Booking Terms and Conditions
Please read the following “Booking Terms and Conditions” carefully, as they contain important information about your legal rights, remedies and obligations. You must not make any booking unless you understand and agree with the following Booking Terms and Conditions. References to “us”, “we”, “our”, “FCM”, ““Flight Centre” and/or “Flight Centre (NZ) Limited” in these Booking Terms and Conditions shall mean Flight Centre (NZ) Limited trading as FCM. References to “you” and “your”, in these Booking Terms and Conditions shall mean the customer.
By making any booking, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Booking Terms and Conditions. These Booking Terms and Conditions apply to any bookings you make with our consultants (in-store, over the phone or by email) as well as online bookings you make on our website.
We will rely on the authority of the person making the booking to act on behalf of any other traveller on the booking (regardless of whether other travellers have made separate payments) and that person will bind all such travellers to these Booking Terms and Conditions.
Passports & Visas
All travellers must have a valid passport for international travel and many countries require at least 6 months validity from the date of return and some countries require a machine-readable passport. For international travel bookings, you must let us know if you have less than 6 months validity on your passport or if you do not have a machine-readable passport. When assisting with an international travel booking, we will assume that all travellers on the booking have a valid New Zealand passport which is valid for the relevant destination and transit point. If this is not the case, you must let us know. It is important that you ensure that you have valid passports, visas and re-entry permits which meet the requirements of immigration and other government authorities. Any fines, penalties, payments or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not meeting the requirements of those authorities will be your sole responsibility (except to the extent caused by fault on our part). If you need information regarding visas, passports and other travel document requirements for your trip, please let your consultant know or contact us on 0800 747 767. We can provide you with general information only on visa and passport requirements that apply to international travel bookings you make with us. Our consultants can also obtain more specific information from an external visa advisory service provider on your behalf (if you wish, we can assist you to obtain visas through this external service and fees will apply). We do not warrant the accuracy or suitability of information provided by any external service provider and accept no liability for any loss or damage which you may suffer in reliance on it (except to the extent caused by fault on our part).
If you are travelling to or transiting through the United States please see https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov for important information regarding compulsory pre-registration for their visa waiver program (“ESTA”). New Zealand passport holders will not be able to enter the United States without a valid ESTA (or visa). Please note, you may not meet the eligibility requirements of ESTA and may be required to obtain a visa.
If you are travelling to or transiting through Canada please see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp for important information regarding compulsory electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt foreign nationals (“ETA”). New Zealand passport holders will not be able to enter Canada without a valid ETA (or visa or permit) from 15 March 2016. Please note, you may not meet the eligibility requirements of ETA and may be required to obtain a visa or permit.
We urge you to apply for entry visas, permits and applicable waivers/exemptions prior to booking your travel, particularly if you have any concerns about whether or not you might be eligible for an ESTA or ETA.
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 travel service provider. Travel documents may be subject to certain conditions and/or restrictions including (without limitation) being non-refundable, non-date-changeable, and/or subject to cancellation and/or other change fees. Travel documents cannot be transferred to another person to use. All airline tickets must be issued in the name of the passport/photo identity holder. Your name on your passport, visa and other travel documents must all be identical. An incorrect name on a booking may result in an inability to use that booking, the booking being cancelled, and the application of additional change and/or cancellation fees. Please review your travel documentation carefully and advise us immediately of any errors in names, dates or timings. If you have booked with a consultant, it is your responsibility to collect all travel documents from us prior to travel. As a general rule your travel documents will be available for collection 2 weeks prior to your departure date, however this will depend on your individual arrangements. Please contact your consultant to confirm when your travel documents will be ready for collection. If you have booked online, you should retain your electronic record of travel documents as provided to you by our website (or in a follow up email we send you). Please ensure you retain the most up-to-date version.
Please ensure you read your travel documents carefully for details on baggage allowances as these can vary from airline to airline and country to country. Excess baggage (if your airline allows it) can be expensive and is your responsibility. We will not be liable for any expenses, fees, penalties, costs, liabilities, damages or losses associated with baggage allowances and excess baggage.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you take out appropriate travel insurance to cover your travel arrangements.
Your insurance protection should at least include cover for cancellation, medical and repatriation expenses, personal injury and accident, death and loss of personal baggage and money and personal liability insurance. Evidence of such insurance should be produced to FCM on request. Travel insurance is strongly recommended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for all overseas travel. Your consultant can provide general information to you about travel insurance. For details of the services that travel insurers provide, including a quote, please refer to the travel insurer’s Financial Services Guide (“FSG”)/Product Disclosure Statement (“PDS”).
We are an authorised representative of CoverMore Insurance Services Pty Ltd (ABN 95 003 114 145) (“CoverMore”) and receive financial and non-financial benefits when you buy CoverMore travel insurance products through us. We and CoverMore are authorised to provide you with general advice about, and arrange, travel insurance products on behalf of the insurer, Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ABN 13 000 296 640, AFSL 232507).
You must read the CoverMore Combined FSG/PDS before you decide to buy the CoverMore travel insurance product you are considering purchasing to ensure it meets your needs and financial situation. The Combined FSG/PDS also contains information about the conditions, limits and exclusions that apply to the insurance, the 15 working day cooling-off period, and how you can access Cover-More’s privacy policy and complaints handling procedures.
Please contact your consultant to take out travel insurance through us or if you have any questions about Cover-More’s travel insurance products. If you make a travel booking through us and decline travel insurance, you may be required to sign a disclaimer.
Travel Advice including COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Guidance
We recommend that you contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (“MFAT”) or visit their website at https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/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 MFAT, 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 New Zealand’s immigration and border arrangements during the COVID-19 outbreak, available at https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19 and that you check your travel insurance to ensure it provides you with adequate protection.
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 COVID-19 and that your travel plans may be impacted by COVID-19. It is your own responsibility to acquaint yourself with all relevant travel information, including applicable health risks and travel restrictions (including (without limitation) border closures, isolation and quarantine requirements). 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, all of the risks associated with traveling at this time. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability in relation to any of 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 MFAT (see https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/).
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. All medical requests are beyond our control. 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.
Prices
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 your consultant for up-to-date prices.
Financial Arrangements
We receive remuneration through commissions, financial incentives and other means (together, “financial arrangements”) from booking travel and travel-related products and services on your behalf with third party travel service providers. We are not required by law to disclose to you the nature or value of these financial arrangements.
Deposit and Final Payment (Not applicable to online bookings, which must be paid in full at the time of booking)
You may be required to pay a deposit or deposits when booking. Your consultant will advise you of how much that will be. Subject to your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act, all deposits are non-refundable for changes of mind or cancellations by you, or if the travel service provider’s terms and conditions provide that your deposit is non-refundable. If your deposit is refundable, this is subject to FCM having received the funds from the travel service provider and/or being authorised by the travel service provider to refund your deposit. A deposit will secure your booking/seat, however prices quoted may change before you make the final payment. Final payment is required no later than 30 days prior to departure unless otherwise stated. Some airfares or services must be paid in full at the time of booking.
Our Change and Cancellation Fees
Subject to your refund and remedy rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act, the change or cancellation fees that will apply to your booking (including online bookings and bookings made with a consultant), are as per your FCM Contract or agreed fee schedule.
These change and cancellation fees reflect the reasonable, direct and indirect costs, time and effort incurred or involved in us providing booking and advisory services to you, as well as processing and managing the changes to, or cancellation of, your booking.
If you wish to change or cancel a booking that has been booked online and paid for using PayPal or credit card, please contact your consultant or contact us on 0800 747 767. Applicable change or cancellation fees may be paid via credit card and will attract the applicable credit card surcharge.
All bookings are made on your behalf subject to the terms and conditions imposed by the travel service provider. If, for example, a travel service provider’s terms and conditions contain a “no refund policy”, we will only be able to provide you with the remedy provided by the travel service provider (if any), which may include a travel credit supplied by the travel service provider.
Travel service provider Change and Cancellation Fees
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. Travel service provider fees may also apply where a booking is changed for any reason and when tickets or documents are re-issued. Where we incur any liability for a travel service provider change or cancellation fee for any booking which is changed or cancelled for any reason, you agree to indemnify us for the amount of that fee. Where you seek a refund for a changed or cancelled booking for which payment has been made to the travel service provider, 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). In the event we are still holding the funds, we can only provide you with a refund once we are authorised by the travel service provider to process your refund, subject to that travel service provider’s change or cancellation policy.
Change or Cancellation by You
If you change any aspect of your booking, we will do our best to accommodate your request, but it may not always be possible. All changes will be subject to any applicable travel service provider fees and FCM change fees set out above, and you will be responsible for any increase in pricing that may occur as a result of your change request.
If you cancel any aspect of your booking, you will forfeit your deposit and you will be required to pay any applicable travel service provider fees and FCM cancellation fees as above, and we will provide you with a refund for the remaining funds (if any). Alternatively, the travel service provider may offer you a travel credit for the full amount paid by you without applying any applicable travel service provider fees. If your deposit or booking is refundable, this is subject to FCM having received the funds from the travel service provider and/or being authorised by the travel service provider to refund your deposit or booking funds.
For instant purchase or non-refundable bookings, if you cancel any aspect of your booking, you will not be entitled to a refund, travel credit or other remedy from the travel service provider and/or FCM.
Change or Cancellation by You
The following terms apply to a cancellation by a travel service provider, except in the event of unavoidable or extraordinary circumstances (which are dealt with in sections 13 and 14 below).
To the extent permitted by applicable law, if your booking is cancelled by a travel service provider, the travel service provider will generally offer you in the first instance alternative travel arrangements of comparable standard if available (and will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value), or a travel credit for the full amount paid by you. Alternatively, subject to the travel service provider’s change or cancellation policy, the travel service provider may offer you a refund of all money paid by you in respect of the booking, from which the travel service provider and/or FCM will deduct any unrecoverable costs, and any applicable travel service provider fees and FCM cancellation fees as above.
“Unrecoverable costs” means all reasonable, direct and indirect costs we have incurred in relation to your booking, and includes amounts paid by FCM to other relevant travel service providers who are responsible for components of your booking and which may be non-refundable. For example, costs paid to overseas in-destination tour or transfer operators.
For instant purchase or non-refundable bookings, if your booking is cancelled by a travel service provider, subject to the travel service provider’s change or cancellation policy, you may not be entitled to a refund, travel credit or other remedy from the travel service provider and/or FCM.
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).
A material modification is one that has a serious impact on your booking and would cause substantial inconvenience to you (including a change of departure date, departure point or airport, or change of departure time of more than twelve hours).
