Terms & Conditions
For those who have not used our services, please make certain that you have carefully studied the booking conditions, and ask your consultant whether there have been any changes BEFORE YOU BOOK.
Our consultations are by appointment only. If you fail to keep an appointment (either by lateness or non-appearance) without prior notification, then a fee of $50 (GST not included) may be charged by our office. If you want to save time and money send us a fax and / or email with your requests or questions. After receiving your email or fax we will ring you back and respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
1. General Enquires and Quotations
We provide ‘free of charge’ general quotations, either verbal and / or written. We try to offer you the cheapest airfare or holiday package. If you find a cheaper quote, bring it in or send it in by email or fax and we shall endeavour to get you a better price.
2. Itinerary Planning Service
Should a detailed itinerary / quote be requested with flight times and availability, combined with tour or accommodation components, a non-refundable planning fee will be charged per itinerary, as per the Schedule of Fees, prior to each itinerary being prepared. This fee will be credited towards your reservation deposit when a booking is made.
Itinerary Planning Service can be requested be telephone / fax / email / appointment, however such request will not be considered until the Itinerary Planing fee has been received by Mekina & Associates Travel.
This may be paid by credit card / cheque / cash.
Schedule of Fees
Itinerary Planning Fee: $50 per person (GST not included)
Bookings for Planned Itinerary will be accepted, subject to availability of services or accommodation and receipt of a deposit fee.
3. Miscellaneous - Other Services
Please remember we can assist you with all your travel requirements - Travellers cheques, Car Hire, Guided Tours, Transfers, Accommodation, Rail passes, Worldwide courier services, security patrol and guard services on you private home or office during your absence, long and short term parking at the airport and more ... we can arrange it all for you.
4. Prices
Prices quoted are subject to change at any time without notice / subject to availability - until such time as full payment has been received and tickets or documents have been issued. As much notice as possible will be given of impending price increases.
We shall try to offer you the cheapest airfare or holiday packages.
All prices quoted are without taxes.
GST tax is only applicable to domestic travel.
5. Taxes
Airport Departure and Security taxes are mandatory, as charged by various countries. Taxes are collectable / mandatory regardless of stopover or transfer. These may be an additional cost. Please check with us the correct amount at the time of full payment for airline tickets. Taxes are calculated at the daily exchange rate of the Australian dollar, and must be pre-paid.
6. Booking - Reservation Deposit - Booking Fee
Should a detailed itinerary / booking be requested with flight times and availability, combined with a tour or accommodation component, a non-refundable deposit will be charged per booking, as per the Schedule of Fees, prior to each booking being made/prepared. The fee will be credited towards the final amount payable.
Reservations may be made by telephone / fax / email / appointment, however such reservation will not be considered (or cancelled by our office or by the airlines / tour operators without prior warning) until the deposit has been paid (for fully confirmed or waitlisted bookings), and the booking form has been signed by the person requesting the booking and received by Mekina & Associates Travel. The deposit may be paid by credit card / cheque / cash.
To make your booking / reservation, we will need your full name and the name/s of your travelling party, date of birth (as stated in passports which will be used for travel), preferred departure and return dates of your destinations (cities), home / work contact numbers, fax number and email address (if applicable) as well as a postal / mailing address. For passengers arriving in Australia from overseas, we will require the same information.
We strongly recommend that you book early to confirm requested dates and flight details.
Advise your consultant of any special requirements eg. Child’s meals, diet / special meals, seating requests, medical requirements etc.
Advise your Frequent Flyer numbers or enquire about membership. Your airline membership with your preferred carrier can sometimes can be very helpful with confirming required dates and flights.
After receiving your itinerary, please check the accuracy of names and all other details. Please ensure that the names are spelled correctly (as they appear in the passport).
The Reservation Deposit is required and is payable at the time of request for the reservation, regardless of the status of the booking (confirmed or waitlisted with any airline or tour operator). This charge will be in addition to any additional booking charges or fees that may be imposed by the airlines and/or tour operators or other service/travel supplier and, will be subject to their confirmation and any particular conditions they may impose.
The Reservation Deposit is non-refundable HOWEVER if you proceed with your booking the amount of the Reservation Deposit will be credited against the final amount payable. If you do not proceed with or subsequently cancel the booking, the Reservation Deposit is non-refundable and is in addition to cancellation fees imposed by travel principals. Bookings will be accepted, subject to availability of services or accommodation and payment of the deposit.
If a booking is made with Mekina & Associates Travel and we are unable to confirm the reservation for required departure / return date / tour / hotel, then an alternative available date with either the airline / tour operator will be offered by us and booked.
If we find that we are unable to confirm the required dates of travel and preferred airline / tour / hotel, we shall refund the full Booking Reservation Fee. This will only take place if we are unable to help. No refund is available if we have confirmed an alternative date / airlines / tour operator.
In the case of airlines / tour operators cancelling, withdrawing or adjusting their services, Mekina & Associates Travel reserves the right to modify or cancel any of the arrangements without notice and in this event the full amount paid will be refunded to the client and all liability of Mekina & Associates in respect thereof shall cease.
Payment of a deposit will indicate an acceptance of booking conditions by the passenger.
Schedule of Fees
Mminimum deposit of $150.00 (GST not included) per person is required when booking, this is non -refundable.
When one person makes bookings for other people, the person making the booking is liable to Mekina & Associates Travel.
For bookings made outside 30 days prior to departure, deposit should be paid within seven (7) days of confirmation and final payment at least 30 days prior to departure. Full immediate payment will be required for bookings made within 30 days prior to your departure. Please ensure that payments are made by the due date, otherwise your bookings may be automatically cancelled without notice even when the deposit has been paid.
7. Reservation Deposit - Late Booking Fee
A late booking fee of $30.00 per booking / non-refundable (GST included), may be charged against bookings made within 7 days of departure. This charge will be in addition to any additional booking charges or fees that may be imposed by the airlines and/or tour operators or other service / travel supplier and, will be subject to their confirmation and any particular conditions they may impose.
8. Method of Payment
Payment may be made by cash, personal cheque, money order, bank cheque or credit card. Cash or Bank Cheque is the preferred form of payment. Personal or Company cheques are accepted but require at least 4 working days for clearance. Credit cards may be accepted by prior arrangement. If paying by credit card a surcharge of 2.2% will apply to Mastercard & Visa, a 3.95% surcharge will apply to American Express.
Electronic funds transfers are available with our office. All payment can be paid to our trust account directly through any Westpac Bank branch:
Account Name: Mekina Travel BSB: 033549 Account Number: 100173
Bank Address: Westpac, 360 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
International Transfer: Westpac Bank - SWIFT Code WPACAU2S
9. Amendments/ Changes
Any changes made to a confirmed, paid or finalised booking prior to departure may attract an amendment fee as per the Schedule of Fees, plus any communication costs incurred in securing further confirmations and any additional charges imposed by the airlines and / or tour operators or other service / travel supplier. In some cases travel arrangements may not be able to change due to the particular airlines and / or tour operators, service/travel supplier terms and conditions. You will therefore be subject to the particular conditions originally stated.
Please always remember to read through all the terms of amendments and cancellations, that might be imposed by airlines and / or tour operators or other services / travel suppliers.
Only one change per booking will be free of charge (before documents are issued) and subsequent changes incur a fee of $40.00 per booking (before documents are issued) subject to availability for required services and booking conditions.
Schedule of Fees
A minimum of $40 amendment fee is required for re-issuing finalised / issued documentation (GST not included), plus any communication costs incurred in securing further confirmations and any additional charges imposed by the airlines and/or tour operators or other service / travel supplier.
10. Cancellation / Refund
Please be advised that cancelled bookings will incur charges.
A minimum of $150.00 (GST not included) per person is non-refundable.
This charge will be in addition to any additional booking charges or fees that may be imposed by the airlines and/or tour operators or other service / travel supplier and, will be subject to the conditions under which their transportation and other services are provided, and any particular conditions they may impose.
It should be noted that airlines and / or tour operator refunds on all receipts, tickets, vouchers etc, can take up to ten weeks (10) or longer and are subject to the terms and conditions under which they are provided. In some cases no refunds are made. We accept no liability for any loss or damage arising out of such a refusal or delay. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended in particular for both medical and cancellation coverage. Any application for refund must be in writing and must be supported with appropriate documentation.
11. Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy for loss of deposit/ and or final payment; injury, personal accident, medical expenses, illness, loss of baggage and personal effects etc. Please refer to our insurance brochures for full details and conditions. You will be asked to sign a declaration form if you do not accept our recommendation that you take out travel insurance. Travel Insurance provides cover when the premium is paid and the policy issued, and so should be taken out as soon as any deposit or payment is made.
If you require Travel Insurance, please complete the Travel Insurance form given by us, sign and return to our office to have the policy issued or complete out internet insurance quote form - click here.
If you have any pre-existing conditions, or are a mature age traveller (70+), you will be required (as a duty of disclosure) to provide a written medical certificate regarding your medical status. A special form is required to be filled out by your doctor (GP) and must be returned to us or to the recommended Insurance Company for assessment. Only after the assessment has been received by us, will the policy be issued, upon the Insurance Company’s confirmation of approval, or recommendations.
12. Passports & Visas
All travellers must have a valid passport for international travel and many countries require at least six months validity from the date of entry. Visas and Entry Permits are required for many countries. Although these are the responsibilities of the traveller, please check with us about your requirements, as we are able to assist. Check if any visas are required. We can organise visas for you.
You must make your own Australian passport arrangements (either directly with the Australian Passport Office or through the Post Office).
13. Visa, Re-entry
For those not holding an Australian Passport you must have your passport endorsed for re-entry to Australia by the Immigration Department. Visa and entry permits are required for many countries. Where visas must be obtained from local or interstate Consulates, a charge of $40.00 (processing fee, GST not included) (1-4 persons per family) will be charged by our office, inclusive of registration postage and / or courier fees and is payable in addition to any Government and / or Consular fees. All fees are the responsibility of the client.
It should also be noted that particular Consulates impose an additional administration and visa fee that will by payable by you.
Please check with us for passport, visa and re-entry requirements.
It will be your responsibility to ensure that you and your party have valid passports and visas. It is the responsibility of the passenger to ensure that they have adequate travel documents. Some visas and permits must be obtained before leaving Australia.
14. Extraordinary Costs
In the unlikely event that we are unable to meet your requirements through our normal booking process or you request a late booking requiring urgent attention, we shall advise you promptly. If you wish us to continue with the booking any additional costs as notified to you, such as telephone and other communication expenses, courier charges any associated bank costs for urgent remittance of funds, etc. will be payable by the client.
Documentation
As a general rule your travel documents will be available for collection 10 to 14 days prior to departure, subject to full payment, unless otherwise stated.
15. Invoice / Security
Every effort is made to ensure invoice accuracy, however Mekina & Associates Travel cannot be held responsible for printing or typographical errors, or errors arising from unforseen circumstances. Please review the details on an invoice and advise us immediately of any discrepancies. Prices are not guaranteed until full payment is received. Please ensure that the names on the invoice are correct and departure or required flights and itinerary are correct as per original requests. Passenger names must be as per passport, please make every effort to sight passport for accuracy prior to ticket and document issue and prior to travel.
16. Health
Vaccinations are required for travel to some countries. Call you local Travellers’ Medical and Vaccination Centre, or see your local doctor.
It will be your responsibility to ensure that you consult your Doctor for vaccination recommendations for the places to which you intend travelling.
17. Responsibility Clause
All coupons, receipts and tickets are issued subject to the terms and conditions specified by the airlines and / or tour operators or other service / travel supplier.
Mekina & Associates Travel Lic. 31204
