Terms and Conditions
1. Reserving Your Holiday
Once the payment has made, we will email you a confirmation invoice with details of your arrangements. The price shown on the confirmation invoice can only be guaranteed once full payment is received (please see Clause 2, ‘Pricing Policy’ below). If you obtain a quote from us for a booking, but do not book it at that time, please note that the price may increase at any time before you book. A telephone booking confirmation made by you is as firmly confirmed as if it were made/confirmed by you in writing at that time.
2. Pricing Policy
All fares and other information are subject to availability. Once a confirmation invoice has been issued the price shown on that invoice may only vary as outlined in this clause or if you amend your booking. Whilst every effort is made to avoid surcharges, we reserve the right to pass on any cost increases imposed by suppliers. No surcharge will ever be passed on for air tickets after we have received full payment in cleared funds and tickets have been issued.
As all flight operators, including both scheduled and chartered services, reserve the right to increase prices at any time, the price shown on the confirmation invoice can only be guaranteed once full payment is received from you.
Prices may be changed to reflect government action (e.g. the imposition of VAT, Airport Taxes, Air Passenger Duty or Local Taxes), an increase in transportation costs (e.g. airfares and the cost of fuel or fees payable for services (e.g. landing taxes or embarkation/disembarkation fees at ports and airports) or to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates. Our price guarantee cannot cover increases due to any of the above.
3. Full Payments
No booking will be confirmed unless full amount has been received by us. Please see Clause 2, ‘Pricing Policy’ above for full details.
4. Payment
All bookings must be paid in full at the time of booking. The booking made are non-changeable, non-transferable and non-refundable.
5. Payment Methods
If payment for your booking is made by credit or debit card a bank charge may be payable. We reserve the right to refuse personal cheques as a method of payment. On those occasions when a personal cheque has been accepted as a form of payment, please note that we require a minimum of 5 working days for it to be cleared.
6. Minor Changes to Your Holiday
If we are obliged to make any minor change in the arrangements for your holiday, we will inform you as soon as possible.
7. Major Changes to Your Holiday
If before you depart we have to make any major change to your holiday arrangements e.g. changes of departure time of more than 12 hours, change of airport (but excluding changes between airports in the London region, aircraft type or airline) it will only be because we are forced to do so by circumstances usually beyond our control. In such an unlikely event we will inform you immediately and our objective will be to minimise your inconvenience. We will whenever possible offer you alternative arrangements as close as possible to your original choice. You will then have a choice of accepting, taking another available holiday of similar price or cancelling. Should you choose to cancel as a result of these circumstances you will be reimbursed all monies paid to us.
8. Force Majeure
Please be aware that some suppliers, such as carriers, impose cancellation fees and apply restrictions which are not within our control and for which we cannot be held liable. In these situations the term “force majeure” may be applied. Force majeure means unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of the travel agent or other suppliers of services, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised or an event which we or the supplier of services, even with all due care, could not have foreseen or forestalled. This includes Acts of God, natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, fire or other destruction of any vessel, craft or vehicle to be used in connection with a holiday, riots, acts of war, civil commotion, exercise of legislative, municipal, military or other authority, strikes, industrial action, requisition of equipment, mechanical breakdown, shortage of fuel, insolvency or default of any carrier or service supplier connected with a holiday, fraud perpetrated against us or any other reason beyond our control. In these circumstances we cannot pay any compensation, reimburse expenses, or cover losses for any amount. Nor can we otherwise accept responsibility if, as a result of circumstances beyond our control, we have to change your package after departure or if we, or our suppliers, cannot supply your package as we, or they, had agreed or if you suffer any loss or damage of any description.
9. Group Holidays
Some of our holidays are based on a minimum number of participants and in the unlikely event that these numbers are not reached we reserve the right to cancel the trip and refund all payments made. Prices are subject to increase if the group size is reduced.
10. Flights
Details of airlines, flight numbers/schedules and destination airports will be shown on your confirmation invoice. We regret we are unable to guarantee specific aircraft types or airline. A flight described as ‘direct’ will not necessarily be non-stop. All departure/arrival times are provided by the airlines concerned and are estimates only. They may change due to air traffic control restrictions, weather conditions, operational/maintenance requirements and the requirement for passengers to check in on time. We are not liable if there is any change to a departure/arrival time previously given to you or shown on your ticket. It is for this reason that all clients are required to reconfirm their flights with the airline 24 hours prior to departure.
11. Insurance
We strongly recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance. We recommend that you read the terms of your travel insurance to satisfy yourself as to the fitness of cover.
12. Making a Booking - Lead Passenger Name / Other Passenger Names
When you make a booking you guarantee that, as the lead name, you have the authority to accept and do accept, on behalf of your party, the terms of these booking conditions and those of any suppliers. The person making the booking becomes responsible for the payment of the total price of the arrangements for all passengers shown on the confirmation invoice. It is your responsibility to ensure that all of the details on your travel documents are correct and to bring to our attention any errors or discrepancies immediately.
13. Cancellation
Should you or any member of your party be forced to cancel your holiday, we must be notified, in writing, by the person who made the booking.
14. Travel Documentation
Our general practice is to send documents to our customers electronically whenever possible. We reserve the right to charge an administration fee should you make a request for any documents to be sent as hard copies in the post. The delivery address for all documentation will be that given at the time of booking. Vouchers will be emailed/faxed/posted to you direct. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure receipt/collection of all travel documents.
15. Passport, Visa and Immigration Requirements
It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all those travelling with you fulfil the passport, visa and other immigration requirements applicable to your trip. It can often take some time to obtain a passport or visa therefore you should apply well in advance. In peak periods it is advisable to allow at least 6 weeks. Passport and visa regulations and health requirements can change at any time and we therefore recommend that you check these with the relevant Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of the countries you intend to visit. Up to date information can also be found at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at http://www.fco.gov.uk. As a precaution, we recommend that your passport is valid for at least 6 months prior to your departure date. We do not accept any responsibility if you or any member of your party are unable to travel due to not complying with any such requirements.
16. Travel Advice and Vaccinations
For up to date UK Government health travel advice for the countries you intend to visit (including passport and visa requirements), please refer to the advice posted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Their website can be found at http://www.fco.gov.uk. Please note that vaccinations may be required for some or all of the places you are intending to visit. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have arranged the necessary vaccinations for your itinerary.
17. Deposits Required by Hotels/Resorts
Most hotels and resorts will ask guests to pay a refundable deposit at the beginning of their stay. The amount of the deposit can vary from one establishment to another and will be taken either as cash or from a debit or credit card.
18. Accuracy of Information
Descriptions of accommodation, facilities and services we provide are based on information obtained from our suppliers. Outside of peak season it is common for some facilities and services to be less widely available. Sometimes the facilities described may be withdrawn for reasons such as maintenance, bad weather or lack of demand from guests. Where our suppliers advise us about significant changes to descriptions or about the withdrawal of any significant facility, we will tell you as soon as possible. Some activities or facilities, for example water sports, may not be available all year round. There may be a charge for some facilities, for example safety deposit boxes, sun-loungers, parasols, tennis courts, pool tables and air-conditioning. In some places during high season (and even at other times) there is a possibility you will be disturbed by noise from less considerate guests, so please bear this in mind when choosing your destination and accommodation.
19. Your Financial Protection
When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flights inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.
We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable).
If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.
20. Complaints
If you have a complaint whilst you are on holiday, you must inform the relevant supplier (for example our local representative, your hotel or tour operator) immediately. They will do their best to put things right. Should they be unable to resolve the matter locally, please contact Luxury Holidays To / AI Holidays in the United Kingdom on telephone number 44 (0)20 3 519 2424 or email managers@luxuryholidays.co.uk. It is unreasonable to say nothing or to take no action whilst you are on holiday, but then to write a letter of complaint when you return. If you fail to raise your complaint immediately either with the local supplier or directly with us, this may affect our ability to investigate your complaint and rectify any error whilst you are away which may affect your rights under this contract.
21. Data Protection
We are committed to protecting your privacy and information. The information that we use is for the purpose of fulfilling our contract as a travel agent. Information that you provide will be held on our computers (and in other ways) for use by us for the following purposes:
Booking Information;
Information about you (and your travelling party) may be passed to holiday providers;
Information supplied by you may in certain instances be disclosed to other parties for the purpose of fraud prevention and/or debt collection;
A copy of your personal information held by us can be provided on request. You have the right to have any inaccurate personal information rectified or erased. Please note that airlines are required by laws introduced in some countries to give border control agencies access to passenger data. Accordingly any information we hold about you and your travel arrangements may be disclosed to the customs and immigration authorities of any country in your itinerary. Due to Data Protection we can only discuss matters relating to your booking with the person making the booking or any other person specified in the booking agreement.
22. Your Arrangement With Us
By proceeding with your booking, you are accepting that the terms of this Agreement and conditions of any contract made with any suppliers (e.g. hotels) apply to your booking and your travel arrangements.
23. Law and Jurisdiction
Legal Jurisdiction: We accept the jurisdiction of the courts in the part of the UK in which the client is domiciled. For clients not domiciled in the UK, the courts of England and Wales shall have sole jurisdiction.