FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who is Ultimate Experience Abroad, LLC (UEA)
UEA is an all-inclusive travel club that creates group experiences through domestic and international travel. In addition, UEA also functions as a vibrant social club, scheduling monthly and quarterly mixers for travel club members. The mixers range from volunteerism, meet & greet local outings and member support functions.
Do I have to be a member to travel with UEA?
We encourage you to become a member. Membership is free and with the membership you are able to stay abreast of all future trips, earn dollars to spend on trip bookings, gain access to an unlimited amount of travel companions and take advantage of early bird specials. Membership is not required to travel with UEA.
Is UEA a travel agency?
UEA, LLC is not travel agency. UEA, LLC operates as an avid travel club since June 2012.
Why should I take a trip with UEA, instead of planning my own trip?
You’ll have instant travel companions and you’ll be able to relax and let someone else do all the planning. UEA selects upscale accommodations, private transportation, spas and charming hotels located right in the center of a destination. Unlike planning your own trip, most UEA trips are escorted by a Group Leader and complemented with a well-versed local expert, who will take care of all the details from start to finish.
Do you offer tour packages for individuals?
At this time, we only offer all-inclusive tour packages for groups of 20 people or more.
What payments do you accept?
We accept online payments paid via UEA generated invoices for all booked trips. We accept the following major credit cards: Amex, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
Does UEA offer refunds?
All UEA, LLC deposits and subsequent payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. Each client is required to acknowledge and accept our Terms and Conditions before booking their reservation. To protect your investment, we highly recommend each and every traveler purchase travel insurance in the case of unforeseen circumstances. Unfortunately, life happens and it may cause you to have to cancel or reschedule your travel plans such as illness, family illness, injury or even death of a family member. Without adequate protection, you could lose your entire travel investment.
Does UEA accept monthly payments?
UEA offers two ways to pay for travel experiences. 1.) Member may pay their balance in full at the time of booking. 2.) Members can choose our payment plan option that requires monthly recurring payments which are automatically deducted from your chosen credit and/or debit card.
What happens if my roommate fails to pay their trip in full or cancels?
If you selected your own roommate, you are responsible for finding a new roommate or paying the additional cost for a single booked room. If UEA placed you with a roommate through our Roommate Matching Program, we will do our best to pair you with another traveler. In the event we are unable to pair you with another roommate, we will cover the additional charges for a single room.
Can I join a group trip at any time before departure?
If rooms are still available, you can join a trip at any time. However, your initial payment will be equal to the total payment scheduled amount due at time of booking. For more information please e-mail us.
How do I make my monthly payments after booking my trip?
Upon initiation of your deposit, UEA will automatically generate an online invoice that allows you to pay anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection. Once you make your initial deposit, that card will be used for all subsequent recurring monthly payments. If you need to choose a different card or change the one on file, please send us an e-mail immediately.
When will I receive my trip itinerary?
UEA will forward you an itinerary 6-8 weeks before the departure date. This will allow for any scheduling changes with airlines, transportation or tour operators to be confirmed before our departure. Please note, time are subject to change upon arrival, even after confirmation.
Can I use my frequent flyer miles? How about upgrades on flights?
Frequent Flyer Miles can be accrued on most air carriers, unfortunately upgrades using mileage is not permitted. (There have been instances where members have successfully completed this AT the actual airport, but this is no guarantee). If you would like to use frequent flyer miles for upgrades, you will need to book your flight individually.
Do you take trip suggestions?
UEA continuously adds new trips to the calendar. We welcome all suggestions and recommendations. So, it’s quite okay to let us know your desires. We may not have the bandwidth to travel to everyone’s destination, but we will definitely take them into consideration.
Do I need a passport or a visa for international trips?
Each passenger/member is responsible for having a valid passport. This means the passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the conclusion of their trip. The passport also must contain/accompany all necessary visas, permits and must comply with entry, health or other requirements of the countries visited. UEA and/or their employees/agents are not responsible for passport, visa requirements, entry, health or other requirements of the countries visited or for any loss sustained by you failing to comply with laws, regulations, orders and/or requirements of countries visited.
My trip is paid in full, when can I expect to receive my documents?
Documents are generally sent between 20-30 days prior to departure.
Why do I have to provide my name as it appears on my passport?
Due to newly introduced security measures, any name change including minor spelling corrections may require airline reservations to be canceled and rebooked. Reservations are subject to availability at the time of rebooking. Once full payment is received, airline tickets will be issued. Subsequent name corrections will be subject to airline rebooking fees that may total up to the cost of the air ticket. Name changes must be advised in writing.
Are tips for drivers, local guides and tour directors included in the trip price?
No. Tips are not included in the trip price, but are recommended. Please view our recommended tipping guidelines for suggestions listed in your trip itinerary.
What extras will I have to pay for?
Any items of a personal nature such as: phone calls, tips, laundry, beverages and meals not stated in the itinerary, taxi and bus fares, passport and visa fees, etc.
Does UEA, LLC accept passengers with disabilities?
Yes, UEA does accept passengers with disabilities. However, unlike the Disabilities Act here in the USA we are subject to the accommodations offered by our international vendors. Should you require assistance you must notify UEA before booking your reservation to ensure we are able to accommodate your needs.
How can my family contact me overseas if there is an emergency?
Your documents will include the name of your hotels, cities and phone numbers. We suggest leaving a copy of the itinerary for your family in case of an emergency.
Can user information be accessed by outside parties?
We have security measures in place to protect user information under our company's control against loss, misuse, or alteration. Access to private and confidential data is limited to only those employees with a specific need to retrieve this information.
Is my privacy protected when I leave through a link on the UEA, LLC website?
This site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that UEA, LLC is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this Web site.
What is Ultimate Experience Abroad’s (UEA) Legal Disclaimer?
Though we make every effort to preserve your privacy we may need to disclose personal information when required by law wherein we have a good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order or legal process served on our Web site.
Will my name be given to third party mailing lists?
No. UEA will not give your email address to third parties.