FAQ's
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FAQ's |
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Since there are so many variables and things to take into account in the charter and travel industry, we have compiled a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions below for your reference. If you have a question that is not listed below, please feel free to contact our office and one of our knowledgeable staff members would be happy to assist you. Why should I travel with Best Tours and Travel? What a great question! When you are planning a trip, you need to know that the company you are trusting your arrangements with is someone you can rely on to do a great job. Below are some facts about Best Tours and Travel that should help to put your mind at ease and know you have picked the best company to arrange your trip with.
How do I book a private charter with Best Tours and Travel? Easy! We would be happy to assist you with your travel needs. We would suggest you visit our Charter Services page for a comprehensive list of information you will need. You will also need to make a timely deposit to hold your reservation.
How big are your motorcoaches? Best Tours and Travel owns over 35 motorcoaches that range in size from 24 passengers all the way up to 56 passengers. I would encourage you to visit our Motorcoach Fleet page for detailed descriptions of our buses.
Do your motorcoaches have a lavatory or restroom? Absolutely! All of our coaches from 47 passenger on up to 56 have an onboard lavatory. The only bus that does not have a restroom is the smaller 24 passenger bus. Visit our Motorcoach Fleet page for more information and photographs.
Do your motorcoaches have air conditioning? Absolutely! All of our coaches have advanced climate control systems to keep your group cool even in the hot valley summers! The new state-of-the-art MCI E4500 and J4500 buses have modern computerized climate control systems for both the passenger and driver areas. Visit our Motorcoach Fleet page for more information and photographs.
Do you have a motorcoach that can accommodate someone in a wheelchair or who can not climb stairs? Yes! We have the largest fleet in the valley with wheelchair accessible coaches. All of our coaches have access assistance features, please refer to our Accessible Motorcoaches page for more details. Please book your charter early and inform your charter professional of your special needs. Wheelchair lift buses are provided based upon availability.
What do your motorcoaches look like? Visit our Motorcoach Fleet page for numerous pictures of the various types/sizes of buses we have.
Is there smoking permitted anywhere on the bus? No, smoking is not permitted anywhere on the motorcoach. Stops will be scheduled during the trip to provide an opportunity for smoking breaks.
Can alcoholic beverages be brought aboard? Accommodations can be made for groups to bring alcohol aboard the bus. The terms and conditions must be arranged with our charter professional prior to the trip. There are no kegs or glass contains allowed. Coolers and ice chests can only be brought onto the coach if they don't leak. They can not be placed on the seats unless a proper barrier is in place. Nothing can be placed in the aisles.
Can we bring food or snacks aboard the bus? Absolutely! We want you to be very comfortable and enjoy your trip! The only restriction we have is that there can not be any glass, leaking containers, or items that will require extra cleaning or could stain.
Do your motorcoaches have entertainment systems onboard such as a VCR or DVD? Absolutely! Every coach is equipped with an AM/FM stereo and a VCR that plays on 3-6 monitors mounted high throughout the coach. Many of our coaches are equipped with DVD players. Please be sure to inform our charter professional of your entertainment needs when booking your trip. Visit our Motorcoach Fleet page for more information and photographs.
Is an itinerary required for private charters? Yes, so there is no misunderstanding, we require a simple itinerary which details departure locations and times, destinations, rest stops, and return times. Your times can be approximated to the nearest hour or half hour. Please refer to our Charter Services page for more details on itineraries.
Can I make itinerary changes? We understand that plans change and that adjustments need to be made, but some restrictions apply. We request that you contact your charter professional IMMEDIATELY upon receiving the change. Changes which require more time or days will effect your charter cost. In some cases, a change in date(s) may not be possible if we do not have a coach available on that day.
Where do you travel to? Best Tours and Travel charters motorcoach trips to all of the Western United States, Canada, and Mexico. Our Travel department provides transportation and hotel accommodations world wide! Our Travel Agents specialize in international travel. Visit our Charter Services page for more details on the types of trips we do.
Do you do multi-day tours? Yes! Please contact our reservations department for a list of upcoming tours. We frequently have 2 and 3 day excursions to many popular resorts. You can also visit our Upcoming Events page to see all of the currently scheduled tours.
Do you do multi-day private charters? Sure! We frequently do private charters inside and outside of California that run several days each. The chartering group would have to adhere to State and Federal transportation laws regarding on-duty hours for the driver. You would also be responsible to provide lodging for the driver during the trip.
Who is responsible for the driver's lodging? The chartering customer is responsible for providing an appropriate private hotel room for each driver. It is the customer's option if they wish to have Best Tours and Travel make the reservations at the customer's expense. The driver's room does not have to be at the same location the group is at, but must be within 10 miles. It is also important to make sure there is proper parking accommodations for the bus.
Do I need to give the driver a gratuity? Yes, it is customary for the driver to receive a gratuity based upon the length of the tour, number of passengers, and of course, on how well of a job he/she did! You may choose whether you want to pay the driver in cash at the conclusion of your trip or you can have it included in the charter cost.
Do your drivers have limits on the number of hours they can work/drive during a day? Yes they do. The Federal and State governments place hours restrictions in an effort to avoid fatigue. A driver may not have any more than 16 hours in a 24 hour period. Once the driver reaches 16 hours, he/she must have a minimum of 8 hours off.
Do you do Student Pupil Activity Bus (SPAB) trips? Absolutely! We have contracts with several local school districts to provide extra curricular activity transportation. Best Tours and Travel is routinely inspected and has all of its required CHP and insurance requirements. Each of our professional drivers has extra training and required licensing for such charters.
Are there any special restrictions on the driver's hours for SPAB trips? Yes there are. A driver can still only work a total of 16 hours a day, but has an added restriction for SPAB trips of only 10 hours of driving during that period. If you are planning an all day excursion, please contact one of our charter professionals to plan an 8 hour rest period during your trip for the driver to be off-duty.
Do I need a reservation for your scheduled tours? Yes. Our tours are very popular and sell out quickly. We also have information we want to provide you prior to the trip, so be sure to book your seat early!
Does the price of the tour include everything? All of your transportation and admission costs are included in the advertised tour price. Unless otherwise specified you will be responsible for your own meals, snacks, and souvenirs. Also don't forget to bring a few dollars for a gratuity. It is customary to tip the driver for a job well done!
What if we do not adhere to our itinerary and the bus is back late? It is best to plan plenty of time and expect delays that could make you run late. If your private charter is significantly later than your submitted itinerary, a late fee may be charged to you. We do not hold the customer responsible for the trip being late due to traffic, weather, or other factors outside of the customer/group's control.
Do I get a discount/refund for completing the charter early? Sorry, there are no discounts or refunds for early charters. It is not feasible to re-charter the coach with such short notice.
Do you provide meals or snacks during the tour? Unless otherwise specified, we do not provide meals during tours. You should bring your own food or prepare to purchase something during the trip. We do offer a wide range of food services for private charters for an extra fee. Please consult with a charter professional for specifics.
Are there discounts for chartering several buses or multiple dates? Yes! We will provide you with discounts for a trip involving more than one bus or for groups that have several different trips to charter on multiple dates.
How are private charters priced? The answer is it depends. I would suggest you read our Charter Services page for more detailed information.
Are there discounts available for groups and clubs? Yes Absolutely! Best Tours and Travel is an active member of the community and supports many non-profit clubs. Please discuss your specific group's needs with one of our charter professionals and we will make every effort to help!
Is there any discounts for private charters paid in cash? Yes! There is a 5% cash discount that is automatically calculated into the quoted cost of your tour. If you wish to pay by credit card, we gladly accept them, but you would not be eligible for the cash discount.
Do you accept credit cards? Absolutely! We gladly accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. Please keep in mind that you will not be eligible for the 5% cash discount on the cost of your charter.
How far in advance should I book my private charter? The answer is no less than 45 days. There are many times during the month that we sell out and do not have any more buses available. In order to make sure you have a bus reserved, BOOK EARLY! We will make every effort to accommodate your trip with less notice, but there is frequently the risk of no buses being available.
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