Booking Info
Nearly all of our hotels and lodges are first class, superior or deluxe usually with a 4 to 5 star rating. Even in the African bush you will have a private bath. If any trip deviates from this it is noted in the itinerary.
Click the “Register Now” button on the web itinerary. Or, text us at 1-770-432-8225 with your name and a brief message. We’ll call you back within an hour.
Why Book Early?
Trips fill up quickly! Secure your spot with a deposit (usually $500+, depending on the trip). For some trips later in the year, a second deposit may be due around 4-5 months before departure. Final payments are typically due 120 days before your trip starts. Some trips include round-trip airfare, but land-only options are usually available too.
We’re a Small Company
We’re a small team and want to give you our full attention. We might not answer phones right away, but we’ll call back as soon as we can. For a quicker response, text 770-432-8225 with your name and a brief message. We’ll get back to you within 30 minutes.
We challenge you to choose places you’d not normally visit on your own and to follow your heart. This is why we only present international tripschoices. We pride ourselves in not having “cookie cutter” tours like other operators. AFS strives to find unique and special activities for every trip. There is a perfect balance of cultural tours and leisure time. You will definitely meet interesting people and make new friends. Some trips can be culturally challenging or physically strenuous. Please choose your tour wisely.
Some AFS tours can be quite active involving long walking tours on cobbled streets or even strenuous river rafting. If you feel this would hinder you in the group, we suggest you contact Grand Circle (800-595-0405) as they cater to a more senior crowd with slower movement. Things differ in foreign countries.
Travel abroad always requires an open mind, flexible attitude and adventurous spirit. We love intrepid tourists who are willing to embrace the unpredictability and exoticism of foreign lands. The purpose of this journey is to have fun, explore, get great photos, make new friends and return home safely with memories always worthy of recollection.
Trip Registration and Deposits
A deposit is required to secure your spot on an AFS tour. The deposit amount varies by tour and will be specified for each trip. Note that cruise line deposits may have different terms.
Cancellation Policy
You may cancel your agreement at any time, subject to the terms and conditions outlined below.
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Cancellation Notice: To cancel, you must provide written (text or email) notice to us at least 21 days prior to the due date of your trip’s next scheduled payment (or at least 45 days prior to the due date of your final payment, if applicable).
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Refund Eligibility: If this is your first cancellation within a calendar year, you will be eligible for a refund. The refund amount will be your paid amount less a $100 cancellation fee. The refund will be issued only as a credit towards a future AFS trip.
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Credit Validity: The trip credit will be valid for two years from the date of issuance.
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Subsequent Cancellations: No refund or credit will be issued for any additional cancellations made within our trip’s schedule’s calendar year.
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Exceptions: This cancellation policy does not apply to cancellations made within 20 days of your next payment due date (or 44 days of your final payment due date, if applicable). In such cases, the scheduled payment will be processed in full and no refund or credit will be issued.
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Third-Party Payments: Please note that we cannot issue refunds when additional payments have been made to land suppliers and hotels on your behalf. In such cases, cancellations will not be eligible for a refund or credit, even if made outside of the 20-day (or 44-day) window.
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Specific Programs: This cancellation policy may not apply to certain travel programs or promotions. These programs may have their own cancellation terms, which will be disclosed at the time of booking. By participating in such programs, you agree to their specific cancellation policies.
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Late Payment Fee
- Final Payment Deadline: Your final payment is due by the specified due date. Failure to meet this deadline may result in a late fee.
- Late Fee Amount: A $100 late payment fee will be added to your balance if you miss the final payment due date by more than 10 days.
- Notice of Late Fee: We will send multiple email warnings that a payment is due. If payment is not made, we will notify you by text or email before assessing the late fee to your account.
- Exception for AFS Tours: If you are currently on an AFS tour when final payment is due, you will have 10 days from the end of the tour to submit your payment. The late fee will not be applied during this grace period.
- Non-Payment as Cancellation: If you fail to communicate with us and miss the 10-day deadline (or the extended deadline, if applicable), we reserve the right to consider your reservation canceled. In such cases, no refund or credit will be issued.
Changes to Cancellation Policy: We reserve the right to modify this cancellation policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our website. Your continued participation after such changes have been posted will constitute acceptance of the revised cancellation policy.
Important Considerations
We highly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance that covers trip cancellations. AFS isn’t responsible for any personal or financial losses due to cancellations or interruptions of our tours. Cancellations can impact other travelers and our ability to operate the tour, so we can’t provide refunds in these circumstances.
Our trips do sell out quickly, but there are always cancellations and changes. Once they fill up, we build a waitlist. However, we can’t predict the odds as it depends on those that cancel.
We fill opening via email. It’s not like a deli serving # whatever. We often need to fill a spot quickly and don’t have the luxury of time. The first reply gets a hold for 24 hours to allow time to ask work. If no reply, general members next in bulk. There is no specific order, everyone has an equal chance. All others remain waitlisted and notified again when there’s another opening.
The wait list is really unreliable because most people make other plans. To stop getting notifications, just ask to be removed.