Booking Terms and Conditions

1. Reservation and Deposit

At the time of making your booking you must complete a booking form, accepting on behalf of all your party the terms of these booking conditions and pay a deposit of AUD220 per person, per tour. All persons named on the booking form shall be referred to collectively as either “the client(s)” or “you”.

2. Balance of Payment

The balance of the tour fare and any other cost where applicable (“the balance payment”) must be paid no later than forty five (45) days prior to the departure date for all tours. Otherwise we may treat the booking as being cancelled by the client, and apply cancellation fees as set out in clause 6. In the event that the booking is made less than forty five (45) days prior to departure date, balance payment must be paid within seven (7) days of the booking date but no later than three (3) days prior to the departure date. Airlines, hotels and/or other service providers may require payment earlier than the aforementioned time in circumstances such as high demand on flight seats, hotel room reservations, or special offers. In such circumstances, we will require the client to pay the balance payment or any part thereof, at a specific time. We reserve the right to withhold issue of travel documentation until all payments are made in full.

3. Rates and Price Variations

We reserve the right to withdraw or vary prices prior to full payment is received for reasons beyond our control, which includes but is not limited to, fuel surcharges, exchange rate fluctuations, price increases by our service providers, government tax changes. For clients who have already paid the deposits, we strive to give notice before the price increase comes into effect. In such circumstance you agree to make the balance payment within a specific time to avoid paying of the increased price. If you fail to make such arrangement, you agreed to pay us at the increased price, or otherwise we have the right to cancel your booking but refund the deposit to you.

4. Payment by Credit Cards

Payment can be made by credit card. An additional fee charge will apply on payment made by credit cards.

5. Late Booking Fee

We accept late bookings. Bookings made less than fourteen (14) days prior to the departure date will incur a late booking fee of $55 per person, per tour.

6. Cancellation

Cancellation of a booking must be made in writing, by the person signing the booking form, and is not effective until we receive such cancellation. If the cancellation is received forty-five (45) days or more prior to the departure date, the appropriate deposit shall be forfeited. In the event of cancellation received forty-four (44) days or less prior to departure the following cancellation fees shall apply:

• 44-30 days: 25% of tour fee or deposit, whichever is greater
• 29-10 days: 50% of tour fee or deposit, whichever is greater
• 9-4 days: 80% of the tour fee
• 3-0 days and after the tour commencement: 100% of the tour fee.

Supplier’s cancellation fees such as non-refundable air tickets may be in addition to above.

7. Amendment Fee

Any changes to a confirmed booking may incur an administration fee of AUD50 per person, per change, together with any additional costs imposed by the relevant service provider.

8. Documentation

Documentation such as air ticket, final itinerary and other travel documents will be issued approximately ten (10) days prior to departure provided the booking form is completed and full payment has been received by us.

9. Limitation of Liabilities

Information Accuracy

Product information, descriptions and photographs given in our website and all published material is given in good faith, and is based on the latest information provided by the service providers at the date of publication and the current contractual agreements with service providers. Hotel room photographs are representative only and actual rooms occupied may vary in décor and inclusion from those shown. Any facilities shown as included are subject to change at any time by the relevant service provider. Irrespective of any measures taken by us to ensure the information published is accurate at the time of publishing, save where liability is imposed by law we disclaims and will be exempt from liability in respect of anything misleading, false, incomplete or inaccurate and any errors, misdescription and all associated disappointments, loss, expense, damage, inconvenience, delay, death, shock, illness or injury, however caused, and where any such event occurs, the client agrees to release us absolutely from any such liability.

Itineraries are subject to alteration without notice and are intended as a guide only. Any alteration made in respect of tour services provided by independent service providers is at the discretion of the service provider. Alteration may come about due to unforeseeable circumstances such as force majeure, road or whether conditions, airline flight rescheduling, hotel over booking, technical faults with transportation, public holidays, local festivals or other reasons. Any additional expense incurred by the client is not our responsibility. No refund will be made for any unused services that are included in the tour price.

Responsibility

We act as a coordinator for all persons booking tours with us. Our service consists of arranging and coordinating accommodation, tours meals and transfers. We exercise every care in the selection of reputable airlines, tour operators, coach operators, hotels, restaurants and other suppliers of various travel services engaged in these tours. We do not own nor operate the hotels, coach operators, airlines, cruise lines, restaurants or any other service providers which compose the tours, and will not be held responsible for changes and/or cancellations for any reason by these service providers. It is important to note, therefore, that all tickets, vouchers, bookings and reservations with us are subject to the terms and conditions and limitations to the liability imposed by these service providers, some of which limit or exclude liability in respect of death, personal injury, delay and loss or damage of baggage.

Considerable care has been taken to ensure that your tour arrangements are satisfactory and pleasant, and we accept liability for, but only to the extent of any loss or damage sustained by you as a direct result of our negligence, or that our employees or agents. In circumstances where our liability cannot be excluded, such liability is limited to the value of the purchased travel arrangements.

We do not accept any liability of whatever nature, whether in contract, tort, statue, restitution or otherwise, for the loss or damage to baggage property or for injury illness or death or for any damages or claims caused arising directly, indirectly or consequentially by third party providers such as airlines, coach operators, shipping and cruise companies, hoteliers or other persons providing services in connection with your tour arrangements over whom we have no direct and exclusive control. This limitation of liability also applies irrespective of the nature of the cause, including acts, omissions default, negligence or otherwise.

Without limitation, we shall be relieved of all liabilities of whatever nature, whether in contract, tort, statue, restitution or otherwise for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expenses or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by force majeure or other events which is beyond our control, or which are not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part, including but not limiting to war, civil disturbance, fire, flood, unduly severe weather, acts of God, act of Government or any other authorities, accidents to, or failure of machinery or equipment, or industrial action (whether or not involving our employees and even though such actions may be settled by acceding to the demands of a labour group) and shall not be obliged to refund any amount paid for any unused services in such circumstances.

10. Exclusions

Airfare related taxes and charges, passport costs, visa costs, beverages, meals except specified, excess baggage charges, insurance, gratuities or tips are not included in your tour costs. Additional costs incurred by weather or failure of transport services or other circumstances beyond the control of the tour or us are also not included, but may be covered by client’s own travel insurance. Local taxes in certain countries may not be included and some have to be paid locally.

11. Invoice Errors or Omissions

We reserve the rights to correct any errors on invoice which includes but not limited to mistake on calculation, omission, notwithstanding that the invoice may have been paid in full.

12. Passport, Visa, Customs and Immigration Clearance

Certain countries require a Visa for entry prior to arrival. It is the responsibility of the client to be in possession of a valid passport, visa permits and vaccination and other medical certificates as may be required for the whole of the tour. We cannot be held responsible for any loss or expense due to the failure of the client to obtain the necessary entry permission.

It is the responsibility of the client to be aware of any customs or immigration clearance requirements and to make any necessary disclosure and to comply with the require procedures. The client agrees, where he/she fails to meet any passport or visa requirement or any customs or immigration clearance, he/she is to indemnify us of any loss, claim or liability arising out of any material delay caused by such failure.

13. Insurance

Travel insurance is not included in your tour cost. We strongly recommend that clients arrange comprehensive travel insurance with a reputable insurer at the time of reservation, with protection for the full duration of the tour, to cover against various contingencies such as personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, loss or damage to baggage, loss of money and/or travel documents and loss of deposit and/or fare through cancellation. If a client becomes ill, all hospital expenses, doctor’s fee and repatriation costs are the client’s responsibility and we shall not be liable for any refund of the tour cost.

14. Immunisation

For some countries a valid certificate of vaccination against certain diseases may be recommended or required. We recommend that clients travelling overseas be immunised against typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis. When travelling to more than one country additional vaccinations may be required. Professional medical advice should be sought regarding inoculations.

15. Tipping and Gratuities

Gratuities to coach driver and local guides are not included in the tour cost. Gratuities are voluntary and at client’s discretion however it is an expected element in the tourism industry. A guideline or recommendation will be provided in relation to any queries about the tipping amount.

16. Special Requests

It is the responsibility of the client to advise us of any special requirements in writing when the client makes a booking. We will attempt to arrange special requests, however, these cannot always be provided. We shall not be held responsible for injury illness or death or for any damages or loss suffered as a result.

17. Medical Conditions

Where any client carries any serious and/or life threatening medical condition, including any allergies, the client must advise us in writing at the time of booking.

18. Client’s Own Travel Arrangements

It is the responsibility of the client to ensure that they check-in flights or other transports punctually. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the booking and subsequent service bookings. In such circumstances, no refund is payable for the unused service.

19. Consumer Complains and Claims

We endeavour to ensure that all your arrangements proceed smoothly. Occasionally problems can occur. It is most practicable to resolve it at the time by informing our local representative, tour leader and/or the relevant service provider immediately, or contact our office if such method fails. In the event that you fail to take these steps any claim to compensation may be reduced or denied. If your complaint cannot be completely resolved locally, you must write to our office within thirty (30) days of the date of the service detailing the efforts that were made with the local operator to resolve the issue. Claims made after this time will not be considered.

20. Amendment to the Booking Terms and Conditions

No employee or agent of Direct Link Travel has any right to alter, vary or waive any of these conditions, nor to undertake any liability whatsoever on behalf of Direct Link Travel, unless such be in writing and signed by a director of Direct Link Travel.

21. Severability

If any part, term or provision of this contract is held to be illegal or unenforceable, it shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of the contract. Further, if any covenants are held illegal or unenforceable by virtue of its scale, extent or duration, it shall remain valid and enforceable in such reduced scale, extent or duration as any court may decide as being the maximum scale, extent or duration permissible.

22. Proper Law and Jurisdiction

This contract shall be governed by the laws of the state of New South Wales in every particular including formation and interpretation and shall be deemed to have been made in New South Wales. Any legal action arising out of or in connection with this contract shall be brought only in a court of competent jurisdiction in New South Wales.