General Information
Our most frequently asked questions. General tour information.
Luggage
Handling of one piece of standard large size luggage is included in the price of your tour (limit 50 lbs.). You are allowed a small carry-on, which is your responsibility. Making Memories Tours cannot assume liability for loss, damage or breakage of luggage or personal property. Medications should be in your carry-on luggage and be in the original containers from the pharmacy.
Seating
On trips of four or more days, we have our passengers rotate seats on a daily basis. This allows everyone the opportunity to interact with more people and have different views of the scenery. The back of the motorcoach is reserved for those who do not wish to rotate seats. Passengers who pay single rates are not guaranteed a single seat on the coach.
Your Tour Includes:
- Deluxe transportation
- Only meals as indicated
- Quality hotel accommodations as mentioned
- Entrance/admission fees/guide services as mentioned
- Baggage handling of 1 piece per person at hotels
- Does not include miscellaneous items such as valet, telephone, pay per view movies, etc.
Gratuities:
Included in your tour price are gratuities for bellmen, porters, local step-on-guides, entertainers and all meals included in your itinerary. The traditional end-of-tour gratuities for your tour director and motorcoach driver are not included in the tour price and should be given on a merit basis at the discretion of the individual passenger. We are often asked, “What is the correct amount to tip your tour director and driver.” Customary amounts range between $3 and $5 per person per day. However, it is completely at your discretion if a gratuity is given.
Alcohol/Smoking Policies
All hotel/motel accommodations are requested as non-smoking. We have a policy of no smoking and no alcohol on our motorcoach. Our tours provide frequent stops allowing those who wish to smoke the time to do so. We feel this policy provides the most enjoyable tour for all participants.
Making Memories Tour Directors
A professional tour director guide will accompany the group for the entire itinerary on all motorcoach tours. For air, fly and rail tours, a Making Memories representative will be on the tour as long as the size of the group warrants their presence. If this is the case, a professional tour director from the supplier of the tour will be available to assist with your needs and to direct the itinerary.
A Word About Foreign-Travel Documentation
When our tours consist of traveling out the United States, we require each passenger to have a valid passport. Note that some airlines will not issue an international ticket to those with passports expiring within six months. Also, any domestic flight tour requires a government-issued photo I.D. Any traveler with a prior criminal history should inquire with Making Memories Tours management regarding any special permissions and/or documentation required for international travel. Please contact us with questions about the new Real ID regulations.
Fuel Surcharge:
Due to the volatility of fuel prices, Making Memories Tours reserves the option to add a fuel charge to the price of the trip should fuel prices increase in the time following the announcement of the trip pricing.
Itineraries
We carefully plan the itinerary of every tour for your enjoyment. We travel on scenic routes and also interstate highways for the best-possible-tour. We take a rest stop every two to three hours for your convenience. We make sure that your reservations are scheduled and confirmed months in advance. Luggage tags, departure information, pick-up times and locations, hotel and contact information will be mailed to you at least 7-10 days prior to departure.
Our Responsibilities
Making Memories Tours, in conjunction with similar companies, acts only as an agent for tour passengers concerning sponsorships and arrangements of miscellaneous accommodations presented. In connection with all services of any motorcoach, vehicle, excursion, accommodations, sightseeing, hotel arrangements, or restaurants, no liability or responsibility is assumed by Making Memories Tours with any of the previously mentioned. Making Memories Tours is not liable for luggage that is damaged or lost. It is our reserved right at our discretion for any itinerary changes to be made in regards to tour arrangements. Making Memories Tours of 128 N Old Wire Rd, Washburn Mo 65772 owned and operated by Jerry and Angie Varner (DBA) Making Memories Tours, is the facilitator of this program. It is assumed by booking a tour trip and by purchasing one of Making Memories Tours trips that any of our passengers/clients assign and agree that Making Memories Tours is the sole agent in all the transportation arrangements.
Payments/Cancellations
We require a $100.00 deposit per person within seven days of your reservation. Deposits or full payments are required to ensure your complete reservations. Within 45 days prior to departure is when the final payment is due. Refunds of airfare portions of trips are contingent on the airline policies. We may assess a $250 per person service charge plus any tour charges that are non-refundable. As an example, some tour costs may consist of the following: hotel/motel accommodations, booked events, transportation and sightseeing fees, all of which are nonrefundable to Making Memories Tours. We understand that situations arise such as patrons becoming ill or any other personal situation which may make it impossible to keep your tour arrangements. If you are able to find someone to take your place on the tour, a refund in full (less any expenses that we may incur for the name change) will be issued.
* All deposits and final payments can be made by check or money order. For your convenience, we accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa, or Discover Card
* If you made your payment by check, you will receive your refund by check, if you made your payments by credit or debit card, you refund will be credited back to your credit or debit card.
Trip Insurance:
Travel insurance is available from Arch RoamRight. We would be pleased to give you a quote for this. A major benefit of travel insurance is financial coverage in the unlikely event of unforeseen complications.
To Fly On An Airplane
Each traveler must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport or military ID, to fly within the United States. Individuals who are unable to verify their identity will not be allowed to fly. For more information, you can call us at 888-845-9582.
Please note for all domestic flights, baggage fees are not figured into the cost of the tour and will be an additional cost payable direct to the airline upon your ticketing process for boarding. International flights accommodate luggage fees, providing you abide by size and weight limits, you will be responsible for any overages.
Because air travel schedules can be altered without given notice to us, additional fees charged by airlines, regardless of reason, will be your responsibility. Travel insurance policies make provisions to cover these fees. Bottom line: we strongly recommend travel insurance for any tour with airfare.
