Reality Tours recommends that our participants purchase travel insurance to protect themselves against financial loss in the case of personal emergency or other unforeseen events.

Why We Recommend Travel Insurance
First, and most important is the fact that all policies offered in the marketplace do not insure your travel investment against the potential financial insolvency of any of the travel suppliers that provide us with the air, land or sea arrangements for your trip.

Second, we know that there are times when people are concerned about the risk of terrorism causing one to cancel their journey with us. The recommended company has policies with this important benefit. Third, for international trips, it is most important to have substantial medical and medical evacuation expense coverage. We're pleased that Travel Insurance Select offers $75,000 coverage for your protection.

EARLY PURCHASE IS IMPORTANT

We strongly encourage you to purchase coverage within 14 days of signing on to a tour. Doing so can make you eligible for three benefits at no additional cost: 1) Waiver of Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion, 2) Travel Supplier Financial Insolvency coverage, and 3) coverage for certain Terrorist Acts.

If You Have Questions
Please note that we are not insurance experts. Should you still have questions or require assistance with your travel insurance needs, please contact our recommended provider, Travel Insurance Services at 800-937-1387 and ask for the Global Exchange customer service representative.

Travel Insurance Services
2950 Camino Diablo, Suite 300
Walnut Creek, CA 94596-3949
Hours: 9 am to 9 pm
Phone: 1-800-937-1387
Fax: 1-925-932-1387

CANCELLATION POLICY

When you join a GX Reality Tour you will receive a Liability Agreement that states that unless GX cancels a tour, your full payment for the tour is non-refundable as of 30 days prior to departure. However, when a tour participant cancels all or part of a tour due to medical or family emergencies, we do try to issue a partial refund or partial transfer to another tour. If you cancel 30 days prior, you can also transfer the deposit to another tour for up to one year. If GX cancels a trip, all deposits and payments are refunded. Again, please be aware the $200 deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable in all other cases.

PURCHASING AIRLINE TICKETS

Some Global Exchange Reality Tours, such as those to Cuba, include partial international airfare in the tour package. However, most GX international travel seminars do not include international airfare, and costs are for "in-country," land-only. Even the tours that do include all or part of the international airfare, necessitate tour participants to secure domestic flights to specific departure sites (call or e-mail us for details).  

When purchasing your own domestic or international tickets, check the status of your ticket. Be informed. Ask if it is refundable or transferable. We recommend this, as it can protect you from losing hundreds of dollars in the case of a family emergency or tour cancellation.

To purchase your tickets call the airlines directly, check travel web sites for specials (priceline.com, Arthur Fromers magazine and web site, etc.), or the travel section of your weekend papers. You can insure your ticket, if you desire, with Travel Insurance Services at 800-937-1387.

WE CAN RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING TRAVEL AGENTS:
(contact your Global Exchange tour coordinator for country-specific travel agents)

Cyrus Travel
(Middle East, Africa, Europe)
Contact: Mitra or Mansour
Phone: 800-882-9787
or 415-398-6111
Email: info@cyrustravel.com
Web: www.cyrustravel.com
Hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm
(Pacific Standard Time)
Monday through Friday

Ed Barak Travel Agent
(Domestic and International)
Phone: 703-998-7676 ext.222
E-mail:  Barak@flyariana.us
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
(Eastern Standard Time)
Monday through Friday

Nomad Travel Bazaar
(Domestic and International)
Phone: 201-770-0120
Fax:     201-770-0123
Email: travel@nomadtravelnj.com
Web:  www.nomadtravelnj.com
Hours: 12 noon to 5pm
(Eastern Standard Time)
Monday through Friday

Global Exchange has no formal business connections with any of these  companies; please note they are suggestions only to assist you.

GLOBAL EXCHANGE STUDY SEMINARS IN A CHANGING ACCREDITATION

Getting Academic or University Professional Growth Units for Your Travel with Reality Tours

For Students:
Students can earn units with an accredited college (Northwest Association of Colleges and Universities) by traveling on a Global Exchange Reality Tour. This can make a trip much more affordable, as it offsets the high cost of tuition one would otherwise pay for these units to the university. Students can also use financial aid and scholarship funds toward participation on these tours. Most major colleges and universities across the country have accepted the transfer of credit.

To find out about various course credit options, please contact:

Professor Steve Tash
c/o WeStudyAbroad.com
23786 Villena
Mission Viejo, CA 92692 USA
Phone: 1-888-573-9148 9am-9pm PST
Fax: 949-916-1499
Email:  travelstudy@yahoo.com
Web: www.WeStudyAbroad.com

For teachers K through Junior College, School Administrators and Librarians:

We encourage educators to use Reality Tours as a resource for professional growth. In fact, through the University of San Diego's Independent Study program, you can earn university professional growth credits for: customizing your own tour for your class; participating on a tour; integrating what you learned into your classroom; and bringing in outside resources and speakers into your classroom. For details visit:  http://usd-online.org/indepstudy/pcindex.htm

If you are interested in receiving university units or have questions about USD's Independent Study program contact:

Allan Varni, Area Coordinator University of San Diego
Division of Continuing Education
P.O. Box 1607
Los Altos, CA 94023
Phone:  650-948-6545
Fax:    650-941-5295
Email:  usdcourses@hotmail.com