Important – relationship to Terms & Conditions
These Bylaws and Member Agreement (the “Bylaws”) are incorporated into and form part of the Atomic Trips Terms & Conditions (the “Terms”). By joining the $5 Travel Club or booking or participating in any Atomic Trips program, you agree that:
1. The Terms & Conditions are the primary contract between you and Atomic Trips.
2. These Bylaws supplement the Terms by setting more detailed membership, conduct, operational, and safety rules.
3. If there is a direct conflict between these Bylaws and the Terms, the Terms will control, except that any stricter conduct, safety, or operational requirements in these Bylaws will apply in addition to the Terms.
4. Nothing in these Bylaws is intended to waive any non-waivable statutory rights under applicable law. The enforceability of these Bylaws and the Terms will be determined in accordance with the governing law, venue, and dispute resolution provisions set out in the Terms.
21. MEDIA AND PRIVACY CONSENT
21.1 Purpose
21.1.1 Atomic Trips documents group travel for safety, community storytelling, and marketing. This Section explains what is recorded, how consent works, how you may use content, and how we protect traveler privacy.
21.2 Scope of Media Activity
21.2.1 Staff and approved creators may capture photos, short videos, audio clips, and written testimonials during trip operations and official events.
21.2.2 Capture may occur at hotels, restaurants, transport, guided activities, and public spaces, subject to venue rules and local law.
21.2.3 Recording is limited or prohibited in certain religious sites, museums, government facilities, locker rooms, spas, and private areas.
21.3 Your Consent to Be Recorded
21.3.1 By participating, you consent to incidental inclusion in group photos and ambient video captured during official programming, provided it is respectful and consistent with this Section.
21.3.2 Consent includes use of your voice and likeness for trip documentation and reasonable promotional purposes by Atomic Trips.
21.3.3 Consent does not permit the disclosure of sensitive personal information such as passport numbers, room numbers, medical conditions, or payment details.
21.4 Opt-Out Options
21.4.1 If you prefer not to appear in close-up photos or featured reels, notify staff during onboarding and remind the Trip Lead on day one.
21.4.2 Wear the optional photo indicator provided by staff where offered, and seat yourself accordingly when group shots are arranged.
21.4.3 Opt-out limits ambient capture in crowds but does not guarantee complete exclusion from wide shots in public spaces where privacy is not expected.
21.5 Group Portraits and Posed Shots
21.5.1 For formal group photos, staff will announce and provide a chance for opt-out travelers to step aside.
21.5.2 Portrait-style images of an identifiable person require verbal consent from that person at the time of capture, even if they did not pre opt-out.
21.6 Respect for Privacy Among Travelers
21.6.1 Do not photograph or film other travelers in bedrooms, bathrooms, dressing areas, or visibly private moments such as illness or emotional distress.
21.6.2 Obtain consent before tagging another traveler by name or handle on social media.
21.7 Use of Traveler-Created Content
21.7.1 You may create personal photos and videos during the trip if it does not disrupt operations, vendor rules, or other guests.
21.7.2 You may share content on personal social channels, provided it is respectful, complies with venue rules, and does not disclose sensitive operational details such as hotel room numbers, meet point pins before they occur, or private vendor back areas.
21.7.3 Professional gear, drones, lighting rigs, gimbals that impede movement, and staged shoots require prior written approval from Atomic Trips and, where applicable, permits from venues or authorities.
21.8 License Granted to Atomic Trips
21.8.1 By submitting or tagging content for official use or by emailing content to us, you grant Atomic Trips a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, adapt, publish, and display that content in marketing and editorial materials with credit where practicable.
21.8.2 You represent that you have the right to grant this license and that your content does not infringe third party rights.
21.9 Takedown and Correction Process
21.9.1 If you appear in an asset posted by Atomic Trips and wish to request removal or cropping, submit a Help Center ticket with the link and a short explanation.
21.9.2 Atomic Trips will evaluate good faith requests and respond as soon as practicable. Takedown is not guaranteed for assets already printed, distributed to media, or embedded in third party platforms beyond our control.
21.10 Vendor and Venue Restrictions
21.10.1 Many venues restrict flash, tripods, commercial shoots, or filming in certain rooms. The guide’s directions and venue signage control.
21.10.2 Breach of a venue media policy may result in removal from the activity without refund and may incur fines that are the traveler’s responsibility.
21.11 Influencers and Sponsored Creators
21.11.1 Influencer or media activity promoted as work, sponsorship, or paid collaboration must be disclosed to Atomic Trips during onboarding.
21.11.2 Any deliverables that require staged scenes, altered pacing, or repeated takes must be pre-approved in writing and cannot interfere with group operations.
21.11.3 Sponsored creators must identify themselves to venues when required by law or contract and must comply with advertising disclosure rules in their home jurisdiction and in destination.
21.12 Children and Vulnerable Persons
21.12.1 Do not photograph or film minors without the express consent of their parent or legal guardian.
21.12.2 Posting images of non-group minors encountered in public settings is discouraged and may be illegal in some jurisdictions.
21.13 No Deepfakes or Misleading Edits
21.13.1 Do not use traveler or staff likeness in synthetic media, AI-generated composites, or misleading edits that imply statements or behavior that did not occur.
21.13.2 Do not strip or alter metadata to misrepresent time or location in a way that could create safety risks or defamation.
21.14 Geotags and Real Time Posting
21.14.1 For safety and crowd management, avoid real time tagging of exact hotel addresses or meet points. Delay posting location-specific content until after the group has departed that site.
21.14.2 Do not publish door numbers, room numbers, or unlisted private venues.
21.15 Audio Recording and Briefings
21.15.1 You may take brief personal notes during briefings. Continuous audio recording of staff for public posting is prohibited without written permission.
21.15.2 Where lawful and necessary for evidence in a complaint, a short, discreet recording may be permitted. Weaponizing recordings to shame individuals violates Section 10 and Section 20.
21.16 Data Protection
21.16.1 Do not photograph passports, boarding passes, or other traveler documents. Mask barcodes and personal data if sharing travel images online.
21.16.2 Atomic Trips stores media in systems that meet commercial security standards. Access is limited to personnel who need it for operations or marketing.
21.17 Enforcement
21.17.1 Staff may direct you to stop filming, move equipment, or delete images captured in restricted areas.
21.17.2 Repeated violations may result in activity exclusion or trip removal without refund.
21.17.3 Fines and fees imposed by venues or authorities due to media violations are the traveler’s responsibility.
21.18 Examples
21.18.1 Acceptable: filming short clips during a market walk with a phone held at chest height, then sharing later without precise geotags.
21.18.2 Unacceptable: flying a drone over a cathedral without a permit, causing security intervention.
21.18.3 Acceptable: asking a fellow traveler if you can post a photo of them from the group dinner and tagging them with consent.
21.18.4 Unacceptable: live streaming a briefing that includes room numbers and next day meet point pins.
21.19 Cross References
21.19.1 Section 3 and Section 4 for respectful conduct and boundaries.
21.19.2 Section 10 for respect toward staff and compliance with instructions.
21.19.3 Section 22 for Social Content and Brand Guidelines.
21.19.4 Section 26 for force majeure that may limit media access.
21.19.5 Section 32 for prohibited items, including weapon-like props.
21.19.6 Section 35 for data privacy and information use.
22. SOCIAL CONTENT AND BRAND GUIDELINES
22.1 Purpose
22.1.1 Social content should celebrate travel, protect safety, and reflect well on fellow travelers, staff, and vendors. This Section sets rules for posting, tagging, brand use, disclosures, and crisis communications.
22.2 Scope
22.2.1 Applies to all content posted during the trip or within sixty days after the trip that depicts Atomic Trips programming, travelers, staff, vendors, venues, or materials provided by Atomic Trips.
22.2.2 Content includes photos, videos, reels, live streams, written reviews, blog posts, and comments.
22.3 Brand Name and Marks
22.3.1 Atomic Trips and $5 Travel Club names, logos, slogans, and trip names are proprietary. Do not alter, recreate, or overlay logos without written permission.
22.3.2 Do not imply sponsorships, partnerships, or endorsements without written permission.
22.3.3 Merch designs that use the brand or trip names require pre-approval.
22.4 Tagging and Hashtags
22.4.1 Use official trip hashtags and handles provided by staff.
22.4.2 Tag venues only after the group has departed that location to protect security and crowd flow.
22.4.3 Tag fellow travelers only with their consent. Respect opt outs noted in Section 21.
22.5 Timing and Live Posting
22.5.1 Avoid real time posting of hotel names, room numbers, meet point pins, or private venues. Share those details after departure from the site.
22.5.2 Live streams are not permitted during safety briefings, headcounts, or in restricted venues.
22.6 Respectful Tone and Community Standards
22.6.1 Keep captions and comments constructive, appreciative, and free of harassment, insults, or discrimination.
22.6.2 Do not post content that shames a traveler, criticizes a staff member by name, or ridicules a vendor. Route service concerns to staff privately under Section 20.
22.7 FTC and ASA Disclosures for Sponsored Content
22.7.1 If your trip is discounted or sponsored, or if you received anything of value in exchange for posting, disclose clearly with “ad,” “gifted,” or “sponsored.” Place the disclosure at the beginning of the caption and not hidden among hashtags.
22.7.2 Comply with disclosure laws in your home jurisdiction and in destination.
22.8 Use of Atomic Trips Materials
22.8.1 You may repost official Atomic Trips photos or videos with credit and without altering meaning.
22.8.2 Editing that changes context or implies statements not made is prohibited.
22.8.3 Operational documents, vendor lists, pricing, run of show, and internal messages are confidential and may not be posted.
22.9 Vendor Relationships and Reviews
22.9.1 Leave vendor reviews in a balanced, factual tone. Do not disclose confidential group rates or internal arrangements.
22.9.2 No review bombing. Coordinated negative review campaigns or calls to action that could harm a vendor relationship are prohibited.
22.9.3 If you experienced a service issue, submit it to Atomic Trips first so we can address it with the vendor.
22.10 Sensitive Locations and Restricted Spaces
22.10.1 Follow venue media rules and guide instructions on flash, tripods, drones, and filming areas.
22.10.2 Do not film security checkpoints, back-of-house areas, or staff-only corridors.
22.11 Children and Vulnerable Persons
22.11.1 Obtain a parent or guardian’s consent before posting images of minors.
22.11.2 Avoid posting images of non-group minors encountered in public without explicit permission.
22.12 Safety and Privacy Checks Before Posting
22.12.1 Remove visible room numbers, barcodes on boarding passes, passport data, or credit card details.
22.12.2 Blur faces upon request from travelers who opted out.
22.12.3 Delay posting content that reveals the group’s next location until after departure.
22.13 Crisis and Incident Content
22.13.1 Do not post images or details of medical incidents, removals, or conflicts while operations are ongoing.
22.13.2 Send information to staff privately to support response.
22.13.3 After a safety incident, any public statement should be left to Atomic Trips. Refrain from speculation or assigning blame online.
22.14 Misleading Edits and Synthetic Media
22.14.1 Do not create composite or AI-generated content that implies a traveler or staff member said or did something they did not.
22.14.2 Do not strip metadata or fabricate timestamps to misrepresent context.
22.15 Contests, Giveaways, and Collaborations
22.15.1 Any contest, giveaway, or collaboration that uses the Atomic Trips brand or trip imagery requires written approval and must include clear rules, eligibility, and disclosures.
22.16 Content Takedown
22.16.1 If your post compromises safety, violates privacy, breaches a venue rule, or materially misrepresents facts, Atomic Trips may request removal or alteration. Travelers agree to comply in good faith.
22.17 Examples
22.17.1 Acceptable: posting a reel of a market walk later that evening, tagging the vendor after departure, and using the official hashtag.
22.17.2 Unacceptable: live streaming the morning briefing with tomorrow’s hotel name and meet point pin visible in the frame.
22.17.3 Acceptable: writing a balanced review that notes a delay and credits the staff for arranging a workaround.
22.17.4 Unacceptable: organizing a campaign to leave one-star reviews for a restaurant while the group is still in the dining room.
22.18 Enforcement
22.18.1 Violations may result in a request to edit or remove content, temporary restriction from media moments, or exclusion from activities.
22.18.2 Severe or repeated violations may lead to trip removal without refund and membership termination under Sections 18 and 20.
22.18.3 Damages caused by unauthorized use of marks or confidential material may be sought in addition to equitable relief.
22.19 Cross References
22.19.1 Section 21 for Media and Privacy Consent.
22.19.2 Section 3, Section 4, and Section 9 for conduct and respect standards.
22.19.3 Section 10 for respect toward staff and non-disparagement during operations.
22.19.4 Section 27 for Confidentiality and Professional Conduct.
22.19.5 Section 27A for Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation, and Non-Circumvention.
22.19.6 Section 26 for force majeure limitations that may restrict media access.
23. PAYMENT PLANS AND FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
23.1 Purpose
23.1.1 This Section defines how trip pricing, deposits, installments, and add-ons are billed and what happens if payments are missed. It protects the schedule, vendor contracts, and the value purchased by all travelers.
23.2 Pricing and Currency
23.2.1 All prices are quoted in United States dollars unless stated otherwise in writing.
23.2.2 Taxes, surcharges, and currency movements may affect vendor costs. Atomic Trips pricing includes a buffer to stabilize consumer pricing. If a government imposes a new tax or mandatory fee after booking, the traveler is responsible for that pass-through amount.
23.2.3 Exchange rate differences and credit card foreign transaction fees charged by your bank are your responsibility.
23.3 What the Price Includes and Excludes
23.3.1 Included items are stated in the published trip brief; examples include listed hotel nights, listed group meals, scheduled transfers, guided activities, and listed tickets.
23.3.2 Excluded items typically include international and domestic airfare to the start city, personal meals not listed, room incidentals, minibar, laundry, spa services, independent taxis, optional add-ons not listed, tips where not stated as included, and personal travel insurance.
23.4 Deposits and Reservation Creation
23.4.1 A non-refundable deposit is required to hold a place. The deposit amount and due date are stated at booking.
23.4.2 A reservation is created only after deposit clears and you receive written confirmation from Atomic Trips.
23.4.3 Deposits are applied to the trip balance and are non-transferable unless Atomic Trips approves a transfer in writing.
23.5 Installments and Due Dates
23.5.1 The balance is payable in installments according to the schedule provided at booking.
23.5.2 Due dates are calendar dates. Payments are on time if received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the due date unless otherwise stated.
23.5.3 Atomic Trips may send reminders as a courtesy. Failure to receive a reminder does not extend a due date.
23.6 Auto Pay Authorization
23.6.1 By enrolling in a payment plan, you authorize Atomic Trips to charge the payment method on file for scheduled installments, add-ons you select, and authorized adjustments.
23.6.2 You agree to keep a valid card on file with sufficient limits. You may update your payment method in the app or by written notice.
23.7 Payment Methods
23.7.1 Accepted methods include major credit and debit cards and other methods listed at checkout.
23.7.2 Bank transfers or ACH may be available for balances above a stated threshold. Wire fees charged by your bank are your responsibility.
23.7.3 Cash is not accepted.
23.8 Processing Fees
23.8.1 Where allowed by law, a processing fee may apply to card transactions. Any fee will be disclosed before you pay.
23.8.2 Bank transfer discounts may be offered at Atomic Trips discretion and will be applied only after funds clear.
23.9 Late Payments and Failed Charges
23.9.1 A payment is late if not received by the due date. Failed auto pay attempts are treated as late if not resolved within 48 hours.
23.9.2 Late payments may incur a late fee as posted in your plan and may result in suspension of app access to gated features until the account is current.
23.9.3 If a payment remains outstanding for more than seven days after notice, Atomic Trips may cancel the booking for non-payment and apply the cancellation schedule in Section 24.
23.10 Cure Process
23.10.1 If a charge fails, you will receive a notice to update your payment method.
23.10.2 You have 48 hours to cure by updating your card or making a manual payment.
23.10.3 Repeated failures may require prepayment of remaining balances to continue.
23.11 Chargebacks
23.11.1 You agree not to initiate a chargeback while a good faith resolution is pending or for amounts governed by non-refundable terms in these bylaws.
23.11.2 Unauthorized or bad faith chargebacks are a breach. If a chargeback is reversed in Atomic Trips favor, you are responsible for any issuer fees and reasonable collection costs. See Section 24.
23.12 Add-Ons, Upgrades, and Customizations
23.12.1 Optional activities, room upgrades, and private transfers are billed at the time of selection and are non-refundable once vendor cutoffs pass.
23.12.2 Prices for add-ons may vary by date, capacity, or supplier. Availability is not guaranteed until paid and confirmed.
23.13 Rooming and Single Supplements
23.13.1 Prices are based on the stated occupancy in the trip brief.
23.13.2 If you request a single room or if a roommate cancels or is removed and a replacement is not available, a single supplement may apply and is your responsibility.
23.13.3 Roommate matching is a courtesy and is not guaranteed. Behavior or compatibility issues do not entitle you to a refund of any supplement.
23.14 Discounts and Promotions
23.14.1 Promotional codes or loyalty credits must be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added retroactively.
23.14.2 Discounts have posted expiry dates and conditions. Atomic Trips may modify or withdraw a promotion prospectively.
23.15 Price Adjustments and Errors
23.15.1 Atomic Trips endeavors to present accurate prices. In the rare event of a clear and material pricing error, Atomic Trips may cancel the affected component and issue a full refund for that component or offer the correct price for your acceptance.
23.15.2 Minor clerical errors that do not change the total value of the program may be corrected without creating a right to cancel.
23.16 Third Party Bookings and Independent Spend
23.16.1 Charges you incur directly with vendors, including room incidentals, additional drinks, spa services, or independent taxis, are your responsibility and must be settled directly with the vendor.
23.16.2 Atomic Trips is not responsible for disputes with third party vendors regarding services you purchased independently.
23.17 Delinquency and Collections
23.17.1 If a balance remains unpaid after cancellation and after application of the cancellation schedule, Atomic Trips may place the account in collections.
23.17.2 You agree to pay reasonable collection costs, attorney fees where permitted by law, and interest at the lesser of one percent per month or the maximum allowed by law, accruing from the original due date.
23.18 Credit Card Authorization
23.18.1 You authorize Atomic Trips to keep your card on file for incidental charges that you approve in writing, for add-ons you select, for cure of failed installment payments, and for reimbursement of vendor penalties or property damages you caused and acknowledged in writing.
23.18.2 For emergency property damages where the traveler is unavailable, Atomic Trips may charge the card on file to prevent vendor claims against the group, followed by a written itemization.
23.19 Receipts and Statements
23.19.1 You will receive an email receipt for each successful payment.
23.19.2 A running statement of your plan is available in the app or upon written request.
23.20 Refund Method and Timing
23.20.1 When a refund is due under Section 24 or Section 26, refunds are issued to the original form of payment when possible. Processing times vary by bank.
23.20.2 Atomic Trips is not responsible for delays caused by your bank or card issuer.
23.21 Tax Documentation
23.21.1 If legally required to collect or report certain taxes or fees, Atomic Trips will itemize them on your invoice.
23.21.2 Travelers are responsible for any income tax consequences related to promotions or prizes.
23.22 Non-Payment During Trip
23.22.1 If an on-trip charge that you approved fails, you must provide an alternate method immediately.
23.22.2 Failure to do so may result in exclusion from optional activities or, for property damages, referral to local authorities.
23.23 Examples
23.23.1 Acceptable: updating your card in the app the same day you receive a failed charge notice and confirming payment by reply.
23.23.2 Unacceptable: ignoring overdue notices for ten days, then demanding to keep your spot without paying the posted late fees.
23.23.3 Acceptable: paying a single supplement when your matched roommate cancels and no replacement is available.
23.23.4 Unacceptable: refusing the supplement, insisting on a private room, and demanding the group cover the difference.
23.24 Cross References
23.24.1 Section 24 for Cancellation, Refunds, and Chargebacks.
23.24.2 Section 18 for Non-Refundable Removal and Payment Policy.
23.24.3 Section 26 for Force Majeure and Vendor Recovery Limits.
23.24.4 Section 41 for Optional Third Party Excursions and Free Time Activities.
23.24.5 Section 7 for mandatory travel insurance as a condition of participation.
23A. CURRENCY, DYNAMIC PRICING, AND FX FEES
23A.1 Purpose
23A.1.1 This Section explains how currency and exchange rates affect pricing, invoices, refunds, and bank fees so travelers understand what Atomic Trips controls and what banks and vendors control.
23A.2 Quoted Currency and Invoicing
23A.2.1 Unless explicitly stated otherwise in writing, all prices, deposits, installments, fees, and refunds are processed in United States dollars.
23A.2.2 If a trip or add-on is quoted in a non-USD currency for marketing clarity, the controlling invoice will still be issued in USD unless your confirmation states a different settlement currency.
23A.3 Dynamic Pricing from Supplier Exchange Exposure
23A.3.1 Many vendor contracts are priced in local currencies and are subject to exchange rate movements. Atomic Trips builds a buffer to reduce volatility for travelers.
23A.3.2 If a government imposes a new tax or a supplier adds a mandatory fee after booking, Atomic Trips may pass through that amount as required to deliver the program. See Section 23 and Section 26.
23A.4 Your Bank’s Foreign Transaction and Conversion Fees
23A.4.1 Your card issuer or bank may charge foreign transaction fees, currency conversion fees, or cross border fees even when Atomic Trips charges in USD. These bank charges are not imposed by Atomic Trips and are non-refundable.
23A.4.2 If Atomic Trips must charge you in a non-USD currency, your bank will set the conversion rate and any fees. Atomic Trips does not control your bank’s rate or fee schedule.
23A.5 Dynamic Currency Conversion at Point of Sale
23A.5.1 Some overseas merchants offer a choice to be charged in your home currency at their terminal. This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion and often carries worse rates and extra fees.
23A.5.2 When paying a third party vendor directly, you are responsible for the option you select. Atomic Trips is not responsible for DCC markups on independent purchases. See Section 40 and Section 41.
23A.6 Rate Sources and Timing
23A.6.1 Banks use their own rates, which may differ from mid-market screens you see online.
23A.6.2 The applicable rate is the one your bank applies at the moment it settles the transaction, which can be later than the purchase timestamp depending on your bank’s rules.
23A.7 Refunds and Exchange Differences
23A.7.1 Refunds are issued in the original charge currency when possible. If your bank converts the refund at a different rate or applies fees, the net amount you receive may be lower or higher than the original in your home currency.
23A.7.2 Atomic Trips is not responsible for exchange gains or losses or for bank fees associated with refunds. See Section 24 for refund eligibility.
23A.8 Wires, ACH, and Remittance Accuracy
23A.8.1 If paying by bank transfer, send the exact USD amount shown on the invoice and cover any originating bank fees so the full amount arrives.
23A.8.2 Short payments caused by bank fees must be cured to keep your booking in good standing. See Section 23.
23A.9 Multi-Currency Cards and E-Wallets
23A.9.1 If you use a multi-currency wallet or card, make sure you have sufficient balance in the settlement currency. Shortfalls that trigger an automatic conversion are your responsibility.
23A.10 Price Corrections and Clear Errors
23A.10.1 In the rare event of a clear and material pricing error caused by a feed or manual entry mistake, Atomic Trips may cancel the affected component and issue a full refund for that component or offer the corrected price for your acceptance. See Section 23.
23A.11 Examples
23A.11.1 Acceptable: your USD card shows a small cross border fee even though you were charged in USD. You understand this is a bank fee outside Atomic Trips control.
23A.11.2 Unacceptable: requesting Atomic Trips to reimburse your bank’s fee for converting a vendor refund that was correctly issued in EUR by that vendor you paid directly.
23A.11.3 Acceptable: wiring the exact USD invoice total and adding your bank’s outbound fee so the net received matches the invoice.
23A.11.4 Unacceptable: paying an invoice denominated in USD using a wallet that silently converts at a poor rate and then demanding Atomic Trips honor the wallet’s rate.
23A.12 Cross References
23A.12.1 Section 23 for Payment Plans and Financial Obligations.
23A.12.2 Section 24 for Cancellation, Refunds, and Chargebacks.
23A.12.3 Section 26 for Force Majeure and pass-through charges.
23A.12.4 Section 38 for Limitations of Liability.
23A.12.5 Section 39 for Official Notices regarding pricing updates.
24. CANCELLATION, REFUNDS, AND CHARGEBACKS
24.1 Purpose
24.1.1 This Section explains how cancellations are handled, what portions are refundable, how refunds are calculated, and what happens if a chargeback is filed. It protects the integrity of vendor contracts and the value purchased by all travelers.
24.2 How to Cancel
24.2.1 Written notice required. Traveler-initiated cancellations must be submitted through the Help Center in the Atomic Trips app or by reply to the booking confirmation email. Verbal notices are not effective.
24.2.2 Effective date. The cancellation date is the timestamp of your written notice received by Atomic Trips. Vendor recovery is based on that date.
24.3 Standard Traveler Cancellation Schedule
24.3.1 Unless your confirmation states a different schedule for a specific departure, the following applies to the trip price excluding optional add-ons already consumed or past vendor cutoffs:
(a) From booking through 180 days before trip start. Deposit is non-refundable. Any additional payments are refundable minus a 5 percent administrative fee on the refundable portion.
(b) 179 to 120 days before trip start. Refund of amounts paid minus the non-refundable deposit and a 10 percent administrative fee on the refundable portion.
(c) 119 to 90 days before trip start. Fifty percent of amounts paid are refundable, excluding the non-refundable deposit.
(d) 89 to 60 days before trip start. Twenty-five percent of amounts paid are refundable, excluding the non-refundable deposit.
(e) 59 days through trip start and no show. Non-refundable.
24.3.2 Where a supplier imposes stricter terms, the stricter terms control for that component. Administrative fees cover card processing costs, reconciliation time, and vendor correspondence.
24.4 Add-Ons, Upgrades, and Custom Services
24.4.1 Optional activities, room upgrades, private transfers, and similar items are refundable only if the vendor has not passed its cutoff. After a cutoff, these items are non-refundable.
24.4.2 If an add-on is cancelled before the cutoff, Atomic Trips will refund the amount recovered from the vendor minus a 5 percent administrative fee on that item.
24.5 Name Changes, Substitutions, and Transfers
24.5.1 Substitutions. Some trips allow a name change on a booking before a posted cutoff. Fees may apply and are the traveler’s responsibility. All travelers must meet Section 2 onboarding and Section 7 essential eligibility.
24.5.2 Rooming impacts. If a substitution changes occupancy, a single supplement or reprice may apply.
24.5.3 Non-transferable items. Airline tickets, rail tickets, and event tickets are often non-transferable once issued.
24.5.4 Club membership. Membership is personal and may not be sold or transferred.
24.6 Atomic Trips Cancellation or Material Change
24.6.1 If Atomic Trips cancels a departure for reasons within its control and does not offer a reasonable alternative, travelers will receive a full refund of amounts paid to Atomic Trips for the cancelled trip, excluding independent costs such as airfare purchased directly by the traveler.
24.6.2 If a material change is required for reasons within the control of Atomic Trips and the traveler declines the change within seven days of notice, Atomic Trips will provide a refund of the affected portion that cannot be delivered, excluding independent costs.
24.6.3 Changes required by force majeure or vendor actions are governed by Section 26.
24.7 Force Majeure and Vendor Recoveries
24.7.1 Events beyond reasonable control such as severe weather, strikes, civil unrest, government orders, or vendor insolvency are handled under Section 26. Remedies are limited to amounts actually recovered from vendors, net of non-recoverable costs and reasonable administrative expenses.
24.7.2 Atomic Trips will make good faith efforts to rebook or substitute comparable services where feasible.
24.8 Illness and Emergencies
24.8.1 Illness, injury, bereavement, jury duty, or other personal emergencies do not change the refund schedule in this Section. Required travel insurance under Section 7 is the primary remedy.
24.8.2 Atomic Trips will furnish participation letters or invoices upon request to support a claim.
24.9 Refund Method and Timing
24.9.1 Refunds are issued to the original form of payment when possible. If the card account is closed, a bank transfer may be used after identity verification.
24.9.2 Processing times vary by bank. Atomic Trips initiates approved refunds within ten business days of final calculation. Atomic Trips is not responsible for bank processing delays.
24.10 Currency, Fees, and Netting
24.10.1 Refunds are processed in United States dollars. Exchange rate fluctuations and bank fees are the traveler’s responsibility.
24.10.2 Atomic Trips may net unpaid late fees, outstanding add-ons, vendor penalties, or property damages against a refund that would otherwise be due, and will provide an itemization.
24.11 Partial Attendance, Early Departure, and Missed Services
24.11.1 No refunds or credits are provided for partial attendance, skipped activities, early departure, or services missed due to lateness, intoxication, or non-compliance. See Sections 13, 14, and 18.
24.12 Payment Reversals and Chargebacks
24.12.1 Good faith first. Travelers agree to submit a written request for resolution to Atomic Trips and allow a reasonable opportunity to respond before filing any chargeback.
24.12.2 Breach. Filing a chargeback for amounts governed by these non-refundable terms, or without first seeking resolution, is a breach of the bylaws.
24.12.3 Response and costs. If a chargeback is filed, Atomic Trips will submit documentation of the contract and vendor terms. If the dispute is resolved in favor of Atomic Trips, the traveler remains responsible for any issuer fees and reasonable collection costs.
24.12.4 Account status. While a chargeback is pending, the associated booking may be suspended. Access to app features may be limited until resolution.
24.13 Overpayments and Duplicates
24.13.1 If an overpayment or duplicate payment occurs, Atomic Trips will refund the excess amount after reconciliation to the original method of payment. Administrative fees do not apply to true duplicate corrections.
24.14 Group Bookings and Roommate Dependencies
24.14.1 If one traveler in a shared room cancels, the remaining traveler may accept a new compatible roommate where available or accept a single supplement. If neither is feasible, Atomic Trips may reassign rooming for operational viability.
24.14.2 If a group booking falls below the minimum traveler count due to cancellations, Atomic Trips may reprice, restructure, or cancel the departure. In the event of a cancellation by Atomic Trips under this subsection, Section 24.6 applies.
24.15 Documentation
24.15.1 For any refund that depends on vendor recovery, Atomic Trips will keep internal records of vendor responses and cutoffs and will summarize the outcome for the traveler.
24.15.2 Vendor correspondence may include response times that extend beyond ten business days.
24.16 Examples
24.16.1 Cancel 150 days before start. Deposit is non-refundable. Remaining payments are refunded minus a 10 percent administrative fee on the refundable portion.
24.16.2 Cancel 35 days before start. Non-refundable under the schedule. Traveler files a claim with travel insurance for covered reasons.
24.16.3 Add-on cancelled before cutoff. Culinary class refund equals amount recovered from the vendor minus a 5 percent administrative fee.
24.16.4 Atomic Trips cancels a departure for internal reasons. Full refund of amounts paid to Atomic Trips for that trip. Independent airfare is handled by the airline or insurance.
24.16.5 Force majeure closure of a venue. Comparable substitution offered. If no comparable substitute exists, Atomic Trips refunds the vendor recovery for the affected component after netting non-recoverable costs.
24.17 Cross References
24.17.1 Section 7 for mandatory travel insurance.
24.17.2 Section 18 for Non-Refundable Removal and Payment Policy.
24.17.3 Section 20 for enforcement and internal dispute resolution.
24.17.4 Section 23 for payment plans and delinquency.
24.17.5 Section 26 for force majeure and vendor recovery limits.
24.17.6 Section 41 for optional third party excursions taken on free time.
25. MEDICAL EMERGENCY RELEASE AND CARE COORDINATION
25.1 Purpose
25.1.1 This Section explains how Atomic Trips responds to medical events, the limits of our role, what authorizations you grant to enable timely assistance, and which costs are your responsibility.
25.2 Atomic Trips Role and Limits
25.2.1 Atomic Trips is not a medical provider and does not offer diagnosis, treatment, or medication administration.
25.2.2 Our role is coordination and logistics, including notifying emergency services, guiding you to nearby clinics or hospitals, facilitating language support when feasible, and helping with practical steps such as contacting your insurer or emergency contact.
25.2.3 Staff do not perform invasive procedures, administer injections, or make clinical decisions.
25.3 Your Authorizations and Consent
25.3.1 By participating, you authorize Atomic Trips to take reasonable steps during an urgent health event, including the following:
(a) Call local emergency services and disclose basic information necessary to obtain assistance.
(b) Share limited information from your Traveler Profile with medical personnel and your listed emergency contact to facilitate care and logistics.
(c) Accompany or arrange for a staff escort to a clinic or hospital when feasible, subject to group safety and operational constraints.
(d) Communicate with your travel insurer or assistance company to open a claim and pass location and provider details.
(e) Assist with practical tasks such as translating basic facts through guides or translation tools. Translation accuracy is not guaranteed.
25.4 Emergency Contact and Insurer Details
25.4.1 You must provide a reachable emergency contact and complete insurance details in the Atomic Trips app before departure.
25.4.2 Keep your insurer’s 24 hour assistance number accessible and know your policy number.
25.4.3 If you decline to provide insurance details, you accept sole responsibility for costs and for any delays in care coordination that result.
25.5 Triage and On Scene Steps
25.5.1 In an emergency, staff will stabilize the scene to the extent of their training by clearing space, maintaining privacy, and summoning help.
25.5.2 Staff may ask another traveler to notify the group of a temporary pause while operations continue for others.
25.5.3 When appropriate, staff will collect basic information for the handoff, such as symptoms, time of onset, medications, allergies, and recent activities.
25.6 Transport and Accompaniment
25.6.1 Ambulance, taxi, or private transport decisions are driven by local protocols, distance, severity, and provider availability.
25.6.2 A staff member may accompany a traveler to the first point of care when feasible and safe to do so. If group safety or operational needs prevent accompaniment, staff will maintain contact by phone and coordinate remotely.
25.6.3 The group itinerary will proceed to protect contracted services. A rejoin plan will be provided when safe and feasible.
25.7 Costs and Financial Responsibility
25.7.1 All costs for medical evaluation, treatment, transport, prescriptions, and extended lodging are the traveler’s responsibility and are typically addressed by travel insurance.
25.7.2 Atomic Trips does not advance funds for medical services. Where a provider requires immediate payment and you are unable to pay, staff may assist you in contacting your insurer, a payment card issuer, or your emergency contact.
25.8 Pharmacies and Over the Counter Support
25.8.1 Staff can point you toward reputable pharmacies and, where possible, help explain your symptoms.
25.8.2 Atomic Trips does not recommend, select, or purchase medications for you and does not warrant the availability or safety of specific products.
25.9 Communication with Companions and Privacy
25.9.1 Atomic Trips will respect your privacy and will share information with fellow travelers only on a need to know basis.
25.9.2 We may request consent to update a roommate or travel companion on your status and location.
25.10 Return to Program
25.10.1 After treatment, you may rejoin the group at the next logical meet point when you are safe to do so and when the provider has not restricted your activity.
25.10.2 If a provider imposes restrictions that conflict with scheduled activities or transport, staff will discuss alternatives. Costs to implement alternatives are the traveler’s responsibility.
25.11 Infectious Illness Protocol
25.11.1 If symptoms suggest a contagious condition, staff may implement measures such as mask use, room isolation, separate seating, or temporary exclusion from group meals and activities consistent with local public health guidance.
25.11.2 You agree to comply with local health regulations, venue requirements, and reasonable staff directives intended to protect others.
25.12 Documentation for Insurance Claims
25.12.1 Keep copies of all medical notes, receipts, prescriptions, and discharge summaries.
25.12.2 Upon request, Atomic Trips can provide a participation letter showing trip dates, missed activities, and timing of the incident to support your claim.
25.13 Special Considerations for High Risk Activities
25.13.1 Some optional activities operated by third parties require waivers, age or weight limits, or medical clearance. You are responsible for reading and complying with those requirements.
25.13.2 If a provider declines service based on their safety standards, Atomic Trips will not override that decision.
25.14 Minors and Dependents
25.14.1 If traveling with a minor or a dependent adult, you must carry any required consent forms or guardianship documentation needed for treatment in destination.
25.14.2 Atomic Trips staff do not assume custodial responsibility and are not substitute guardians.
25.15 Refusal of Care
25.15.1 If you refuse recommended care in an urgent situation, you may be required to sign a refusal acknowledgment.
25.15.2 If refusal creates safety concerns for the group, staff may restrict your participation until it is safe to return.
25.16 Examples
25.16.1 Acceptable: notifying staff of severe abdominal pain, allowing them to call an ambulance, and sharing your insurer’s assistance line for coordination.
25.16.2 Unacceptable: collapsing after a stair climb, refusing assistance, and demanding the group delay a timed entry while you rest in place.
25.16.3 Acceptable: visiting a pharmacy with a staff escort to ask about over the counter cold relief, then rejoining the group at the next meet point.
25.16.4 Unacceptable: asking staff to purchase and dispense prescription medication on your behalf.
25.17 Cross References
25.17.1 Section 2 for insurance and emergency contact details.
25.17.2 Section 6 for dietary and allergen realities.
25.17.3 Section 7 for essential eligibility and self care.
25.17.4 Section 13 for catch up and rejoin procedures.
25.17.5 Section 26 for force majeure and systemic disruptions.
25.17.6 Section 36 for Assumption of Risk and Release of Claims.
25.17.7 Section 37 for Indemnification.
26. FORCE MAJEURE AND VENDOR RECOVERY LIMITS
26.1 Purpose
26.1.1 This Section explains what happens when events beyond the reasonable control of Atomic Trips or its vendors disrupt travel plans. It clarifies what Atomic Trips will do operationally, what financial remedies are available, and the limits of recovery when third parties control performance.
26.2 Definition of Force Majeure
26.2.1 Force majeure means events that prevent or significantly impede performance and that could not be avoided through reasonable planning. Examples include severe weather, natural disasters, wildfires, floods, earthquakes, public health emergencies, epidemics and pandemics, government orders or advisories, border closures, visa or entry suspensions, airport or airspace closures, transportation strikes, labor actions, civil unrest, acts of war or terrorism, utility failures, supplier insolvency, venue closures beyond our control, and similar extraordinary events.
26.3 Scope
26.3.1 This Section applies to the entire trip lifecycle, including pre trip arrangements, travel to and from the destination, the group itinerary, optional add ons, and vendor provided services that are part of the program.
26.4 Operational Response by Atomic Trips
26.4.1 Assessment and communication. Atomic Trips will assess conditions with vendors and authorities and will communicate material updates through Official Channels as soon as practicable.
26.4.2 Reasonable adjustments. Where feasible, Atomic Trips may resequence days, substitute comparable venues or activities, split groups to manage capacity, alter transfer routes, or extend or reduce time in certain locations to preserve overall value.
26.4.3 Safety first. If local authorities or vendor security teams advise against a movement or activity, Atomic Trips will follow those directives.
26.4.4 Minimum group size and viability. If a force majeure event reduces participation below a viable threshold or prevents performance of material components, Atomic Trips may cancel the departure or end the trip early.
26.5 Financial Remedy Framework
26.5.1 Vendor recovery principle. Refunds or credits under force majeure are limited to amounts that Atomic Trips actually recovers from vendors for the affected components, minus non recoverable costs and reasonable administrative expenses.
26.5.2 What is non recoverable. Non recoverable items may include prepaid deposits, perishable inventory, ticketing fees, supplier minimums, and costs already consumed such as staff travel, private coach minimums, and compliance or permit fees.
26.5.3 Form of remedy. Remedies may be issued as cash refunds, future travel credits, or a combination, consistent with amounts and forms returned by vendors. Some vendors issue only credits.
26.5.4 No duplication. If an alternative of comparable value is delivered in place of the affected service, no additional refund or credit is due for that component.
26.6 Comparable Substitutions
26.6.1 A substitute is considered comparable if it is of a similar category and general value to the original plan when viewed in totality of the day or program.
26.6.2 Examples include replacing a rail excursion with a coach based excursion of similar duration, substituting one heritage site for another with similar significance, or moving a tasting to a different venue of similar quality.
26.7 Partial Performance and Program Continuity
26.7.1 If a day or component is shortened but still delivered in a materially similar form, no remedy is due.
26.7.2 If a component is cancelled without a comparable substitute, Atomic Trips will seek vendor recoveries for that component and pass through recovered amounts as described above.
26.8 Government Orders and Health Measures
26.8.1 Travelers must comply with entry rules, vaccination or testing requirements, mask mandates, and venue health protocols.
26.8.2 Failure to meet government requirements is not force majeure as to the individual traveler and does not create a right to refund from Atomic Trips. Travel insurance may offer remedies according to the traveler’s policy.
26.9 Supplier Insolvency
26.9.1 If a supplier becomes insolvent, Atomic Trips will make good faith efforts to replace the service with a comparable alternative. If replacement is not feasible within the contracted budget, remedies are limited to amounts actually recovered from the insolvent estate or from any backup vendor willing to accept the original rate.
26.9.2 Atomic Trips is not responsible for supplier debts that exceed the contracted value held by the supplier.
26.10 Transportation Disruptions
26.10.1 Airline, rail, or ferry disruptions are governed by the carrier’s rules. Atomic Trips will assist with information and revised meet points.
26.10.2 The group program will continue from the earliest viable point. Missed components tied to personal delay are handled under Section 13 and are not force majeure as to the group.
26.11 Pricing Impacts from Force Majeure
26.11.1 Government surcharges, new taxes, fuel escalators, or mandatory safety costs imposed after booking may be passed through to travelers if required to deliver the contracted program. Atomic Trips will provide notice and a brief explanation of the charge.
26.11.2 If the traveler declines to pay a mandatory pass through that is required to operate the trip, the traveler may cancel subject to the standard cancellation schedule in Section 24.
26.12 Insurance Interface
26.12.1 Required travel insurance is the primary remedy for many force majeure outcomes, including trip interruption, delay, missed connections, and additional lodging or transport.
26.12.2 Atomic Trips will provide participation letters and timing confirmations upon request to support your claim. Atomic Trips does not guarantee insurer coverage decisions.
26.13 Documentation and Timelines
26.13.1 Vendors and carriers often take time to confirm recoveries. Atomic Trips will provide a summary of recoveries attributed to your booking once known.
26.13.2 Final remedies will be issued after vendor funds or credits are received and reconciled. Administrative time frames may extend beyond ten business days depending on supplier response.
26.14 Early Termination of a Trip
26.14.1 If conditions require early termination, Atomic Trips will identify a safe exit city or hub and provide guidance on transport options.
26.14.2 Costs to return home are typically handled through travel insurance. Atomic Trips does not fund replacement airfare.
26.14.3 Atomic Trips will account for vendor recoveries on the undelivered portion of the program and issue remedies according to the vendor recovery principle.
26.15 Force Majeure Does Not Excuse Traveler Misconduct
26.15.1 These provisions do not apply to removals or missed services caused by traveler violations of these bylaws. See Sections 11, 13, and 18.
26.16 Examples
26.16.1 A general strike shuts down intercity trains on a planned day trip. Atomic Trips replaces the rail segment with a coach visit to a comparable town and shifts a museum to the following morning. No refund is due because a comparable experience is delivered.
26.16.2 A storm closes a clifftop site for two days. There is no comparable access. Atomic Trips obtains a partial recovery from the venue and passes through the recovered amount to travelers as a credit.
26.16.3 A government imposes sudden capacity limits at indoor venues. Atomic Trips splits the group into two seatings and extends time in a nearby outdoor site. The day is delivered with minor timing changes. No refund is due.
26.16.4 A key supplier declares insolvency one week before departure. Atomic Trips sources an alternative at a higher market rate. If the budget cannot absorb the increase, travelers may accept the pass through cost or cancel under Section 24.
26.17 Cross References
26.17.1 Section 13 for Trip Interruption and Missed Connections.
26.17.2 Section 18 for Non Refundable Removal and Payment Policy.
26.17.3 Section 24 for Cancellation, Refunds, and Chargebacks.
26.17.4 Section 25 for Medical Emergency Release and Care Coordination.
26.17.5 Section 26 interacts with Section 42 on Itinerary Variations and Substitutions.
26.17.6 Section 7 for mandatory travel insurance requirements.
27. CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
27.1 Purpose
27.1.1 This Section protects Atomic Trips proprietary information, preserves vendor relationships, and sets professional standards for how members handle internal communications and sensitive operational details.
27.2 What Is Confidential Information
27.2.1 Confidential information includes, without limitation:
(a) Internal run of show documents, staffing plans, safety protocols, and operating playbooks.
(b) Vendor identities, private phone numbers, emails, and back of house contacts not listed on public websites.
(c) Negotiated rates, availability holds, allotments, payment terms, and contract language.
(d) App content that is not public, including unpublished schedules, pins, private messages, and Help Center tickets.
(e) Non public meet points, rooming lists, headcount reports, and transport manifests.
(f) Financial models, promotion mechanics, member lists, and any non public business strategy.
(g) Any other information marked confidential or that a reasonable person would understand to be sensitive.
27.3 Your Confidentiality Duties
27.3.1 Use confidential information only to participate in the trip.
27.3.2 Do not share, publish, forward, screenshot, or upload confidential information to social media, review sites, group chats outside Official Channels, or any third party platform.
27.3.3 Do not disclose vendor contacts, negotiated rates, or internal logistics to outsiders for any purpose, including independent travel planning or organizing groups.
27.3.4 If you receive a request from media or a third party for details about operations, refer them to Atomic Trips. Do not speak on behalf of Atomic Trips without written authorization.
27.4 Handling of Internal Messages and Documents
27.4.1 Keep app messages, WhatsApp posts, and briefings within the group.
27.4.2 If you need to share timing with a friend or family member for coordination, share only what is necessary and never share room numbers, manifests, or private pins.
27.4.3 If you mistakenly forward a confidential message, notify Atomic Trips immediately and request deletion by the recipient.
27.5 Professional Conduct in Communications
27.5.1 Use respectful, factual language when discussing trip matters with staff, vendors, and fellow travelers.
27.5.2 Do not threaten chargebacks, public posts, or review campaigns as leverage during operations. See Section 24 regarding chargebacks.
27.5.3 When you disagree with a decision, raise it privately and propose a specific remedy. Atomic Trips will respond through the dispute framework in Section 20.
27.6 Non Disparagement During Operations
27.6.1 During the trip, refrain from public disparagement of staff, vendors, or fellow travelers in lobbies, restaurants, transport, or online.
27.6.2 Route service complaints to Atomic Trips privately while a remedy is still possible.
27.6.3 After the trip, honest reviews are welcome, but must remain factual, non defamatory, and free of confidential details.
27.7 Protection of Vendor Relationships
27.7.1 Do not attempt to renegotiate, solicit, or contract directly with Atomic Trips vendors for competing group services, familiarization access, or discounted rates using trip knowledge.
27.7.2 Do not request back of house tours, free product, or special favors based on your membership unless instructed by Atomic Trips.
27.7.3 Any vendor gifts offered to the group should be accepted or declined according to Section 49.
27.8 Recordings and Private Spaces
27.8.1 Briefings that include room numbers, security instructions, or non public logistics are not to be recorded for public sharing.
27.8.2 Where lawful, short recordings made solely to support a complaint may be permitted if discreet and provided privately to Atomic Trips.
27.8.3 Do not record in bedrooms, bathrooms, medical settings, or other inherently private spaces.
27.9 Return or Deletion of Materials
27.9.1 On request, you agree to delete or return confidential documents and to remove screenshots from personal devices and cloud folders.
27.9.2 If a platform caches an item you posted in error, you agree to use available tools to remove or report it.
27.10 Legal Requests
27.10.1 If you receive a subpoena or similar legal request for confidential information relating to Atomic Trips, notify us immediately and before responding when permitted by law.
27.10.2 You may disclose confidential information only to the extent legally required after notifying Atomic Trips.
27.11 Confidentiality Term
27.11.1 The obligation to protect confidential information survives the trip and remains in effect until the information becomes public through no fault of yours or until Atomic Trips releases you in writing.
27.12 Violations and Remedies
27.12.1 Breaches may result in activity exclusion, trip removal without refund, membership termination, and pursuit of equitable relief and damages.
27.12.2 Atomic Trips may seek injunctive relief to prevent further disclosure. Contractual damages and reasonable enforcement costs may be pursued where allowed by law.
27.13 Examples
27.13.1 Acceptable: sharing tomorrow’s public tour start time with a spouse who is meeting you after the tour, without sharing pins or rooming lists.
27.13.2 Unacceptable: posting a screenshot of the rooming list in a Facebook group to show who got which roommate.
27.13.3 Acceptable: sending Atomic Trips a private screen recording of a bug in the app that hides a time change.
27.13.4 Unacceptable: emailing a vendor our negotiated rate sheet and asking for a private quote for your own group.
27.14 Cross References
27.14.1 Section 21 for Media and Privacy Consent and Section 22 for Social Content and Brand Guidelines.
27.14.2 Section 20 for Enforcement and Dispute Resolution.
27.14.3 Section 23 and Section 24 for financial leverage and chargebacks.
27.14.4 Section 27A for Non Compete, Non Solicitation, and Non Circumvention.
27.14.5 Section 35 for Data Privacy and Information Use.
27A. NON COMPETE, NON SOLICITATION, AND NON CIRCUMVENTION
27A.1 Purpose
27A.1.1 This Section protects Atomic Trips proprietary know how, vendor relationships, staffing investments, and the unique value of the $5 Travel Club. It prevents members from using confidential access to compete against Atomic Trips or to route around Atomic Trips to run independent or rival group trips.
27A.2 Key Definitions
27A.2.1 Competitive activity means planning, marketing, or operating group travel, retreats, tours, or events that are substantially similar to Atomic Trips itineraries, formats, or markets, whether for profit or not for profit.
27A.2.2 Vendor means any hotel, restaurant, transport provider, venue, guide, fixer, ticket broker, activity provider, or service partner introduced, contracted, or confirmed by Atomic Trips in the last thirty six months.
27A.2.3 Protected information means the confidential items described in Section 27, including vendor identities, private contacts, negotiated rates, operating playbooks, manifests, run sheets, and app content not available to the general public.
27A.2.4 Solicit means to contact for the purpose of inducing a business relationship, recruiting, diverting, or hiring away.
27A.3 Non Compete Covenant
27A.3.1 During any trip and for twelve months after the later of the trip end date or your last access to Protected information, you will not engage in Competitive activity that uses or relies upon Protected information obtained through Atomic Trips.
27A.3.2 This covenant does not prohibit general leisure travel planning for yourself, your family, or a small circle of friends so long as it does not use group rates negotiated by Atomic Trips and is not marketed as a group trip open to the public.
27A.4 Non Solicitation of Vendors
27A.4.1 For twenty four months after the later of the trip end date or your last access to Protected information, you will not directly or indirectly solicit, contract, or attempt to contract with any Vendor for the purpose of planning, pricing, holding space, or operating a group trip, retreat, or event without the prior written consent of Atomic Trips.
27A.4.2 You may transact with a Vendor for purely personal, non group services booked through publicly available channels and at public rates, provided you do not disclose that you learned of the Vendor through Atomic Trips or seek favored terms using that relationship.
27A.5 Non Solicitation of Staff and Contractors
27A.5.1 For twenty four months after the later of the trip end date, you will not solicit, recruit, hire, or engage any Atomic Trips employee, host, guide, or contractor to plan or operate a group trip or to provide consulting to a competitor.
27A.5.2 This restriction applies even if the individual is no longer working with Atomic Trips, if your relationship with the individual was formed through Atomic Trips.
27A.6 Non Solicitation of Members and Clients
27A.6.1 For twenty four months after the later of the trip end date, you will not solicit any $5 Travel Club member or Atomic Trips client to purchase competing group travel or to join an alternative travel club or group event if your contact with that person arose through Atomic Trips channels, app, or trips.
27A.6.2 Private, non commercial social interactions are permitted, but must not be used to promote competing offerings.
27A.7 Non Circumvention
27A.7.1 You will not use introductions, contacts, run sheets, or timing obtained through Atomic Trips to arrange discounted or back channel services with Vendors that bypass Atomic Trips for similar or competing group experiences.
27A.7.2 You will not request a Vendor to replicate an Atomic Trips itinerary, sequence, or package for your group or for an affiliate.
27A.7.3 You will not assist any third party in doing the same.
27A.8 Geographic Scope
27A.8.1 These covenants apply in the countries and cities visited on your Atomic Trips departure and in any other destination where Atomic Trips introduced you to Vendors or shared Protected information during your membership.
27A.9 Reasonableness and Blue Pencil
27A.9.1 You acknowledge that the durations and scope above are reasonable to protect Atomic Trips legitimate business interests and that money damages may be inadequate to remedy a breach.
27A.9.2 If any provision is found overbroad, a court may modify it to the minimum scope necessary to be enforceable, and the provision will be enforced as modified.
27A.10 Permitted Exceptions
27A.10.1 Publishing general travel reviews or blog posts that do not disclose Protected information, vendor contacts, or negotiated rates is allowed.
27A.10.2 Speaking factually about your personal experience without disclosing run sheets, private contacts, or internal mechanics is allowed.
27A.10.3 If a Vendor advertises a public tour or service on its website, booking that public offering for your personal use is allowed, provided you do not request special terms based on Atomic Trips.
27A.11 Confidentiality Crossover
27A.11.1 All obligations under Section 27 remain in effect and control the handling of Protected information. This Section adds to, and does not limit, those duties.
27A.12 Remedies for Breach
27A.12.1 Atomic Trips may seek injunctive relief to stop ongoing or threatened breaches without the need to post a bond where permitted by law.
27A.12.2 Atomic Trips may seek damages including lost profits, disgorgement of profits earned through the breach, reasonable enforcement costs, and attorney fees where permitted by law.
27A.12.3 As an alternative measure of damages where actual losses are difficult to quantify, the parties agree that the value of a single breached Vendor relationship used to operate a competing group trip is fairly estimated at ten thousand United States dollars per occurrence, which may be sought as liquidated damages where lawful and not as a penalty.
27A.12.4 Atomic Trips may also enforce membership termination and future booking bans.
27A.13 Cooperation with Investigations
27A.13.1 Upon reasonable request, you agree to provide copies of communications with Vendors or staff if Atomic Trips has a good faith basis to believe a breach has occurred and requests such information to verify compliance, subject to reasonable privacy protections.
27A.14 Examples
27A.14.1 Unacceptable: contacting the trip’s private coach company using the manager’s direct email shared in the run sheet to quote a coach for your own paid group tour two months after the trip.
27A.14.2 Unacceptable: asking a restaurant from the itinerary to replicate the group tasting menu for a rival travel club using the same negotiated rate and name dropping Atomic Trips.
27A.14.3 Acceptable: booking a public museum tour listed on the museum’s website for yourself and a friend at the posted public price without using Atomic Trips contacts.
27A.14.4 Unacceptable: recruiting five travelers you met on the trip into a WhatsApp group and pitching them a paid rival group tour using the same vendors and sequence.
27A.15 Survival
27A.15.1 The obligations in this Section survive the trip, any membership termination, and any dispute, and remain in effect for the durations stated.
27A.16 Cross References
27A.16.1 Section 27 for Confidentiality and Professional Conduct.
27A.16.2 Section 21 and Section 22 for Media, Privacy, and Social Content limitations.
27A.16.3 Section 20 for Enforcement and Dispute Resolution.
27A.16.4 Section 38 for Limitations of Liability and Damages Cap.
27A.16.5 Section 49 for Gifts, Barter, and Vendor Conduct.
28. LEGAL JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND ARBITRATION
28.1 Purpose
28.1.1 This Section sets the governing law, forum, and dispute resolution process for any claim arising out of membership in the $5 Travel Club or participation in an Atomic Trips program.
28.2 Governing Law
28.2.1 These bylaws and any dispute or claim are governed by the laws of Nevada, without regard to conflict of law principles.
28.2.2 The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods does not apply.
28.3 Agreement to Arbitrate
28.3.1 Except for the limited exceptions below, any claim, dispute, or controversy between you and Atomic Trips that in any way relates to these bylaws, your membership, or any trip shall be resolved by binding individual arbitration.
28.3.2 The Federal Arbitration Act governs interpretation and enforcement of this agreement to arbitrate.
28.4 Arbitration Provider and Rules
28.4.1 Arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Consumer Arbitration Rules then in effect.
28.4.2 If the AAA is unavailable, another nationally recognized administrator with similar consumer rules will be selected by mutual agreement or by a court if the parties cannot agree.
28.4.3 The arbitrator has exclusive authority to resolve threshold issues about the scope, enforceability, or formation of this arbitration agreement, including any claim that all or part is void or voidable.
28.5 Filing Location and Hearing Format
28.5.1 You may choose to conduct the arbitration by video conference, telephone, or on written submissions if the arbitrator permits.
28.5.2 If an in person hearing is required, it will take place in Clark County, Nevada, unless both parties agree to a different location.
28.6 Pre Arbitration Notice and Informal Resolution
28.6.1 Before filing, the party seeking relief must send a Notice of Dispute that includes name, contact information, a brief description of the claim, and the requested relief.
28.6.2 Send the notice by email and certified mail to the address listed in Section 35 or the most recent address posted by Atomic Trips.
28.6.3 The parties will attempt in good faith to resolve the dispute within thirty days after the notice is received. Either party may then commence arbitration if no resolution is reached.
28.7 Class Action and Representative Action Waiver
28.7.1 Arbitration will occur on an individual basis only. Class actions, class arbitrations, private attorney general actions, and consolidation of claims with other proceedings are not permitted.
28.7.2 The arbitrator may grant relief only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to resolve that party’s claim.
28.8 Small Claims Court Option
28.8.1 Either party may bring an individual action in a court of competent jurisdiction that handles small claims, so long as the action remains in that forum and proceeds on an individual basis.
28.9 Injunctive Relief Carve Out
28.9.1 Either party may seek temporary or preliminary injunctive relief in a court located in Clark County, Nevada to protect confidential information, intellectual property, or enforce Section 27 and Section 27A, while arbitration is pending.
28.9.2 Requests for such interim relief do not waive the obligation to arbitrate damages or other claims.
28.10 Fees and Costs
28.10.1 The AAA filing and arbitrator fees will be paid as required by the Consumer Arbitration Rules. Where those rules require Atomic Trips to pay certain fees to ensure the arbitration remains accessible, Atomic Trips will do so.
28.10.2 Each party bears its own attorneys’ fees and costs unless a statute provides otherwise or the arbitrator determines a claim or defense was frivolous or brought for an improper purpose.
28.11 Procedure and Remedies
28.11.1 The arbitrator may award any relief that would be available in court under applicable law, consistent with these bylaws.
28.11.2 The arbitrator will issue a reasoned written decision that includes essential findings and conclusions.
28.12 Confidentiality
28.12.1 The arbitration, including all filings, evidence, and the award, will remain confidential to the fullest extent permitted by law, except as needed to enforce or vacate an award or as required by a regulator or court.
28.13 Time Limits to Bring Claims
28.13.1 To the extent permitted by law, any claim must be filed within one year after it accrues. Claims filed after one year are permanently barred.
28.14 Venue for Court Proceedings
28.14.1 For any dispute that is not subject to arbitration or that seeks interim injunctive relief as permitted above, the exclusive venue will be the state and federal courts located in Clark County, Nevada, and the parties consent to personal jurisdiction there.
28.15 Jury Trial Waiver
28.15.1 If a dispute proceeds in court rather than arbitration, the parties waive any right to a jury trial.
28.16 Severability
28.16.1 If the class action waiver is found unenforceable as to any claim, that claim must proceed in court and not in arbitration.
28.16.2 If any other provision of this Section is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect and are enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law.
28.17 Survival
28.17.1 This Section 28 survives membership termination, trip completion, payment disputes, and any transfer or assignment of rights.
28.18 Updates to This Section
28.18.1 Atomic Trips may update this Section prospectively. Changes apply to claims that arise after the effective date of the update. Material changes will be posted in the app and emailed to members.
28.19 Cross References
28.19.1 Section 20 for Code Enforcement and internal dispute resolution steps.
28.19.2 Section 24 for chargebacks and refund processes.
28.19.3 Section 27 and Section 27A for confidentiality and non compete remedies subject to the injunctive relief carve out.
28.19.4 Section 38 for damages caps and exclusions.
29. ELIGIBILITY, AGE, AND ROOMING POLICIES
(updated with “years old” phrasing)
29.1 Purpose
29.1.1 This Section defines who may participate and how rooming is managed on group departures. It protects traveler safety, hotel relations, and the predictability of operations.
29.2 Membership and Trip Eligibility
29.2.1 Good standing. Participation requires an active $5 Travel Club membership in good standing, full compliance with these bylaws, and a current payment plan under Section 23.
29.2.2 Essential eligibility. Travelers must meet Section 7 essential eligibility with or without reasonable accommodations that do not materially alter the program.
29.2.3 Legal ability to travel. Travelers must be legally able to enter the destination countries and return to their home country. See Section 31.
29.3 Age Tags and Who May Book
29.3.1 Default standard. Most departures are 21 years old and older due to adult oriented pacing, late dinners, and alcohol forward culinary programming.
29.3.2 Holiday framework. Holiday itineraries are tagged individually and may differ by date and theme:
(a) Pre Christmas Market trips. Tagged 21 years old and older only.
(b) New Year’s trips. Tagged 21 years old and older only.
(c) Christmas week trips that include Christmas Eve or Christmas Day travel. Tagged 14 years old and older with a parent or legal guardian. These departures are priced higher due to seasonal inventory, demand, and holiday programming.
29.3.3 Designation controls. The age tag on the trip brief controls eligibility. If a trip is not expressly tagged 14 years old and older, it is 21 years old and older.
29.3.4 Proof of age. Government issued photo ID is required at check in and for any age restricted venue.
29.4 Minors on 14 Years Old and Older Departures
29.4.1 Supervision. A parent or legal guardian must travel in the same booking and is responsible for continuous supervision. One adult may supervise up to two minors unless Atomic Trips approves otherwise in writing.
29.4.2 Rooming. Minors must room with their parent or legal guardian unless a connecting room is confirmed. Hotels may require a guardian in each room.
29.4.3 Age restricted venues. Some tastings or venues remain 21 years old and older. When that occurs, minors will be routed to a suitable alternative space or provided free time with their guardian. No refund is due where a lawful alternative is provided.
29.4.4 Curfews and hotel rules. Local curfews or property policies for minors will be followed.
29.5 Identification and Documents at Check In
29.5.1 Present a valid government issued photo ID that matches the booking name and, where required, a valid passport and visa.
29.5.2 Hotels may require a credit card from each room occupant for incidentals.
29.6 Rooming Types and Definitions
29.6.1 Double occupancy. Two travelers share a room with one bed or two beds as contracted.
29.6.2 Single occupancy. A private room for one traveler, usually with a supplemental fee.
29.6.3 Triple occupancy. Offered only when expressly stated and may involve a rollaway or sofa bed.
29.6.4 Roommate match. A courtesy that pairs solo travelers who request to share and agree to the matching rules below. Matching is not offered for minors with unrelated travelers.
29.7 Roommate Matching Rules
29.7.1 Matching considers practical factors such as sleep schedule, snoring disclosure, and sensitivities. Gender identity is respected.
29.7.2 If a match fails due to conduct that violates these bylaws, the offending traveler covers any re rooming costs, including single supplements created by the change.
29.7.3 If incompatibility arises without misconduct and no swap is available, travelers may remain in the assigned room or elect a single supplement at their own cost.
29.8 Gender Respectful Rooming
29.8.1 Travelers select their rooming preference during onboarding. Options include sharing with a traveler of the same gender, sharing with a named traveler, or selecting a single room.
29.8.2 Non binary and transgender travelers are matched according to their selected preference. Staff will not disclose a traveler’s gender history without consent.
29.9 Couples and Named Roommate Requests
29.9.1 Couples and named friends who request to share will be roomed together when inventory allows.
29.9.2 If a named roommate cancels or is removed, the remaining traveler may accept a new match or a single supplement. See Section 23.
29.10 Bed Types and Room Features
29.10.1 Bed type requests are collected as a courtesy and cannot be guaranteed. Historic and boutique properties may have varied layouts and bed sizes. Air conditioning, elevators, and bathtubs are not guaranteed unless stated in the brief.
29.11 Room Changes During the Trip
29.11.1 Preference based changes are subject to availability and at the traveler’s cost.
29.11.2 Changes required for safety or enforcement will be managed by staff. Costs caused by misconduct are the traveler’s responsibility.
29.12 Quiet Hours and In Room Conduct
29.12.1 Quiet hours follow hotel policy or staff notice. Parties are not permitted in guest rooms.
29.12.2 Smoking and vaping rules in Section 15 apply. Property cleaning or alarm fees are the traveler’s responsibility.
29.13 Visitors and Overnight Guests
29.13.1 Visitors not on the manifest are not permitted in group rooms or at group activities.
29.13.2 Overnight guests who are not booked on the trip are prohibited and may result in removal.
29.14 Room Damages and Incidentals
29.14.1 Each room occupant is responsible for damages and incidentals. Atomic Trips may charge the card on file for vendor claims you acknowledge in writing. See Section 23.
29.15 Security and Personal Property
29.15.1 Keep valuables secured in closed luggage when away from the room. We do not recommend using in room safes because items are frequently forgotten inside. See Section 16.
29.16 Illustrative Examples
29.16.1 Acceptable: booking a Christmas week trip with a 16-year-old traveler and sharing a room as a parent and minor, understanding some venues will be substituted for non alcohol alternatives.
29.16.2 Unacceptable: attempting to book a pre-Christmas Market trip with a 17-year-old traveler where the trip brief is tagged 21 years old and older.
29.16.3 Acceptable: a 21 years old and older traveler requesting twin beds during onboarding and recognizing the request is a courtesy.
29.16.4 Unacceptable: inviting a non member local friend to stay overnight in a group room.
29.17 Cross References
29.17.1 Section 7 for essential eligibility and self care.
29.17.2 Section 10 for respect toward staff and compliance with instructions.
29.17.3 Section 15 for smoking and vaping restrictions.
29.17.4 Section 16 for personal belongings and theft disclaimer.
29.17.5 Section 23 for payment plans and single supplements.
29.17.6 Section 31 for passports, visas, and entry compliance.