Terms & Conditions

1️⃣ Acceptance of Terms

1.1 Agreement to Terms

These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and TripMate, Inc. ("TripMate," "we," "our," or "us") governing your access to and use of the TripMate mobile application and related services (collectively, the "Service").

1.2 Age Requirements

• You must be at least 13 years old to use TripMate
• If you are between 13 and 18 years old, you must have permission from a parent or legal guardian
• By using the Service, you represent that you meet these age requirements

1.3 Legal Capacity

You represent that you have the legal capacity to enter into this binding agreement. If you are using the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

1.4 Parental Consent

If you are a parent or guardian providing consent for a minor to use TripMate, you agree to be bound by these Terms on behalf of the minor and to supervise their use of the Service.

2️⃣ Description of Service

2.1 What TripMate Provides

TripMate is a travel planning and community platform that provides:

• AI-powered travel assistant and recommendations
• Group trip planning and collaboration tools
• Expense tracking and splitting features
• Travel community and social features
• Itinerary creation and management
• Real-time communication and updates

2.2 Service Availability

• TripMate is available via mobile applications for iOS and Android
• Service availability may vary by geographic location
• We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Service at any time

2.3 Modifications to Service

We may update, change, or discontinue features of the Service without prior notice. We will make reasonable efforts to notify users of material changes, but we are not obligated to do so.

2.4 Beta Features

We may offer beta or experimental features that are still in development. These features are provided "as is" without warranties and may be modified or removed at any time.

3️⃣ User Accounts

3.1 Account Creation

To use TripMate, you must create an account. When creating your account:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and update your information to keep it accurate
• Create only one account per person
• Do not share your account credentials with others

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your password
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach

3.3 Account Suspension and Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account if:

• You violate these Terms or our Community Guidelines
• We detect fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
• Required by law or legal process
• Your account has been inactive for an extended period

4️⃣ Acceptable Use Policy

4.1 Prohibited Activities

You agree not to engage in any of the following prohibited activities:

Illegal Activities

• Using the Service for any illegal purpose
• Violating any local, state, national, or international laws
• Facilitating illegal activities through trip planning

Harassment and Abuse

• Harassing, bullying, or threatening other users
• Engaging in hate speech or discriminatory behavior
• Stalking or unwanted contact with other users
• Sexual harassment or inappropriate advances

Spam and Scams

• Sending unsolicited commercial messages or spam
• Operating fraudulent schemes or scams
• Phishing attempts or identity theft
• Promoting pyramid schemes or multi-level marketing

Impersonation and False Identity

• Impersonating another person or entity
• Creating fake accounts or profiles
• Providing false information about your identity
• Misrepresenting your affiliation with any person or organization

Malicious Content

• Sharing viruses, malware, or other harmful code
• Distributing content that could damage or disrupt the Service
• Attempting to gain unauthorized access to systems or data

Reverse Engineering and Hacking

• Reverse engineering, decompiling, or disassembling the Service
• Attempting to hack or breach security measures
• Using automated tools to access or scrape the Service
• Circumventing usage limits or restrictions

Commercial Use

• Using the Service for unauthorized commercial purposes
• Selling or reselling access to the Service
• Using the Service to compete with TripMate

Intellectual Property Violations

• Infringing on copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights
• Sharing pirated content or unauthorized materials
• Violating others' privacy or publicity rights

4.2 Content Standards

All content you share on TripMate must:

• Be accurate and truthful to the best of your knowledge
• Not violate any third-party rights
• Comply with our Community Guidelines
• Be appropriate for a diverse, global audience

4.3 Prohibited Content Types

• Explicit sexual content or pornography
• Graphic violence or gore
• Content promoting self-harm or suicide
• Content depicting or promoting illegal drugs
• Copyright-infringing material
• Private or confidential information of others

4.4 Content Moderation

We reserve the right to:

• Review, monitor, and remove any content at our discretion
• Take action against users who violate these standards
• Report illegal activity to law enforcement

5️⃣ Trip Planning & Group Features

5.1 Trip Creation & Management

When you create a trip:

• You are responsible for the accuracy of trip information
• You act as the trip organizer and have certain administrative controls
• You can invite members using invite codes
• You may delete the trip, subject to expense settlement

5.2 Group Member Obligations

As a trip member, you agree to:

• Participate in good faith and communicate honestly
• Respect other members' contributions and opinions
• Settle your share of expenses fairly and promptly
• Notify the group of any changes to your participation

5.3 Invite Code Usage

• Invite codes are for personal use only
• Do not share invite codes publicly or with unauthorized persons
• Trip creators can revoke invite codes at any time

5.4 Trip Deletion Policies

• Trip creators may delete trips they have created
• Deleting a trip removes it for all members
• Expense records may be retained for accounting purposes
• Members should export important data before trip deletion

5.5 Expense Tracking

Regarding expense tracking:

• Enter expenses accurately and honestly
• TripMate calculates suggested splits but does not enforce payments
• Resolve expense disputes directly with group members
• TripMate is not responsible for unpaid or disputed expenses

5.6 Dispute Resolution Process

For disputes within groups:

• Communicate directly with other members first
• Use trip organizer mediation if available
• TripMate may provide guidance but cannot enforce resolutions
• Serious violations should be reported through our reporting system

6️⃣ Subscriptions & Payments

6.1 Free & Premium Tiers

TripMate offers two service tiers:

Free Tier

• 12 AI chat queries per month
• 3 AI itineraries per month
• Unlimited trip creation and group features
• Basic expense tracking

Premium Tier ($3.99/month)

• 150 AI chat queries per month (12x more)
• 15 AI itineraries per month (5x more)
• Priority AI responses
• Early access to new features

6.2 Subscription Terms

Billing Cycles

• Subscriptions are billed monthly or annually
• Billing occurs on the date you subscribe and renews automatically
• Usage limits reset at the start of each billing period

Auto-Renewal

• Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled
• You will be charged at the then-current subscription rate
• Cancel at least 24 hours before the renewal date to avoid charges

Price Changes

• We may change subscription prices with 30 days' notice
• Price changes apply to renewal periods after the notice
• Existing subscribers maintain current pricing until renewal

Payment Processing

• Payments are processed through Apple App Store or Google Play Store
• Your payment method will be charged at the time of purchase
• TripMate uses RevenueCat for subscription management

6.3 Cancellation & Refunds

How to Cancel

• Cancel through your App Store or Google Play account settings
• Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period
• You retain premium access until the end of the paid period

Refund Policy

• Refunds are subject to App Store and Google Play policies
• Generally, no refunds for partial subscription periods
• Contact Apple or Google directly for refund requests
• TripMate does not control the refund process

Effect of Cancellation

• Upon cancellation, you revert to the Free tier
• Unused premium features are forfeited
• Your trip and expense data remains accessible

6.4 Free Trial (if applicable)

• We may offer free trials of Premium features
• Free trials automatically convert to paid subscriptions unless cancelled
• One free trial per user
• Trial terms will be disclosed at sign-up

7️⃣ AI Features

7.1 AI Service Usage

Our AI features are subject to:

• Usage limits based on your subscription tier
• Fair use policies to prevent abuse
• Rate limiting during high-demand periods

7.2 AI Response Accuracy

• AI responses are generated by third-party AI systems
• Recommendations may contain errors or outdated information
• You are responsible for verifying all travel information
• AI suggestions should not be the sole basis for travel decisions

7.3 No Guarantee of Results

We do not guarantee that:

• AI recommendations will meet your expectations
• Itineraries will be feasible or optimal
• Suggested activities will be available or enjoyable
• AI responses will always be appropriate or relevant

7.4 AI-Generated Content Ownership

• You retain ownership of your queries and inputs
• AI-generated content is provided for your personal use
• You may use AI-generated content for trip planning
• We may use anonymized data to improve AI features

7.5 Rate Limiting and Fair Use

• Usage limits prevent system abuse and ensure fair access
• Exceeding limits may result in temporary restrictions
• Premium subscribers receive priority access
• We may adjust limits based on system capacity

8️⃣ Intellectual Property

8.1 TripMate's Rights

TripMate and its licensors own all rights to:

• The TripMate application, code, and design
• TripMate trademarks, logos, and branding
• Proprietary algorithms and technology
• All content we create (except user-generated content)

8.2 User Content Rights

Your Ownership

• You retain all ownership rights to content you create
• This includes trip descriptions, photos, messages, and reviews

License to TripMate

By posting content on TripMate, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to:

• Use, reproduce, and display your content within the Service
• Store and process your content to provide the Service
• Share your content with other trip members as directed by you
• Use anonymized, aggregated data for analytics and improvement

Our Right to Remove Content

We reserve the right to remove any content that:

• Violates these Terms or Community Guidelines
• Infringes on intellectual property rights
• Is reported by users as inappropriate
• Poses security or legal risks

8.3 Copyright Infringement

We respect intellectual property rights. If you believe content on TripMate infringes your copyright:

• Submit a DMCA notice to copyright@tripmate.com
• Include: your contact information, description of copyrighted work, location of infringing content, and a statement of good faith belief
• We will investigate and take appropriate action

8.4 Trademark Use

• You may not use TripMate trademarks without written permission
• Do not create derivative works using our branding
• Report unauthorized trademark use to legal@tripmate.com

9️⃣ Disclaimers & Limitations of Liability

9.1 Service Availability

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND.

• We do not warrant that the Service will be error-free or uninterrupted
• Scheduled maintenance may temporarily limit access
• Geographic restrictions may apply in certain regions

9.2 Travel Information Disclaimer

Important limitations regarding travel recommendations:

• AI recommendations are suggestions only, not professional advice
• We do not verify or endorse travel destinations or activities
• Travel conditions, safety, and regulations change frequently
• You are solely responsible for your travel decisions and safety
• Consult official sources for travel advisories and requirements

9.3 No Liability for Travel Outcomes

TripMate is not responsible for:

• Travel disruptions, cancellations, or delays
• Safety issues or injuries during travel
• Financial losses related to trips
• Disputes between travelers
• Quality of third-party services (hotels, airlines, etc.)
• Acts of God, terrorism, political instability, or pandemics

9.4 Third-Party Services

We are not responsible for:

• Content, products, or services provided by third parties
• Links to external websites or apps
• Actions or omissions of other users
• Payment processing by app stores

9.5 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

• TripMate's total liability is limited to the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim (or $100, whichever is greater)
• We are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
• This includes lost profits, data loss, or business interruption
• These limitations apply even if we've been advised of the possibility of such damages

9.6 Force Majeure

We are not liable for failures caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including:

• Natural disasters, pandemics, or acts of God
• War, terrorism, or civil unrest
• Government actions or regulations
• Strikes, labor disputes, or supply chain disruptions
• Internet or telecommunications failures

🔟 Indemnification

10.1 Your Indemnification Obligations

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless TripMate, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including attorney fees) arising from:

• Your use or misuse of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms or applicable laws
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Content you post or share on TripMate
• Your interactions with other users
• Your travel decisions based on the Service

10.2 Defense Obligations

• We may assume exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification
• You will cooperate with us in defending such claims
• You will not settle any claim without our prior written consent

1️⃣1️⃣ Termination

11.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time:

• Through app settings: Account → Delete Account
• By contacting support@tripmate.com
• Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone

11.2 Data After Deletion

Upon account deletion:

• Personal information is deleted within 30 days
• Shared trip data may remain visible to other members
• Expense records may be retained for legal/accounting purposes
• Some data may persist in backups for up to 90 days

11.3 Termination by TripMate

We may suspend or terminate your account immediately if:

• You violate these Terms or Community Guidelines
• We detect fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
• Required by law or legal process
• Your account poses a security risk
• You engage in harassment or harmful behavior

11.4 Notice of Termination

• We will provide notice of termination when reasonably possible
• Immediate termination may occur for serious violations
• You may appeal termination decisions to appeals@tripmate.com

11.5 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to use the Service immediately ceases
• Outstanding subscription fees remain due
• No refunds for unused subscription periods
• Sections of these Terms that should survive termination will remain in effect

1️⃣2️⃣ Dispute Resolution

12.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of [Your State/Country], without regard to conflict of law principles.

12.2 Jurisdiction

You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts located in [Your Jurisdiction] for resolution of any disputes.

12.3 Informal Resolution

Before filing a legal claim:

• Contact us at legal@tripmate.com describing the dispute
• We will attempt to resolve the matter informally
• Allow 30 days for informal resolution efforts

12.4 Arbitration (Optional - Consult Legal Counsel)

You may agree to resolve disputes through binding arbitration:

• Arbitration conducted under [Arbitration Association] rules
• Conducted in [Location]
• Arbitrator's decision is final and binding
• Each party bears their own costs unless otherwise awarded

12.5 Class Action Waiver (Optional - Consult Legal Counsel)

To the extent permitted by law, you waive the right to participate in class actions or representative proceedings against TripMate.

12.6 Exceptions

Either party may seek injunctive relief in court for:

• Intellectual property infringement
• Misuse of confidential information
• Violations requiring immediate action

1️⃣3️⃣ Modifications to Terms

13.1 Right to Modify

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Modifications may be necessary for:

• Legal or regulatory compliance
• New features or service changes
• Security or safety improvements
• Clarification or correction of existing terms

13.2 Notification Methods

We will notify you of material changes through:

• Email to your registered address
• In-app notification
• Prominent notice on our website
• Updated "Last Modified" date at the top of this page

13.3 Acceptance of Changes

• Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance
• If you don't agree with changes, you must stop using the Service
• Material changes may include a notice period before taking effect

13.4 Review Responsibility

You are responsible for regularly reviewing these Terms. We recommend checking for updates periodically.

1️⃣4️⃣ General Provisions

14.1 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable:

• That provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid
• If modification is not possible, the provision will be severed
• The remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect

14.2 Entire Agreement

• These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and TripMate
• They supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and communications
• No oral modifications are binding

14.3 Waiver

• Our failure to enforce any right or provision is not a waiver
• Waiver of any term must be in writing and signed by us

14.4 Assignment

• You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our consent
• We may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

14.5 Survival

The following sections survive termination:

• Intellectual Property
• Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability
• Indemnification
• Dispute Resolution
• General Provisions

14.6 Language

These Terms are provided in English. Translations may be available, but the English version controls in case of conflicts.

14.7 Contact for Legal Notices

Legal notices to TripMate must be sent to:

• Email: legal@tripmate.com
• Mail: TripMate, Inc., [Your Address]

1️⃣5️⃣ Contact Information