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We guarantee to beat any competitor self-guided tour package price or value by a minimum of 15% ("price-beat") as follows:
Note: By requesting the price-beat you are under no obligation to place a booking with us or proceed with the final tour package as the case may be.
Inclusions in travel and tour packages assembled by travel agents, tour companies, wholesalers, online travel promoters and others will all be different in some way. Packages will vary by inclusions, validity, suppliers, component type, standard, terms and conditions etc ("package components"). We will have access to most suppliers and types of inclusions as well as alternatives.
Our objective in a price-beat situation is to assemble a package containing similar and/or higher standard package components to that which you present to us. We guarantee to offer at least 15% more total value or a price that is 15% lower than the competitor quote. Any package components that are exclusive to specific suppliers to which we do not have access will not be included.
The above and following terms and conditions apply to travel plans and tour-package pricing requested from and supplied by Travel Directions Pty. Ltd. trading as Kiwi Escapes and are subject to change without notice. These conditions are to be read in conjunction with our standard booking conditions.
The price-beat must be requested before you place a booking with any other tour or travel agent, online booking agent or tour operator direct in relation to the subject package.
A price-beat may be requested by providing information regarding the competitor quote and your requirements to an employee of the company who performs a reservations or travel consultant role ("company contact") as follows:
Your assigned travel agent will contact you to discuss and confirm the details then will submit a travel plan for approval.
Enquire today to get a customised travel plan and pricing. A professional travel consultant will call you as soon as possible to discuss your holiday. Not good with forms? Click the "CONTACT US" link below and call the number provided.
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The following terms and conditions apply to all booking (reservation) enquiries, advertising and promotions ("our marketing"), travel plans (quotes) and bookings made in relation to any products or marketing produced and/or offered by Travel Directions Pty. Ltd. trading as Global Escapes Travel, Australian Escapes Holiday & Travel Club (Australian Escapes) and Kiwi Escapes and are subject to change without notice. By purchasing or agreeing to proceed with a tour, travel or accommodation package, making a tour, travel and/or accommodation enquiry or booking with Australian Escapes and/or engaging the services of Australian Escapes in any other way you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions and any reasonable amendments.
Booking process & documentation:
For details of when we book the various components of your trip and when you can expect to receive documentation, please read this information.
Travel products offered by us fall into three categories: (1) Free & Independent Traveller ("FIT") travel packages*, (2) tour packages and (3) general travel. Tour and travel packages include a range of "components" such as flights, accommodation, cruises and fully-guided or self-guided tours for example. Tour and travel packages are generally incorporated into a "Travel plan" (including pricing and any special conditions) and may include a service fee and/or a booking fee. When you approve a travel plan or otherwise agree to proceed with a tour, travel or accommodation package, a contract is created with us for the provision of our services as a travel agent.
We source accommodation and travel products directly from suppliers such as airlines, hotels, transport providers and tour companies. We also source products from other travel agents, as well as wholesalers and aggregators. We are responsible to you for providing agreed booking and/or other travel agent services in relation to agreed accommodation and travel products and services ("products"). A booking by us creates a contract between you and the supplier(s) of the products for provision of any such products and services ("provision of services"). From that point onwards the suppliers are responsible to you for provision of services and you agree to be bound by each supplier's terms and conditions in relation to same.
In the event that a supplier fails to satisfactorily deliver the products ("delivery failure") we will use our best endeavours to arrange alternatives on your behalf however we are not liable for any loss or other disadvantage you might suffer as a result of any delivery failure. You agree that you will not make any claim against us or initiate any dispute with a credit card provider or otherwise over any payment made to us for accommodation and/or travel products and services.
If we help you plan an overseas holiday, considerable time and effort goes into identifying your wants, needs and requirements, preparing trip outlines, researching and sourcing the best value travel products to maximise your member savings, preparing travel plans and itineraries and other services that are performed at no charge. Usually we go much further than any traditional travel agent. This is done on the basis that you will be honourable and considerate in your dealings with us. That means (1) if you find a lower price for the same itinerary, that you will come back to us so we can review that itinerary to look for ways to save you more money, and (2) that you will not otherwise intentionally waste staff and travel consultant time.
Tour and travel packages may include a flight price allowance (aka. "flight cost provision" or "FCP") that is based on the lowest airfares when booked within an 8 to 12-week advanced-purchase period as at the date of package production. An excess might apply depending on travel dates, airline, time-of-day, checked baggage and other variables. All final pricing will be approved by you before a tour or travel package can proceed to the booking stage. Note: Generally the closer to the departure date that flights are booked the higher the price and the higher the excess above the flight provision. (See also "Price Changes" below.)
If accommodation has been selected on your behalf, and you have specifically requested via email that such accommodation is subject to your approval prior to us placing the booking with the supplier, then we will provide details of the accommodation by phone or email. You will then have twelve (12) hours, or such other time frame as set by us, to provide verbal or written approval. If we do not receive such approval within the alloted time you agree that we may proceed as if approval has been received.
Prices, validity periods, conditions and availability are subject to change without notice. Prices, regardless of where or how they are published, are a guide and estimate only and are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Pricing is based on booking on the date of the original travel plan (proposal or quote) or invoice. When payment has been received by us we will confirm prices and details for available flights if included and selected hotel(s)/resort(s) and/or other travel products such as cruise fares and train fares with suppliers. If there has been a price change, we will advise you in advance of any booking being made wherever possible. From the standpoint of ensuring best possible pricing and delivery of your travel requirements, if the price difference is within 5% of the original travel plan and availability is very limited, we will use our discretion and place the booking with the supplier if you cannot be contacted at the time to approve the change. Any such difference becomes payable by you. If you do not want this discretion to be applied you must advise us at the time of travel plan approval.
Notwithstanding the conditions before this, a "fixed price tour booking" means that, subject to final acceptance of the tour booking by us and payment of the required deposit by you in accordance with the applicable payment conditions and within the applicable time period, there will be no price increase attributable to factors such as flight price or other supplier price change that might occur prior to trip completion, except where a price change is the result of a change requested or made by you. Any delay in receipt of the specified deposit payment may result in cancellation of the booking by us.
All bookings are subject to availability. Rooms (hotel, resort or other accommodation), airline seats, cruise cabins, tour places/seats and other limited availability travel products cannot be held until a booking is made and confirmed with the supplier. Booking confirmation will usually require a deposit or full payment in accordance with applicable terms and conditions.
Prices quoted are in Australian Dollars unless otherwise stated and are subject to any exchange rate variations applicable to the currency(s) of the supplier(s) between the time of you agreeing to proceed with a booking to the time of us receiving full payment for same. All domestic travel prices include GST. All international travels prices do not include GST.
A deposit of up to the full amount payable will be required to confirm the various components of your travel plan. The balance if any is payable on or before a specified due date explained at the time of booking. A deposit holds a booking only after it is confirmed in writing by the supplier. Balance payments are subject to any variation in the exchange rate applicable to the currency(s) of the supplier(s) and are further subject to international wire transfer fees if applicable, at Commonwealth Bank rates.
A 2.6% credit card merchant fee applies to payments made by Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card. A 4.5% fee applies to AMEX. Credit/debit card payments are processed via PayPal, the world's most secure credit card payment system. Limits may apply to the amount that can be paid by this method. If time is not critical payment can be made via internet banking (Electronic Funds Transfer EFT). A delay of up to two days can occur. A bank deposit (direct deposit) is option available for urgent payments however payment must be deposited in cash to our Commonwealth Bank account at a CBA branch or via RTGS at your bank for it to be received on the same day. Prices and availability change continually and this is a factor when considering payment options.
If your booking is for accommodation related to a promotional voucher issued to you by Australian Escapes or that has been transferred/gifted to you in accordance with the terms and conditions on the voucher and the voucher has a deposit value the final booking price quoted will be after deduction of the voucher deposit value. A further deposit or full payment will be required at the time of booking. Terms and conditions on the voucher are in addition to these terms and conditions and in the event of any conflict between the two these terms and conditions take precedence.
Amendments to existing bookings are subject to confirmation with the relevant supplier(s) and any conditions, charges, fees or other costs imposed by same. A standard administration fee of $150.00 applies per amendment. Higher fees may apply in regard to complex and time-intensive changes. Lower fees may apply to simple changes.
Tour-only package: free cancellation period:
Refer to package details for details of any free cancellation period for tour-only bookings if applicable. A tour-only booking supplied by Australian Escapes Guided Tours or Kiwi Escapes may be cancelled up to the specified number of days prior to the tour departure date without any cancellation fee imposed by us. Any deposit paid will be refunded within 7 days of the cancellation request being received in writing. Tours supplied by other firms may be subject to a different free cancellation period.
Flight-inclusive tour package: free cancellation period:
Refer to package details for details of any free cancellation period for tour-only bookings if applicable. Applies to a tour package offered by us where this policy is specifically included. The tour package may be cancelled up to the specified number of days prior to the tour departure date without any cancellation fee imposed by us. However, any package components that have been booked on your behalf at your request are subject to cancellation fees and charges as follows. Any money paid (after cancellation fees and charges) will be refunded within 30 days of the cancellation request being received in writing, subject to receipt of refunds from suppliers.
Other cancellations and general conditions:
Subject to the above free cancellation period conditions if applicable, in the event of cancellation of a travel plan or any component thereof there will be no refund of the applicable booking fee, service fee and/or credit card processing charges. A standard administration fee of $150.00 per cancellation applies on a per-package-component* basis in addition to any other charges. The administration fee applies from the point of making enquiries into whether or not a booking or other package component is refundable or other starting point. Higher fees may apply in regard to complex and time-intensive cancellations. Lower fees may apply to simple cancellations. Cancellation of a fully-refundable accommodation-only booking does not incur an administration fee. Cancellations are subject to any charges imposed by suppliers which may be up to 100% of the total amount paid. Cancellation of certain promotional packages may also incur a penalty up to 100% of the total amount paid. We recommend that you take out travel insurance at the time of placing your booking. Types of cancellations include:
If a cancellation event occurs we and/or the supplier(s) reserve the right to treat the applicable booking as cancelled and to apply the appropriate cancellation charges. Please refer to your travel insurance policy PDS (Product Disclosure Statement) for details of what cancellation events are and are not covered.
* Components that make up your tour or travel package can include accommodation, flights, car hire, airport transfers, tours, cruises etc. and will be clearly described in your travel plan or other correspondence.
Descriptions of accommodation properties and other travel products featured in marketing are based on information provided by or accessed from the participating suppliers. Any features, facilities or services shown to be included are subject to change at any time. We do not guarantee the suitability, fitness for purpose, class or standard of accommodation or travel products offered and as such is not liable for any misleading or false information, misrepresentations, inaccuracies and errors and the disappointment, loss, delay, expense, illness, injury, death, damage or shock associated, irrespective of its cause. Without limitation, we will not be responsible if the product is not available or not supplied due to inclement weather conditions or other Acts of God.
Comprehensive travel insurance is recommended to cover various events including events that might cause a cancellation or loss of money paid. Travel insurance should be taken out immediately upon paying a deposit on a travel plan to receive maximum protection. The decision as to whether or not to take out travel insurance rests entirely with you.
It is your responsibility to supply us with names of travelers exactly as they appear on government issued ID. Driver's license, passport or birth certificate are required for domestic travel; passport for international travel and should be supplied to us via email.
PLEASE CHECK THE NAMES ON YOUR BOOKING CONFIRMATION to ensure that all passenger names supplied to us for airline bookings are EXACTLY as they appear on your ID. An incorrect name will require a change of name request with the airline. This might require cancellation and reissuing of tickets, potentially at a higher price. Any charges incurred are payable by you except if the error was made by us. If you see a name spelling error on your booking confirmation please notify us immediately. The passenger will not be allowed to board if there is a name mismatch between the name on the airline booking and the name on your passport or other ID.
Every person travelling internationally requires a passport and it is your responsibility to obtain a passport for each person travelling (including children). Most countries require that passports have at least 6 months validity past the date of return to Australia so if your passport is nearing expiry we recommend that you get it renewed.
Defined here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa
For information about obtaining tourist visas please visit one of the following websites:
http://visalink.com.au/
https://www.visahq.com.au/citizens/Australia/
There are various online businesses that process Visa applications. It is your responsibility to determine whether or not visas are required for entry into any country that you intend to visit whist overseas and to obtain such visas in time for your trip. It is also your responsibility to organize vaccinations if required.
Vaccinations
For information about vaccinations as well as links to specialists please visit this website:
http://www.healthdirect.gov.au/travel-vaccinations
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
International travelers who are seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are now subject to enhanced security requirements and will be required to pay an administrative fee. All eligible travelers who wish to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for authorization and then pay the fee.
Please visit the following website to register and pay the required administration fee: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
New entry requirement now in effect: visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for an eTA. The Government of Canada's official website to apply for an eTA. It only costs $7 CAD. Most eTA applications are approved within minutes of applying.
Please visit the following website to register and pay the required administration fee: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-start.asp
The decision with regard to whether or not to travel to a particular country or any region within any destination country is entirely your decision and you accept responsibility regardless of any advice you might have received prior to travelling. Please visit the following website for information to assist in your travel decisions and to obtain updates whilst overseas: www.smartraveller.gov.au
