prices at any time before your holiday is confirmed. Before you make a booking, we will give you the basic price for your chosen holiday. You should check all details before you make your booking. Upgrades or any other variations which you have requested are on a request basis with our suppliers and subject to availability, and prices for these will only be confirmed once the prices and availability has been confirmed by our suppliers. For all holidays, once you have accepted the basic price and a booking has been confirmed, that price is fully guaranteed and will not be subject to any surcharges.

TOUR PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE

Tour prices do not include gratuities, baggage handling, and other incidental charges. Where rental cars are available, the rental does not include one-way rental fees, airport fees, loss damage waiver (LDW), gasoline and surcharges on rental cars for drivers under age 25 (where applicable).

OTHER INFORMATION

Specific requests must be made at the time of booking and will be honored at the discretion of a hotel or attraction supplier. Bedding requests are not guaranteed. At some hotels, there will be an additional charge if a crib or a rollaway bed is required, payable directly to the hotel.

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE

Individuals with mobility impairments and /or disabilities requiring special assistance, treatment or facilities must communicate any special needs to Railbookers Group when booking. We still always attempt to accommodate your request but may not be able to do so in all circumstances.

VISA, PASSPORTS AND OTHER ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

You are responsible for obtaining and paying for all visas and passports, for meeting all health and other requirements, and for any documents required by the laws, regulations, order and/or requirements of the countries you will visit. Non-U.S. citizens must consult the appropriate consulates to determine if any visas are needed; you are responsible for obtaining all visas and entry documents independently.

Railbookers Group is not responsible for providing you with specific visa and passport information or documentation, for any fees associated with obtaining these documents, and Railbookers Group cannot accept liability for any passenger refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure of the passenger to carry correct documentation.

All passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Most countries require that the passport be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the conclusion of your trip. It is recommended you have a minimum of three blank pages in your passport when traveling, as many countries require blank pages. Multiple-entry visas are required for some vacations. It is your responsibility to verify all visa and passport requirements. The process of obtaining a visa and/or passport can take up to three months or more.

Some countries, states, regions and/or cities require proof of vaccinations for all travellers. It is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of all recommended vaccinations and health precautions in good time before departure. Vaccination and other health requirements/recommendations are subject to change at any time for any destination. Please, therefore, check prior to departure to ensure that you have met the necessary requirements and have the applicable information.

Some government agencies in foreign countries require Railbookers Group to collect and pass on certain personal and other details related to you, including but not limited to government-issued identification and passport details. If you fail to supply the details as requested fully and accurately, your trip may be interrupted or cancelled. There are no refunds for failure to provide documentation or failure to provide documentation by the time required.

To enter and leave the United States, all U.S. citizens must carry proof of citizenship such as a valid passport. Noncitizens must have a valid passport, visa or alien card that permits travel outside the United States. A “multiple entry” visa for return to the U.S. may be required. You are responsible for obtaining and paying for any visa, passport or documentation needed. Passengers traveling outside the United States must provide date of birth, citizenship and passport information at the time of reservation. Railbookers is not responsible for any passenger that is denied entry into another Country. If the remaining portion of the trip must be cancelled, the passenger is subject to the cancellation fees noted above and is responsible for all fees to return home. Contact your local consulate before travel for current and further information. Information accurate is at time of printing.

PRICE POLICY

All vacation prices are based on rates known at the time of publication and expected to be in effect at the time of departure, and do not include airfare or rail from your home gateway. Not all accommodation types are available on all vacations.

Railbookers Group recommends that you pay in full at the time of booking. Once full payment is received, Railbookers Group will guarantee that your purchase price will not increase unless you make a change to your purchase. All changes are repriced to the current pricing in effect at time of the change.

HOTELS

Hotels listed in the itinerary are intended to be used for all departures but cannot be guaranteed. In the event, a hotel is not available an alternate hotel of equal or higher value will be used. No refunds are provided for hotel changes, and cancellation charges above will apply.

Hotel ratings and categories are meant to generally describe the differences among hotels, rooms, and amenities. Ratings are not warranties of the properties used.

A minimum-stay rule may apply at some hotels.

RAIL RESERVATIONS

Although we do our best to follow the routes noted on the itinerary there might be occasions when a different routing and/or departure time is necessary due to timetable variations or seat availability. Prices quoted are based on special fares negotiated with our rail partners. Any change involving sleeper services will be quoted on an individual basis.

NAMES

All names, titles and initials of those traveling must be correctly given at the time of booking. Name changes cannot be made at a later date without extra charges being incurred. If you are purchasing or arranging a holiday on behalf of someone else, you must ensure you have each passenger name as per their passport. If you provide us with incorrect passenger names, name changes will not be permitted and you will have to purchase a new ticket subject to availability.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Travel documents will be sent approximately 21 days prior to your departure, after Railbookers Group receives full payment.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITIES OF THE RAILBOOKERS GROUP

Railbookers Group and/or Railbookers does not operate or control the accommodations, venues, modes of transportation or any company that provides any of the activities on your vacation.  Collectively, those separate and distinct entities are known as the “Operator(s).” Neither Railbookers Group nor the actual Operator nor its agents or affiliated entities (“released parties”) shall be responsible or liable for cancellations, acts of other service providers, diversions or substitution of equipment or any act, variation, postponement, omission or default by air carriers, land carriers, hoteliers or hotels, transportation companies, or any other persons providing services or accommodations to guests including any results thereof, such as changes in services, accommodations or facilities. Nor shall they be liable for loss or damage to baggage or property, or for injury, illness or death, or for any damages or claims whatsoever arising from loss, negligence or delay from the act, error, omission default or negligence of any person not its direct employee or under its exclusive control, including any act, error, omission, default, or negligence of any country, government or governmental authority, officer or employee.  The released parties shall not be liable for indirect, special or consequential damages. All baggage and personal effects are at all times and in all circumstances at the risk of the guided vacation/holiday participant. Railbookers Group recommends that guest obtain baggage insurance. The Operators, carriers, hotels and other suppliers who provide services on your vacation/holiday are independent contractors; they are not agents, employees or servants of Railbookers Group or its associated companies. All certificates and other travel documents for services issued by the Operator(s) are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the carriers and suppliers and to the laws of the countries in which the services are supplied. The released parties are not responsible for any criminal or other conduct by third parties, whether criminal, intentional, grossly negligent, negligent, or otherwise.

ADDITIONAL RISKS

Additional risks and dangers may arise including, but not limited to, hazards of traveling in undeveloped areas, hazards of travel by boat, train, automobile, aircraft and other means of conveyance, animal interactions, forces of nature, political unrest, other unrest, hazardous local customs and practices, differing levels of sanitation, differing standards of safety, risks associated with water, food, plants, insects and differing animal regulation, accident or illness in areas lacking means of rapid evacuation or medical facilities, and acts of national and local governments and unrest and acts of others against governments. These risks are not an exhaustive list but are examples of many kinds of risks. You are voluntarily participating in these activities with the knowledge that there are significant dangers involved, and you hereby agree to accept any and all risks. As lawful consideration for the agreement with Railbookers Group to participate in such trips and activities you agree you will not make a claim against Railbookers Group, its related companies or its personnel or sue for bodily injury, emotional trauma, death, property loss or damage or other loss, cost or expense, however caused, as a result of or related to your contracting for, traveling to or from, or in any and every other way participating in the trip. You release Railbookers Group, its related companies and its personnel from any and all claims, known or unknown, arising from contracting for, traveling to or from, and in any and every way participating in a trip. This release of liability and assumption of risk agreement is entered into on behalf of you and all members of your family and party, also including minors accompanying you. This agreement also binds your heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

Railbookers Group “package prices” are subject to change without notice.

EVENTS BEYOND OUR CONTROL – FORCE MAJEURE

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions we will not be liable or pay you compensation if our contractual obligations to you are affected by any event which we or the supplier(s) of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. These events can include, but are not limited to pandemics, war, the threat of war, civil strife, terrorist activity, and its consequences or the threat of such activity, riot, the act of any government or other national or local authority including port or river authorities, industrial dispute, lock closure, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, chemical or biological disaster and adverse weather, sea, ice and river conditions and all similar events outside our or the supplier(s) control. Advice from the Department of State to avoid or leave a particular country may constitute Force Majeure. We will follow the advice given by the Department of State.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITIES OF THE NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION (AMTRAK®)

Amtrak is responsible for only the rail transportation it provides in connection with Railbookers tour packages. Amtrak disclaims liability, and is not responsible, for (1) any act or omission of Railbookers Group or any other service provider; or (2) any accommodations, services, features, or other transportation of the tour package.

All rail passenger transportation via Amtrak shall be provided under its terms and conditions of carriage which shall constitute the sole contract between Amtrak and the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger.

Fares, time schedules, routes, equipment, services, products, accessibility information, customs information, and all other information are (1) not guaranteed, (2) provided “as is” without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied, (3) subject to change without notice and (4) form no part of the contract between Amtrak and a customer. A possibility exists that there may be errors or inaccuracies. Although Amtrak attempts to ensure accuracy, Amtrak makes no guarantees as to the completeness or correctness and disclaims any liabilities for any errors.

Amtrak disclaims liability for inconvenience, expense, or damage resulting from errors, shortage of equipment, or delayed trains, except that when such a delay causes a passenger to miss a guaranteed connection, Amtrak will provide alternate transportation on Amtrak, another carrier, or overnight hotel accommodations at the discretion of Amtrak. Amtrak acts only as selling agent for thruway connecting carriers and disclaims liability for travel on other carriers.

Neither Amtrak nor any of its subsidiaries, affiliates, licensors, suppliers, advertisers or sponsors, nor our or their directors, officers, employees, contractors, consultants, agents or other representatives, are responsible or liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, punitive or other damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business or lost profits), under any contract, negligence, strict liability or other theory arising out of or relating in any way to any product or service purchased from or through Amtrak.

Amtrak assumes no liability for fragile, valuable, perishable articles or untagged baggage. Amtrak reserves the right to refuse to carry passengers who pose a hazard to health, safety, or security or whose conduct is objectionable in Amtrak’s exclusive judgment.

By making payment for your reservation, you acknowledge and agree to all terms and conditions set forth in this brochure, in particular to the limitations of liability and responsibilities set forth above.

VENUE AND CHOICE OF LAW

In the event of any dispute between the parties, you agree to submit the dispute to a court of competent jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its’ laws shall be applicable.

COOKIE POLICY

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MEDIATION

If a dispute arises out of or relates to this contract, or the alleged breach thereof, and if the dispute is not settled through negotiation, the parties agree first to try in good faith to settle the dispute by mediation within 30 days administered under ICC Mediation rules before resorting to arbitration, litigation, or some other dispute resolution procedure. In the event that parties are unable to agree on a mediator, a mediator shall be appointed by the named administrator. The process shall be confidential based on terms acceptable to the mediator and/or mediation service provider.

CST #2115735-40