TRAVEL CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT

Effective Date: August 24, 2025

This Travel Consulting Services Agreement ("Agreement") governs the relationship between BCTS LLC ("Consultant") and the purchaser of travel consulting services, travel planning services, itinerary design services, event coordination services, or related advisory services ("Client").

1. Use of Consultant's Services

By engaging Consultant, Client represents and warrants that:

  • Client is at least eighteen (18) years of age and has the legal authority to enter into this Agreement and purchase travel-related services.

  • All information provided by Client, whether for themselves or on behalf of other travelers, is true, complete, and accurate.

  • Client will promptly notify Consultant of any changes to information relevant to travel arrangements.

  • Client agrees to comply with this Agreement and with all applicable supplier terms and conditions.

2. Independent Contractor Relationship

BCTS LLC operates as an independent travel consulting business.

Consultant is an independent contractor and is not an employee, agent, partner, fiduciary, or legal representative of Client. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to create an employment relationship, partnership, joint venture, agency relationship, or fiduciary relationship between the parties.

3. Services

Consultant provides professional travel planning, consulting, itinerary design, supplier coordination, booking support, destination research, group travel support, event coordination support, and related advisory services.

Services may include, but are not limited to:

  • Destination research

  • Itinerary development

  • Accommodation recommendations and reservations

  • Transportation recommendations and reservations

  • Experiences, activities, and tour arrangements

  • Dining recommendations and reservations

  • Group travel coordination

  • Event support services

  • Supplier liaison services

  • Other travel-related consulting services agreed upon in writing

Consultant shall determine the manner and method by which services are provided.

4. Scope of Services

Consultant's services are limited to the scope agreed upon in writing.

Requests that materially expand the scope of work, including but not limited to additional destinations, substantial itinerary redesigns, extensive supplier re-shopping, guest count increases, additional event-planning services, significant post-confirmation changes, or other work beyond the originally agreed scope may require an additional Service Fee.

Consultant reserves the right to decline work that falls outside the originally agreed scope.

5. Service Fees

Service Fees compensate Consultant for professional time, expertise, project management, research, itinerary design, supplier coordination, recommendations, advisory services, and work performed on Client's behalf.

Service Fees are earned upon receipt, non-refundable, and separate from any supplier payments, deposits, commissions, refunds, credits, or travel costs.

Service Fees compensate Consultant for professional services rendered and are not contingent upon whether Client ultimately books travel, completes travel, receives supplier commissions, obtains travel benefits, or proceeds with Consultant's recommendations.

Any Service Fee shall be communicated to and approved by Client prior to commencement of work.

6. Client Communications

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Client shall designate one primary decision-maker and point of contact.

Consultant may reasonably rely upon information, approvals, selections, and instructions provided by Client or Client's designated representative.

Consultant shall not be responsible for losses, costs, delays, or dissatisfaction resulting from Client-directed decisions, selections, or instructions.

Consultant strives to respond promptly during normal business hours but does not guarantee immediate availability.

7. Supplier Relationships

Consultant maintains relationships with various travel suppliers, hospitality providers, transportation companies, tour operators, venues, and other vendors ("Suppliers").

Consultant may receive commissions, incentives, preferred-partner benefits, marketing support, or other compensation from Suppliers. Such compensation generally does not increase the cost of services purchased by Client unless expressly disclosed and agreed upon.

Consultant is affiliated with Fora Travel, Inc. ("Fora"), which serves as Consultant's host agency and technology platform for certain travel bookings. Fora is not a party to this Agreement and is not responsible for Consultant's services or Client's travel arrangements.

All Suppliers are independent entities responsible for their own services, policies, pricing, operations, staffing, safety practices, and performance.

Consultant does not own, manage, control, or operate any Supplier and cannot guarantee Supplier performance, availability, pricing, upgrades, amenities, or fulfillment of special requests.

Where Client elects to book directly with a Supplier or through another booking channel, Consultant may continue to provide advisory services at its discretion; however, Consultant cannot guarantee supplier recognition, commission eligibility, advisor benefits, reservation accuracy, special requests, upgrades, or amenities associated with reservations not booked through Consultant's preferred channels.

8. Event and Group Coordination Services

For event-related, group-travel, or coordination services, Consultant acts solely as a coordinator and facilitator.

Venues, transportation providers, caterers, entertainers, activity providers, hotels, tour operators, and other vendors remain independent contractors responsible for their own services, staffing, safety practices, contractual obligations, and performance.

Consultant shall not be responsible for vendor performance, cancellations, staffing shortages, service failures, pricing changes, or other vendor-related matters.

9. Intellectual Property

All itineraries, destination research, recommendations, travel plans, presentations, guides, supplier comparisons, and related materials prepared by Consultant are proprietary work products.

Such materials are provided solely for Client's personal use and may not be reproduced, distributed, sold, shared commercially, or used for business purposes without Consultant's prior written consent.

10. Dormant Projects

If Client becomes unresponsive for thirty (30) consecutive days or more during an active engagement, Consultant may suspend work until communication resumes.

Consultant reserves the right to close dormant projects and require an additional Service Fee before restarting work.

11. Quotes, Pricing, and Availability

All pricing, proposals, and quotations provided by Consultant are subject to availability and change until confirmed by the applicable Supplier.

Many Suppliers utilize dynamic pricing, and prices may fluctuate based on demand, inventory, exchange rates, seasonality, and other factors beyond Consultant's control.

Quoted prices are not guaranteed until reservations are confirmed and any required deposits or payments have been received and accepted by the Supplier.

Consultant shall not be responsible for price increases resulting from delayed approvals or delayed payment by Client.

12. Payments

Client agrees to make all required payments when due.

Payments may be made directly to Suppliers or, where applicable, through Fora Travel, Inc. or another authorized booking platform acting on behalf of a Supplier.

Failure to make timely payments may result in cancellation of reservations, forfeiture of deposits, increased pricing, or additional Supplier-imposed penalties.

Client remains solely responsible for all amounts owed to Suppliers.

13. Credit Card Authorization; Chargebacks

Client represents and warrants that any payment method provided belongs to an authorized user and may lawfully be used for the intended transaction.

Client agrees not to initiate chargebacks, payment disputes, or other payment reversals for the purpose of avoiding Supplier policies, Service Fees, cancellation penalties, or other agreed-upon obligations.

Nothing herein prohibits Client from pursuing a legitimate claim involving fraud, unauthorized transactions, or services that were never provided.

Client agrees to notify Consultant promptly of any concerns and provide Consultant a reasonable opportunity to assist in resolving disputes before initiating a chargeback.

14. Review of Travel Documents

Client is responsible for reviewing all confirmations, invoices, itineraries, names, dates, destinations, reservation details, travel documents, and related information immediately upon receipt.

Client shall notify Consultant promptly of any errors or discrepancies.

Consultant shall not be responsible for costs, penalties, denied boarding, denied entry, or other losses resulting from Client's failure to review travel documentation in a timely manner.

15. Independent Travel Arrangements

Consultant shall not be responsible for travel arrangements, reservations, purchases, or modifications made independently by Client.

Consultant shall not be liable for costs, disruptions, errors, incompatibilities, missed connections, or other issues arising from travel arrangements not booked or coordinated through Consultant.

16. Modifications and Cancellations

All reservations are subject to the cancellation, modification, refund, and deposit policies of the applicable Supplier.

Client agrees to provide as much notice as reasonably possible regarding requested modifications or cancellations.

Consultant shall not be liable for penalties, fees, losses, or expenses resulting from late modification or cancellation requests.

Any costs, fees, or expenses incurred by Consultant in connection with modifications, cancellations, re-bookings, or other Client-requested changes may be passed through to Client.

17. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all travel arrangements.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, travel insurance is not included in Consultant's services and must be purchased separately.

Travel insurance may provide coverage for:

  • Trip cancellation

  • Trip interruption

  • Medical emergencies

  • Emergency evacuation

  • Travel delays

  • Lost or delayed baggage

  • Supplier insolvency

  • Other covered events

Without appropriate travel insurance, Client assumes responsibility for financial losses resulting from cancellations, interruptions, delays, illness, injury, denied boarding, denied entry, Supplier default, or other travel-related disruptions.

18. Passports, Visas, Entry Requirements, and Travel Advisories

Client is solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining all passports, visas, vaccination records, permits, travel authorizations, and other documentation required for travel.

Consultant does not guarantee entry into any country, region, or jurisdiction.

Client is responsible for monitoring and complying with all applicable entry requirements, health requirements, customs requirements, and immigration requirements.

Client is responsible for reviewing travel advisories, health notices, entry restrictions, and governmental guidance issued by the United States Department of State, destination governments, public health authorities, and other applicable agencies.

Changes in travel advisories, governmental recommendations, health guidance, or personal comfort levels shall not supersede Supplier cancellation policies or entitle Client to refunds unless specifically provided by the applicable Supplier or travel insurance policy.

19. Assumption of Travel Risks

Travel involves inherent risks, including but not limited to illness, injury, accidents, crime, political instability, terrorism, natural disasters, transportation disruptions, and other unforeseen circumstances.

By participating in travel arrangements, Client voluntarily assumes all risks associated with travel and acknowledges that Consultant does not guarantee the safety, suitability, or risk-free nature of any destination, Supplier, or activity.

20. Limitation of Liability

CONSULTANT ACTS SOLELY AS A CONSULTANT, COORDINATOR, AND AUTHORIZED SELLER FOR DISCLOSED SUPPLIERS.

CONSULTANT DOES NOT OWN, OPERATE, CONTROL, OR MANAGE HOTELS, AIRLINES, CRUISE LINES, TOUR OPERATORS, TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS, EVENT VENUES, OR OTHER SUPPLIERS.

CONSULTANT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, LOSS, DELAY, INCONVENIENCE, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, ACCIDENT, DEATH, OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF SUPPLIERS OR THIRD PARTIES.

THIS INCLUDES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NEGLIGENCE, SERVICE FAILURES, CANCELLATIONS, REFUND POLICIES, PRICE CHANGES, BANKRUPTCY, LABOR DISPUTES, OPERATIONAL CESSATION, OVERBOOKING, OR OTHER SUPPLIER ACTIONS.

CLIENT RELEASES CONSULTANT FROM ALL SUCH CLAIMS TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY, CLIENT AGREES THAT ANY RECOVERY AGAINST CONSULTANT SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE TOTAL SERVICE FEES ACTUALLY PAID TO CONSULTANT IN CONNECTION WITH THE APPLICABLE ENGAGEMENT.

21. Force Majeure

Consultant shall not be liable for any delay, interruption, modification, cancellation, loss, damage, or failure to perform resulting from events beyond Consultant's reasonable control.

Such events include, but are not limited to:

  • Natural disasters

  • Severe weather

  • Pandemics

  • Public health emergencies

  • Government actions

  • War

  • Terrorism

  • Civil unrest

  • Labor disputes

  • Transportation disruptions

  • Technology failures

  • Utility failures

  • Supplier insolvency

  • Other force majeure events

22. Post-Travel Support

Consultant's services conclude upon completion of travel unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Requests for assistance involving Supplier disputes, refund requests, compensation claims, travel insurance claims, chargebacks, or other post-travel matters may be subject to additional Service Fees.

Consultant does not guarantee the outcome of any post-travel claim or dispute.

23. Governing Law and Venue

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the courts located in Washington, District of Columbia.

24. Claims Limitation and Class Action Waiver

Any claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement must be brought within twelve (12) months following completion of the applicable travel.

CLIENT WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO RECOVER PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

CLIENT AGREES TO BRING CLAIMS ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS ACTION, COLLECTIVE ACTION, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.

25. Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

26. Entire Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Consultant and Client concerning the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior discussions, understandings, or agreements relating to such subject matter.

27. Applicability

These Terms and Conditions apply to all services provided by BCTS LLC, including travel planning, itinerary design, consulting engagements, destination research, group travel coordination, event support services, and related advisory work unless otherwise stated in a separate written agreement.

28. Acceptance

By paying a Service Fee, authorizing a booking, signing a proposal, Statement of Work, invoice, engagement document, or otherwise engaging Consultant's services, Client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Agreement.