AFS Tour Cancellation Policy For Tours Departing in 2026 & Beyond

We know travel plans don’t always go as expected. Here’s how cancellations and refunds work for tours booked with us, starting January 1, 2026.

Initial Deposit Cancellations – You can cancel and receive a full refund of your initial deposit if you notify us within three (3) business days of payment. After three business days, the initial deposit is non-refundable.

Secondary Payments – Once you make any secondary payment, all money paid (including your deposit) becomes non-refundable. We cannot offer credits or refunds after secondary payments, since we commit these funds to our suppliers.

How to Cancel – To cancel, you must send us written notice—either by email or text.

  • For trips with multiple payments: Cancel at least 14 days before your first scheduled payment.
  • For trips with a single payment: Cancel at least 45 days before your final payment due date.

Late Cancellations – If you cancel within 20 days of your initial payment due date (or within 60 days of the final payment due date for single-payment trips), no refunds or credits will be given. In these cases, all scheduled payments will be processed as originally agreed.

Special Non-Refundable Dates and Supplier Payment Structures – Some trips or portions of trips require us to pay our suppliers (such as hotels, land operators, or activity providers) on non-refundable terms by a certain date. When this applies, you’ll see the specific non-refundable date and details listed next to the pricing at the bottom of your daily itinerary. Once these supplier deadlines are reached, all payments due for those segments become fully non-refundable, regardless of any other cancellation timelines above. These supplier-related terms always override the general policy.

Special Cancellation Terms – Other special cancellation rules may also apply to certain trips. These will be clearly indicated with pricing at the bottom of your trip’s daily itinerary and, when they exist, they take precedence over the general cancellation policy.

Third-Party Payment Restrictions – We can’t issue refunds once payments have been sent to hotels or land suppliers on your behalf. These payments are non-refundable, no matter when you cancel.

Special Programs – Certain travel programs or promotions may have their own cancellation rules. These will be disclosed at the time of booking and will take priority over this general policy.

Acknowledgment – By booking a tour with us, you agree to these cancellation terms. You understand that after the initial three-business-day window—and after any secondary payment—your payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. You further acknowledge that special non-refundable dates or payment structures with suppliers, as stated in your itinerary, will supersede the general cancellation terms above.

This policy applies to all trip bookings going in 2026 and beyond

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.

 Just follow this link to –>   Purchase Travel Trip Insurance on-line

If you have questions, please text us at 770-432-8225. Be sure to include your name and a brief description of the reason for cancellation.

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2025 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 – We understand plans can change. You may cancel your agreement at any time, subject to the conditions outlined in this policy.

Cancellation Process – To cancel your trip, you must submit written notice (via email or text) according to these timelines:

  • For trips with multiple payments: At least 14 days before your first scheduled payment
  • For trips with only final payment: At least 45 days before the final payment due date

First Cancellation Benefits. – For your first cancellation in a calendar year:

  • You’ll receive a credit toward a future AFS trip
  • Credit amount = Your paid amount minus $100 cancellation fee
  • Maximum credit value: $400
  • Credit validity: Two years from issuance date

Multiple Cancellations – If you cancel multiple trips in the same calendar year:

  1. Simultaneous Cancellations: If you cancel multiple trips at the same time, each cancellation qualifies for a credit refund
  2. Separate Cancellations: No refund or credit for second and subsequent cancellations made at different times

Example:

  • Three trips cancelled on January 15, 2024 → All qualify for credit refund
  • One trip cancelled March 1, 2024, another July 1, 2024 → Second cancellation ineligible for credit

Note: Cancellation count resets each January 1.

Exclusions and Limitations

Late Cancellations
No refund credits for cancellations made:

  • Within 20 days of 1st payment due date
  • If only one payment due, 45 days of final payment due date (when applicable)
    In these cases, scheduled payments will be processed.

Third-Party Payments – Refunds cannot be issued when:

  • Payments have been made to land suppliers
  • Payments have been made to hotels on your behalf
    These cancellations are ineligible for refund or credit, regardless of timing.

Special Programs – Some travel programs and promotions may have different cancellation terms. These will be disclosed at booking and supersede this general policy.

By booking with us, you acknowledge and agree to these cancellation terms.

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.

 Just follow this link to –>   Purchase Travel Trip Insurance on-line

If you have questions, please text us at 770-432-8225. Be sure to include your name and a brief description of the reason for cancellation.

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Tap here for 2024 cancellation policy

 

AFS Cancellation Policy 2026: this is an effect once we post the trips for 2026.

We understand plans can change. This policy outlines our cancellation terms effective January 1, 2026.

Initial Deposit Cancellations
• You may receive a refund of your initial deposit only if you cancel within three (3) business days of payment
• After three business days, initial deposits become non-refundable

Secondary Payments
• Once any secondary payment is made, all payments become final and non-refundable
• This includes both the initial deposit and secondary payment
• No credits or refunds will be issued after secondary payments due to supplier commitments

Cancellation Notice Requirements
To cancel your trip, you must submit written notice (via email or text):
• For multi-payment trips: At least 14 days before your first scheduled payment
• For single-payment trips: At least 45 days before the final payment due date

Late Cancellations

No refunds or credits will be provided for cancellations submitted within 20 days of the initial payment due date or within 60 days of the final payment due date for single-payment trips. In these instances, all scheduled payments will continue to be processed as agreed.

Certain trips may be subject to special cancellation terms, which will be indicated alongside pricing at the bottom of your trip’s daily itinerary. Where such terms apply, they will take precedence over the general cancellation policy stated above.

Third-Party Payment Restrictions
Refunds cannot be issued when:
• Payments have been made to land suppliers
• Payments have been made to hotels on your behalf
These payments are non-refundable regardless of cancellation timing.

Special Programs
Some travel programs and promotions may have different cancellation terms. These specific terms will be disclosed at booking and supersede this general policy.

Policy Acknowledgment
By booking with us, you acknowledge and agree to these cancellation terms. You understand that after the initial three-business-day period and any secondary payments, all amounts paid are non-refundable and non-transferable.

This policy is effective January 1, 2026, and applies to all bookings made on or after this date.