Prestige Club Policies
Membership The Prestige Club is designed for bank customers who maintain a special banking relationship with First State Bank with the following minimum balances: $2,500 in checking, or $2,500 in savings, or $5,000 in a Money Market, or $10,000 in a CD (Certificate of Deposit). After Feb, 1996, an age requirement of 55 years or older was added.
Features Membership in the Prestige Club entitles its members to a special rates on CDs, one free Prestige Club checking account, a bi-monthly newsletter, group travel, movies, parties, brunch and seminars.
Eligibility Account eligibility will be reviewed periodically. You will be contacted if your account balances fall below the minimum to give you an opportunity to bring your balances back to the minimum.
Privacy Policy Information about our members is shared within the confines of the Club newsletter, such as photos and member names. Please let me know if you do not want information about yourself printed in the newsletter or in any other communication that is shared within our membership. Your wishes will be respected in this matter.
Advisory Board Members are encouraged to volunteer for membership on the Advisory Board. Members of the board help plan activities for the Club as well as acting as ambassadors for the Club.
Philosophy Offering group travel with friends and neighbors is a benefit to our members. All details and reservations have been taken care of so that you can enjoy a well-planned, worry-free trip. We work to secure the best seats and rooms possible. We aim to provide you with a first class trip for the best price.
Responsibilities While trips are sponsored by First State Bank, travel services may be provided by other companies. The Prestige Club and First State Bank act only as agents for the passenger and therefore can assume no responsibility for and cannot be held liable for any personal injury, property damage or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity which may be occasioned by actions or omission of suppliers or other parties. We are not responsible to any person for expense, loss of time or money, or other circumstances resulting form a change in itinerary or change in tour arrangements.
Travel Information Approximately 5-7 days before a trip, all travelers will receive a letter from the Coordinator with all details about the trip. In most cases, pickup points will be available in one or more of the towns where our bank is located. We regret that personal requests for other pickup arrangements will not be possible.
Assisted Travel Any person who cannot travel independently and who would need special assistance must be accompanied by a companion who will be able to assist and assume responsibility for this person. Accommodations for special needs can be arranged ahead of time (lift in motorcoach, diet, wheelchairs, 1st floor rooms, etc.) Please check with the Coordinator to determine if all the needs of the traveler can be accommodated on a specific trip.
Travel Sign-Up All trips are announced in the newsletter. You can sign up at any bank location by contacting the Coordinator or a Personal Banker. First preference is given to our members. Guests of a Prestige club member are always welcome at no extra charge. Occasionally a trip may be opened up to the community.
Waiting List If all reservations are taken, we will begin a waiting list. No deposit will be required at this time. Cancellations can happen, even up to the day of the trip, and we want to fill any available seats. (See Cancellations below). In the event of a cancellation, you will be contacted in the order that you are listed on the Waiting List.
Pricing The pricing of the trips is based on projected number of travelers on a break-even basis. If that number is not reached, our club may join another group so that the trip will not have to be cancelled. The price listed for each trip is per person. Although every effort is made to adhere to the prices as they are printed, it may happen that prices may have to be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances.
Payment Payment or deposits are expected when you make your reservation. Most trips include an attraction or accommodation that requires a down payment well in advance of the trip. Booking this far ahead ensures that the best seats and rooms will be reserved for our group. Generally, the longer the trip, the further in advance the payments are required. Full payments or down payment holds your seat. You will be contacted if you have not made a payment by the deadline.
Refunds If a trip is cancelled or you cancel before the last payment deadline, you will receive full refund of any payments made. If you cancel after the last payment deadline, we will do our best to find a replacement, in which case full refund can be made. If no replacement is found, we will do our best to secure as much of your payment as possible. We must abide by the refund policies of all the vendors involved. See Cancellations and Travel Insurance below.
Cancellations Please notify the Club Coordinator as soon as possible if you must cancel. This helps ensure the maximum refund possible as well as offering people on a waiting list an opportunity to go. We will try to find a substitute traveler and refund as much payment as possible from the vendors to whom payments have been made.
Travel Insurance Travel Insurance is available for most trips and recommended for extended trips. If coverage is included in the price, this will be disclosed to you.
Tips/Gratuities Whenever possible, all tips and gratuities for bus drivers, luggage handling, waitresses and guides are included in the cost of a trip. You will be notified when this is not the case.
Emergency Forms All travelers will be asked to fill out an emergency form with information such as contact friend or relative, insurance, medications and doctor's name. This form should be kept with you at all times. These forms are kept confidential.
