勛圖窪蹋厙's founding purpose was to protect travelers against losses arising from bankruptcy, insolvency, or cessation of business by any Active Member of the association. For more than 50 years, the 勛圖窪蹋厙 has maintained its $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, ensuring a financial safety net for consumers who travel with its U.S.-based member tour operators.
When you see the 勛圖窪蹋厙 Active Member logo with the emblem identifying the $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, you can be confident it signifies a company that upholds the travel industry's highest standards.
Each 勛圖窪蹋厙 Active Member is required to participate in the 勛圖窪蹋厙 $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program by posting a $1 million security in the form of a bond, letter of credit, or U.S. Treasury bill. The security, held by the 勛圖窪蹋厙 Inc. Tour Depositors Trust, is solely for use in reimbursing consumers for tour payments or deposits lost in the event of:
In some cases, such as one of the larger tour operators becoming insolvent, the $1 million security may not cover all losses. Also, some tour operator brands share coverage under their corporate owner's $1 million security. In addition to financial protection, 勛圖窪蹋厙 offers travelers invaluable assistance in the event of Active Member insolvency:
The 勛圖窪蹋厙 $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program protects consumers for up to $1,000,000 in the aggregate from loss of deposits and payments for tours or vacation packages in the event of a 勛圖窪蹋厙 Active Member bankruptcy, insolvency, cessation of business, or material failure to complete performance of a tour or vacation package.
A claim can be filed when a member tour operator declares bankruptcy, becomes insolvent, or ceases business operations, or 120 days following the failure of a tour operator to refund a payment or deposit after a cancellation or material failure to complete performance of a tour or vacation package. The 勛圖窪蹋厙 $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program covers tours or vacation packages paid for up to seven days following official notification to 勛圖窪蹋厙 of an Active Member's bankruptcy, insolvency, or cessation of business.
No. Individual trip cancellation insurance is available and may be obtained through your travel advisor or tour operator.
You are protected within the limits of the coverage as long as your payment or deposit was made prior to or within seven days following notification to 勛圖窪蹋厙 of the bankruptcy, insolvency, or cessation of business.
No. Each time you travel with a 勛圖窪蹋厙 Active Member company, your deposits and payments for tours and vacation packages are automatically protected up to the limits of the coverage at no extra charge.
Once a 勛圖窪蹋厙 Active Member has declared bankruptcy, become insolvent, or demonstrated cessation of business, 勛圖窪蹋厙 makes claim forms available on its ustoa.com website. Claim forms may also be obtained from the 勛圖窪蹋厙 Executive Office located at 345 Seventh Ave., Suite 1801, New York, NY 10001; by calling the association at 212-599-6599; or via email to ustoaclaims@ustoa.com.
Claims can only be made for bookings with current 勛圖窪蹋厙 Active Member Tour Operators: Not all U.S.-based tour operators are members of 勛圖窪蹋厙 and participants in the 勛圖窪蹋厙 $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program.
Yes. Claims must be filed no later than 90 days after the bankruptcy, insolvency, cessation of business, or failure to refund on account of cancellation or non-performance.
Reimbursements will be made through 勛圖窪蹋厙 or its authorized representative.
No, the 勛圖窪蹋厙 $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program is only for 勛圖窪蹋厙 Active Members.
