Black Foodies Travel
P.O.Box 993
Opelousas, LA 70501
Updated 3/4/2024
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
These terms and conditions (“Terms and Conditions”) govern the relationship between Richer Sun Travel d/b/a Black Foodies Travel, (the “Company”) and you, the purchaser and/or traveler (“Client” and “passenger” and “you/your”).
RESERVATIONS
I. CLIENT PORTAL
Each Traveler shall have a designated Client Portal, which allows the Traveler to access billing 24/7.
II. IDENTIFICATION
Guests are required to make reservations in the full name that is listed on his/her government document they will use for travel. If you need to make any changes to a name after travel documents have been issued, clients will be responsible for all name change fees, if applicable.
III. DEPOSITS
All reservations must be accompanied by a non-refundable deposit to the company. There are no exceptions to this deposit fee. This information is shared on the website and sales order form prior to your agreement to book traveler’s destination. No travel arrangements will be booked unless the deposit is paid.
IDENTIFICATION
IV. PASSPORTS
Passengers are responsible for ensuring that they have the proper travel documents and MUST CHECK with the respective consulate(s) or visa agency to determine whether any visas or passports are required. Passports are required to be valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. Some countries require a full blank “VISA” page in the passport for stamping purposes. Any information provided on travel description pertains to US citizens only. Non-US citizens should check with the respective consulate of the country(s) to be visited for current entry requirements. We strongly suggest all cruise passengers have a valid passport in their possession while cruising.
Pursuant to TSA Secure Flight requirements, passengers are responsible to provide Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel with their name as it appears on their passport (or other government-issued I.D. when traveling), date of birth, gender, address, phone number, email and fax data for all passengers. Passengers must ensure that names are correctly listed on their invoice. Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel will not be responsible for passengers who do not receive an invoice or documents or are denied boarding due to inaccurate information.
V. NAME CHANGES
Any changes to your booking, whatever the cause, Traveler will incur a $200 charge plus any additional supplier fees. This includes name changes and removal of any services such as optional tours and transfers. Please note that name changes to airline reservations require the Company to fully cancel and rebook a new traveler. Changes or additions after departure are subject to local rates at the time of amendment and must be paid directly by the passenger to the Company. All unused services are non-refundable.
PAYMENTS & CANCELLATIONS
VI. PAYMENTS
All reservations can be paid for in full at the time of booking. If reservation is not paid in full monthly installment payments are required. Monthly installment payments that are 30 days past due with no payments will be canceled automatically with no refunds and deposits shall be forfeited. A fee of $250 will apply to reinstate your reservation.
If final and full payment are not received by the applicable due date(s), reservations are subject to cancellation and all funds are forfeited.
You must ensure your roommate, if applicable, is also making timely monthly payments.
You can enroll in our automatic billing and relax knowing that your future payments will be made automatically. When you book, we’ll calculate an evenly divided automatic billing plan for you, and you will know in advance the day of every month that your payment will be processed. Your
initial deposit is due at the time of booking, and your future payments will be charged according to the schedule you see on your invoice. Automatic billing is available at no charge.
VII. REFUNDS
The Company does not issue refunds for any reason. Company signs agreements with outside parties, including lodging accommodations, tour operators, airlines, etc., and must abide by parties’ terms, conditions, and penalties. Travelers will be advised to submit a travel claim for reimbursement. If a traveler has purchased an insurance policy, there should be no conflict with obtaining reimbursement.
VIII. REINSTATEMENT OF RESERVATION
If your travel reservations have been canceled, and you notify us within 14 days that you want to reinstate your reservations, a service reinstatement fee of $250 for international tours will be added to your invoice and must be paid in advance in order to apply for reconfirmation of services.
IX. CANCELLATIONS
Once reservations have been made, cancellations will only be accepted in writing. To cancel your reservation, email your request to info@blackfoodiestravel.com
X. TRIP INSURANCE
Trip insurance is highly recommended for all travelers. Company recommends Travel Guard or Travel Ex.
XI. LAND ONLY PACKAGE
If you select the LAND ONLY PACKAGE, you are required to make your own flight arrangements and airport transfers. When making your own flight arrangements, you must pay close attention to dates.
TRAVELER ACCOMMODATIONS
XII. ROOMMATE MATCHING
Roommate matching is available for our International Tours. When making your reservations please select “double occupancy". A roommate match survey will be emailed to you. You will be matched with a roommate once you have paid more than 75% of the balance of your
travel reservations and provided the person you will be matched with has also paid 75% of his/her balance.
Travelers who opt into roommate matching agree to share a room accommodation for the entirety of the trip. Any conflict between Travelers who have room matched should be resolved appropriately. If Travelers who have agreed to room match have a conflict that is unable to be resolved and requires new rooming assignments, each Traveler involved will be personally responsible for finding their own and separate accommodations. Company, under any circumstances, will not be responsible for additional accommodations.
XIII. NO ROOM TRANSFER BY GUEST
Traveler agrees that neither Company nor Traveler shall be permitted to assign any rights or obligations under this travel agreement, or to resell or otherwise transfer to persons not associated with Company reservations for guest rooms, meeting rooms or any other facilities made pursuant to this travel agreement.
XIV. GROUP SYNERGY
To ensure the desired group synergy, Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel reserves the right to accept, reject or expel any individual who is deemed disruptive or incompatible with the interests of the group, including, but not limited to, individuals who are intoxicated and/or under the influence of drugs leading to a negative experience for the remainder of the group. Expenses, including cancellation fees and/or costs for alternate travel plans or to return home, will necessarily be borne by the passenger. All unused services are non-refundable.
XV. PHOTOGRAPHIC RELEASE
Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel may take photographs or video of its trips and trip participants grant Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel permission to do so and for it to use same for promotional or commercial use without payment of any compensation to participant.
AIRLINE ACCOMMODATIONS
XVI. LUGGAGE
Travelers are limited to one of the following luggage options: One (1) Checked Luggage +
Personal Item OR One (1) Carry-On Luggage + Personal Item.
XVII. AIRLINE CONFIRMATION, SEAT ASSIGNMENTS, AND MISSED FLIGHTS
Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel is not responsible for the services and policies imposed by the airline. Airline schedules and flights are subject to change without notice. Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel is not responsible for penalties incurred for tickets, international or domestic, not issued by Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel due to schedule and/or flight changes. Airline reservations completed online are subject to review and, should Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel deem it necessary, may be rebooked to match minimum connecting time requirements, and/or tour package itineraries, in which case you will be notified immediately. Airlines reserve the right to demand immediate issuance of tickets whenever they determine that specific flight heavily booked even when normal ticketing rules do not require tickets to be purchased until a later date. In this instance, Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel will require immediate full payment of the airfare. This situation overrides invoice terms and conditions and payment due dates. If full payment is not received, seat will be canceled by the airline and may not be available to be rebooked on the same flights or the same airfare. Any
replacement air arrangements and airfare will be the responsibility of the passenger.
AIRLINE TICKETS
Once full payment is received, Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel airline tickets will be issued and are fully
nonrefundable. Should airline tickets require to be issued earlier than final payment due date, you may be required to pay a larger nonrefundable deposit and/or complete full payment.
AIRLINE SEAT ASSIGNMENTS
The airline bears sole authority of assigning seats on group flights. Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel airline contracts are for economy seats only. If you require another class of service, you may consider purchasing your own flights and purchasing the land only package from Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel.
AIRLINE FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMS
Passengers are responsible to contact the airline directly regarding mileage eligibility and accrual.
Airline frequent flyer programs determine whether to reward miles in part or total based on their rules which are updated frequently. Some discounted or promotional airfares as well as some code share flights are not eligible for mileage accrual. Some privates airfares such as a “Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel airfare” are not eligible for full mileage or may qualify for reduced mileage, even if the same airline class of service is eligible for full mileage when sold as an “instant purchase” published fare. Not all published airfares are eligible for mileage. Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel will record frequent flier numbers when provided by passengers prior to travel documents being issued. However, the addition of frequent flier numbers to airline records does not guarantee mileage eligibility which is at the sole discretion of each airline. Airline schedule changes may result in flights which were originally eligible for mileage accrual no longer being eligible. We highly recommend passengers to provide their frequent flier account information whenever checking in online and/or at the airport check-in desk. After travel has commenced, it is often not possible to apply frequent mileage credit. Passengers are also responsible for determining whether previously earned mileage may be applied to flights to secure upgrades.
AIRLINE TAXES & FUEL SURCHARGES
If you purchased airfare, airline taxes and fuel surcharges are included. Prior to completion of full payment there is a potential for a price increase(s) due to increases in government levied taxes and fees and/or surcharges. To avoid potential increases, you may choose to accelerate your final payment in order to that your ticket may be issued. Once issued, airline tickets are no longer subject to potential increases but are fully nonrefundable. Certain overseas domestic flights are subject to air taxes which can only be paid locally; in these cases, the specific flights and amounts of those taxes are indicated in our package presentations and pre-departure documentation.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
In the event of an airline schedule change, Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel will make every effort to inform passengers of the schedule change and new flight prior to departure. Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel is not responsible for schedule changes including, when applicable, changes in routing and/or the number of stops in the itinerary. Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel is unable to provide compensation for schedule changes, seat assignments modifications, or cancellations implemented by an airline. In
the event of any change in flight itinerary made directly between passengers and airline, it is the passengers’ responsibility to advise Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel of amended flight details in writing at info@blackfoodiesttavel.com. Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel cannot be held responsible for land services, including arrival and/or departure transfers, if flight is changed without its knowledge.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Pursuant to TSA Secure Flight requirements, passengers are responsible to provide Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel with their name as it appears on their passport (or other government issued ID when traveling), date of birth, gender, address, phone number and email for all passengers. Passengers must ensure that names are correctly listed on their invoice. Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel will not be responsible for passengers who do not receive an invoice or documents or are denied boarding due to inaccurate information.
HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS
XVIII. HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
All rooms requested are standard twin-bedded (two single beds) rooms with private facilities unless you have specifically requested a king/double sized bed. Please understand although we will make a bed type request on your behalf, bed types are subject to availability. ROOM SELECTION IN ALL CASES IS STRICTLY AT THE DISCRETION OF THE HOTEL MANAGEMENT ON A RUN OF HOUSE BASIS. Triple and Quad occupancy rooms consist of two beds for cruises, where triple and quad rooms will consist of twin bed for each person. Some single rooms are smaller than the standard size. The number of persons accommodated does not dictate the room size. Although available at most 4- and 5-star hotels, use of air conditioning abroad differs greatly from the US. Many European hotels were built before central air conditioning was introduced. Air conditioning is often shut down at night until the start of summer months. All hotels rates are based on Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel agreements with its suppliers and are not negotiable. Hotel check in time is generally not before 3:00pm local time and check out is prior to noon local time. Please be sure that adequate arrangements for accommodation have been taken into consideration when a late night flight is being used. If a day room is included in the itinerary, check out will normally be 6:00pm. We reserve the right to make substitutions with hotels of equal standard. There will be no refunds for any difference in the cost of accommodation.
HOTEL & CRUISE PROFILES
Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel hotel and cruise profiles are based upon information provided to Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel by the hotel and cruise ship partners and their representatives, including images and descriptions of individual properties. Star ratings may differ from country to country. Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel does its best to maintain current information, however, is not responsible for any inaccuracies, changes in description and details or amenities, or images provided by third parties.
MEALS
As specified in each itinerary. Meals are based on the hotel’s or restaurants buffet or set menu unless otherwise stated on the specific itinerary. In general, beverages are not included unless specifically stated. Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel cannot make guarantees, every effort is made to honor special dietary requests submitted in writing at least 4 weeks prior to departure at info@blackfoodiestravel.com.
XIX. TRANSFERS
Transfers are provided as indicated for each tour by car, minibus, or motor coach provided airfare is purchased from Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel. If you purchase a land-only tour, or if you deviate from the arrival and/or departure dates as stated in the itinerary, you will have the responsibility to purchase your own transfer to the hotel. In case of a delay, whether due to flight delay, immigration and customs, or time spent reporting baggage damage or loss, it will be your responsibility to make other transfer arrangements such as a taxi.
TOURS & GRATUTIES
XX. SIGHTSEEING & ITINERARY
Will be operated by motor-vehicle, its size dictated by the number of participants. Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel tours have been designed to accommodate individuals as well as groups. Times listed in itineraries are approximate and meant only as guidelines. Some itineraries may have early morning start times for sightseeing in order to complete the touring during daylight hours or avoid afternoon heat in tropical and desert climates. It is your responsibility to arrive on time for all scheduled flights, cruises, and package components. Arriving late may be considered a "no- show", in which case you will not be eligible for a refund for the unused service(s). We cannot guarantee the number of passengers who will be on any given tour.
You may find that you are traveling with a sizeable group or only with your own companions. Services, however, will remain constant no matter the number of tour participants. Persons requiring any assistance or who have any form of disability should refer to section "Travelers
With Disabilities". On dates including, but not limited to religious holidays and national celebrations, some monuments and sites may be closed. On these occasions, touring itineraries may be amended to reflect these closures. Occasionally, during holidays and certain periods, and/or due to unforeseen circumstances including weather conditions there may be last-minute changes, sometimes after arrival, in affecting the sequence of the tour, locations visited and/or hotels. Therefore, we reserve the right to adjust the sequence and/or substitute any hotels with
others of similar category. In such cases there will be no cost adjustment. National monuments and tourist sites regularly undergo renovations, which can obscure the monument's view. No tour will be canceled due to renovations; however, Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel will decide based on the conditions whether to amend an itinerary.
Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently and with due consideration.
XXI. TIPPING (ESCORTED TOURS)
Drivers, including private cars and motor coach drivers: $10 per person, per day. Tour Guides: $10 per person, per day
HEALTH & DISABILITIES
XXII. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Check with your healthcare provider for up-to-date requirements. You may also check the centers for disease control and/or World Health Organization for their recommendations. Required inoculations, if any, must be recorded by client’s health practitioner and a valid vaccination
certificate which the client must carry proof of inoculation where required. Individuals with heart disease, chronic illness, physical disabilities, advanced pregnancy, or mental illness should not participate in these rigorous travel programs. Any person who arrives to the destination ill with apparent fever or become ill during the tour, will be removed from the group and directed to the local medical facility for diagnosis. Only upon clearance by an accredited medical facility will the individual be allowed to resume with the group. All costs associated with medical treatment and related expenses such as additional hotel nights or transportation not included in the original itinerary, will necessarily be borne by the passenger. Please note that some countries may require aircraft cabin insecticide treatment for inbound foreign flights. All list of such countries are available at: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/spray
XXIII. TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES
To fully enjoy your Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel tour, we recommend that you select a trip that is suitable to your physical capabilities. Tour participants requiring any form of assistance, including travelers with physical disabilities, sight or hearing impairments, are required to notify Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel prior to tour reservation for review and our agreement. Additionally, the tour participant must be accompanied by an individual responsible for providing those services. Tour managers, guides, drivers or other tour, hotel, ship personnel are not able to provide such assistance. In order to participate in escorted tours, passengers must be able to understand and follow instructions given by the Tour Director at all times, both for the successful operation of the tour as well as for their personal safety.
Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel reserves the right to reject participation or remove any individual from a tour if notification was not provided and/or when, in our sole judgment, continued participation would significantly hinder the services to be provided to all guests. Expenses, including cancellation fees and/or costs for alternate travel plans or to return home, will be the sole responsibility of the passenger. Escorted tours are fast paced, often requiring lengthy walks over uneven terrain. In the interests of group harmony, clients should be able to maintain the pace of the tour. Clients with special needs may be better served independently.
Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel can suggest touring options based upon specific requirements. Wheelchairs & Walkers: USA Tours: Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA), Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel seeks to accommodate disabled travelers to the extent possible and consistent with the specific tour itinerary. Nevertheless, you may find that certain tour features may not be accessible to the extent that you require a wheelchair, scooter, or other special equipment to participate. We
cannot provide individual assistance to travelers with wheelchairs or other mobility devices. We regret that some itineraries cannot accommodate wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Passengers are required to advise Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel of their accessibility requirements prior to booking in order for Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel to determine if reasonable accommodation is available. Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel will endeavor to accommodate special access needs but does not guarantee that it will be able to do so in all cases.
INTERNATIONAL TOURS
Hotels, sea and river cruises outside of the US are not required to comply with the ADA requirement and therefore may not have ramps, wide entryways or elevators to accommodate disabled passengers or devices such as wheelchairs and motorized scooters. Due to physical
constraints and space limitations wheelchairs, walkers and motorized scooters may not be taken
aboard coaches and river cruises.
ASSUMPTION OF RISKS
XXIV. RELEASE FROM LIABILITY
Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel, its shareholders, directors, officers, employees and affiliates, (collectively Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel), does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip including for example, ownership or control over hotels or other lodging facilities, airline, vessels, bus, van or other transportation companies, local ground operators, providers or organizers of optional excursions or equipment used thereon, food service or entertainment providers. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or of any other third party. Without limitations, Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay, or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God, acts of government, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, or the threat thereof, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely or safely, dangers associated with bites from animals, pest or insects, marine life or vegetation of any sort, dangers incident to recreational activities such as swimming, kayaking, sailing, canoeing, rafting, hiking, walking, bicycling, etc., sanitation problems, food poisoning, lack of access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of medical or other emergency, illness, epidemics or threat thereof or for any other cause beyond the direct control of Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel. In addition, I release Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel from its own negligence and assume all risk thereof.
XXV. ASSUMPTION OF RISK
I am aware that travel such as that I am undertaking involves hazardous activities, with risk of illness, injury or death which may be caused by force of nature, animals, insects or flora, the negligence of Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel, or other persons and companies know or unknown, or of willful or criminal conduct of third parties. I am aware that weather conditions may be severe, adverse and/or unpleasant. I am also aware that medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible during some or all of the time during which I am participating on the trip. To partake of the enjoyment and excitement of this trip I am willing to accept the risk and uncertainty involved as being an integral part of my adventure. I hereby accept and assume full responsibility for any and all risks of illness, injury or death and of the negligence of Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel and agree to hold harmless and release Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel from claims of a third-party negligence.
I understand the physical requirements of the activity in which I will be participating, and I currently have no known physical, medical, or mental condition that would impair my ability to participate in this tour or my safety in this activity, and I am willing to assume all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition. I hereby authorize Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel or my local ground handler or other to arrange for any emergency medical treatment and hospitalization as may be necessary for me because of participation in this activity without further consent.
XXVI. BINDING ARBITRATION
I agree that any dispute concerning, relating or referring to this Agreement, the brochure or any other literature concerning my trip, or the trip itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, either according to the then existing Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or pursuant to the Comprehensive Arbitration Rules & Procedures of the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Ind (JAMS). Such proceedings will be governed by substantive (but not procedural) Louisiana law and will take place in Baton Rouge, LA. The arbitrator and not any federal, state or local court or agency shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, conscionability, or formation of this contract, including but not limited to any claim that or any part of this contract is void or voidable. Please understand that by agreeing to these terms and conditions, you (and we) are waiving our right to a trial by jury.
XXVII. VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION
I acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate on the trip designated on this application (or a trip which I may change to) and that I have read the description of the trip as it appears in the current Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel website relating to the trip, together with all information contained in this application. I am voluntarily participating in this trip with knowledge of the hazards involved.
XXVIII. KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY EXECUTION
I have carefully read these Terms and Conditions and the booking information sections of this document, and fully understand its contents. I am aware that this is a release of liability and a contract between myself and Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel and agree of my own free will. By accepting, I agree to these Terms and Conditions and Richer Sun Travel, LLC d/b/a Black Foodies Travel release from
liability, assumption of risk and binding arbitration clause for myself, each member of my traveling party and any minor children accompanying me.