Covid-19 and Educational Travel
Plan and Travel with Confidence
Travel is back! ACIS operated safe, positive and life-changing tours in 2022. We have plans and policies in place to continue to deliver these spectacular experiences in 2023 and onwards.
Keeping You Safe
ACIS takes the safety and health of our travelers very seriously, and we will only operate tours when and where we believe it is safe to do so. Visit our Safety page for complete details on our approach to delivering safe travel experiences for our group leaders and participants.
Private Tours
Traveling on Your Own Bus Has Never Been Easier
We understand that traveling with just your own group is now a higher priority, so we’re making it simpler than ever to do just that. Register 20 participants on a tour to Europe or just 15 on a tour to Latin America or Asia, and you will guarantee your own private bus and tour manager.
Vaccine Policy
ACIS does not have a vaccine mandate, however, group leaders and travelers must still follow the health and safety-related entry requirements for the countries they will visit. Each individual traveler is responsible for meeting these requirements.
Travelers should also be on the lookout for common symptoms of COVID in the days leading up to their trip and should not travel if these symptoms exist.
On-Tour Protection
We will follow all local guidelines with regard to use of face masks and social distancing to ensure our groups’ safety.
Tour Manager Expertise
ACIS Tour Managers are trained to follow safety protocols and are experts in handling emergencies when they arise.
No Mixed Group Rooming
We won’t combine participants from different groups in hotel rooms.
Coordinating with Partners
We will work with our hotel, transportation and activity providers to adjust itineraries if needed.
24/7 Coverage
Our worldwide duty officer system operates around the clock to react instantly to concerns.
Handling Illness on Tour
All ACIS participants are enrolled in an international medical insurance plan that will provide needed care should someone fall ill.
Peace of Mind Planning
We’ve updated our policies to provide the utmost flexibility and the promise that we will do everything possible to help you and your participants feel confident to travel again.
Peace of Mind Plan
ACIS’ Peace of Mind policy allows group leaders, at any point up to 45 days before departure, to change the travel dates of a tour or change the itinerary of a tour. Travel modifications must be submitted in writing and finalized by 45 days before departure, and the group will be responsible for any cost differential.
Cancellation Protection
ACIS offers two upgraded protection plans that allow participants to cancel for any reason and receive a full refund either in cash or in a combination of cash and travel voucher. Participants may elect to upgrade their protection coverage up to 130 days prior to departure.
Leave the Logistics to Us
With our overseas partners, ACIS will stay abreast of all current travel rules and regulations and communicate the guidelines to groups when appropriate. ACIS will also ensure that all travelers have the necessary overseas medical coverage to meet any special requirements put in place by local governments for travel.
Financial Security
Your Deposits are Safe
ACIS and our parent company, AIFS, is a reliable and financially stable organization with over 50 years experience. Through the years, AIFS has accumulated over $200 million in assets. Nearly half of these assets are held in a combination of cash and high-quality, A-rated, fixed income securities. In addition, AIFS holds a $51 million general liability insurance policy with Lexington Insurance Company covering school districts and teachers.
Culture of Care
ACIS has always maintained an exceptional reputation for service. Our teachers love the hotels, cultural connections and food, but what they say really sets us apart is the level of care. They’re entrusting their students’ “trip of a lifetime” (and their professional reputation) to a company that should care about their group’s well-being every bit as much as they do. Have no doubt, ACIS does.
High School Student Globetrotters Visit Spain and France
High School senior, Isabella, shares her thought on her recent “once-in-a-lifetime” educational trip to Spain and France. Read More.
A Parent’s Perspective on a High School Trip to Europe
Teri and her son just returned from a high school trip to Europe. Read all about how she is now a true believer that travel changes lives. Read More.
Spring Travel Review
What’s travel like right now? It’s as spectacular, educational, life-changing and fun as ever. Read More.
A Parent's Review of her Son's 2021 Summer Educational Tour
This summer, Heather‘s son John traveled to Ecuador and the Galápagos islands on an ACIS Educational Tour. Upon his return, Heather shared a parent’s review of her son’s experience. Read More.
Culture of Care in the Time of Coronavirus
Two ACIS teachers tell us what it was like being in Europe with a group when the travel ban was announced. “ACIS were very calm, friendly and accommodating.” Read More.
Culture of Care in the Time of Coronavirus Part 2
A history teacher’s experience being on the road when the coronavirus hit. “ACIS took it to another level for me.” Read more.
Teachers in Their Own Words
Teachers answer how their students have benefited from educational travel, what makes ACIS stand out from competitors and how ACIS help teachers meet classroom goals. Read More.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it ok to travel?
ACIS’ guiding star is our belief that travel changes lives. Over the past few years we’ve all missed out on so much. Now, with vaccinations in place, safety measures well defined and ACIS’ experience successfully operating programs in the past year, not only can you feel it’s ok to travel, you can feel great about it.
Why should I feel confident registering for a tour?
ACIS has over 40 years of experience leading exceptional educational tours around the world. We lead thousands of travelers on safe, life-changing tours in 2022. We also have protection plans available that allow you to cancel for any reason up to four days prior to departure, or for a medical reason up to one day prior to departure, and receive a full refund, less the cost of the plan.
Will I need to wear a mask on tour?
Travelers will be required to follow all local requirements regarding masking.
What happens if the entry or exit requirements of one my travel destinations becomes more restrictive?
If local entry or exit requirements become so restrictive that we are no longer able to operate the tour, we will work with the group leader to move the tour date or destination, even if this is within 45 days of departure. Delivering a high quality and safe experience is always our goal, and we will simply not run a tour if local restrictions would sacrifice the overall travel experience.
What are your refund policies?
Refunds depend on your protection plan. We strongly advise participants to upgrade their coverage to our Ultimate-Plus or Ultimate plans that provide a full refund (less the cost of the protection plan itself) for any reason up to four days prior to departure, and a full refund for a covered reason up to 1 day prior to departure. Participants who do not elect to upgrade have Basic Protection which provides a partial refund up to 30 days prior to departure.
My group is canceling, but I want to travel, do you have any options?
Yes! ACIS is offering summer fixed-date trips that are open to both groups and individual travelers. Individual travelers age 14 and younger will need a personal chaperone.
How can I use ACIS Travel Vouchers?
ACIS travel vouchers give you a chance to springboard toward future travel with ACIS or our parent company AIFS. You can use the voucher on any ACIS or Encore Performance Tours program outside of the USA and Canada including our summer fixed-date trips. Vouchers can also be used on college-level programs, namely AIFS’ College Study Abroad and Global Experience’s International internship programs. Study abroad programs are offered in 22 countries, with short-term, semester and academic year options. Internships are available in 13 different locations and cover career fields ranging from business to non-profit to technical fields. Our vouchers are fully transferable, meaning you can sell them to a friend who is interested in any of these programs too. Each new traveler can only use one voucher to pay for part of their trip and vouchers need to be redeemed for travel starting within two years of their issue date.
What happens if I test positive for Covid shortly before departure?
Unfortunately, if you test positive for Covid you can’t travel. With our Ultimate-Plus or Ultimate protection plans you would be due a full cash refund (less the cost of the plan itself) up to one day prior to departure because this is a medical cancellation. If you did not elect to upgrade your protection coverage, you are due no refund under our basic plan.
What happens if I test positive for Covid on tour?
Please feel assured that just as ACIS has taken care of all our passengers for the past 40+ years, we will take care of a Covid-19 positive traveler. Medical care will be covered by the protection plan the passenger is enrolled on. On tour, students will continue to be chaperoned either by an adult in their group or ACIS staff, or if necessary, a parent will be flown over. ACIS will manage the logistics of booking the passenger’s and chaperone’s alternate return flight. We are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our participants and remove the likelihood of acquiring Covid.
What happens if someone in my group tests positive for Covid on tour?
According to the CDC, individuals who are fully vaccinated do not have to self-quarantine after exposure to a person with COVID-19 and can travel, unless they too have COVID-19 symptoms. This means that unless restricted by local health authorities, vaccinated participants can continue on with their trip or return home at the end of the trip even if other participant(s) on the tour receive a positive COVID test while overseas.
I have a question not answered here, who should I contact?
Group leaders, your best point of contact is your program consultant. Participants and parents, you can reach out on live chat which is available Mondays-Friday 10am-5pm EST or email accounts@acis.com.