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Terms & Conditions
ACCEPTANCE:
Please read these terms and conditions carefully. They incorporate the basis
upon which bookings are accepted and constitute an agreement between you and
Aussie Adventures. Payment for any booking constitutes your acceptance of these
terms and conditions.
PRICING:
Prices are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated. Prices are based on
Australian, New Zealand, Fijian, and Tahiti tariffs which are contracted in
advance and are subject to currency fluctuations, changes in local taxes both
here and overseas and increases by suppliers. Aussie Adventures and our
suppliers reserve the right to amend prices should we incur increased taxes or
any other relevant factors that may result in additional charges, including
dramatic fluctuations in currency. There will be no reimbursement or refund for
price differences due to local specials and local or domestic discounts.
Acceptance of this arrangement is a condition of booking. All prices included
Australian GST (Goods & Services Tax). All prices quoted reflect a 3%
discount for cash/check payment. No discount is provided for credit card
payments.
QUOTES:
All quotes, which have been provided by our office, are subject to change until
payment is made in full.
DEPOSITS:
All bookings require a minimum $250.00 per person non-refundable deposit to hold
and confirm reservations. Some tours require a larger deposit and you will be
notified if this is the case. All deposits paid will be deducted from the final
balance. All monies paid to Aussie Adventures will be either passed on
directly to suppliers at time of collection or will be placed in a trust account
until final payment to suppliers.
PAYMENT:
Full payment is due 60 days prior to your departure from the US or at the time
of booking if departure is with 60 days. Some special tours or accommodations
require earlier payment and you will be advised if this is the case. Late or
non-payment will cause automatic cancellation of your booking. For all bookings
made within 60 days of departure from the U.S., full payment is required on
confirmation. Payment of any money constitutes acceptance of all Terms and
Conditions as described herein by the purchaser and/or passenger.
CHANGES/CANCELLATIONS:
Cancellation penalties may vary depending on the products booked. Cancellation
fees are determined by the date that Aussie Adventures is notified, in writing,
of your cancellation. Cancellations prior to 60 days before departure will
incur a loss of deposit. Cancellations made between 60 and 31 days prior
to departure will incur a fee equal to 50% of the tour cost. Cancellations made
within 31 days of departure will incur a fee of 100% of total tour cost.
Insurance purchases are always non-refundable. Airline change and
cancellation fees vary by airline and are subject to a 100% penalty depending on
the fare. Itinerary changes after full payment may incur a minimum $50
change fee. These fees are the responsibility of the passenger. We strongly
recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to protect your investment.
REFUND
POLICY:
Payments for transportation or travel services not provided to the passenger
shall be refunded less penalties, in accordance with the agree-to terms and
conditions, unless the passenger otherwise instructs Aussie Adventures in
writing. Travel arrangements cancelled, amended or altered after your departure
do not qualify for any refund whatsoever, whether part of a package tour or
individual components, nor can components be substituted for alternative
arrangements. No refund will be made for missed or unused services,
hotels, meals, transfers or tours. Any refund requests must be made in writing
within 30 days of travel.
CAR
RENTALS:
Ask for full details of inclusions and insurance coverage. No
refund on unused days can be made. A bond for the excess (deductible)
and/or petrol (gas) is required to be paid locally. Most Australian
non-metropolitan and Northern Territory car hires do not include unlimited
mileage. Australian Stamp duty applies and must be paid locally. Credit
card rental insurance does not cover cars rented as part of a package. Excess reduction Insurance may
be available locally at the time of rental for an additional fee.
AIRFARES:
Airfares are subject to change without notice. Airfares are only
guaranteed on the date that full payment is received. Changes in airline
flight schedules are beyond the control of Aussie Adventures. Any increased
costs or amendments to an itinerary due to changes in flight schedules are the
responsibility of the passenger. Most airfares are subject to cancellation
penalties, change fees and other rules and regulations determined by each
airline. Airline change and cancellation fees vary by airline and are
subject to a 100% penalty depending on the fare. Changes after full payment
may incur a minimum $250 change fee. These fees are the responsibility of the
passenger.
INSURANCE:
Travel insurance can be purchased to cover some or all penalty costs in the
event you need to cancel or change your travel plans. It also can provide
medical and emergency assistance protections as well as some loss and delay
cover. Travel insurance is available through our office and we will always
try to find the policy that is most appropriate for your needs and competitively
priced.
PASSPORTS/VISAS:
All travelers need a current passport, that will not expire until at least three
months after your return date, to travel to the South Pacific. US and Canadian
citizens require a valid Australian Visa to enter Australia. Electronic Visas
(ETA) may be processed by Aussie Adventures in most cases. When this in
not possible, Visas must be obtained from the Australian Embassy nearest you.
Travelers bearing a passport from a country other than the US or Canada are
advised to check with the Consulate of the country of destination to receive
information pertaining to necessary documents.
ESCORTED
TOUR CHANGES:
As most escorted tours are planned many months
prior to departure, occasionally it is necessary for a tour operator to make
changes based on local conditions. If changes
are required, most will be minor and tour operators reserve the right
to make them whenever necessary. Where significant changes are made prior
to departure, we
will notify you as soon as is reasonably possible.
ESCORTED TOURS
MINIMUM PARTICIPANTS & TOUR CANCELLATIONS:
A minimum number of bookings are required to operate escorted tours and also to
ensure an enjoyable group atmosphere. When sufficient numbers cannot be
achieved, tour operators reserve the right to cancel a scheduled departure. The
decision to operate the tour is usually made 60 days prior to the scheduled tour
departure date, however in some instances, this decision may not be available
until 30 days prior to the departure date.
Tour operators reserve the
right to cancel or alter a tour at any time when unforeseen circumstances arise.
Such circumstances include, but are not limited to: war or threat of war, riot,
civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear
disaster, fire, adverse weather and/or traffic conditions, government action or
for any reason outside of our control. In these circumstances Aussie Adventures
accepts no liability where operators are forced to cancel or alter the tour as a
result of any unforeseen circumstance.
Where a tour is cancelled prior to the departure
date, according to the clauses above, Aussie Adventures or the tour operator
shall endeavor to offer the nearest possible alternative tour (subject to a
refund or further payment to cover any tour price difference). Penalties imposed
by the airlines are the responsibility of the traveler.
SEAT ALLOCATIONS:
Airlines - Seat preferences need
to be requested at the time of booking. Requests will be passed on to
the airlines but cannot be guaranteed.
Tours
- To ensure all passengers enjoy forward and window seating, escorted
coach tour products use a
daily seat rotation system throughout
the tour.
SMOKING:
Government regulations forbid
smoking inside coaches and aircraft within Australia.
Preferences for smoking/non-smoking rooms need to be requested at the time
of booking. Requests will be passed on to hotels but cannot be guaranteed.
RESPONSIBILITIES
AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY:
Aussie Adventures Limited acts as an agent for services provided by operators
and cannot be held liable for any alterations, acts or omissions on the part of
those providing services or any other services incidental thereto. Aussie
Adventures is not liable for any personal injury, death, loss or property damage
that may occur due to any wrongful, negligent or arbitrary acts or omissions on
the part of a supplier, its employees or person rendering services; defects or
failures of any aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle or other equipment under
the control of independent suppliers; any delays in departure or interruption of
arrangements caused by weather conditions, technical difficulties of any
aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle, strikes, war, quarantine, terrorist
activity, civil commotion, criminal activity, force majeure or act of God.
Baggage and personal effects are the passenger's own risk. It is the
responsibility of the passenger to obtain travel insurance. Aussie Adventures
and the operators involved in this program shall be exempt from all liability in
respect of any detention, delay, loss, damage, sickness or injury however caused
and of whatever kind occurring by any conveyance or property used or utilized by
an operator. The passage contract in use by the operators concerned constitutes
the sole contract between the operators and the purchasers of travel
arrangements. As your travel agent we will forward deposits and other payments
made to us on to the operator of services on your behalf. Those suppliers, not
Aussie Adventures, are financially responsible to you when the supplier does not
perform as promised. Aussie Adventures reserves the right to correct any error
or omission of information prior to final payment being received. It is agreed
that this Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of Colorado and that proper venue for any action
arising from or related to this Agreement shall be Boulder County, Colorado.
Click
Here for
a printable copy of Terms & Conditions (includes
credit card authorization form).
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