Here you’ll find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Covid-19 and school trips.

 

Q.1 – What are the circumstances that will allow Topflight for Schools to cancel the trip? 

If the Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland) or the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (Northern Ireland & GB & IOM) have advised against all travel to a certain country or resort on your specified departure date and/or there are travel restrictions in place in the destination that will fundamentally change the agreed holiday package to be provided, Topflight for Schools will cancel the trip. However, this cannot be decided until closer to the departure date (generally no more than two weeks prior). Passport requirements, fulfillment of visa, entry/ health requirements including vaccination requirements in the destination country, are the responsibility of the traveller and not the Tour Operator.  Please check our Travel Advice page for more information

 

Q.2 – If Topflight for Schools cancels the trip, will passengers be entitled to a full refund and how long will it take for them to receive it? 

A full refund (with exception of the travel insurance premium) will be given to parents in the case that Topflight for Schools has to cancel the trip due to government stipulated travel restrictions as detailed above. If the Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland) or the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (Northern Ireland & GB & IOM) have advised against all travel to a certain country or resort on your specified departure date and/or there are travel restrictions in place in the destination that will fundamentally change the agreed holiday package to be provided, Topflight for Schools will cancel the trip. 

In relation to refunds, we cannot give an exact time frame at this stage but we will endeavour to process them once we are in possession of all information required and subject to any payment backlog. 

 

Q.3 – Can a parent cancel their child’s place on the trip due to the continued Covid-19 concerns?

Any parent can cancel their child’s place on the trip at any time but it will be subject to cancellation charges (see Q.4). Please note that disinclination to travel is not covered by our Insurers. 

If the Department of Foreign Affairs or Foreign & Commonwealth Office have not advised against all travel to a certain country or resort and no travel restrictions are in place, our normal Booking Terms and Conditions will apply.

 

Q.4 – What are the cancellation charges? 

• More than 10 weeks prior to departure, the first two paid deposits will be forfeited. Deposits are non refundable.
• Within 10-8 weeks of departure, 75% of the cost of the holiday is forfeited.
• Within 8 weeks of departure, 100% of the cost of the holiday is forfeited. Any insurance premium payable is not refundable .
• All cancellation charges apply to each person with a confirmed booking

 

Q.5 –  What happens if parents don’t meet the final payment deadline? 

Topflight for Schools due date for the final balance is 10 weeks before departure. This is the latest that the full installment for the trip can be paid. It is very important for parents to keep up with the payment schedule as if they do not pay in full by the due date, the place will be cancelled and deposits paid to date will be forfeited (as per our T’s & C’s).

For cancellation charges please refer to Question 4 above.

 

Q.6 – What changes will there be at the resort to account for Covid-19 (accommodation, transfers, etc)?

We will adhere to the up to date safety guidelines of the destination country and will advise the Group Leader accordingly before departure. 

 

Q.7 – What will happen to the trip if the resort is closed or flights are cancelled due to Covid-19?

In this case, alternative options will be discussed with the group leader/school representatives.

 

Q.8 – What happens if I go on holiday and while I am there, the Irish or UK/NI government requests some form of restricted movement upon return from travel?

Should such a situation arise, the holiday will continue and will be completed as per your itinerary. We will of course keep the Group Leader informed of any changes for your arrival back to Ireland or the UK.  Unfortunately, the government’s decision to request restriction of movements upon your return to Ireland/UK  is beyond our control.

 

Q.9 Do passengers have to be vaccinated to fully participate in the trip? 

Due to the evolving nature of the situation and to comply with requirements in place in ski resorts in order to access all services, we strongly recommend that all students and adults keep in line with the current vaccination requirements required prior to departure. 

Travelers should monitor developments regularly on the relevant links listed in the Travel Advice section (link). It is each individual’s responsibility to ensure that they follow the latest advice in relation to travel, that they have the necessary documents and they fulfill all requirements for pre and post-travel.

 

Q.10  What happens if I do not have the sufficient vaccination status to enter a country or a resort when I’m due to travel?

The choice an individual makes in relation to vaccination is a personal matter, but passengers must follow the requirements in place at the time of travel to the destination country, in the resort and for the return home. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a passenger being denied boarding or entry to their destination country.  We are not obliged or able to provide refunds should the above occur

We therefore strongly recommend that all passengers be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

 

Q.11  If a student becomes symptomatic before departure and is not able to travel as they are waiting on a test, will they get a refund even if that test comes back negative?

No. 

Note: Generally  insurance policies cover claims only where a positive PCR result has been received prior to departure

Please see Insurance Covid Cover Page on our website for all information relating to insurance cover including  the following series of questions :

**In addition to your insurance policy, we highly recommend that all travelers are in possession of an EHIC for ROI groups or a GHIC card for NI/UK groups.

 

Q.12 – Is a teacher covered if when it is time to return home, they have to remain in their destination country with a student who has tested positive until such time as a parent can be flown out?    

Please see Covid Cover page on our website

 

Q.13-  If a student contracts Covid while abroad, will the insurance cover an extra room in order to isolate  from the rest of the group (during the week)?

Please see Covid Cover page on our website

 

Q.14 – What are the terms of the travel insurance re medical cover for contracting Covid-19 while away or displaying the first symptoms while away? 

Please see Covid Cover Page on our website

 

Q.15- If PCR testing or a professional antigen test is required on return to Ireland, how does this impact our trip?

The government’s decision to request negative antigen or PCR test results upon your return to Ireland is beyond our control and is a health requirement that falls to the traveller. We will have our Tour Managers on the ground where our groups are staying to assist with any extra requirements that may be needed for your return journey. There may be a cost for testing abroad and an additional cost for transfers to a local clinic/hospital where the tests take place. The cost of the test will need to be paid by each passenger who requires it.