No More Local Payment

[Reditor]

For those who aren't aware, as of October 1st our 2009 prices no longer have a "local payment" portion...the full tour price is rolled into one, as displayed on our tour webpages.

For details on this change, and how you might be able to avoid bringing a local payment on your tour if you've already booked....head to:

http://www.gapadventures.com/no-more-local-payments

[Zuleika]

hurray hirray - nice one GAP

[igivanov]

Hurray? Hardly. Give it a little thought: now, if you cancel your trip, the included local payment, or part thereof, is also gone.

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Igor

[Lenny]

I am happy about this change. One trip I liked had a local payment of $500.
My insurance covers the cost if I cancel a trip, and you only lose your deposit if you cancel early so I think this is a BUG hurray!

[igivanov]

(a) Cancellation for G.A.P Adventure Trips and Gap Adventures Independent Trips: The cancellation charges are expressed hereafter as a percentage of the total tour price, excluding insurance.
A. Cancellation 60 days or more before departure: Loss of deposit.
B. Cancellation 59-30 days before departure: 50% of cost of services booked.
C. Cancellation less than 30 days before departure: 100% of cost of services booked.

Cancellation insurance has a very limited set of events that are covered, AND you have to pay for the insurance itself anyway. IMO unless you know that you have high chances of using it, it's a waste of money.

So no, you are on the losing side with this change.

And you said some trip had local payment $500, do you mean with this change it becomes more attractive?

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Igor

[gce]

It also appears that GAP has used this opportunity to raise prices (in spite of their disclaimer otherwise)! I just completed the India Golden Triangle tour in September. The price was $649 + $150 local payment (total $799). The price is now listed as $849, a $50 increase!

I very much enjoyed the tour and our tour leader (Aparna) was great. But, sneaking in a price increase is deceptive IMHO.

Gina