BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
These Booking Conditions apply to the person making the booking and all other persons on whose behalf the booking is made. Please read these Booking Conditions carefully. They apply to all bookings made through Group Travel Australia, who are acting as agents on behalf of all of the suppliers (including airlines, tour and cruise operators, car hires, attractions and accommodation providers) in your booking.
You are contracting with the suppliers, whose terms and conditions apply to your booking. Copies of those terms and conditions are available upon request. These booking conditions govern your relationship with Group Travel Australia Travel Booking Agent.
Agency | Group Travel Australia Booking Agent acts as a Travel Agent only. We sell various travel related products on behalf of numerous transport, accommodation and other service providers, such as airlines, coach, rail and cruise line operators.
Group Travel Australia uses Travel Partners terms and conditions. These terms and conditions will be in place from the time of booking. See Terms & Conditions - Travel Partners Our obligation is to make travel bookings on your behalf and to arrange relevant contracts between you and travel service providers. We have no responsibility for these services. All bookings are made subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by these service providers. Your legal recourse is against the specific provider and not Group Travel Australia or Angela Sonners - Travel Partners. If for any reason, any travel service provider is unable to provide the services for which you have contracted your remedy lies against the provider.
PRICE SUBJECT TO CHANGE | All prices are subject to availability and can be withdrawn or varied without notice. The price is only guaranteed once your booking has been paid for in full by you. Please note that prices quoted are subject to change. Price changes may occur by reason of matters outside our control which increase the cost of the product or service. Such factors include, but are not limited to, adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please contact us for up-to-date prices. Every effort is made to ensure that the prices quoted to you are correct; however Group Travel Australia acts only as an agent and relies on information provided to us from the suppliers of the travel services and products. We will bring to your attention any change in price made prior to you completing your booking and paying the balance of the price. Please note some tour operators and travel service providers reserve the right to increase the price of your travel arrangements due to increases in airfares, hotel accommodation charges and currency fluctuations.
Deposit and Final Payment | A 25% deposit per booking is required within 7 days or amount stated on your invoice. This deposit represents a fee payable to us for the services associated with processing and confirmation of your booking and any consultations on travel arrangements that we may provide to you. Deposit is non-refundable other than where we cancel your travel arrangements for reasons other than “Unavoidable or Extraordinary Circumstances”
(see below).
Final Payment | Payment in full is 90 days before commencement of your trip or stated on your invoice/itinerary. (whichever is earlier). We are under no obligation to remind you of a payment becoming due. If we fail to receive a payment from you by the due date for payment in clear funds, then this will be deemed a cancellation by you (see below).
Travel Advice including COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Guidance | International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate Australian citizens and permanent residents Travellers should request their International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate using the Express Plus Medicare app or Medicare online account through myGov. It is recommended that all travellers keep a hard copy or can easily access an electronic copy of their International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate to present as evidence of their vaccination status during their travels. Airlines regularly require this information for the purposes of booking flights and checking in for flights. Travellers are urged to keep this document as well as their passport in their personal carry-on luggage whilst travelling. Find out more about the International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate
Homepage | Smartraveller
We recommend that you contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (“DFAT”) or visit their website at www.smartraveller.gov.au for general travel advice, as well as specific advice (including safety alert levels) relating to the destination you wish to visit. You can also register your travel plans with DFAT, so that you may be more easily contacted in an emergency.
We strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with the current status and updates to Australia’s immigration and border arrangements during the COVID-19 outbreak, available at https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/.
In addition you should familiarise yourself with airline requirements around passenger safety, including the requirement for face masks and the need to produce evidence meeting airline and border control requirements in relation to a negative COVID-19 test both for transit and final destination passengers. This information is subject to change without notice so we recommend you update yourself in relation to the relevant airline and government policies for your transit and final destination at each of (i) the time of booking, (ii) as you approach your travel date, and (iii) immediately before travel.
You acknowledge that you are choosing to travel at a time where you may be exposed to the Coronavirus. It is your own responsibility to acquaint yourself with all relevant travel information, including applicable health risks. You acknowledge that your decision to travel is made based on your own consideration of this information, and you acknowledge and agree that you are aware of, and assume responsibility for, the risks associated with traveling at this time. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability in relation to these additional risks.
Health | You must ensure that you are aware of any health requirements and recommended precautions relevant to your travel booking and ensure that you carry all necessary vaccination documentation. In some cases, failure to present required vaccination documentation (e.g. proof of Yellow Fever vaccination) may deny you entry into a country. We recommend that you consult with your local doctor, travel medical service or specialist vaccination clinic before commencing your travel. General health advice for the destination you wish to visit is also available from DFAT (see www.smartraveller.gov.au).
Whether any medical requests can be accommodated, including (without limitation) access to power, refrigeration and travelling with the use of mobility aids, is subject to the travel service provider in their sole and absolute discretion, and will often depend on a number of factors, including (without limitation) any modes of transport and local standards at the destination. While we will include all medical requests as a file note to the travel service provider, we cannot guarantee that your request will be accommodated. It is your responsibility to follow up with the travel service provider directly either at the destination or prior to travelling where possible.
Amendments | We will do all we can to assist you in making a change to your booking. A service fee will apply for any changes required once booking is confirmed. Change fee + Airlines and suppliers fees. This can be very time consuming and requires considerable expertise to complete. Suppliers are under no obligation to make changes. However, if a supplier is able to make a change, Group Travel Australia Travel Agent will pass on the charge to you.
Cancellation | If you cancel your booking you will incur a 25% cancellation charge. Once inside 45 days prior to departure your booking is non-refundable. If cancellation is a result of an unforseen circumstance, you may be able to claim this on your Insurance. Changed or cancelled bookings for any reason (including by reason of matters outside your or our control) may also incur travel service provider fees, which can be up to 100% of the cost of the booking, regardless of whether travel has commenced. We will not provide a refund to you until we receive the funds from that travel service provider (which may take 12 weeks, or longer, dependent upon the travel service provider processing time).
Credit Card | Payments using a credit card will attract a card merchant fee by Travel Partners.
Direct Deposits |There are no card fees associated with this form of payment. Please check with Agent at time of payment.
Airfare Conditions | Most airfares are subject to very strict conditions regarding amendments, cancellations and refunds. It is your responsibility to ensure the type of airfare you purchase is suitable for your needs. Airline Taxes and Fuel Surcharges All airfares are subject to taxes and charges levied by both government and the airlines themselves; in addition, global fuel costs are constantly increasing. Airlines pass on the increase in taxes and fuel surcharges without notice and whilst we will endeavour to advise you of these charges in advance that may not always prove possible. Group Travel Australia Travel Agent reserves the right to pass on fuel and tax increases, levied by airlines, without notice. Airline E-tickets International and domestic airlines have replaced paper tickets with electronic tickets called e tickets. All passengers travelling on an e ticket will be required to produce photo identification passports at check-in.
Luggage Please restrict your luggage to Airlines Baggage restrictions and Coach Tour Baggage Restrictions
Airline Schedules |The airline on which you are booked may change its departure time. It is your responsibility to contact the airline to check there has been no change to the time of departure.
Unavoidable or Extraordinary Circumstances |In the event of unavoidable or extraordinary circumstances, a travel service provider may materially modify or cancel your booking as set out below. In these Booking Terms and Conditions “unavoidable or extraordinary circumstances” means any cause outside a travel service provider’s reasonable control which could not have been prevented or avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken by the travel service provider (including, but not limited to, war, threat of war, riot, civil disturbances, industrial dispute, terrorist activity and its consequences, plague, epidemic, pandemic, infectious disease outbreak or any other public health crisis (including quarantine or other employee restrictions), natural or other disaster (such as volcanic ash or hurricanes or similar events), nuclear incident, fire or bushfires, adverse weather conditions (actual or threatened, including snow and fog), closed or congested airports or ports or other modes of transport, unavoidable technical problems with transport, unforeseen alterations to transport schedules, transportation disruptions or cancellations, domestic and/or international travel restrictions, changes to travel advisories and restrictions, changes to health advisories and quarantines, changes to immigration, labour and free-movement laws resulting from BREXIT, rescheduling of aircraft or boats or other modes of transport, changes to applicable laws and/or other government mandates (including evacuation orders and border closures, and similar events). New or changed quarantine requirements | If these remain in effect 60 days before commencement of your travel arrangements booked with us; and the new or changed quarantine requirements make it reasonably impractical for you to travel; then the trip has to be cancelled at least 45 days prior to commencement of travel. If you cancel travel arrangements in these circumstances, then we will refund payments made by you less the third party costs & expenses and a fair compensation for work undertaken by us. Please see service fee charges.
Liability | Group Travel Australia created by Angela Sonners - Mobile Agent with Travel Partners is only acting as an agent we have no liability in respect of the supply of any element of your booking, including any liability for illness, personal injury, death or loss of any kind, delay and inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by any provider of travel services or products or by other third parties unless caused by our negligence. Any claim for damages for injury, illness, loss or death must be brought against the relevant supplier of the travel services or products. Nothing in these terms and conditions shall be read as excluding, restricting or modifying rights under the Trade Practices Act and other legislation given to consumers in relation to the supply of goods and services.
We do not accept any liability of whatever nature, whether in contract, or otherwise, for the acts, omissions or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of third party providers with whom we have no direct control. Under circumstances where liability cannot be excluded, such liability is limited to the value of the purchased travel arrangements. We do not accept any liability in contract, or otherwise for any injury, damage, loss (including consequential loss), delay, additional expense or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by force majeure or any other event which is beyond our control which is not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part.
Travel Insurance | Group Travel Australia strongly recommends that you take out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of paying a deposit. The policy should provide cover for loss of deposit, cancellation and additional expenses, medical expenses and repatriation and loss or damage to baggage and valuables. You are responsible for making any special or increased insurance arrangements which you deem are necessary. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended
Travel Documents |Travel documents include (without limitation) airline tickets, hotel vouchers, tour vouchers or any other document (whether in electronic form or otherwise) used to confirm an arrangement with a service provider. Travel documents may be subject to certain conditions and/or restrictions including (without limitation) being non-refundable, non-date-changeable and subject to cancellation and/or amendment fees. All travel documents are non-transferable. All airline tickets must be issued in the name of photo identity holder, some carriers will deny travel if the name varies and the booking may be cancelled. The final responsibility for ensuring documentation is correct is that of the individual traveler. It is your responsibility to collect all travel documents from us prior to travel.
Data Protection | In order to process your booking we need to pass your details to the relevant suppliers. We will take all reasonable precautions to ensure the security of that information.
Media Image | You consent to using images of you taken during the tour for advertising and promotional purposes in any medium we choose. If you do not consent to the use of your image or likeness, please advise us prior to travel.
Modifications of these Booking Terms and Conditions | We reserve the right to modify any of these Booking Terms and Conditions (including the Travel Credit terms and conditions) at any time without prior notice. If we make changes to any of these terms and conditions, we will post the amended terms and conditions on the website, applications, or services, which are effective upon posting. The applicable terms that apply are those in effect at the time you make a booking (including by using any Travel Credit) with us.
Touring | I understand that if I attempt or undergo any physical activity or actions whilst injured, intoxicated, not capable or not confident, I am aware I could be inflicting risk of possible injury, death, loss or damage to myself, others or property owned by others. Group Travel Australia is not responsible for any accidental or purposeful injury, death, loss or damage that may occur.
I consent to receiving any medical treatment, including ambulance transportation that the event organisers think desirable during or after the Group Travel Australia event. Group Travel Australia will not be liable for any costs for any medical treatment.
I understand that compulsory insurance cover effected for participants in any Group Travel Australia event may not cover me for any or all injury, loss or damage sustained by me.
I am fully responsible for the security of my personal possessions during the event. Group Travel Australia will not be responsible for any loss or damage to possessions during the event.
I understand that if I need or choose to return home during a Group Travel Australia event due to sickness, injury or any other circumstance, I will not receive a refund. Group Travel Australia is also not liable to cover any costs incurred for me to return home.
I acknowledge that all Group Travel Australia Tours involve possible risk, injury, loss or damage from various causes including physical activity, accidents with other road users or persons, weather conditions, wildlife and other causes which may occur. Group Travel Australia will do its best to minimise and point out risks but we cannot take responsibility for your actions.
All passengers have a choice to participate in activities and should not participate if not capable. If you are concerned about your suitability to a tour, please contact us and we can provide more information regarding the physical demands of that particular product. We accept no responsibility for passengers unable to participate in parts of the tour due to physical reasons.
Group Travel Australia / Angela Sonners – Travel Partners is not liable for passenger failure to connect with other services or any associated costs resulting from such delays. We accept no responsibility for loss or damage to personal belongings or baggage. Customers are fully responsible for the security of personal possessions during the event. Passengers are responsible for their own medical or physical conditions and have full responsibility for avoiding any risk to themselves. Passengers must conduct themselves in a respectful manner whilst on tour. Group Travel Australia reserves the right to cancel a passenger’s trip during a tour if deemed necessary and no refund will be given.
Flexibility upon booking you agree and acknowledge that the nature of our tours requires considerable flexibility and you allow for alternatives necessary. The itinerary provided for each trip is a representative of the types of activities contemplated, but it is understood that the schedules, itineraries, format, amenities and mode of transport may be subject to alteration without prior notice due to local circumstances, time schedule or events.
This trip can be affected due to final passenger numbers and unforeseen circumstances, which is beyond the control of operators. Group Travel Australia operators also reserve the right to alter the route or itinerary of any of its tours and activities due to other unpredictable circumstances including time schedule and mechanical or vehicle faults and failures. No refunds will be given in these circumstances or in the event of any delay, curtailment or alteration of a trip resulting from any cause including severe weather conditions or mechanical failure. Additionally, National Parks and other third-party services and businesses may alter their policies so that certain activities are no longer available. If we are unable to utilise a product, service or activity detailed, a suitable alternative will be offered where possible.