Booking Terms and Conditions (31 March 2023)
Members Travel Group Pty Ltd trading as RACQ Travel is an ATAS Accredited Travel Agent (see www.atas.com.au). Members Travel Group acts on behalf of airlines, cruise lines, wholesalers, hotels and suppliers and is governed by the individual terms and conditions of those suppliers. Members Travel Group does not organise, own or control any of the supplier's product, it is merely a reseller of the product.
Members Travel Group does not represent any individual supplier and relies on the information provided by the supplier. In deciding to purchase product from Members Travel Group this document is designed to clarify the conditions under which you have purchased your travel.
Members Travel Group acts as an agent and when we accept a booking on behalf of a third-party travel supplier, you as the customer will have separate contract with the supplier, which will be governed by suppliers' terms and conditions. It is the customers responsibility to make yourself aware of those other Terms & Conditions. In acting as an agent, we may receive fees, commissions, gifts, or financial incentives from third parties under this contract.
Table of contents
Prices & Changes In CostPayments & DepositsCancellations & RefundsChanges To Your ItineraryDocumentationAirfare ConditionsBaggage AllowanceFlight ReconfirmationHotel/Accommodation BookingsPassport & Passenger NamesVisa RequirementsHealth Requirements & Vaccinations Travel AdvisoriesTravel InsuranceFrequent Flyer & Loyalty Program MembershipsForce MajeureGoods & Services TaxPrivacy PolicyGoverning LawTerms of TradePrices & Changes In Cost
Prices are quoted in Australian Dollars unless otherwise stated and are subject to availability and conditions and are subject to change without notice. Rates quoted are correct at the time of booking and are subject to change with or without notice. Prices are not guaranteed until paid in full and documents have been issued. Prices are subject to change at the discretion of the supplier prior to booking. Advertised Fares are for new bookings only and can be withdrawn without notice.
Many components of your travel arrangements have been purchased in foreign currency and have been converted at the prevailing exchange rate of the day at the time of booking. Fluctuations between the value of this currency and the Australian Dollar can sometimes occur which requires the Principal/Wholesaler to change the Australian Dollar conversion cost of your holiday. At the time of providing you your confirmation the Australian Dollar equivalent will be honoured if full payment is made at the same time. At any time after this, your booking is subject to a re-costing that will be based on the prevailing exchange rate of the day at the time you make your final payment. You should confirm the cost of your holiday with your travel consultant at the time you make your final payment. A supplier may, for any reasonable cause, impose charges in addition to the cost quoted at any time prior to the date of your departure to be paid by your departure. We are not liable in any way if any increase occurs.
Payments & Deposits
To secure your booking you are required to pay a non-refundable booking fee as per our Terms of Trade over and above the supplier deposits and/or fees and charges. Failure to pay the deposit by the option due date, may result in the cancellation of your booking by the supplier. This is actioned automatically by the supplier reservations systems, and it is often difficult to amend or extend. Once payment of any kind is made for the booking it is deemed that you have read and understood the terms and conditions for the booking of any service. If you are not sure or have any queries, please ask your Travel Advisor for additional details. If your booking is made within 75 days or departure, the final balance may be due immediately.
If you wish to pay with credit card, a fee will be added to the total payment. Please refer to the below Terms of Trade for the applicable fee that will be added to the total payment. If, for any reason, any travel service provider is unable to provide the service for which you have contracted, your remedy lies against that provider and not against Members Travel Group. In the event payment has been made to Members Travel Group by credit card, you agree that you will not seek to charge back your payment to Members Travel Group.
Cancellations & Refunds
Your right to a refund or credit is subject to the terms and conditions of the supplier. If you or the supplier cancel your travel arrangements, or you fail to utilise your booked travel arrangements without cancelling in advance, then cancellation fees will apply. These cancellation fees will be levied by the supplier as per their terms & conditions and will be greater the closer to your travel date that you cancel. You should check very carefully with your Travel Advisor what these fees are, before you make your booking as cancellation fees can be up to 100% of the amount paid, regardless of whether travel has commenced. In addition to cancellation fees levied by Principals/Wholesalers, Members Travel Group will charge a cancellation fee as per our Terms of Trade. This is to cover the cost of our time and communication involved in the reservation and cancellation of your travel arrangements. Any Service Fees collected by Members Travel Group to make the booking will not be refunded. Please be advised that we are unable to provide a refund to you until we receive the funds from the relevant supplier which can be up to 12 weeks from the dates of your cancellation, and we are not responsible for supplier delays in issuing refunds. In the unfortunate event that you should have to cancel your travel arrangements, we must be notified in writing. The day that we receive this notice in writing, will be considered the date that your cancellation has been made.
Any refunds due will be processed to the person named on receipt of payment, unless both parties provide agreed disbursement arrangements in writing. Refund will be processed back to the original form of payment. Customers whose credit card has been lost, stolen or has expired, will still be processed to the card number used for payment and customers will need to claim funds from the issuing bank.
Changes To Your Itinerary
Amendments to your itinerary will incur a communication fee as per our Terms of Trade in addition to any fees levied by the supplier. In the event of material alterations by a supplier to travel arrangements booked by you, you may be given the option of cancelling these arrangements without penalty, but this is not guaranteed as suppliers in particular airlines and cruise lines as identified in their Passage Terms & Conditions reserve the right to alter or vary a flight schedule or cruise itinerary. For cruises this extends to any ports of call at any time, either before departure or for operational reasons during your actual cruise holiday.Documentation
Suppliers will usually wait until all passengers have finalised payment and for cruises this may extend to the completion of immigration online registration formalities before starting to finalise ticket documents. This will mean that ticket documentation will usually be available 14 to 21 days before travel. If you are travelling extensively before any of the travel arrangements we have booked on your behalf, please ensure that your Travel Advisor is aware of your departure date. It is important that when you receive your documentation that you read it carefully, checking all details prior to departing, so as to minimise any possible disruptions whilst travelling.Airfare Conditions
Many airfares are subject to strict conditions regarding amendments, cancellations and refunds. In addition, airlines impose taxes fees and charges. It is your responsibility to ensure the type of airfare you purchase is suitable for your needs.Baggage Allowance
Baggage allowance varies from airline to airline and in many cases the airfare you have paid may not include the cost to cover checked baggage which will be charged by the airline at the airport on check in. Please check with your Travel Advisor and/or the airline providing your flights for the allowances and additional charges that apply to their service. Note: The US Travel Security Agency (TSA) and other Customs/Immigration Authorities maintain the right to open any suitcase even if it is locked. This means they are authorised to cut off your padlock if required.Flight Reconfirmation
It is your responsibility to contact the airline prior to travel to ensure the scheduled departure time has not changed.Hotel/Accommodation Bookings
Some supplier and/or destinations will require an additional charge paid by you locally direct to the supplier that cannot be pre-paid (ie; resort fees, local taxes and levies).Passport & Passenger Names
All individuals (including Children) departing from Australia must be in possession of a valid passport with a minimum six months validity beyond your return arrival date back into Australia. Australian Residents travelling on a foreign passport may require a visa or permit to re-enter Australia. It is your responsibility to supply your full name as per your passport as travel will be denied if your booking does not match your passport name. If your airline ticket, cruise ticket or other documentation has to be reissued to comply with your passport details, there are often reissue fees that will be charged to you.Visa Requirements
Certain countries require a Visa for entry prior to arrival and in some instances can take time to obtain, so please ask your travel consultant before you book your travel arrangements. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid passports, visas and re-entry permits. It is each travellers own responsibility to ensure they obtain the necessary visa clearance prior to their departure. Some Countries require compulsory pre-registration for an electronic pre-entry visa (e-Visa) which must be completed well in advance of travel (eg. USA ESTA visa). Any fines, penalties, payments or expenditure incurred as a result of such documents not meeting the requirements will be your sole responsibility. If you need information regarding visa and other travel document requirements for your trip, please let us know. We can obtain such information from an external visa advisory service provider on your behalf. We do not warrant the accuracy of such information and accept no liability for any loss or damage which you may suffer in reliance on it. If you wish, we can obtain visas for you through this external service and fees will apply. Obtaining visas however and the assurance that you have the necessary visas for your travel itinerary is the sole responsibility of each traveller.Health Requirements & Vaccinations
Some Countries may require vaccinations, or other health requirements for entry. It is the travellers responsibility to ensure you have the correct health requirements for travel and we recommend that you should Consult your doctor or travel health specialist well in advance of your departure date who will advise you of these requirements. General health advise for the destination you wish to visit is also available at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and trade website: smarttraveller.gov.auTravel Advisories
Policies are constantly evolving and changing with and with-out notice and it is your responsibility to check if any travel advisories have been listed for all States, Territories & Countries you plan to visit.
When travelling internationally you can check with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, via their website. www.smartraveller.gov.au For travel with-in Australia please refer to the following website for the most up to date boarder restrictions https://www.australia.gov.au/states
Any additional costs incurred to make changes to your travel arrangements due to not meeting these requirements will be your sole responsibility.
Travel Insurance
Is strongly recommended by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade for all travel with clients recommended to take out comprehensive travel insurance when making a booking. Travel Insurance should cover loss of deposit, cancellation, medical expenses (including repatriation costs to Australia), loss or damage to personal baggage, loss of money and other additional expenses that may be incurred in the instance where services need to be extended or curtailed due to illness or other insurable risk. Members Travel Group Travel Advisors are FSR compliant with the Insurance providers we represent. You must obtain a Product Disclosure Statement relating to the product to consider the product before making a decision about whether to acquire the product. Travel Insurance is active from the date of purchase and is non-refundable after the initial 14 day cooling off period.Frequent Flyer & Loyalty Program Memberships
Members Travel Group cannot accept any responsibility for any act, omission or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of any travel service provider cruise lines, airlines, hoteliers, tour operators or any other supplier in connection with your holiday and over whom we have no direct or exclusive control. In no event shall we be liable for injury, loss or damage occasioned by the negligence or any incidental or consequential damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, savings arising out of or in any way connected with your travel bookings. We reserve the right to cancel or modify itineraries or bookings where circumstances require. We act as an agent for service travel providers. We have no responsibility for these services, nor do we make or give any warranty or representation regarding their standard. Bookings are made on your behalf subject to the Terms & Conditions imposed by those service providers. Your legal recourse is against the specific provider and not Members Travel Group. If, for any reason, any travel service provider is unable to provide services for which you have contracted, your remedy lies against the provider and not Members Travel Group.Force Majeure
Members Travel Group shall not be liable for any loss or damage incurred by you as a consequence of Members Travel Group or any of the suppliers being unable to perform its obligations under your contract(s) due to the unusual or unforeseeable circumstances (a 'force majeure event') beyond the control of the party affected by the force majeure event. Force Majeure includes, but is not limited to: acts of God, accident, riots, war, terrorist act, epidemic, pandemic, quarantine, outbreaks of infectious disease or any other public health crisis, civil commotion, breakdown of communication facilities, natural catastrophes, adverse weather conditions, high or low water levels, governmental acts or omissions, changes in laws or regulations, national strikes, fire, explosion, generalized lack of availability of raw materials or energy.Goods & Services Tax
Where applicable prices quoted do include goods and services tax or similar tax ("GST"). GST does not apply to international travel.Privacy Policy
Your booking information is automatically transferred to our past passenger database to ensure that you are notified of special offers that are regularly made available to our clients and for the purposes of obtaining feedback. If you do not wish to receive such offers or be contacted to provide feedback, please contact Members Travel Group Sales Office on 07-3021-2800 or email online@racqtravel.com.au. We respect your privacy and the personal information you provide to us will be treated in accordance with our privacy policy which is available by contacting us.Governing Law
Our terms, conditions, and the contractual relationship created between you and Members Travel Group when you book through us is governed by the laws applying in the relevant Australian state or territory.Terms of Trade
1. PURPOSE
1.1. Members Travel Group reserves the right to apply the following non-refundable Schedule of Fees. These are in addition to any fees imposed by various third-party operators.
2. DEFINITIONS
2.1. "Members Travel Group", "We" and "RACQ Travel" refers to Members Travel Group Pty Ltd
2.2. The use of an "*" defines that the fee is charged in addition to the Signature Experience Booking Fee in all
circumstances.
2.3. The use of an "^" defines that the fee is charged in addition to the Signature Experience Booking Fee once the "free"
included limit has been reached.
2.4. All charges as GST inclusive
3. SCHEDULE OF FEES
3.1. SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE BOOKING FEE
> International from $200.00 per person
> Domestic from $75.00 per person (including domestic cruising)
3.2. CREDIT CARD SERVICE FEES*
> Mastercard - 1.2%
> Visa - 1.2%
> American Express - 1.2%
3.3. 24hr EMERGENCY TRAVEL SERVICE FEE*
We provide a 24/7 Out of business hours emergency travel assistance service. This fee is in addition to all other
fees and charges.
> From $100.00 per booking per call
3.4. BOOKING & HANDLING FEE
Fee is charged when we assist you with making a booking.
> International from $100.00 per person per item
> Domestic from $50.00 per person per item
3.5. CRUISE HANDLING FEE
Fee is charged when we assist you with a cruise personaliser or shore excursions
> From $75.00 per person
3.6. FREQUENT FLYER BOOKING & UPGRADE FEE*
Fee is charged when we assist you with upgrade or bookings made via a Frequent Flyer Program
> International from $200.00 per ticket
> Domestic from $100.00 per ticket
3.6. VISA LODGEMENT & HANDLING FEE*
Fee is charged in addition to applicable Visa application and courier fees
> From $250.00 per visa*
3.7. AMENDMENT & RECOST FEE^
Fee is charged addition to applicable third-party fees. Includes voluntary and name changes.
> From $100.00 per person per change
3.8. CANCELLATION FEE*
Fee is charged in addition to applicable third-party fees.
> 15% of the amount paid or a minimum $200.00 per person (whichever is greater)
3.9. TRAVEL INSURANCE CLAIM ASSISTANCE*
Fee is applicable when you make a claim on Travel Insurance, in addition to any relevant excess or third-party fees.
> From $100.00 per claim
3.10. LAST MINUTE BOOKING*
Fee is charged when a booking is made with 7 days or travel. In addition to Signature Experience Booking Fee.
> From $100.00 per person
3.11. HOLIDAY PLANNING FEE
Fee charged at time of quotation, contributes towards your deposit if booking is confirmed
> From $100.00 per person
3.11. OTHER FEES & REFUNDS
> Gift Vouchers and Registries are non-refundable and non-transferable
> No cash refunds will be given
> Any refunds due will be processed to the person named on receipt of payment, unless both parties provide agreed
disbursement arrangements in writing. Refund will be processed back to the original form of payment. Customers
whose credit card has been lost, stolen or has expired, will still be process to the card number used for payment
and customers will need to claim funds from the issuing bank.
3.11. CHEQUE PAYMENTS
> Will only be accepted when paid a minimum of 7 days prior balance date