LICENSED AGENCY

Helios Travel (ABN 81262856426) (hereinafter ‘Agent’) is licensed to operate a travel agency in the State of Queensland/Australia under Travel Agents Regulation 1998 (hereinafter ‘the Regulation’). This contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law in effect in Queensland and the parties hereto accept the jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland in relation to any dispute between them. Nothing in these Terms and  Conditions is intended to exclude, restrict or modify any statutory obligation of the Agent implied by the Regulation, the Sale of Goods Act, 1896 or any State legislation if that cannot be lawfully excluded.

Type of Business

This is a Category 1 licence under the Regulation which allows for the selling of, or arranging for the sale of, or advertising a willingness to sell or arrange the sale of:

(1)   international air travel to or from a place outside Australia; AND

(2)   international air travel and accommodation outside Australia; AND

(3)   international non-air travel to or from a place outside Australia; AND

(4)   international non-air travel and accommodation outside Australia; AND

(5)   domestic air travel between places in Australia; AND

(6)   domestic air travel and accommodation in Australia; AND

(7)   domestic non-air travel between places in Australia; AND

(8)   domestic non-air travel and accommodation in Australia.

Other products

Helios Travel also arranges for the sale of or advertising a willingness to sell or arrange the sale of certain products exempt under the Regulation, including:

(9)   Travel insurance; AND

(10)      Travel on McCaffertys buslines; AND

(11)      Travel on the Interurban network as agents for Queensland Rail; AND

(12)      International rail travel e.g. as agents for RailPlus; AND

(13)      Hotel bookings e.g. as agents for Octopus Travel; AND

(14)      Making incidental arrangements such as organising car hire or traveller's cheques if there is a travel component.

What is a Travel Agent?

Helios Travel is a travel agent because it sells, or arranges for the sale of, or advertises a willingness to sell, products that it does not own itself but that are owned by other service providers.

Agents for whom?

The products defining the type of business and other products listed above could therefore include acting as agents for service providers including but not limited to wholesale agents, retail agents, railways, airlines, coach/bus/car/boat hire operators and tour operators.

Under the definition of ‘accommodation' above, this could involve acting as agents for service providers, including but not limited to the operators of backpacker houses, hostels, bed and breakfast venues, motels, hotels, caravan and camping parks, conference organisers, and others.

General Terms & Conditions

These Conditions of Booking and Payment constitute a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding between the Agent and the Customer with respect to the products listed above and override any conditions to the contrary which may be expressed in any of the Customers Purchase Order Forms or other documents and supersede all prior arrangements between the parties either written, oral or established through a course of dealings between the parties and no usage of trade shall be relevant to supplement or explain any terms used hereto. These Conditions of cannot be varied except in writing signed by a duly authorised officer of the Agent.

The following general terms and conditions apply:

1.      The description of an available product or service, prices and qualities related to that product/service contained in our brochures/web-site/advice are made by Helios Travel only as agent for the company providing the services, based on information provided by them.

2.      Because it is only acting as agent, Helios Travel does not accept responsibility for any change in prices or variation of services as shown, and all services and prices are subject to change without notice. In this time of escalating prices and economic instability, it is impossible to foresee fluctuations in exchange rates or increases to costs such as increases in airfares, fuel, airport charges, hotel rates or other servive providers' tariffs. In the event of such fluctuations or increases affecting prices which we pay for transportation, hotel accomodation and services generally, we reserve the right to adjust our prices as may be necessary at any time up to and including the day of departure, even though the balance payment may have been made.

3.      Helios Travel does not accept any liability of whatever nature for the acts, omissions or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of those service providers with whom you enter into contract and over which we have no direct control. We do not accept liability in contract or in tort for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expenses or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by force majeure or other events which are beyond our control, or which are not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part including, but not limited to war, civil disturbance, fire, floods, unusually severe weather, acts of God, acts of Government or of any other authorities, accidents to or failure of machinery or equipment or industrial action.

4.      Customers are advised to check with us for any changes or variations to the information given or shown in our brochures or on our web-site prior to your booking, and/or prior to your departure. This will allow us to advise you of any such changes.

Booking

The following terms and conditions apply to Booking:

1.         Quotations: All quotations are subject to availability of services quoted and are not guaranteed until the booking is confirmed and deposit is received.

2.         Bookings made at least  28 days prior to travel

a.   For bookings made and confirmed at least 28 days prior to departure, a deposit of AUD$300 per booking and person is required within 3 days of the confirmation.

b.   If a deposit is not received by this time the booking will automatically cancel without notice.

3.         Final Payment

a.       Final payment is due 21 days prior to departure.

b.      No vouchers will be issued until final payment is received.

c.       Payments made by cheque or direct deposit do not attract any fees

4.         Late Bookings

a.       Bookings made within 28 days of departure must provide a credit card voucher at the time of booking for the full and final payment which will be finalised as soon as the booking becomes available.

b.      A late booking fee of A$100 can be charged if booking is made within  72 hours prior to departure.

5.         Cancellation Policy

a.       Deposited bookings cancelled 28 or more days prior to departure - Deposit is fully refundable

b.      Deposited bookings cancelled 7 or more days prior to departure - Deposit is not refundable

c.       Fully paid bookings cancelled 21 days or more prior to departure - Fully refundable less any fees levied by the suppliers.

d.      Fully paid bookings cancelled 7 days or more prior to departure - Deposit is not refundable and any fees levied by the suppliers will also be deducted from the refund.

e.       Bookings cancelled within 7 days of departure - No refund

f.        Cancellations must be in writing and should be addressed to the consultant handling the booking.

6.         Amendment Fees

a.       If you change your itinerary after full payment and final documents are issued, an administration fee of AUD$100 plus 5% of the refund amount may be charged per booking and person.

b.      This is in addition to any cancellation fees applied by accommodation and tour/cruise operators. (if applicable)

7.         Change of Itinerary After Holiday Has Commenced

a.       Any alteration or cancellation of services after your holiday has commenced can incur penalties.

8.         Refunds

a.       No guarantee is provided or warranted that any refund will be available.

b.      All refund requests must be in writing, and made direct to us as agent.

c.       Claims must be made within 15 days of completion of travel arrangements. Refunds will not be made for bookings cancelled due to inclement weather or illness, these must be claimed through your travel Insurance.

9.         Reporting of Incidents

a.       Any abnormal incidents during travel including injuries, service problems, cancellation of a service or other dissatisfaction must be reported to the service provider during the event to allow them an opportunity to rectify the situation or provide assistance.

Payment

The following terms and conditions apply to Payment:

1.         Payment Options: You may pay by credit card or you may fax through your credit card details to us, send a cheque or make a direct deposit.

2.         Direct Deposit details: ANZ trust account 198784962 (BSB 014-234).

3.         Card Fees: Credit card fees will be applied automatically:
Mastercard: 3.35%; Visa: 3.35%;  Bankcard: 3.35%; Diners: 3%; American Express: 3.35% .

4.         Currency: All rates are quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD), unless stated otherwise.