Frequently Asked Trip Questions
What should I pack and leave behind?
Need content here
How many people will be in my group?
Rates are based on a minimum of 40 people traveling together.
What's included in my rate?
Transportation from your home to departure city and return, specialty beverages with dinners, passport or visa fees, travel protection plan, excess baggage fees, domestic air travel and expenses of a purely personal nature are not included.
Are the rates subject to change?
Rates are based on a minimum of 40 people traveling together. Fewer tour participants will result in a price increase. The quoted tour price is based on the current rate of exchange. Fluctuation in the foreign exchange rate can result in price increase.
What if I need to cancel?
The cancellation conditions outlined below apply to all passenger initiated cancellations. Should circumstances require that the passenger cancel, written notice of cancellation must be received by Raptim in order to secure any available refund. See your individual trip page for detailed information.
Is there travel insurance?
Group travel insurance is available to cover medical expenses, medical evacuation & repatriation, trip cancellation or interruption, trip delay, baggage loss and/or delay. A pre-existing condition exclusion waiver is available if coverage is purchased up to and including time of final payment. Further information can be found on the travel Insurance tab of the tour website or by contacting your Raptim consultant.
What if I don't have a roommate?
Pricing is based on two people sharing a room in deluxe hotels. Single rooms are subject to availability at an additional charge. If a passenger cannot supply a roommate, the passenger is responsible for the additional charge.
When will I receive my airline ticket?
Air tickets will be issued 30-45 days prior to departure, after which there will be a charge for name corrections.
How can I make airline specifications or upgrades?
Please advise your travel consultant of any special seating needs due to health or mobility, or note under “Airline Seat Request” when registering. All seat requests and frequent flyer information is submitted to the airline at the time of ticketing. There is no guarantee that all seat requests will be honored by the contracted airline and changes should be requested at check-in by the traveler. To ensure proper crediting, present frequent flyer information to the airline agent at check-in and retain your boarding passes to verify your mileage credits after travel. Each passenger is allowed one suitcase, not to exceed 62 dimensional inches (L + W + H) or weigh more than 50 pounds. Due to limited luggage storage space on tour buses, it is important that each person bring only ONE piece of checked baggage. Any carry-on luggage must be handled by the passenger at all times. Baggage allowance is subject to change according to airline policy.
How do I add my frequent flyer information?
All frequent flyer information is submitted to the airline at the time of ticketing. To ensure proper crediting, present frequent flyer information to the airline agent at check-in and retain your boarding passes to verify your mileage credits after travel.
How many bags can I take?
Each passenger is allowed one suitcase, not to exceed 62 dimensional inches (L + W + H) or weigh more than 50 pounds. Due to limited luggage storage space on tour buses, it is important that each person bring only ONE piece of checked baggage. Any carry-on luggage must be handled by the passenger at all times. Baggage allowance is subject to change according to airline policy.
What if I want to deviate from the travel arrangements?
Individuals making changes in travel arrangements apart from this group program will be charged a service fee of $100 per person, plus any additional air or land costs incurred.
How do I get to the hotel from the airport?
Group transfers between airports and hotels upon arrival and departure are included, as well as handling of ONE piece of luggage at hotels upon check-in and check-out. Pricing is based on two people sharing a room in deluxe hotels. Single rooms are subject to availability at an additional charge. If a passenger cannot supply a roommate, the passenger is responsible for the additional charge. In-flight meals and snacks are served according to airline policy. During the tour, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided daily.
Is food included?
In-flight meals and snacks are served according to airline policy. During the tour, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided daily.
What type of air travel is included in my rate?
Air transportation is restricted to the services of any IATA carrier, in economy class based on nonrefundable fare. Travelers are responsible to provide their names as they appear in their passport. Tour price includes current airline taxes and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change until ticketed. Tour participants are responsible for any increase in airline taxes or fuel surcharges imposed by the airline.
Is gratuity included?
A healthy gratuity has been included in order to bless and thank the people who serve us along our journey. All taxes and fees for accommodations and sightseeing are included as indicated in itinerary, using private tour buses or other conveyance, with local guides where necessary. Tips for personal services (taxis, room service, etc.) are not included.
Do I need a passport?
A valid passport is required. If you do not have a passport, you should apply for one immediately. For more information on obtaining or renewing a U.S. passport can be found at http://travel.state.gov. If you now have a passport, please verify that it is valid until 30 Nov 2019. A visa for Israel is not required for U.S. citizens. Non-U.S. citizens are responsible to fulfill entry requirements for countries to be visited by contacting the appropriate consulates. No inoculations are required, but please check with your physician for their recommendation. In the ever- changing world situation, Raptim recommends personal monitoring of news about your destination. For the latest information from the U.S. Dept. of State, please visit http://www.state.gov/travel/.
Do I need a visa?
A visa for Israel is not required for U.S. citizens. Non-U.S. citizens are responsible to fulfill entry requirements for countries to be visited by contacting the appropriate consulates.
Do I need any vaccinations?
No inoculations are required, but please check with your physician for their recommendation. In the ever- changing world situation, Raptim recommends personal monitoring of news about your destination. For the latest information from the U.S. Dept. of State, please visit http://www.state.gov/travel/.
What if I have limited Physical Abilities?
Regulations for persons with disabilities while traveling outside the U.S. are very limited. Few international destinations have modified hotel rooms and tourist sites are not required to have ramps or elevators. Tour participation is available to all travelers and will not be withheld if the traveler can furnish the requirements that may be needed to travel safely and comfortably. Most tours require guests to have the ability to climb stairs without assistance, walk long distances at a modest pace over uneven terrain and transport personal luggage to/from the motor- coach. Travelers that have a medical condition which might limit participation in activities, should consult their physician before booking. Should any traveler’s participation somehow add materially to the tour operator’s cost, the participant will be expected to pay any additional costs. The tour planner and/or tour guide retains the right to require any non-sufficiently mobile persons to stay behind when deemed necessary, and also terminate the participation of any traveler displaying disruptive behavior, delaying or endangering fellow members and/or interfering with the operations of the tour.
NOTE: If you require assistance during travel, it is necessary for a traveling companion to accompany you at your own expense.
What are Ratim's and BSF's legal responsibilities?
Raptim Humanitarian Travel and Bible Study Fellowship, its employees, agents, officers, shareholders and staff act only as independent third parties to connect customers with the various companies whose accommodations are utilized. Raptim Humanitarian Travel and Bible Study Fellowship, its employees, agents, officers, shareholders and staff assume no responsibility or liability in connection with the services of any train, vessel, carriage, automobile, airplane or other conveyance, anticipated to be used or which is used, either wholly or in part, in any travels. Raptim Humanitarian Travel and Bible Study Fellowship, its employees, agents, officers, shareholders and staff are not and will not be responsible and the passenger fully releases Raptim Humanitarian Travel and Bible Study Fellowship, its employees, agents, officers, shareholders and staff for and from any act, error or omission, or any resulting expense or any injury to person or property (including death), other loss, accident, or any delays which may be occasioned, by reason of defect in any vehicle or through neglect or default of any company or persons engaged in the conveying of passengers including but not limited to any steamer, airplane services or that of any other conveyance, or through any sickness, accident, weather, strikes, war, quarantine or other causes, and all such losses, injury and expenses must be and will be borne solely by the passenger. Prices and schedules appearing in this brochure are based on current schedules and tariff rates and are subject to change without notice. The tour operator reserves the right to modify the itinerary where deemed necessary or caused by changes in air or other schedules. The airlines and/or other transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not aboard their plane or conveyance. The passage contract in use by the airlines concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines and purchaser of tours and/or the passenger.