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Frequently Asked Questions

Providing the answers to your questions about the Luxury Gold experience. Before, during and after your tour.

Your COVID-19 Travel Questions Answered

Luxury Gold strives to give guests peace of mind so that you can fully experience your tour. Travel can be confusing right now, and we understand that you may have a lot of questions. We have compiled a list of answers to the most frequently asked questions we have received to help you feel informed and confident when booking your tour and traveling with Luxury Gold. We are continually updating this page so that you have the most relevant information.

If you are traveling soon, you can check the latest travel requirements for destinations around the world here.

Updated December 2022

Vaccines, Testing and Quarantine

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Will I need to have had the COVID-19 vaccination to be allowed to travel with Luxury Gold?

We are committed to your wellbeing. Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Luxury Gold. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before traveling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times. No refunds will be given if guests are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to their failure to comply with these requirements. This policy is subject to change at any time without notice.

 

How will Luxury Gold be assisting with any mandatory testing required pre, during and post travel?

Any testing that is required pre travel will be the responsibility of the guest to organize, as these requirements will be in accordance with airline policies, and the entry requirements of the destination you are traveling to. During your tour, your Travel Concierge will facilitate any mandatory testing and this will be done with as little impact as possible to your experience. This testing will be at the expense of the guest. Any testing required post travel will again be the responsibility of the guest to organize.

I have already received my vaccination, will I still need to comply with PCR testing?

Depending on the airline you travel with, you may be required to show proof of vaccination and/or testing, and similarly the destination you are traveling to may have specific requirements with regards to the vaccine and / or testing.

Will you require that children be tested on your tours?

Anyone traveling with Luxury Gold will need to comply with specific testing requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues.

How do I know what the country I am traveling to requires for my upcoming tour?

You can check what travel restrictions and requirements are in place at the destination you are traveling to by visiting our Travel Requirements page.

Will there be any intermittent testing on longer or multi-country tours?

Your Travel Concierge will facilitate any testing requirements while you are on tour. Restrictions are easing in many parts of the world and many countries do not require testing for fully vaccinated travelers. Rest assured, your Travel Concierge will clearly communicate what is required and what you need to do while you are on tour.

What happens if I test positive before flying home, or upon re-entering my home country?

If you test positive for Covid-19 prior to flying home, you may need to quarantine in that country for the required number of days if stipulated by the local government. In this situation, your Travel Concierge and our support team behind the scenes will defer to the advice of the local authorities, but please be assured we will be able to assist with making necessary arrangements for your accommodations and keep in touch with you until you are able to return home. Any costs incurred for having to quarantine will be your and/or your insurance provider's responsibility, which is why we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance before your tour begins.  If you test positive upon re-entering your home country once your trip is complete, you will need to follow the guidelines as stipulated by your local government. 

What extra steps do I need to take prior to traveling, and how much more will it cost me?

In terms of traveling with Luxury Gold, we highly recommend you purchase travel insurance ahead of your tour that covers you for unexpected events including accident and illness (such as Covid-19). In terms of testing requirements many countries have relaxed their COVID protocols and testing requirements but the situation is constantly evolving. The cost will depend on the country you are traveling to and their specific testing requirements as well as the testing requirements of your home country for your return.

What happens if I test positive on my trip?

COVID-19 requirements vary from country to country and region to region and are constantly evolving.
If you test positive while traveling with us, you will need to comply with the legislation of the country you are in and may not be able to continue to travel with the group. You will need to isolate in that country for the required number of days if stipulated by the local government. Your Travel Concierge and our support team behind the scenes will endeavor to assist you with making the necessary arrangements for your accommodations, should local isolation be required.  
As Covid-19 still remains a threat to the health of individuals, we ask that you please take personal responsibility for your wellbeing and be conscious of the effect your personal situation may have on the health and wellbeing of others. Luxury Gold may decide you will not be able to continue to travel with the group, if your health situation appears likely to endanger your wellbeing or that of other guests.  
We highly recommend you obtain travel insurance to cover situations such as the above. Please be sure you are covered for the complete dates of your tour and validate that you have the appropriate level of coverage for: Trip Interruption - to cover the cost of your trip, including air travel, Trip Delay, Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation and Medical Expenses from illness (covering individual or pandemic event).  

Bookings, Cancelations and Refunds

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If I book my tour and I then need to change my booking, will my money be safe?

Absolutely. Thanks to our risk free and flexible booking conditions, you are free to change your travel plans up to 60 days before your trip is due to depart. You can choose new dates and / or a new destination without penalty on the land portion of your trip. Luxury Gold is also a proud member of The Travel Corporation, who remain a stable and solvent company despite the difficult circumstances caused by the pandemic.

Are the Travel Corporation (TTC) and Luxury Gold financially sound?

Luxury Gold is a proud member of TTC, a family owned and operated business who, in their 102nd year of business, remain stable and solvent despite the difficulties caused by the pandemic. TTC's incredible legacy, financial strength and integrity mean you can have peace of mind knowing your money is safe. You can read TTC Chief Executive Brett Tollman's letter of reassurance to all guests here.

If I rebook for 2023 or 2024 and am still unable to travel then, can I get a refund?

You can change your trip and/or departure date up to 60 days before your trip is due to depart without incurring change fees (for most trips). See our Booking Conditions

What happens if I purchase a tour but restrictions are introduced in a country on my travel dates, or my tour is canceled due to lockdown?

Thanks to our flexible booking terms, you can secure your dream trip with a fully-refundable deposit (for 30 days after booking), while also having the flexibility to change your plans up to 60 days before departure without incurring change fees^ (for most trips). If you you are not ready to rebook an alternate trip, you will be issued a Future Travel Credit which can be redeemed with Luxury Gold or another TTC brand (Insight Vacations, Brendan Vacations, Costsaver, Uniworld, U by Uniworld or Contiki) on any destination or trip. To give you maximum flexibility, you can also choose to transfer your Future Travel Credit to a friend or family member.

Will we be refunded for missed inclusions?

Please be assured that we are a responsible and conscientious tour operator with a reputation for providing incredible value to our guests. While some inclusions may be subject to change or closures, wherever possible we will find alternative solutions to ensure your experience is still a remarkable one.

What travel insurance do I need to purchase that protects me against COVID-related claims?

If you choose to purchase Luxury Gold’s own Travel Protection plan, you will have the flexibility to cancel your trip for ANY reason, up to 24 hours before departure. Depending on the plan you select, you will be eligible for either a Future Travel Certificate, or a mix of 60% cash back insurance benefit with a 20% Future Travel Certificate. Both plans include additional coverage for COVID-19.

If you do not purchase your travel insurance through us, please be aware that Luxury Gold highly recommends you obtain travel insurance ahead of joining our trip. Unexpected events can happen when you travel, like an accident or illness during your trip (such as Covid-19), which can bring additional personal risks and costs. We offer several insurance plans, or you can choose to buy travel insurance from another provider. If you choose the latter, please be sure you are covered for the complete dates of your tour and please validate that you have the appropriate level of coverage in the currency for your country of origin, in the following categories: Trip interruption; (to cover the cost of your trip, including air); Trip Delay; Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation; Medical Expenses from illness (covering individual or pandemic event; etc.

Some travel agents are promoting a money back guarantee. Are you also offering this?

Many agents and companies have different policies. Our policy has always been based on offering our guests risk free and flexible booking conditions. This means that you can cancel your trip within 30 days of booking and receive a full refund, or change your trip and/or departure date up to 60 days before your trip is due to depart without incurring any fees (for most trips). Read our Booking Conditions

Well-Being on your Tour

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How will Luxury Gold take care of my health and well-being?

When you travel with us, you can rest assured your health and wellbeing are our top priority. As well as implementing hygiene and wellbeing protocols that have been endorsed by the World Tourism & Travel Council (WTTC), our Travel Concierges will always ensure that all protocols are adhered to, and will provide support and guidance to our guests.

How are the coaches cleaned and maintained to ensure they are germ-free?

We continue to follow government guidelines regarding our coaches. Groups traveling together will be seated together, and face coverings will be required where mandated, otherwise it is the choice of our guests if they wish to wear face coverings when traveling on the coach. Additionally, all surfaces will be disinfected multiple times per day, and due to our high performing air filters the air within the coach will be completely filtered and changed every 2-3 minutes (faster than most hotel operating theatres), to prevent impurities from spreading.

Will travel requirements be subject to different guidelines if I am traveling in a private group?

Whatever style of group travel you choose, all tour groups will be required to comply with local travel requirements, which your Travel Concierge will clearly explain to you once you are on tour.

Will I need to wear a mask the entire time on the tour?

You will need to wear a mask whenever your Travel Concierge advises it is mandatory to do so, and as you wish to do so for your own peace of mind and assurance. Please note that airlines and other establishments may not accept washable cloth masks but only medical masks.  All tour groups will be required to comply with local travel requirements, which your Travel Concierge will clearly explain to you.

Will I be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Extra masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves will be available to all guests if you forget to bring your own. Please be sure to bring your own masks to ensure your comfort, and any PPE you may require to feel confident and assured.

Will my tour be canceled if someone in my tour group gets sick?

If someone gets sick while traveling, we are not expecting the tour to be canceled, however it will depend on the specific situation as we will need to follow the advice of local government and health authorities.

Will you be adjusting the time spent onboard the coach, or in between rest stops?

It is possible that there will be amends to the days' timings and itinerary, taking into account new well-being protocol and distancing, however, rest assured this will not deter from the enjoyment of your tour. In the event that we may have to make amends to any planned activities or site visits, we will always provide an alternative that is as good as, if not better, than the original.

Will you be sharing my contact information with anyone else, such as local health authorities?

To comply with local health authorities we may be required to collect and share personal information for contact tracing purposes, for example at hotels, restaurants or areas of gathering. This information can then be used by local health departments to alert you if you may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Will I be provided with a listening device for walking tours and how will these be cleaned after each use?

Each guest will be provided with their own personal VOX headset for the duration of their tour. These are fully sanitized between tours and come prepared in a sealed package, so they cannot be tampered with. Each guest will also receive their own, brand new set of ear phones.

Your Vacation Experience

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Will I need to wear a mask on my flight?

Whether or not you will be required to wear a mask on your flight will depend on the policy of the airline you are flying with. We highly recommend you check the airline's policies before traveling to ensure you are prepared.

How do I know what the country I am traveling to requires for my upcoming trip?

You can check what travel restrictions and requirements are in place at the destination you are traveling to by visiting our Travel Requirements page.

Do you have small-group tours?

All Luxury Gold journeys are small group tours, with a maximum group size of 24 guests.

In addition to booking my tour, can I also book my air travel with you?

You certainly can. We have fantastic contacts and rates with many airlines and our friendly team can assist with booking your flights. You can either request to add flights when booking online, or call one of our team to book your tour, letting them know you also require flights.

When should I book my air travel?

As we are a tour operator, we cannot advise on when you should be booking your air travel - this is up to you. If you choose to book your air travel through us please know that we offer competitive airfare rates with flexible rules which allow you to book your airfare now and not pay in full until your tour payment is due. We suggest booking as far in advance as you know your travel dates to lock in the best fares and routes for your vacation. If you are booking your airfare separately, please ensure your tour is a guaranteed departure before purchasing any airfare as Luxury Gold cannot be responsible for any change or cancelation fees for airfare not purchased as part of our package.

Will I still have a good time despite these new protocols being in place?

Of course. The protocols we have put in place are there to protect you, but we can assure you that you will still have the same incredible Luxury Gold travel experience as before. Every single itinerary we run is perfectly planned to ensure that you can travel with total ease, combining the perfect blend of must see sites and authentic local experiences. Every aspect of your tour will have been vetted and approved by our local teams, and our on road team will be on hand with their personalized approach to ensure that you are well looked after.

What happens if any of the sites or inclusions my group is due to visit are affected by closures while I am on tour?

Our operations and guest support teams are on call 24/7 and work behind the scenes to ensure that the impact of any closures or changes on your itinerary will be minimal. Where possible, we will adjust your itinerary to visit alternative sites or inclusions, so you can be assured you will enjoy the same incredible experience and value that we are known for.

If I book my tour and then certain sites or experiences are suddenly required to close, how will you ensure my experience is not impacted?

Because you have chosen to travel with a guided touring company, managing these kinds of scenarios is what our team does best. We can assure you that we will adjust your itinerary while still making sure that you have an unforgettable travel experience, one that still provides you with the incredible value you expect from us. If changes are required, you will be updated of these changes as soon as possible, and your Traveling Concierge will also keep you well informed while on tour.