Booking Terms & Conditions

1. CONTRACT

Your contract is with the Tour Operator (TO) that Vita Brevis Travel (VBT), acting as agent, has negotiated your holiday through. TO contracts vary and VBT will provide you with a copy of any such contract, at any stage, upon request. A binding contract is only entered into when said TO takes payment and issues a confirmation invoice.

2. YOUR FINANCIAL PROTECTION
When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from a TO you will receive an ATOL Certificate. Every TO that VBT works through provides ATOL protection. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. The suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where the supplier is not able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable). If the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.

3. PAYMENT FOR YOUR HOLIDAY
A deposit, usually 20%, of the total holiday price is required at the time of booking. This may vary depending on lead time of the booking and the TO terms. All your payments are made directly to the TO either by bank transfer or credit / debit card. VBT never processes your payments through its own account. The balance is due prior to departure and VBT will advise you as to when that will be due before you make your booking. If any balance remains unpaid, travel documentation will not be issued and the TO is likely to reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled and apply their cancellation charge. Final travel documents will usually be sent out approximately 2 weeks before departure. Payment must be in the currency of the invoice and you are responsible for bank charges. In some cases quotations will be based on instant purchase, limited availability non refundable airfares and full payment of the total holiday cost must be made at the time of booking. Full details will be given at the time of enquiry.

4. INFORMATION
Whilst VBT makes every effort to ensure that the information on this website and elsewhere is as accurate as possible, details are often published many months before your holiday takes place. VBT reserves the right to make changes to this website and elsewhere and any information they contain. You will be informed of any material changes before booking.

5. AMENDMENT AND CANCELLATION BY YOU

(a) Amendment
VBT will do its best to assist you in altering your arrangements after booking but cannot guarantee this will be possible and each TO will have differing rules and procedures. If alterations can be made you will be responsible for all extra charges and costs and VBT and the TO reserve the right to charge a reasonable administration fee per person plus any applicable charges levied by the airlines and other suppliers.

(b) Cancellation
All cancellations will be subject to the TO terms and conditions and will need to be sent to VBT in writing by the person who made the booking and we will forward it immediately to the TO. As substantial costs and losses can occur on a cancellation, the TO will apply cancellation charges in accordance with their terms and conditions. The penalties are likely to be in addition to the non-refundable elements of the booking which have been contracted on your behalf and notified to you.

6. AMENDMENT AND CANCELLATION BY TOUR OPERATOR

(a) Amendment
It is occasionally necessary for VBT and the corresponding TO to make changes to advertised products and services and VBT and the TO reserve the right to make such changes. In exceptional circumstances the TO may have to modify your holiday after booking, and this will be in accordance with their terms and conditions. Compensation may apply.

(b) Changes during your holiday
Again, these will depend on the terms and conditions of the TO through which your holiday is booked.

(c) Cancellation by Tour Operator
Whilst VBT hopes that any TO it has organised your holiday through will never have to cancel your holiday, this does very occasionally happen. Again, the alternative arrangements or compensation or other remedy will depend on the terms and conditions of the TO through which your holiday is booked.

7. PRICES
All prices advertised or quoted are in pounds sterling unless otherwise shown and are subject to change, up or down, until the booking is concluded.

8. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO YOU
VBT take care to ensure that the preparation and negotiation of your holiday with the appropriate Tour Operator(s) is executed to the highest standards and in accordance with your instructions. Once your booking is made, the TO becomes the party to which you are contracted. However, VBT will continue to be available for advice and assistance in your dealings with the TO.

9. COMPLAINTS
If you have any complaint or problem whilst on holiday you must inform VBT, our representatives, the TO or the supplier as soon as possible to give VBT and the TO the maximum opportunity to rectify it. Any unresolved complaints must be notified to VBT or the TO in writing as soon as possible upon your return and ideally within 7 days.

10. PASSPORTS, VISAS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTATION
It is your responsibility to ensure that all necessary passports are machine readable. You should also ensure that all necessary visas, international driving licences, vaccinations and other health documents are in order. All passports must have a validity of at least six months from your scheduled return date to the UK. You will generally need clear/clean pages for visas, as required, to be inserted. You must read all documentation that is supplied to you and ensure that all information contained within is correct. Failure to do so may incur amendment charges which are your responsibility. Some countries and airlines now require additional passenger information (API). VBT will inform you which countries require this information. This information is compulsory and is required by authorities. It is essential that all clients provide the API prior to travelling. Failure to provide this information may result in you being denied boarding for your flight. No refund will be permitted and any additional costs will be borne by the named clients.

11. TRAVEL INSURANCE
VBT strongly advise you to have the appropriate travel insurance for the holiday you are booking. Such insurance should ideally be valid from the date of booking, be valid throughout the holiday duration and financially cover any probable loss through cancellation, amendment, accident or health related problems. You should ensure you are covered for all activities you are planning on your trip.

12. JURISDICTION
This contract is governed by English Law and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

13. DATA PROTECTION POLICY
In order for us to process your booking we may need to store and record your information, including data as supplied. This may include transfer of such information outside of the European Economic Area to parties involved in the arrangements of your holiday. Equally we use such information for updating our mailing lists and from time to time you may receive travel related information from us.

14. UK FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE ON OVERSEAS TRAVEL
It is now assumed that British citizens are at risk of terrorism, be it in the UK or when travelling overseas. For your guidance, VBT suggest you visit the website of the Foreign Office at www.fco.gov.uk The website is regularly updated and provides you with country-specific information, including advice on terrorism and general matters on health and safety.