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Is my money safe?
Find out more about our flexible booking conditions, refund policy, the financial stability of our parent company The Travel Corporation, and more.
You have questions, and we have answers
The world of travel is a confusing one right now, so it’s completely understandable that before booking your trip, you want to know exactly where you stand. We want to help you with this, by providing the most relevant and recent information to help you feel informed and confident. The questions below are those that our guests are asking most frequently, and we will continue to update this page regularly, so you can be confident the information you are reading here is absolutely up to date.
If you are travelling soon, you can check the latest COVID-19 travel regulations, quarantine policies and border statuses for destinations around the world here.
Updated April 2021
1. What are you doing about testing, vaccinations and quarantine?
Any guest traveling with Costsaver will need to provide proof of vaccination or negative PCR test to their Wellbeing Director* upon arrival and before joining the tour as noted below:
For Europe Travel
Effective immediately, all guests booked to travel to European destinations on tours commencing up until September 30, 2021, with Costsaver and its operating brands are required to be fully vaccinated to travel. Venues such as museums and restaurants are requiring proof of full vaccination
For USA Travel (excluding Hawaii)
Proof of vaccination or verifiable and negative viral test (PCR or antigen) taken 72 hours prior to the start of the tour.
Guests will also need to comply with specific requirements imposed by airlines and / or governments which may differ from the above.
Europe Tours
Effective immediately, all guest booked to travel to European destinations on tours commencing up until September 30, 2021, with Costsaver are required to be fully vaccinated to travel. Venues such as museums and restaurants are requiring proof of full vaccination. Your Travel Director and Wellbeing Director will be on hand to help facilitate testing. It is also important to note that any testing will be at the expense of the guest.
USA Tours
Currently, we are working on arranging for testing to take place at the required time, and with minimal inconvenience. We will be facilitating testing as quickly as possible and you will be given full information on when and where testing will take place by your Travel Director once on tour. It is also important to note that any testing will be at the expense of the guest.
Any testing that is required pre travel will be the responsibility of the guest to organise, as these requirements will be in accordance with airline policies, and the entry requirements of the destination you are travelling to. During your tour, your Travel Director will faciliate 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 organise.
Read more... Read less... You will be asked to show an authentic COVID-19 vaccination certificate (electronic or paper showing date and time of the vaccination(s) with the final dose given at least 15 days before the start of your tour, to your Wellbeing Director* upon arrival and before joining the tour. We recommend taking a picture of any paper vaccination certificates in case of loss of the original.
Read more... Read less... Costsaver highly recommends you obtain travel insurance to cover situations such as these. 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.
Read more... Read less... 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 travelling to may have specific requirements with regards to the vaccine and / or testing.
Read more... Read less... No. Airlines and destinations are not specifying that passengers / visitors must have a specific brand of vaccine, if they have a vaccination policy in place.
Read more... Read less... In terms of travelling with Costsaver, 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). You will also need to fill out our pre-travel Travel Declaration. In terms of testing requirements, vaccine passports etc, most countries are still evolving what their requirements will be, and within the next 90 days there will be significantly more information available. The cost will depend on the country you are travelling to and their specific testing requirements.
Read more... Read less... Your Travel Director will facilitate any testing requirements while you are on tour. Currently testing requirements differ from country to country so the situation is still unclear. Rest assured, your Travel Director will clearly communicate what is required and what you need to do while you are on tour, and as policies are confirmed we will of course keep guests informed and up to date.
Read more... Read less... You will be asked to show your negative test result (electronic or paper showing date and time of the test) taken within 72 hours of the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration), to your Travel Director upon arrival and before joining the tour.
Read more... Read less... If you test positive for Covid-19 prior to flying home, you will need to quarantine in that country for the required number of days as stipulated by your local government. In this situation, your Travel Director 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 make necessary arrangements for your accommodations, keep in touch with you and support 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.
Read more... Read less... 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.
Fully vaccinated means that it has been two weeks since you have received your second vaccination (in the case of vaccines including Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca. If you have received the Johnson&Johnson vaccine, this will be just one shot.
Read more... Read less... What test you are required to take will depend on the airline you are travelling with, as well as the entry requirements of each country. Therefore, it is important to refer to the policies of your specific airline before you travel, as well as referring to the Sherpa tool at https://www.costsavertour.com/coronavirus-travel-regulations to better understand each individual country's regulations.
Read more... Read less... Yes. Antibody tests only show whether you have previously had the virus, they do not show if you have a current infection. Therefore a negative result from a Covid-19 test, or your vaccination record, will be required.
Read more... Read less... While more and more people are getting vaccinated for COVID-19, we also fully understand that we are still in a transition period, with some countries further ahead in their vaccination rollouts than others. As such, all guests travelling on our tours who are not fully vaccinated yet will need to be tested.
Read more... Read less... We highly recommend you obtain travel insurance to cover situations such as this. If you test positive on your pre-travel PCR test, you should self-isolate and delay travel as symptoms may well develop, or until you have recovered from COVID-19. You will be unable to join your tour with a positive PCR test and we recommend you contact your local health department and health care provider.
Read more... Read less... Your Travel Director will not be able to check you in until your fit-to-travel status has been established. If you are unable to present documents an additional COVID-19 test will be required.
Read more... Read less... 2. Is my money safe?
Absolutely. Thanks to our risk free and flexible booking conditions, you are free to change your travel plans up to 30 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. Costsaver is also a proud member of The Travel Corporation, who remain a stable and solvent company despite the difficult circumstances caused by the pandemic.
Read more... Read less... Costsaver is a proud member of TTC, a family owned and operated business who, in their 101st 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's Tollman's letter of reassurance to all guests here.
Read more... Read less... You can change your trip and/or departure date up to 30 days before your trip is due to depart without incurring any fees. If you are unable to select a trip, you will receive a Travel Credit to be used on a future trip.
Read more... Read less... If you are unable to travel before 31 December 2022, please call us to discuss your options and we will review your request on a case by case basis.
Read more... Read less... 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 30 days before departure without incurring change fees. If you decide to wait to choose another trip, you will be issued a Future Travel Credit which can be redeemed with Trafalgar or another TTC brand (Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold, 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.
Read more... Read less... 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.
Read more... Read less... 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 change your trip and/or departure date up to 30 days before your trip is due to depart without incurring any fees. If you are unable to select a trip, you will receive a Travel Credit to be used on a future trip.
Read more... Read less... 3. How will you take care of me?
When you travel with us, you can rest assured your health and wellbeing are our top priority. As well as implementing a new 3-step hygiene and wellbeing protocol that has been endorsed by the World Tourism & Travel Council (WTTC), our Travel Directors will always ensure that all protocols are adhered to, and who will provide support and guidance to our guests.
Read more... Read less... If you travel on a classic tour please note that the number of guests will always adhere to the local guidelines of the places we travel, and we will continue to adapt to regulation changes from health authorities and local governments. If you wish to travel with friends or family as one pod without the need for distancing, you can upgrade your experience to a private tour for a surcharge.
Read more... Read less... We continue to follow government guidelines regarding our coaches. Groups travelling 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 travelling 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 hospital operating theatres).
Read more... Read less... Our classic tours will be operating as normal, with our new wellbeing measures in place. Guests looking to travel as an exclusive bubble also have the option of upgrading their experience to a private group tour, for a surcharge.
Please note that the number of guests will always adhere to the local guidelines of the places we travel, and we will continue to adapt to regulation changes from health authorities and local governments. Where distancing is required, your Travel Director will be on hand to facilitate this.
Read more... Read less... Please note that the number of guests will always adhere to the local guidelines of the places we travel, and we will continue to adapt to regulation changes from health authorities and local governments. Where distancing is required, your Travel Director will be on hand to facilitate this.
Your Travel Declaration will need to be completed (one for each guest) within 72 hours of your trip commencement. This must be completed before you may join your tour and can be found on your MyCostsaver travel portal.
Read more... Read less... Whatever style of group travel you choose (a classic tour or private group), all tour groups will be required to comply with local travel requirements, which your Travel Director will clearly explain to you once you are on tour.
Read more... Read less... You will need to wear a mask whenever your Travel Director 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 Director will clearly explain to you.
Read more... Read less... Extra masks, hand sanitiser and gloves will be freely available to all guests, at all times. We also advise all guests to bring their own masks to ensure their comfort, and any PPE they require to feel confident and assured.
Read more... Read less... If someone gets sick while travelling, we are not expecting the tour to be cancelled, however it will depend on the specific situation as we will need to follow the advice of local government and health authorities. Your Travel Director will be on hand to facilitate any required distancing or testing and ultimately, we will take care of you and be with you every step of the way until you are on your flight home.
Read more... Read less... Currently many attractions have reduced visitor numbers to allow for appropriate physical distancing and to avoid overcrowding. Should these measures not be in place, your Travel Director will ensure appropriate distancing is maintained.
In addition, one of the many benefits of traveling with Costsaver is that thanks to our networks around the world, we arrange priority access to many sites, so often you will visit iconic attractions with no one else around.
Read more... Read less... In addition, one of the many benefits of traveling with Costsaver is that thanks to our networks around the world, we arrange priority access to many sites, so often you will visit iconic attractions with no one else around.
It is possible that there will be amends to the days' timings and itinerary, taking into account new wellbeing protocols and distancing. Rest assured however, that 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.
Read more... Read less... Our Travel Director will have both undergone Covid-19 preparedness training, including the importance of managing physical distancing.
Read more... Read less... Each guest will be provided with their own personal VOX head set 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.
Read more... Read less... If a country closes their borders due to an outbreak while you are travelling with us, your Travel Director (with the assistance of our operations and guest support teams), will work together to help every guest return home safely. If required, they will arrange extra hotel nights for guests who are unable to fly out the same day.
If your flights were booked with us, we would be your contact for the airline and manage this process for you. If your flights were booked independently of us, we can assist you by booking a one-way ticket to return home. Upon your return you would then need to reach out to your insurance company. Any fees incurred would need to be paid by the guest while in destination.
Read more... Read less... If your flights were booked with us, we would be your contact for the airline and manage this process for you. If your flights were booked independently of us, we can assist you by booking a one-way ticket to return home. Upon your return you would then need to reach out to your insurance company. Any fees incurred would need to be paid by the guest while in destination.
As part of our enhanced arrival protocol, your Travel Director will check your temperature and you will be required to complete a health questionnaire. Anyone with signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or missing/incomplete testing or vaccination documents will be referred for additional testing before being allowed to join the group. Your Travel Director, along with restaurants and other vendors, may also conduct additional screenings throughout the trip whenever the need arises.
Read more... Read less... For the guests with included transfers, please be advised your transfer will operate with the appropriate capacity, as outlined by the destinations authorities. Please do refer to your voucher information and do read your welcome email carefully for any updates.
Based on your arrival airport and availability, your Travel Director may also send you instructions for an additional car transfer option. Please again do read your welcome email carefully to see if this option is available to you.
Read more... Read less... Based on your arrival airport and availability, your Travel Director may also send you instructions for an additional car transfer option. Please again do read your welcome email carefully to see if this option is available to you.
You can check what travel restrictions and requirements are in place at the destination you are traveling to by visiting our Travel Restrictions page.
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.
Read more... Read less... USA Tours
For trips traveling in the United States, yes, absolutely. To provide our guests with a convenient Home Test Kit solution, we have partnered with Inspire Diagnostics who are experts in COVID-19 testing. Information on how to access their FDA authorized option is included with your Travel Declaration and guest documents. Please note, many foreign countries require your test to be time-stamped and therefore home tests are not accepted for international travel.
4. Will I still have a good time?
Our operations teams and guest support teams work behind the scenes and on call 24/7, to ensure that should your tour be impacted by closures or changes, the impact to your travel experience will be minimal. Where possible we will adjust your itinerary to visit alternative sites or inclusions, so you can be assured you will still enjoy the same incredible value that we are known for.
Read more... Read less... Because you have chosen to travel with a guided touring company (and the world’s most loved one at that), managing these kinds of scenarios is what our team do best. We can assure you that we will adjust your itinerary while still making sure that you have an unforgettable travel experience, that still provides the incredible value you know us for. You will be updated of these changes (if required) as soon as possible, and your Travel Director will also keep you well informed while on tour.
Read more... Read less... Guests will be able to enjoy experiences that are either part of our separate to their itinerary as they wish, as long as they feel comfortable doing so, behave responsibly and follow local protocols.
Read more... Read less... 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 Costsaver 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 Travel Director will be on hand with their personalised approach to ensure that you are well looked after.
Read more... Read less... How the tour will operate will depend on the destination you are travelling to. As we begin running tours again on a country by country basis, we expect most hotels, restaurants, sites, museums etc to be welcoming guests, but unfortunately we cannot predict this in advance. Our operations teams and guest relations teams will work hard behind the scenes to adjust your itinerary as required, wherever possible visiting alternative sites, restaurants etc, so as to ensure you still enjoy the same remarkable Costsaver travel experience.
Read more... Read less... We are currently working with our restaurant partners to allow for fewer guests at each table. We are also respectful of any concerns our guests may have and should smaller tables be required (such as for a couple) we will absolutely do our best to facilitate this request.
Read more... Read less... The breakfast set up will vary with each hotel but will always adhere to hygiene protocols and procedures. Some hotels will provide table service while others will provide served buffets (these are not self-service). In all of the hotels we visit, you can be assured that hygiene protocols and procedures have been thoroughly vetted by our team to meet our high levels of satisfaction.
Read more... Read less... 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 travelling to ensure you are prepared.
Read more... Read less... Minors do not need to complete the Travel Declaration.
5. What are your solo and group travel options?
Single travellers have two options when they travel with us. They can either choose to share a twin room with another traveller, or if they wish to have their own room they can pay a single supplement rate. Some of our departures offer discounted rates for solo traveller or waived single supplements.
Read more... Read less... Our private group tours are the perfect option for those wanting to travel in a smaller group. This option means you can choose to travel exclusively with family and friends, plus a dedicated Travel Director. Our private tours are available for a surcharge, and for a minimum of 12 people.
Read more... Read less... If you wish to travel as an exclusive bubble, you can upgrade your Costsaver experience to a private group tour for a surcharge. Our private group tours mean you will travel on your own coach and be accompanied by your own dedicated Travel Director, while still enjoying the same remarkable travel experience.
Read more... Read less... 6. When will you start your tours again?
When we will begin to operate again is led and determined by the health authorities and local governments of each country we visit. We continue to monitor and adapt our operations to changing regulations as protocol details are different from country to country, but we also remain ready to resume our tours as soon as restrictions allow, ensuring that our guests wellbeing is the absolute priority. As soon as our tours are able to operate once more, we will of course keep our guests informed.
Read more... Read less... A number of our 2022 dates are already definite departures and as more guests continue to book, more dates will become a definite departure.
Read more... Read less... When we will begin to operate again is led and determined by the health authorities and local governments of each country we visit. We continue to monitor and adapt our operations to changing regulations as protocol details are different from country to country, but we also remain ready to resume our tours as soon as restrictions allow, ensuring that our guests wellbeing is the absolute priority. As soon as our tours are able to operate once more, we will of course keep our guests informed.
Read more... Read less... 7. What extras can I book with you? (flights, travel insurance, etc)
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.
Read more... Read less... 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 trip is a guaranteed departure before purchasing any airfare as Costsaver cannot be responsible for any change or cancellation fees for airfare not purchased as part of our package.
Read more... Read less... Is there something we can help you with right away?
For travel inspiration, advice or bookings, call our experts on 0800 484 333