1: What forms do I need to fill out to register for a tour?
2: How do you accommodate disabilities and other special needs?
3: If I don’t have a roommate, will you assign me one?
4: When will I receive my final invoice?
5: When is my final payment due?
6: What forms of payment are accepted for the tour?
7: What are the fees if I have to cancel?
8: Do I need trip cancellation insurance?
9: What kind of insurance does LDS Travel Study provide?
10: What travel documents are required to travel outside of the United States?
11: Will I need any immunizations?
12: Is it possible to arrive earlier or extend my stay on the tour?
13: Can I arrange my own air for the tour and use my frequent flyer points or certificates?
14: When will I receive additional information on my flights?
15: Can I request a certain seat on the plane?
16: What can I do about jetlag?
17: What can I do about motion sickness?
18: Do I have to bring my scriptures, infomational packet and any books sent?
19: Do I need to bring my own temple clothing if my tour plans to visit a temple?
20: What can I bring back to the United States?
21: What kind of camera should I bring?
22: Do I need to register my foreign made camera before I leave?
23: Will the airport X-ray machines damage my film?

1:

What forms do I need to fill out to register for a tour?
Please fill out the Tour Application completely. Sign the form, as your signature acknowledges that you agree with the terms and conditions (listed on the back of the application) when participating on an LDS Travel Study tour. Also, kindly complete and return the Let’s Get Acquainted Form – one per person. This is used by our Tour Directors to enable them to get more acquainted with each member of their tour group before departure.

2:

How do you accommodate disabilities and other special needs?
LDS Travel Study is committed to providing a learning atmosphere which reasonably accommodates persons with disabilities. However, some tours involve a great deal of walking, climbing and standing for long periods of time. Applicants with disabilities or special needs who are considering participation in these programs are invited to discuss both tour requirements and available facilities with LDS Travel Study and the director prior to registration. It may be necessary to have someone travel with you in order to assist with your needs.

3:

If I don’t have a roommate, will you assign me one?
If you do not have a roommate, we will try to help you find one. If another person signs up who requests a roommate, we will try to arrange for you to room together. If no roommate is available, you will be notified of the adjusted price (single supplement) when the final billing is sent out.

4:

When will I receive my final invoice?
The final invoice will be mailed to you approximately 120 days before your tour departure date.

5:

When is my final payment due?
Payment in full is due 90 days before departure. For applications received within 90 days of the tour departure date, payment is due in full at time of booking.

6:

What forms of payment are accepted for the tour?
Payments may be made by check (payable to LDS Travel Study), VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express Card. When paying by a credit card, either a separate signed credit card authorization form (provided by LDS Travel Study) or the credit card information provided with signature on the application must be provided. Payments within 30 days must be cash, credit card, cashier’s check or money order. No personal checks will be accepted.

7:

What are the fees if I have to cancel?
All cancellations must be submitted in writing to LDS Travel Study. Refunds for cancellations are as follows: Cancellations received from registration date to 91 days prior to departure date will receive a $250 refund of the deposit (or may opt for a one time transfer of the entire deposit towards another tour within a year of cancellation) and receive 100% refund of monies paid after the deposit; 90-61 days prior to departure date will receive a 50% refund of total tour price; 60-31 days prior to departure date will receive a 25% refund of total tour price; and 30 days prior to departure will receive no refund.

8:

Do I need trip cancellation insurance?
At times it may be necessary to cancel or interrupt your trip (e.g., illness, death in the family, etc.). Since our tours have penalties for cancellation, we strongly recommend that you purchase a private travel protection plan in addition to the group travel protection plan provided by LDS Travel Study. You will receive an informational pamphlet for a plan providing private travel protection. Please call LDS Travel Study for assistance in booking a private insurance plan.

9:

What kind of insurance does LDS Travel Study provide?
LDS Travel Study automatically arranges group insurance coverage for participants through Travel Guard on every tour. Group insurance covers you while the tour is in progress and will not cover any penalties for cancellations prior to departure. LDS Travel Study is not the insuring agency and cannot guarantee that this insurance will cover every misfortune that may occur, and coverage is limited in most cases. LDS Travel Study will provide a brochure explaining this group coverage.

10:

What travel documents are required to travel outside of the United States?
Participants must carry a valid passport (with a minimum of 6 months validity before expiration) from the date of departure and during the tour. Participants will be provided with information concerning passports and/or tourist cards, visas, and immunizations where needed. However, obtaining them is the responsibility of each applicant (unless otherwise noted in the itinerary).

11:

Will I need any immunizations?
Some countries do require additional immunizations. Each participant should follow the advice of their physician regarding any immunizations needed before traveling. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you have all your childhood and booster immunizations up to date before traveling outside of the United States. For additional information, you can look under “Travelers’ Health” when visiting the CDC web page at www.cdc.gov

12:

Is it possible to arrive earlier or extend my stay on the tour?
Individual extensions prior to or after a tour may be arranged for an additional fee that includes a service charge and any costs for additional transportation and accommodations. If you would like LDS Travel Study’s assistance in making these additional arrangements, you must notify us no later than 90 days before departure.

13:

Can I arrange my own air for the tour and use my frequent flyer points or certificates?
If you would like to arrange your own tickets or use your frequent flyer benefits, you are free to do so. If you do this, you will be charged for only the land portion of your tour package from LDS Travel Study. Please let us know at least 90 days before the tour leaves if you are planning on arranging your own air. If you make your own arrangements, you are responsible for meeting up with the group and getting to and from the airport at your own expense if your arrival and/or departure does not coincide with the group. Information about meeting the group will be mailed to your in your final documents packet within two weeks before your tour departs. Please submit a copy of your flight itinerary to LDS Travel Study so that the director will know when to expect your arrival and departure.

14:

When will I receive additional information on my flights?
If you choose for LDS Travel Study to arrange your flights, a flight schedule and itinerary, plus information about meeting the group will be mailed to you in your final documents packet within two weeks before your tour departs. If you are not flying from Salt Lake City, your tickets will be included in that mailing. Please note: When electronic tickets are issued you may not receive a receipt of your ticket when issued by the airlines group department. If the electronic ticket was issued by LDS Travel Study, a passenger receipt will be given to you prior to departure.

15:

Can I request a certain seat on the plane?
You can request seating preferences up to 30 days before the tour departs, and we will pass the request along to the airline. However, this does not guarantee that the seat will be available; neither does it guarantee that the airline will grant the request.

16:

What can I do about jetlag?
Try to adjust to the new schedule and routine as quickly as possible and use whatever methods work for you. Remember to drink plenty of water and walk frequently on the plane, especially when traveling on extended flights.

17:

What can I do about motion sickness?
There are medications available to help curb motion sickness. Please consult with your physician about what would be best for you.

18:

Do I have to bring my scriptures, infomational packet and any books sent?
Scriptures will be very important while traveling on an LDS Travel Study tour. Whether or not you bring your scriptures or educational materials on your tour is up to you. You may wish to discuss this decision with the tour director.

19:

Do I need to bring my own temple clothing if my tour plans to visit a temple?
Some temples do not rent clothing and/or may have limited sizes and clothes on hand. In these cases, you may be required to bring your own temple clothes. Please discuss this decision with the tour director.

20:

What can I bring back to the United States?
Everything acquired abroad may be subject to duty charges. Please consult the Know Before You Go booklet, (which is included in the final document packet) for information on the amount of Duty-free Goods you may bring back into the U.S.A. Many religious items bought in the Holy Land are duty free. You will be given a Customs Declaration Form on the airplane before you arrive in the United States. When your flight arrives in the United States, your baggage will be taken to the airport customs area. There you will claim it; present it to the customs officer, along with your declaration form; answer any questions; pay any duty; and then you will either put your luggage on a conveyor belt to be sent to your next flight or proceed to check-in your luggage to your final destination.

21:

What kind of camera should I bring?
The kind of camera you bring is up to you. If you plan to purchase a new camera for this program, beneficial features include a digital camera, or one with auto focus, auto winding, auto exposure, and a built-in flash. Camera prices are quite flexible, so it is wise to comparison shop. Make sure that you protect your camera by having a well attached neck strap and not “advertising” it by carrying a big or brightly colored camera bag. Keep your camera bag in your hand or on your shoulder in crowded tourist spots. You may want to remove any brand label on your camera bag in order to make it less conspicuous.

22:

Do I need to register my foreign made camera before I leave?
It is a good idea to register any valuable new items of foreign manufacture, such as cameras, before you leave the United States – especially if traveling to the Orient. It is very easy and will save you having to pay duty on previously owned possessions thought to have been purchased abroad. Registration can be taken care of at any customs office and is valid for the life of the item. If you do not register the item, be sure to take your receipt with you to prove you purchased it in the United States. Pages 33-34 of the Know Before You Go booklet list customs offices throughout the United States. Although none of the offices listed are in Utah, people living in Utah can register their belongings at the following office: U.S. Customs Service Port Director’s Office 337 North 2370 West Salt Lake City, UT 84116 (801) 524-3445

23:

Will the airport X-ray machines damage my film?
The airport X-ray machines for passengers will not generally damage camera film, unless the film receives prolonged exposure or is extremely high speed film. You may place your film in a clear plastic bag and request that it be hand checked. Most U.S. airports and many international airports will accommodate your request. Also, you will not want to put film in your checked luggage because the X-ray machines for checked luggage are stronger than those for carry-on items.