Terms & Conditions
This page is maintained in English only, as it describes binding contractual terms.
The following general terms and conditions apply, however regional circumstances and regulations, contractual obligations to suppliers, and matters relating to location, product type and supply logistics may cause these to be varied slightly for specific products, or specific destinations.
Company Responsibility & Liability
The company acts as an agent for service providers and has taken due care and responsibility to verify and check all information on our web sites as at the time of compilation, however, as this information is supplied by the relevant accommodation & tour/cruise operators in our brochures, it accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracy or misdescription contained in the publications.
The company does not accept any liability of whatever nature for the acts, omissions or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of those service providers, and disclaims responsibility for injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expenses or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by force majeure or other events which are beyond our control.
Verification of Information
It is essential that you check with us, or your travel agent, for any changes or variations to the information shown on our web sites.
Rates and Price Variations
We reserve the right to vary prices and rates in the event of changes in exchange rates or price rises made by wholesalers or other suppliers. If the cost of any service increases due to exchange rate fluctuations, price increases, tax changes or any other reason, you are required to pay the increase when notified by us or you may cancel the booking which may result in cancellation fees.
Rates quoted are appropriate to the particular product at the time of quoting and these rates may change prior to the travel date. All prices are subject to availability and can be withdrawn or varied without notice.
Deposits
50% cost of the tour and full payment of the special fare air ticket will be required to be paid 45 days prior to the arrival, or at the time of booking if this is less than 45 days. The full amount will be paid at the time of confirmation / 30 days prior to the date of arrival.
Bookings over Christmas and New Year and peak months (November & February) (Festive Season): the above deposits will be 60–90 days prior to commencement of the tour. These dates are non-refundable and we recommend travel insurance from your home country.
Bookings Made Within 45 Days
Bookings made within 45 days of travel must provide a credit card guarantee at the time of booking. If the booking is available exactly as requested, full payment will automatically be taken, except during the Christmas and New Year period and peak season (November & February, which require a 60–90 day cut-off period depending on the class of hotels used).
Final Payment
Final payment is due 45 days prior to travel date, except Christmas, New Year, November & February (as stated above). No vouchers will be issued until final payment is received in our office.
Please note the final payment may vary from the original booking price or quote if the product is subject to exchange rate fluctuations or price rises by wholesalers or other suppliers.
Credit Card Fees
A card fee will be applied automatically to credit card payments: 2.40% for Mastercard/Visa, 3.50% for American Express. These fees cover a range of costs associated with processing bookings paid for by credit card, including merchant fees, payment processing costs, administration costs, the cost of maintaining IT systems used for payment security to minimise fraud, and chargebacks and associated fees.
Payments made by direct deposit / SWIFT bank transfer do not attract any fees.
Standard Cancellation Policy
- Bookings cancelled inside 30 days — non-refundable.
- Deposited bookings cancelled 30 or more days prior to travel — deposit is non-refundable, plus you will be charged any cancellation fees levied by the supplier.
- Fully paid bookings cancelled 30 days or more prior to travel — deposit plus any fees levied by the supplier are non-refundable.
- Credit card refunds will be less the bank charges indicated above.
Flight Cancellation Policy
Flight bookings are totally non-refundable or transferable. Cancellations must be in writing and addressed to the consultant handling the booking. If a credit has been approved, it is valid for 6 months from the date the cancellation was made.
Credit Card Chargeback Fees
Any fees charged to Universal Travels & Allied Services by our credit card payment provider arising from a chargeback or a disputed charge on the cardholder's credit card will be charged to the cardholder. This fee is non-refundable.
Changes After Holiday Commencement
Any alteration or cancellation of services after your holiday has commenced is non-refundable. There is no refund for unused services.
Refunds
All refund requests must be in writing, and made directly to us or through the agent from whom the travel arrangements were purchased. Claims must be made within 10 days of completion of travel arrangements. Refunds will not be made for bookings cancelled due to inclement weather or illness — these must be claimed through your travel insurance. A $50 processing fee applies to all approved refunds. No refunds will be made for services once travel arrangements have commenced. No guarantee is provided or warranted that any refund will be available.
General Provisions
Validity of Rates: Prices are valid for the dates indicated.
Currency: All rates are quoted in U.S. Dollars, or as otherwise indicated.
Children's Rates: Child costs are based on sharing a room with adults and using existing bedding. Cost for additional bedding and rollaways are available on request.
Payment Options: Universal Travels & Allied Services offers a secure server for your credit card payments.
Travel Insurance: It is extremely important that you take out travel insurance from your country. It is essential that this insurance covers you for involuntary cancellation of your holiday, including airfare(s).
Accommodation: Accommodation is as specified in your tour program. We reserve the right to offer alternative accommodation of a similar standard in case the accommodation operator overbooks their property, or for any reason beyond our control. All rates are subject to change without notice. Not all properties provide instant availability; in these cases we check availability once we receive the booking request.
Flights: Airfares show instant availability and fares at the time of quoting.
Check In / Check Out Times: These vary according to operator. Generally, accommodation check-in is 12 noon or 2pm and check-out is 12 noon, depending on hotel policy. Most properties will require a credit card authorisation on check-in and may need to see photo identification.
Single Supplement Costs: If not shown in your selected accommodation cost, this is available on application.
Accommodation Ratings: Based on our own inspections and some in conjunction with existing ratings. Our ratings are for guidance only.
Group and Incentive Travel: As group and conference rates are specially contracted rates specific to that particular group, they have different terms and conditions to standard holidays. If you are booking a group or incentive, please ensure that these conditions are explained to you.
Maps and Graphics: All maps, photographs, illustrations and computer-based graphics are included for general purposes only and are not always indicative of the subject matter. Hotel room photographs may not be specific to the actual room occupied. Maps are not to scale.
Quotations: All quotations are subject to availability of services quoted and are not guaranteed until the booking is confirmed and deposit received. Quotes are valid for 48 hours from issue date.
Inclusions and Exclusions
As per the final agreement between Universal Travels & Allied Services and the client.
Site Copyright
The copyright on all original/custom artwork, maps, navigation elements, presentation methods and design elements included in our web sites is held exclusively by Universal Travels & Allied Services. Copyright on all descriptive text is held by Universal Travels & Allied Services. Copyright on selected photographic images is reproduced with the permission of Universal Travels & Allied Services.