A division of South Pacific Vacation Specialists LLC, Tahiti Travel Mate is a fully licensed, bonded and certified retail travel agency with its head office in Las Vegas. We are also registered as a California seller of travel by the attorney generals department. It's extremely important that you the customer work with a company that protects your investment so we choose to book all of our South Pacific travel arrangements with a wholesale tour company that is a member of USTOA: Islands In The Sun.
USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association) www.ustoa.com was founded in California in 1972 by a group of tour operators concerned about tour operator bankruptcies. These founding members recognized the need for a unified voice to protect the traveling public. Islands In The Sun is a member of this organization which currently exceeds 800 members throughout the U.S. Islands In The Sun, as an Active Member of USTOA, is required to post $1,000,000 (one million) with USTOA to be used to reimburse, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the USTOA Plan, the advance payments of Islands In The Sun customers in the unlikely event of their bankruptcy or insolvency.
The following booking conditions and travel insurance further reflect the relationship between the retail travel agency, Tahiti Travel Mate and our wholesaler of choice, Islands In The Sun.
Deposit
Guaranteed non-refundable deposit is required to commence the reservations requests. Insurance, which is strongly recommended, MUST be purchased at time of deposit. Air Tahiti Nui then requires payment of the airline tickets and taxes within 21 days of confirmation.
Balance of Payments
Guaranteed balance of payment required six weeks prior to departure. If the balance is not paid by the stipulated date, the right is reserved to cancel the booking(s) without further notice and without refund of deposit.
Cancellations
If you cancel your reservation, it is your responsibility to pay any cancellation fees imposed by the airline of up to 100% of the airfare. The following cancellation fees will apply on land arrangements based on time before departure that Islands receives actual notice of the cancellation: 45 days or more – Loss of full deposit, Between 44-21 days – 20% of total price, Between 20-10 days – 35% of total price, Between 9-1 days – 60% of total price, Day of departure – 100% of total price. There will be no refund for unused land arrangements after departure from North America.
Insurance
We strongly recommend Travel Insurance to provide coverage for loss of deposit, cancellation fees, lost baggage, medical expenses and other potential travel-related losses in certain circumstances. Insurance must be purchased at the time of booking and paid for with your deposit. The scope of coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of the insurance policy. Check with your agent as to what conditions and charges apply if you cancel your flight and/or land reservations.
Travel Documents
Travel documents and tickets, joining and departure details, supplier addresses and phone contacts will be sent upon receipt of final payment.
VISAS
When this page last was updated, Visitor (Entry) Visas were not required by Canadian & American citizens to visit the Tahitian Islands. Please check with your agent at time of booking if visas are still required. If you are not traveling on an American or Canadian passport, it is imperative that you also check visa requirements.
Prices
Because of the volatility of exchange rates for many destinations, we recommend you confirm our price at time of booking. All prices are subject to change or surcharge. Once we have received your deposit you would be given the opportunity to pay in full to avoid a price increase (should it occur) or cancel your booking without penalty.
Amendment Fees
After a reservation confirmation has been received there is a US$100 amendment fee each time an itinerary is revised. No amendments will be made until a deposit is received. Amendments made after documents have been issued will incur a US$150 fee to cover courier costs, communication costs and additional time to coordinate the changes.
Force Majeure
We shall not be liable for any claims, losses, damages, costs, expenses, delays or loss of enjoyment, of any nature or kind whatsoever, resulting from events beyond our or a supplier's reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, strikes, lockouts or other labor disputes or disruptions, wars, blockades, insurrections, riots, earthquakes, weather conditions, floods or acts or restraints imposed by government authorities.
Operators Responsibilities
Islands In The Sun purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant services, and other services from various independent suppliers that are not subject to its control. ISLANDS IN THE SUN CANNOT, THEREFORE, BE LIABLE FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES that may occur due to (a) intentional, wrongful, negligent, or arbitrary acts or omissions on the part of a supplier, its employees and others not under the direct control of Islands, or (b) defects or failures of any aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle or other equipment or instrumentality under the control of independent suppliers. In addition, Islands In The Sun cannot be liable for delays in departure or interruption of your vacation arrangements caused by weather conditions, technical problems of any aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle or other equipment or instrumentality, strikes, war, terrorist activity, civil commotion, or any causes beyond the control of Islands. In no event will Islands In The Sun be responsible for incidental, consequential or special or incidental damage or loss suffered by any person. Islands maximum liability, for any reason whatsoever, will be limited to the amount paid to Islands for its services. In issuing tickets and coupons for transportation of the purchaser by any means, and making arrangements for hotel or other accommodation, Islands In The Sun is not acting as principal but only as agent for the companies, corporations or persons providing or offering the means of transportation and accommodation. To the extent Islands In The Sun shall not be acting as an agent, as stated above, it shall be deemed to be acting as an agent of the purchasers in arranging or booking transportation and accommodation Airlines and other transportation providers (e.g., motor coach operators) are not liable for any detention, delays, loss, damage, sickness or injury, however or by whomever caused, during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. The contract of carriage used by such transportation providers when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation providers and the purchaser of these vacation arrangements.
Why Purchase Travel Insurance
Affordable Rates
The easy, affordable way to protect your vacation investment! Missing a vacation is bad enough. Losing the money you paid for your vacation is even worse. The Islands in the Sun Travel Protection Plan is your ticket to worry-free travel. Now you can protect your travel investment at a very affordable group rate -- take the peace of mind with you when you travel.
Waiver of the Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion
This plan is available regardless of your age. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions are covered if payment for this plan is received by Islands in the Sun within 14 days of the initial deposit for Your Trip.. Please Note: This policy may not be purchased after you have made final payment for your Trip.
Below is a brief listing of the plan benefits.
If your Trip is Canceled or Interrupted, Your Travel Investment is protected
If you are like a lot of people these days, you don't just look forward to your vacations, you need them. A vacation is your opportunity to rest, relax, and recharge your batteries. Or to catch up with friends and family. Unfortunately, many things happen that might cause you to cancel your travel plans or cut them short. Illness or injury. The death of a family member. The worst part is, without adequate protection, you can lose your travel investment. The Islands in the Sun Travel Protection Plan protects your travel investment if your Trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason such as injury, illness or death of you, a Family Member, a Traveling Companion, a Business Partner, or due to a Terrorist Attack.
If you must interrupt your Trip or return home early for a covered reason, the plan will pay (up to 150% of the Insured Trip Cost) for your unused Land/Sea Arrangements, less any refund paid or payable, plus the airfare paid to return home or rejoin your Trip.
Medical Expense and Emergency Assistance Benefits Could Be a Real Lifesaver!
If you have a serious illness or injury, the last thing you want to worry about is getting the care you need. The Islands in the Sun Travel Protection Plan gives you peace of mind with benefits that cover, up to the plan's limits, everything from medical expenses (incurred during your Trip) to special transportation (such as an airambulance) required for medical reasons.
Trip Delayed? You're OK!
You’ll be reimbursed up to $200 per day (to a maximum of $1,000 total) for meals and accommodations if your Trip is delayed for 12 hours or more for a covered reason.
Baggage Lost or Damaged? You're Protected!
It’s a traveler’s nightmare. You arrive at your destination, but your baggage has disappeared or has been stolen or damaged. What do you do? If you’re protected by the Islands in the Sun Travel Protection Plan, you’ll be reimbursed up to $2,500 to replace or repair your lost or damaged luggage and personal articles.
Baggage Delayed? Need Clothes and Toiletries? Count on us!
The Islands in the Sun Travel Protection Plan reimburses you up to a maximum of $250 to help cover the cost of clothing, toiletries and/or personal items if your baggage is delayed for more than 24 hours while you are on your Trip.
Accidental Death Benefit
Your beneficiaries will receive payment according to the plan's Schedule of Benefits for Accidental Death which occurs within 180 days of an injury sustained while you are on your Trip.
The Islands in the Sun Travel Protection Plan is Administered by:
Trip Mate, Inc.*
9225 Ward Parkway, Suite 200
Kansas City, Missouri 64114
Tel: 1-800-888-7292
Plan Number: A353i
www.tripmate.com/wpA353i
*In CA, dba Trip Mate Insurance Agency
Islands in the Sun Travel Protection Plan is Underwritten by:
Arch Insurance Company and under Policy Number 11TVL9476700.
Notice to Residents of: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Your Policy consists of this Description of Coverage, Your Schedule of Coverage and Service and the enclosed applicable State Exceptions which are available at www.tripmate.com/wpA353i. You can also request this information by calling Trip Mate at 1-800-888-7292.
Insurance must be booked at the time of your deposit.
Toll Free: 877-GOT-TO-GO (877-468-8646)
Local: 702-648-MATE (702-648-6283)
Fax: 702-254-2797
Email: info@tahititravelmate.com
Address: Tahiti Travel Mate
South Pacific Vacation Specialist LLC
11383 Winter Cottage Place Las Vegas NV 89135