What is USTOA and does membership matter?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 4 November 2026
USTOA is the United States Tour Operators Association. Each Active member posts US$1 million security under its Travelers Assistance Program. This page sets out what that covers and what it does not, from USTOA's own website. It lists 7 companies in the Uncompromised Travel tables whose own websites say they are USTOA members.
What is USTOA and does membership matter?
USTOA membership matters for your money if the company is an Active member: each Active member posts US$1 million security, which reimburses deposits and payments lost if the member fails. The cover is for all of that member's customers together, so in a large failure it may not repay everyone in full. It does not cover you if you cancel.
What the official websites say, read on 4 November 2026:
- An Active member is a tour operator that has done business in the United States; rules include three years in business and 18 references. Source, read 4 November 2026.
- Active members must also carry at least $1 million of professional liability insurance with worldwide cover. Source, read 4 November 2026.
- Each Active member must post $1 million security as a bond, letter of credit or US Treasury bill. Source, read 4 November 2026.
- The programme protects consumers up to $1,000,000 in the aggregate per member security. Source, read 4 November 2026.
- It reimburses tour payments or deposits lost if an Active member goes bankrupt, becomes insolvent or stops trading. Source, read 4 November 2026.
- It also applies if an Active member fails to refund deposits or payments within 120 days of cancelling a tour or package, or of failing to complete it. Source, read 4 November 2026.
- The programme is for Active members only; Associate members are not covered. Source, read 4 November 2026.
- If a large operator fails, the $1 million may not cover all losses. Source, read 4 November 2026.
- Brands under one corporate owner can share a single $1 million security. Source, read 4 November 2026.
- It does not cover a traveller who cancels; that needs trip cancellation insurance. Source, read 4 November 2026.
How do I check USTOA membership?
Look for the Active Member logo and check the company in USTOA's Active Membership Directory.
- Look for the Active Member logo with the programme emblem; USTOA also publishes an Active Membership Directory (ustoa.com/resources/ustoa-active-membership-directory). Source, read 4 November 2026.
Which travel companies are USTOA members?
7 companies in the Uncompromised Travel tables say on their own websites that they are USTOA members; the cards say which name the Travelers Assistance Program.
Luxury tour operators: 6 companies, from the luxury tour operators table.
Classic Journeys
- What its website says
- As an active USTOA member it posts US$1 million under the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program to reimburse advance payments, a sum it says may give only a partial recovery.
- Website
- classicjourneys.com
Collette
- What its website says
- As an active USTOA member it posts US$1 million under the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program to reimburse advance payments, a sum it says may give only a partial recovery.
- Website
- gocollette.com
Globus
- What its website says
- Is an active USTOA member; under the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program the Globus family of brands has posted US$1 million to reimburse advance customer payments on bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business.
- Website
- globusjourneys.com
Goway
- What its website says
- For US customers, as an active USTOA member it posts US$1,000,000 with USTOA to reimburse advance payments if it becomes bankrupt or insolvent; the page calls this the USTOA Plan.
- Website
- goway.com
Quark Expeditions
- What its website says
- Is a member of the United States Tour Operators Association and is covered by its Consumer Protection Plan, posting US$1 million with USTOA.
- Website
- quarkexpeditions.com
VBT Bicycling Vacations
- What its website says
- As a USTOA member it takes part in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program.
- Website
- vbt.com
Local safari operators: 1 company, from the local safari operators table.
Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris
- What its website says
- Says it holds active memberships in RTTA, ATTA and USTOA; no Travelers Assistance Program cover is described.
- Website
- rwandaecocompany.com
USTOA membership: the questions people ask
How much does the USTOA programme cover?
Each Active member posts US$1 million security as a bond, letter of credit or US Treasury bill. It protects consumers up to US$1,000,000 in the aggregate for that member, not per traveller.
What does the USTOA programme pay for?
Tour payments or deposits lost if an Active member goes bankrupt, becomes insolvent or stops trading, or fails to refund them within 120 days of cancelling a tour or failing to complete it.
Are all USTOA members covered?
No. The programme is for Active members only; Associate members are not covered. Brands under one owner can share a single US$1 million security.
Does USTOA cover me if I cancel?
No. USTOA says the programme does not cover a traveller who cancels; that needs trip cancellation insurance.
Who can be a USTOA Active member?
A tour operator that has done business in the United States, with at least three years in business, 18 references and at least US$1 million of professional liability insurance.
Is USTOA the same as ATOL?
No. USTOA is a US association whose Active members post security; ATOL is the UK Civil Aviation Authority's protection for trips that include a flight sold in the UK.
How do I check a USTOA member?
Look for the Active Member logo with the programme emblem and check USTOA's Active Membership Directory.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. A company is on this page because its own website states the scheme; none paid to be listed and none is a partner of Uncompromised Travel.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: what each scheme's own website says (read on 4 November 2026) and what each company's own website says about the scheme, read on the day shown on its card, from the Uncompromised Travel tables. Companies are grouped by table, then in alphabetical order. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. How this site earns · How we work.