ASTA's policies are established by a National Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has 16 members as follows: 8 Directors At-Large; 3 Directors elected by the Chapter Presidents' Council; 1 Small Business Network Member Director, 2 Directors elected by the ASTA Corporate Advisory Council, and one Consortium Director. The Chief Executive Officer is a Director ex officio.
The Board of Directors has an
Executive Committee consisting of the following corporate officers (also called National Officers): Chairman; Vice President/Secretary; Treasurer; Chair of the Corporate Advisory Council and Chief Executive Officer as an ex officio, non-voting member.
Volunteer participation in the various committees, councils and boards support the Society's many programs, policies and research.
Travelers depend on travel agencies and others affiliated with ASTA to guide them honestly and competently. Therefore, all ASTA members pledge to conduct their business activities in a manner that promotes the ideal of integrity in travel and, as
an express condition of membership in the association, to act in accordance with all applicable provisions of the ASTA Code of Ethics, as follows:
1. Accuracy. ASTA members will be factual and accurate when providing information about their services and the services of any firm they represent. They will not use deceptive practices.
2. Disclosure. ASTA members will provide in writing, upon written request, complete details about the cost, restrictions, and other terms and conditions, of any travel service sold, including cancellation and service
fee policies. Full details of the time, place, duration, and nature of any sales or promotional presentation the consumer will be required to attend in connection with his/her travel arrangements shall be disclosed in writing before any payment
is accepted.
3. Responsiveness. ASTA members will promptly respond substantively to their clients' complaints.
4. Refunds. ASTA members will remit any undisputed funds under their control within the specified time limit. Reasons for any unavoidable delay in providing funds will be given to the claimant promptly.
Any cancellation penalties or similar fees to be withheld from a refund shall be reasonable in light of all relevant circumstances.
5. Cooperation. ASTA members will cooperate with any inquiry conducted by ASTA to resolve any dispute involving consumers.
6. Confidentiality. ASTA members will treat every client transaction confidentially and not disclose any information without permission of the client, unless required by law.
7. Affiliation. ASTA members will not falsely represent a person's affiliation with their firm.
8. Conflict of Interest. ASTA members will not allow any preferred relationship with a supplier to interfere with the interests of their clients.
9. Compliance. Individual ASTA members and the official representatives of corporate members shall not have been convicted of a violation of any federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting consumers.
Pleas of nolo contendere, consent judgments, judicial or administrative decrees, or orders, and assurances of voluntary compliance and similar agreements with federal or state authorities shall be deemed convictions for purposes of these
provisions.
10. Notice. ASTA members operating tours will promptly advise the advisor or client who reserved the space of any change in itinerary, services, features or price.
11. Delivery. ASTA members operating tours will provide all components as stated in their brochure or written confirmation, or provide alternate services of equal or greater value, or provide appropriate compensation.
12. Credentials. An ASTA member shall not, in exchange for money or otherwise, provide travel advisor credentials to any person as to whom there is no reasonable expectation that the person will engage in a bona fide effort
to sell or manage the sale of travel services to the general public on behalf of the member through the period of validity of such credentials. This principle applies to the ASTA member and all affiliated or commonly controlled enterprises.
Complaints arising under this Code should be filed in writing with the ASTA Consumer Affairs Department. Failure to adhere to this Code may subject a member to disciplinary action, as set forth in ASTA's Bylaws.
