BINDING AGREEMENT

Please read the following Booking Terms and Conditions provided. By paying monies to Journeys by Design for any travel arrangements you are accepting that you understand and agree with all terms and conditions below. You MUST NOT accept any booking without wholly agreeing with the terms and conditions below.

BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Introduction:

We offer for sale various products and/or services on behalf of our Principals such as airlines, other transport operators, hotel and other accommodation providers, tour operators and other principal suppliers. These are referred to throughout as ‘Principals’.

Our services consist of arranging and co-coordinating the services offered by the Principals. Journeys by Design brings about a direct contractual relationship between you, the customer, and each Principal. Subject to these booking conditions Journeys by Design will perform our services with reasonable care and skill.

Journeys by Design does not guarantee the performance of the services offered by the Principals and we will not be liable in the event that you suffer loss, injury or disappointment by reason of any acts or failings of any Principal. In such case your remedy will lie against the Principal.

The brochures (including e-brochures) which we supply to you are the brochures of the Principals and that the statements and representations contained in such brochures are not ours but are made by the Principals. We accept no liability for any inaccuracies or misrepresentations contained in such brochures.

Your travel arrangements will also be subject to the Principals’ terms and conditions including limits on liability and conditions of carriage. You are responsible for reading the Principals’ terms and conditions before paying for your booking or reservation.

Subject to the Australian Consumer Law, Journeys by Design will not be liable for any loss or damage, injury, delay, inconvenience, or expense caused by a Principal. Journeys by Design will not be liable for events beyond its control or the control of the Principals including, without limitation, strikes, accidents, pandemics or outbreaks of infectious diseases, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances or force majeure (Acts of God).

Journeys by Design may receive fees, commissions, gifts or financial incentives from the Principals and other third parties in relation to your travel arrangements.

Prices:

Airfares and tour prices may change (almost invariably by being increased) without prior notice and even though your arrangements have been confirmed. Such price increases are beyond our control, and you will be liable to pay for any such increases. Many airlines now impose surcharges on the price of air travel. These surcharges may change between the time you make a reservation and the date of full payment.

Deposits & Payments:

Please note deposit payments are NON-REFUNDABLE. Cancellation penalties will apply once full payment has been made.

If payment has not been made by the specific date which Journeys by Design will advise you, your bookings may be cancelled. Payments may be made by direct deposit, BPAY, or credit card.

Credit Card Transaction: Credit card processing fee of 1.35% for Visa/Mastercard or 2.05% for American Express (Diner's not accepted) will apply when paying by credit card. The charge will appear on your statement as KINWIN PTY LTD or JOURNEYS BY DESIGN or as the Operator you are traveling with. If for any reason any travel service provider is unable to provide the services for which you have contracted, your remedy lies against that provider, and not against Journeys by Design. In the event that payment has been made to Journeys by Design by credit card, you agree that you will not seek to charge back your payment to Journeys by Design.

Journeys by Design will not be liable for any loss caused by a failure of a tour manager or tour wholesaler to make payments to Journeys by Design, for reservations or airfares and services made on behalf of a tour group or any individual traveller.

Travel Insurance:

We recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy at the time you pay for your travel. You should ensure that such insurance will protect you against medical expenses arising from sickness or injury during your travel and protect you against loss or damage to your belongings and for enough cancellation cover for the total package price of your trip. The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade also strongly recommend you take out travel insurance.

If your travel arrangements involve group travel or a group event it is your responsibility to ensure you have travel insurance which is suitable for and covers those travel arrangements. You warrant that you have made appropriate enquiries and sought advice on your specific travel insurance requirements.

Please note that some credit card providers will provide the card holder with travel insurance. Where you are paying for all or any part of the services arranged through us by credit card and you intend to use travel insurance provided by the credit card provider you acknowledge that Journeys by Design has offered you travel insurance and that you waive any claim against Journeys by Design in respect of any loss or damage you may suffer as a result of you failing to take out any or adequate travel insurance.

Fees & Charges:

    1.  Cancellation fees
If you cancel a confirmed reservation or booking the Principal is likely to charge you a cancellation fee. Further, some tickets may be non-refundable or non-transferable. It is important to check the position with us before you confirm arrangements and/or before you cancel any confirmed reservations. Please read the Principal’s special conditions in relation to your travel arrangements.
 
In addition to any cancellation fee charged by a Principal, if you cancel a confirmed reservation or booking for any reason, Journeys by Design will retain its commission paid or service fee charged in respect of the travel arrangements. You acknowledge that the retention by Journeys by Design of the commission or service fee is fair remuneration for the work done by Journeys by Design in arranging your travel arrangements.

    1.  Changes to bookings or reservations
If you wish to change a confirmed reservation or booking you are likely to incur fees. In some cases, it may not be possible to change a reservation or booking or to cancel or it may be uneconomic for you to do so. You should always check the cost before requesting changes to your travel arrangements. Please read the terms and conditions of the Principals which apply to your travel arrangements.
 
Unless otherwise stated in your costings and itinerary document in addition to any fee charged by a Principal, Journeys by Design will charge you a fee to process an amendment to a confirmed booking or reservation based on the rate of $50.00 per hour plus GST. There is a minimum fee of $50.00 plus GST.

    1.  Refunds
If your travel arrangements are cancelled for any reason (including force majeure) after you have paid, no refund will be available to you until Journeys by Design receives the monies from the Principal involved. In most cases, the Principal will charge a cancellation fee and, in some instances, you may not be able to claim a refund.
 
Journeys by Design is not responsible for any delays by a Principal in processing a refund. You should be aware that airlines may take a significant time to process a refund.
 
Should the price of an airfare, cruise or tour be reduced after you have made payment your right to a refund (if any) is governed by the terms and conditions which apply to the airfare, cruise or tour as determined by the airline, cruise line or tour operator.
Unless otherwise stated in your costings and itinerary document in addition to any fee charged by a Principal, Journeys by Design will charge you a fee to process a refund request based on the rate of $50.00 per hour plus GST. There is a minimum fee of $50.00 plus GST.
 
Journeys by Design earns commissions and/or charges service fees in making your travel arrangements. Journeys by Design reserves the right to retain the commissions and service fees that is earned on your booking from any refund should your booking be cancelled for any reason (including for force majeure).

Passports:

It is essential that we receive the CORRECT SPELLING OF YOUR NAME AS PER YOUR PASSPORT - THIS INCLUDES YOUR MIDDLE NAME should this information be incorrect penalties will be charged for any changes after ticketing. 
Most countries also require a minimum of SIX MONTHS VALIDITY on your passport from the date of departure from the country.  It is your responsibility to ensure your passport has sufficient validity prior to travel. 
 
Prior to confirming your travel arrangements, you should check your passport and establish that it will remain current for the entire period of your travel. Certain countries require that your passport remains valid for a period of up to twelve months after the date upon which you are scheduled to leave such country. You may be denied entry to a country if your passport expires within 12 months.

Visas & Documentation Responsibilities:

It is the passenger's responsibility to ensure they have the appropriate documentation including visas.  You should clarify visa requirements with the Embassies of the countries that you plan to visit as certain countries may require you to take out a visa dependant on whether you are travelling on an Australian or a foreign passport. The authorities in some countries (including the USA & Canada) require holders of Australian passports to apply for a pre-authorisation or Visa Waiver at least 96 hours prior to arriving in that country.  They may require holders of Australian passports to take out a visa for entry into their country where the traveller has been sentenced or imprisoned or been convicted of certain types of criminal offence. A visa may be required where a contagious disease or a serious health problem exists. It is the responsibility of each member of the travelling party to ensure that they have a valid passport and the necessary visa/s for the destinations to be visited.
 
Re-entry Visas for Australia
Re-entry visas will/may be required for travellers leaving Australia holding a foreign passport. If you hold a foreign passport, then it is your responsibility to make your own enquiries and satisfy yourself as to the position in regard to your passport and/or visa requirements before leaving Australia.

Vaccinations:

Certain countries and Principals require that travellers be vaccinated against specific infection (including but not limited to COVID vaccinations) and/or diseases. Journeys by Design strongly recommends that you check with your doctor and the Embassies of countries to which you are travelling to with respect to any health requirements.

As Governments and Principals start to open and accept clients their requirements for Covid vaccinations, PCR Tests and other requirements are constantly evolving. Whilst your personal travel manager may assist you in navigating these travel requirements you are ultimately responsible for all medical & travel-related documentation required by state, federal or international authorities that allow entry or exit into their state, territory, return to Australia or overseas travel from Australia to another country. You should ensure that you have satisfied yourself that you have all the required documents before booking your travel and keep yourself up to date on any changes to these requirements.

If provided by you, you authorise Journeys by Design to store a copy of all relevant COVID vaccination certificates and forward a copy to any Principals as reasonably required.

You acknowledge that your failure to produce a copy of a valid COVID vaccination certificate may lead to your booking being cancelled and as a result, you may incur cancellation fees which will be subject to the Principals’ terms and conditions as well as the fee’s outlined above.

Checking Travel Arrangements:

We have exercised care in putting together the arrangements requested by you in regard to your travel and accommodation. It is important that you check all of the documentation handed to you in relation to your proposed travel and accommodation to ensure that it fully meets with your requirements and to ensure that there have been no misunderstandings. All documents, in relation to international travel, must be issued in the name of the passport holder. You may be denied carriage if the name varies.

    1.  We strongly recommend that you contact your airline prior to any travel to ensure that the scheduled departure time has not changed.
    2.  We strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with current travel advisories/information from smartraveller.gov.au before you travel.
    3.  Payment of any excess baggage charges is the Travellers sole responsibility.
    4.  Carry on baggage is subject to security rules on the carriage of various items. It is your responsibility to check with the relevant authorities.

Reconfirmations & Schedule Changes:

You no longer need to reconfirm your flight however we recommend that you confirm your flight time with the local airline office ONLINE at least 72 hours prior to departure.  Failure to check flight times and status may result in the cancellation of some reservations.
 
Wherever possible Journeys by Design will do all possible to advise of any airline schedule changes prior to departure.  However, this is not always possible.   We strongly recommend you check on the airline website prior to departure to ensure that there has been no last minute schedule changes.  

Airport Check-in Times:

Increased Security Measures at Airports:  The Australian Government has introduced additional aviation security measures for both international and domestic terminals at Australia’s major airports, aimed at addressing heightened security concerns in the aviation sector. The travelling public can expect to experience an increased level of security scrutiny at the airport, but they should not be concerned about these precautionary measures.   As the measures place an additional burden on the screening system, it may take a little longer than usual to get through the process.

    •  Passengers are advised to arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights to allow time for security screening.
    •  Passengers should also limit the amount of carry-on and checked baggage they travel with as this will help to ensure security screening is efficient.

Baggage Allowance:

Cabin and checked baggage allowance do vary from airline to airline, but as a general guide, the following levels apply.  Please check your ticket for exact baggage allowance.
 
First Class: 40 kg free baggage allowance per person.
Business Class: 30 kg free baggage allowance per person.
Economy Class: 23 kg free baggage allowance per person.
 
For travel to and from the USA, the general baggage allowance is 2 pieces per person, however this may vary depending on the airlines and fare level. Please check with your consultant for dimension and weight information.
 

Frequent Flyers:

If you are a member of an airline frequent flyer programme, please ensure you have advised your number to your consultant. It is important you retain your boarding passes and copies of tickets for point verification against your statement. Without these you may be unable to claim points if there is any discrepancy. 

Responsibility:

Journeys by Design accepts no responsibility for any loss, cost or expense that arises or is incurred by the customer to the extent that it arises or is incurred directly or indirectly as a result of any booking made by, or on behalf of, the customer independently of Journeys by Design.

ATAS:

Journeys by Design are accredited ATAS member.
The AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS) is an industry accreditation scheme that sets the benchmark of quality for the travel industry.  AFTA is committed, through ATAS, to elevating travel industry standards in Australia by driving increased and continued participation by travel intermediaries in ATAS and raising consumer awareness of the benefits of booking travel through an ATAS accredited agent.  The accreditation scheme is open to all travel intermediaries (those that buy and sell travel) and benchmarks applicants against a range of criteria.  Those that meet the requirements are awarded national accreditation and receive the right to use the 'ATAS - travel accredited' branding, a symbol of quality and professionalism.

Complaints:

Journeys by Design endeavours to deliver exceptional quality professional travel services. We are committed to being responsive to the needs and concerns of customers and to resolve your complaint as quickly as possible. Customer feedback is welcomed as it helps us improve our service delivery to you.  Please forward any feedback to Hayley O'Rourke at hayley@jbd.travel
 
Your rights under Australian Consumer Law
Nothing in these terms and conditions is to be read as excluding, restricting or modifying your rights under the Australian Consumer Law and other legislation given to consumers in relation to the supply of goods and services.

Thank you for entrusting us with your journey.