Terms and Conditions
These terms and conditions were updated on 13 March 2024. The new terms and conditions include a specific process for trips canceled due to unforeseen circumstances and were updated in light of the 7 October 2023 war in Israel. If you registered for a trip before this date, you can view the previous terms and conditions here.
INCLUDED IN PRICE
1) Deluxe motor coaches, overnight accommodations, guided sightseeing, entrance fees to sites visited, breakfast daily, other meals as indicated on tour description; 2) Airline and government taxes and fuel charges (when flights are listed in tour description.) 3) Gratuities for tour guide or cruise director, local host, driver, local guides, and/or ships’ crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships.
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE
Not included in your package are passports, visas, vaccinations, laundry, telephone, mini-bar, alcohol, other beverages, and food outside of the contracted tour operator menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, or restaurant), airport transfers on non-qualifying flights, porterage at airports & train stations, travel insurance premiums, excess baggage fees, and all other items not specifically mentioned. Any fees or fuel surcharges imposed by the airlines after the date you register for your trip
PAYMENT
A deposit of $500 per person is required at time of registration. Final payment must be made in the form of a check or ACH payment (credit card payment of final balance will be assessed a 3% fee) and is due no later than 60 days prior to departure. Registrations received within 90 days of departure are subject to availability. There may be a late fee of $195 for all payments or new registrations received 60-30 days prior to departure. If final (full) payment is not received by Progressive Pilgrimage 35-days prior to departure, you will be automatically canceled from the tour and your initial deposit of $500 will be forfeited. Progressive Pilgrimage reserves the right to add a surcharge if the dollar declines by more than 2% against the local currency of the destination based on foreign exchange rates in effect on the date when your tour was booked by your tour leader/church.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Price is based on double occupancy (two persons sharing a room). When available, single rooms are often smaller than doubles. Progressive Pilgrimage will match single travelers with a roommate of the same gender, if one is available.
ITINERARY and CHANGES
Because airlines often change flight schedules after brochures are printed, Progressive Pilgrimage reserves the right to shorten or lengthen the itinerary accordingly. You will be notified in writing when possible. If itinerary changes necessitate extra overnights, you will be charged up to $200 per night/per person. Meals for extra nights are not included. Any changes and/or deviations from the program and/or departure city listed by the passenger must be provided in writing to Progressive Pilgrimage no later than 75-days prior to departure, and any extra costs incurred will be billed to the passenger. All tours are final at 45-days prior to departure. No changes and/or additions may be made to the tour after that time.
AIRLINE TICKETS
In order to keep prices low, Progressive Pilgrimage does not guarantee you will be on the most direct flights to your final destination. Flight routings are chosen by the airlines and not Progressive Pilgrimage. Airline tickets cannot be changed or refunded once printed. Air transportation to/from your destination will be economy class using non-refundable, non-amendable tickets for groups of 10 or more flying together for entire itinerary. Progressive Pilgrimage is unable to use individual frequent flyer points to upgrade or accept them as partial payment for air transportation, though you will usually be able to contact the airline within 30-days of departure to attach your frequent flyer number or request seat upgrades based on your status.
VISAS
Applicable visas will be obtained by Progressive Pilgrimage for U.S. citizens only. All passengers who do not carry U.S. passports will be responsible for obtaining visas to the countries they are visiting. Progressive Pilgrimage is not responsible for non-U.S. passport holders.
FLIGHT TIMES
All flight times are subject to change by the airlines without advance notice. Progressive Pilgrimage is not responsible for such changes or delays and does not reimburse expenses resulting from such delays. If making your own flight arrangements to a departure city, we recommend you purchase a ticket which can be changed without large penalties. Passengers are responsible for reconfirming their flights with the airline 24 hours prior to departure.
CANCELLATION BY THE TRAVELER
Any cancellation from the day of registration to 130 days prior to departure will be charged a $250 non-refundable administrative fee plus any airline penalties, if applicable. The following charges also apply:
- 130-60 days = $500 plus any airline penalties;
- 59-35 days = 50% of total cost, plus single supplement cost if your roommate is forced into a single room;
- 34 days to day of departure = 100% of total cost.
All cancellations must be received in writing. On or after the day of departure there is no refund for any services not used. We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance (please see information below).
LOW ENROLLMENT
All tour prices are based on a minimum group size contracted with the group leader. If the group drops below this minimum, a supplemental fee will be assessed to each traveler. If the group size is less than 10 travelers, the tour may be canceled due to lack of participation.
If the tour is canceled due to lack of participation, there will be a charge of $100 deducted from the amount refunded to each passenger for administrative fees plus any airline penalties if applicable.
CANCELLATION BY PROGRESSIVE PILGRIMAGE
Your safety is our first priority. Our goal is to provide a safe and memorable experience during your pilgrimage. Progressive Pilgrimage will not cancel a trip that is fully subscribed. However, circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to: Acts of God; war (declared or undeclared); pandemics; epidemics; natural disasters; air, water, or other pollution (including thermal, biological, and chemical pollution or contamination; nuclear reactions, radiation, or radioactive contamination; civil disorder or unrest; acts or prohibitions by any government or public authority; travel alerts and warnings; cancellation of flights by a supplier, government, or public authority; or travel supplier’s complete cessation of operations due to financial conditions, with or without a filing of bankruptcy, may prevent a pilgrimage, or part of a pilgrimage, from continuing as scheduled.
If any of these circumstances, or any other circumstance beyond our control, prevents us from moving forward with a planned pilgrimage, we will work with our suppliers and your group leader to reschedule the pilgrimage once the conditions causing the delay are resolved.
Once the trip has been rescheduled or canceled, travelers will have the following options:
- Join the rescheduled trip: Any payments made for the original trip will be credited to your rescheduled trip, minus any applicable airline penalties or non-refundable fees paid by Progressive Pilgrimage.
- Receive a credit for another trip: If you are not able to travel on the rescheduled dates, you will receive a credit from Progressive Pilgrimage for the full value of any payments made, minus any applicable airline penalties or non-refundable fees paid by Progressive Pilgrimage, for any future travel with Progressive Pilgrimage. This credit is valid for 2 years from the departure date of your original trip, or the departure date of your rescheduled pilgrimage, whichever is later. Depending on the date of cancellation, this may be received as a combination of credits from Progressive Pilgrimage and the airline.
- Receive a partial refund: If you choose not to participate in the rescheduled trip or any other Progressive Pilgrimage trip, you are eligible for the following refunds, based on when the cancellation occurred:
- From registration to 60 days prior to departure: Full refund of deposit, minus any applicable airline penalties and non-refundable fees paid by Progressive Pilgrimage.
- From 129-60 days prior to departure: no refund of deposit.
- From 59-34 days: Refund of 50% of the total amount paid, minus any applicable airline penalties and non-refundable fees paid by Progressive Pilgrimage.
- From 34 days to departure: No refund is available.
Travelers must notify Progressive Pilgrimage in writing within 30 days of the cancellation or announcement of a rescheduled trip to indicate which option they prefer. Once a credit or refund has been issued, no substitutions will be allowed.
TRIP INTERRUPTION
If your trip is interrupted due to a circumstance beyond our control, no refund is available. Delays and events outside of Progressive Pilgrimage’s control may cause travelers to incur additional expenses, including but not limited to: additional nights in a hotel, rescheduled or rebooked flights, additional meals, and rescheduled entry fees. We encourage all participants to explore travel insurance that provides trip interruption coverage.
PASSPORT
Each passenger is responsible for making sure that they have a valid passport that has an expiration date at least six months after the date of return from their trip.
STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY
Progressive Pilgrimage agrees to provide the itinerary described in your brochure. This represents the entire agreement between the passenger and his agent, the travel agent, the tour host, and the tour operator. All prices, itineraries and schedules are subject to regulations and changes by acts of government, international agreement, and airline tariff adjustments, rules, and regulations. Progressive Pilgrimage reserves the right to refuse or revoke travel to anyone who is, in the sole judgment of Progressive Pilgrimage, incapable of group travel. Except for the willful negligence of its direct employees, the tour operator assumes no liability or responsibility for any injuries, inconveniences, illness, irregularity, or incidental damages caused by circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator or by any person or reason whatsoever, including but not limited to events such as strikes, revolts, wars, natural disasters, closures of airports or hotel, default or omission of any common or private carrier, or the fault, negligence, or omission of and by any third party providing services or facilities related to or included in this tour or any part thereof, or in arranging for the same, or the acts or omissions of the travel agent or the tour host.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY
By traveling on this tour you affirm that you are fit to participate in this tour and accept all risks to your safety and health. All travel involves risks, and travel to some countries involves a heightened risk to your health and safety, including risks from terrorism, criminal acts, and illness. You understand and freely accept these risks, and you generally and specifically release and hold harmless Progressive Pilgrimage and their officers, agents and employees from any liability and any claims for (i) any physical, mental, emotional or other injuries whatsoever that you may sustain related to this tour; (ii) delays, damages, illness, injuries or death, or for the loss of or damage to property, from any cause (including negligence) and however occurring; and (iii) any accident, illness, injury, damage, sickness, loss of personal property, delay, or other Injury or claim of any kind related to or arising from strikes, armed conflicts, social or labor unrest or strikes/work stoppages, war or acts of war, terrorism or terrorist acts, acts of God, mechanical or construction failures or difficulties, diseases, local laws or acts of local or government authorities, criminal acts, weather or climatic conditions, volcanic eruption, earthquake, disruption of advertised schedules, refusal of visas, or any other causes beyond their direct control.
TRIP INSURANCE
Progressive Pilgrimage strongly recommends that you purchase trip insurance, either through Progressive Pilgrimage (underwritten by Allianz) or from your preferred provider. Review carefully the type of cancellation covered by the policy. Some policies will cover only medical incidents or travel bans issues by the U.S. Department of State. Pilgrims concerned about cancellation due to security should purchase an insurance policy that allows them to cancel their tour for any reason.
ENROLLMENT IN AND PAYMENT FOR THE TOUR, CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONDITIONS AND STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY. The conditions become a binding contract where your enrollment and payment are received and accepted by Progressive Pilgrimage.