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RAC group travel terms and conditions

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
RAC/WEST TRAVEL TOURS

1. Deposit and Payments - A non-refundable deposit per person is required together with a signed booking form within seven days of making a reservation to secure a booking. Final payment of the balance is required 65 days prior to the date of departure. Failure to do this may result in the cancellation of the booking and the loss of the deposit(s). Please check your tour brochure for requirements specific to your tour.

For reservations made 65 days or less prior to departure, payment in full is required at the time of booking, and an additional fee of $25.00 per person may be charged to cover any costs incurred by the Company. If the reservation cannot be confirmed all monies will be refunded.

2. Amendments - A fee of $75 per person may be charged by the Company in addition to any charges levied by hotels, ground operators or airlines for any amendments made to an itinerary. Amendments made within 65 days of departure may be subject to an additional charge to cover additional costs incurred by the Company. An amendment constitutes a change to any existing booking and not a transfer to another holiday, in which case cancellation fees apply.

3. Booking Form - This must be completed and signed by all person(s) travelling excluding accompanying children under 18 years. The Passenger should read the booking form carefully so that the terms and conditions are understood.

4. Cancellation by the Passenger - in the event of cancellation by the Passenger, the following fees will apply:

Per person charges:
65 days or more prior to departure - loss of deposit(s)
64 – 30 days prior to departure - 50% of total Tour cost
29 – 15 days prior to departure - 75% of total Tour cost
14 days or less prior to departure - 100% of total Tour cost

If a Passenger withdraws from a Tour after it has begun for reasons such as illness, it is recommended that a medical certificate is obtained to support any insurance claim. An additional charge may be payable for changing homeward journey arrangements. No refund can be given by the Company if a Passenger joins a Tour after its commencement, or for early departure from the Tour.

5. Cancellation by the Company - the Company may in its absolute discretion cancel the Tour:

(a) if passenger numbers fall below 20 adults. The Company may, in its absolute discretion, elect to continue to operate the Tour without the services of a tour escort from the Company by utilising the services of local representatives of the Company and their tour guides during the touring component of the Tour;

(b) at any time either prior to or during the Tour by reason of the occurrence of a fire, flood, earthquake, storm or tempest, interruption of transport, embargo, industrial dispute, riots, civil unrest, act of terrorism, military coup or change of government, health risk or epidemic, or any other act or event occurring in the region of the country or countries on the itinerary of the Tour and which the Company may in its absolute discretion decides constitutes a danger to the security or well being of a Passenger. In the event of such cancellation, the Company shall not be responsible for the refund of any deposit or other payments made by the Passenger on account of the Tour and the Passenger shall have no right to claim damages from the Company;

(c) at any time prior to the departure date, in which case any deposit or other payments made on account of the Tour shall be refunded to the Passenger in full. The Passenger shall have no right to claim damages from the Company and/or the Contractors.

6. Tour Details Subject to Change - All fares and rates for transportation, accommodation or any other services associated with the Tour are subject to change by the Company and/or the Contractors without notice to the Passenger, and notwithstanding payment of full balance monies by the Passenger. In the event of any price increases, the Company reserves the right to require further payment to cover the increases in fares and rates for the Tours and also any change in exchange rates for foreign currencies occurring prior to the departure of the Tour.

The Company reserves the right to change, at any time at its discretion and without notice to the Passenger, the itinerary, accommodation or travel arrangements for the Tour and the Passenger acknowledges that such changes may also be made or directed to be made by the Contractors. The Company may require further payment to cover any increases in fares or rates.

7. Health of Passenger - the Company requires a current health certificate from all Tour members 70 years and older, AND FROM ANY PASSENGERS WITH A KNOWN MEDICAL CONDITION, indicating that they are fit to undertake travel on the Tour. The Passenger is required to inform the Company of any circumstance that may restrict or prevent the Passenger from participating in Tour activities.

The Passenger is required to notify the Company if there has been any change to their health subsequent to the payment of the deposit and prior to departure which may in any way affect their ability to undertake the Tour.

The Company and the Contractors reserve the right either before or during the Tour to refuse to carry or accommodate any Passenger which it considers to be unsuitable by reason of physical or mental condition.

The Company recommends that ALL PASSENGERS consult their General Practitioner in relation to vaccinations required for the country(s) to be visited.

There has been recent publicity in the media regarding the possible connection between Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and long distance air travel. It is the responsibility of all Passengers to ensure that they are fit for travel. If a Passenger has a medical condition or physical disability which may be exacerbated by long distance travel or any concerns that they may be susceptible to developing DVT they should immediately contact their doctor. The Company will not be responsible for any illness or injury suffered by a Passenger relating to DVT as a result of undertaking their proposed travel arrangements.

8. Travel Insurance – The Passenger should consider whether they need to obtain travel insurance to protect them against the financial risk of various events occurring on the Tour. Travel insurance can cover cancellation costs (by tour operator or the Passenger), additional expenses, luggage and personal effects and more. It is important to read the product disclosure statement to ensure the product is right for the Passenger’s needs.

If a Passenger decides not to take out travel insurance with the Company, or to purchase a policy from somewhere other than the Company, the Passenger will be required to sign a statutory declaration to this effect.

9. Documentation - Prior to departure from Australia, each Passenger is required to be in possession of a passport with the appropriate validity required by the countries to be visited. If travelling on a passport other than an Australian passport, an Australian Re-Entry permit will also be required.

The Company is able to process visa applications where applicable. Some countries have entry requirements in addition to visas. These can be discussed with the travel consultant.

If a Passenger is refused entry to any country as a result of that country's entry requirements, the Company is not responsible for any costs or expenditure incurred as result of that entry refusal, and there shall be no reimbursement of monies paid in relation to the Tour.

10. Company’s Responsibility - The Company is acting as a booking agent for the Contractors in relation to the Tour. Insofar as the Company shall not be acting as a booking agent, it shall be deemed to be acting as the Passenger's agent.

11. Tickets Issued subject to Conditions - All receipts, tickets, vouchers, coupons or exchange orders are issued subject to the terms and conditions endorsed on them or upon other documentation supplied by the Contractors and under which the Contractors provide the relevant transportation, accommodation or other services as part of the Tour.

12. Trade Practices Act - Under the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) consumers have the right to compensation if services are not provided with care and skill or if services are not reasonably fit for a particular purpose made known by the consumer. This right cannot be excluded. Subject to the above statutory rights, the Company shall not be liable in respect of any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity that may be caused to persons or property however caused or arising during or in connection with the Tour and any other services booked through the Company. The Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to the standard of transportation, accommodation, or other service to be provided by the Contractors and shall not be liable or in any way responsible for any failure by the Contractors to provide such services. The Company believes the contents of the brochure promoting the Tour to be true at the time of printing, but makes no express or implied agreement, representations or warranty to that effect or in relation to any of the contents of that brochure.

13. Application of Monies - The Passenger consents to all monies paid to the Company in the form of a deposit or otherwise being used for any purpose associated with reservations and bookings for the Tour, which may include payment to a Contractor or its booking agent by way of confirmation, instalments or deposits.

14. Travel Warnings - The Company recommends that Passengers contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to monitor any situations that may affect travel arrangements. Information can be obtained on the internet at www.dfat.gov.au, by telephoning the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 1300 555 135 or by asking a travel consultant for details.

15. General - Where the Passenger has made a booking on behalf of persons other than themself, the Passenger confirms that they are acting with the full knowledge and consent of such other persons and that they have the full authorisation of such persons to bind that person to these Conditions.

These conditions shall be binding upon the Passenger as well as their heirs, executors, administrators and legal personal representatives and also upon any family member or minor or other person on whose behalf the Passenger signs the booking form and their respective heirs, executors, administrators and legal personal representatives.

16. Indemnity: - All operators utilised on the Tour do not, by virtue of their endorsement of the brochure, represent themselves as either contracting with any Passenger, or as having any other legal relationship with any such Passenger.

17. Disclaimer - Every endeavour has been made to ensure that the contents of the brochure are correct and accurate at the time of printing. However, details may have changed since the brochure was published. Please check with the Company or a travel consultant, as operational reasons may necessitate itinerary changes and amendments to the hotels specified.

As the Tour is sold as a package holiday, no itemisation of costs will be given. Tour costs are quoted on the basis of a cash or cheque payment; payment by credit card may incur a surcharge.

18. Definitions - For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, the following words shall have the meanings set opposite them:-

"Company" RAC Travel Services Pty Ltd;
"Contractors" The persons or corporations providing the transportation, accommodation, or other services;
“Known Medical
Condition” means a medical condition that is currently being, or has been investigated or treated by a health professional, or a medical condition or symptom of which you are aware;
"Passenger" The person or persons embarking on the Tour;
"Tour" The Tour or Tours or travel arrangements specified in the brochure.



Travel documents are normally available 7-14 days before the departure of the Tour. They will only be released when the terms of conditions 1, 3 and 8 have been satisfied.