Costs, deposits, cancellations and refunds
Prices are generally based on tariffs and airfares current at the time travel brochures are published. If there is a subsequent increase in cost to the tour operator, the published prices can be varied; so check the current price with your travel agent at the time of booking.
In many cases, the price of a holiday is not fixed even after you have paid a deposit. Read the conditions in the travel brochure carefully. Usually the tour operator will reserve the right to increase prices because it is impossible to foresee fluctuations in exchange rates, hotel rate changes, fuel price rises etc. You may be able to avoid price rises by paying for your holiday in full. Clarify this with your travel agent before you make a booking.
Beware of "special" deals which have "special" conditions. These conditions may mean the offer is not as attractive as it seems. For example, to qualify for an incredibly low airfare, you may have to purchase expensive hotel accommodation. Such packages may still represent good value, but make sure you check them out very carefully.
Before you pay your deposit to the travel agent, check whether it is refundable and whether any amount will be forfeited if you cancel. The agent is entitled to claim a reasonable sum to cover costs if you cancel your holiday even if you have a very good reason for doing so (such as ill health). The agent may also be obliged to deduct money to cover losses incurred by other parties, such as tour operators.
Cancellation fees can be very expensive. Generally speaking, the later you cancel the more you will lose in cancellation fees. The conditions relating to penalties and refunds can usually be found in the "Booking Conditions" section of most travel brochures.
Refunds can take between six to eight weeks to process; some "special price" air tickets take a little longer.
Another thing to be aware of is your ability to change your travel details once your ticket has been issued. A standard fare ticket will usually be fairly flexible if you want, for example, to either shorten or extend your stay.
But a ticket that was sold for less than the standard fare may have various conditions attached to it and may not let you change your departure or return dates.
Discuss these matters with your travel agent and make sure you understand exactly what limitations have been placed on your travel by the type of ticket you have purchased.