If you as a TripLeader fall ill or are otherwise prevented, we at JoinMyTrip will make everything possible to find a suitable replacement.

If our search is unsuccessful, we will check if a team member of JoinMyTrip travels with your group as a TripLeader. After all, we love what we do - traveling!

If all ropes fail, we will support your group in such a way that they can travel without a TripLeader. We will organize accommodation, directions, suggestions for activities etc. This includes paying the group a local SIM card so that they can always reach us.

Of course there is also the possibility to cancel the trip. Please see the section "Cancellation Policy". Of course we will support you as much as possible and make the process as easy as possible.

Upon cancelation of a trip, a TripMate is to be refunded as much money as possible for the trip, taking into account that other TripMates, as well as the TripLeader, must not be disproportionately affected by the cancelation.

Full refund if replacement TripMate Found

Both the TripLeader and JoinMyTrip will make reasonable efforts to find a "replacement TripMate" to cover costs. If successful, this will enable a full refund of the travel price to the canceling TripMate

Cancelation of accommodation

• Money budgeted for unpaid accommodation is to be refunded in full.
• Money used for pre-paid single rooms is to be refunded to the extent that the cancellation conditions of the respective provider allow it.
• Money used for pre-paid double/multiple rooms/accommodations is to be refunded to the extent that the cancelation conditions of the respective provider allow and the other TripMates of the group are not put at a significant deficit. If a double room would be half full and there is no other accommodation available, the canceling TripMate will be refunded the difference between a double room and a single room.

Cancelation of the transport

• Money budgeted for unpaid transportation costs (car, train, plane, etc.) is to be refunded in full.
• Tickets or costs for individual transportation that has already been paid is to be refunded to the extent that the cancellation conditions of the provider allow it.
• Already booked means of transport are only to be refunded if other TripMates in the group are not put in a bad position. For example, a rental car: if there is no other equivalent transport available, the canceling TripMate is only to be reimbursed as long as it does not result in additional cost for the other TripMates in the group.

Cancelation of activities and similar events

• Money budgeted for unpaid for activities (sightseeing, sports activities, etc.) and similar events is to be refunded in full.
• Activities and other items that have already been booked are to be refunded to the extent that the respective provider's cancelation policy allows.
• Costs for booked activities and other items cannot be refunded if it negatively impacts other TripMates in the group. For example, group tickets: if there is no other equivalent available, the canceling TripMate is only to be reimbursed as long as it does not result in additional cost for the other TripMates in the group.

Buffer included by the TripLeader in Cost per TripMate

When creating a trip, the TripLeader can determine a custom "buffer" cost. If this is not specified, it is assumed to be 15% of the trip cost.

This amount is refunded to the TripMate upon cancelation:

• Cancelation up to 30 days before departure: 100% refund of buffer
• Cancelation less than 30 days before departure: 30% refund of buffer

If there is a refund of this buffer, the TripLeader has to refund the buffer directly to the TripMate within 10 working days of trip cancelation.

Private agreements

The policy here applies to all trips, regardless of what TripLeaders provide within their trip description or profile. In the case that you enter a private cancelation agreement with the TripLeader, JoinMyTrip will not be responsible for enforcing it or managing disputes.

Previous versions

This policy applies to all trips beginning after 1 March, 2021, and all new bookings after 1 February, 2021.

All bookings made prior to these recent updates are still under the previous policy:

• Cancelation up to 40 days before departure: 100% refund of buffer
• Cancelation up to 20 days before departure: 50% refund of buffer
• Cancelation less than 20 days before departure: no refund of buffer

When calculating the trip costs you should consider the following points:

• The price should only include the costs for accommodation and transport at the destination. The return journey to and from the destination is booked by each TripMate themselves. So the costs for this should not be included in the trip costs.
• Although we explicitly point out that there can be fluctuations in the prices, we ask you to always include a sufficient buffer (min. 10%).
• When you get a first overview, look explicitly for rooms with single beds and the corresponding number of fellow travelers. The prices can vary considerably from standard double bed rooms

The process starts when interested TripMates send you a request for your trip. After getting to know each other a bit through the chat and you have decided to take the TripMate with you on your trip, you send a payment request for 20% of the trip cost. Use this money to cover the cost of reservations. You will receive the balance 2-6 weeks before the trip starts, you will decide on the exact date when you create your trip.

As soon as a TripMate makes a payment, the money is transferred to our JoinMyTrip account via our secure payment system ("Stripe"). This amount will then be transferred to the bank account connected to your JoinMyTrip profile after 7 days. As soon as something happens regarding the payment, you will receive an email from us.

As TripLeader you are responsible for booking local transport and accommodation as well as local activities. You are NOT responsible for booking arrival and departure journeys for your TripMates. Therefore the costs for this will not be included in the trip costs.