Booking Conditions
Exchange Rates
The price of your holiday was
calculated using exchange rates quoted as at 12 February
2011.
Euro Eur 1.20
USA US$ 1.60
Australia AU$ 1.70
UAE Dhs 5.75
Czech Koruna CZK 28.20
Hong Kong Dollar HK$ 12.25
Singapore SIN$ 2.05
BOOKING CONDITIONS & GENERAL INFORMATION
IMPORTANT: These Booking Conditions set out the terms on which you contract with International Travel Connections Limited of Concorde House, Canal Street, Chester, UK. CH1 4EJ company registration number 01030986 trading as Horse Racing Abroad ("the Company"). They describe your obligations to the Company and the obligations of the Company to you. Please read them carefully.
Holidays in our brochure are available from 20 May 11 until 02 April 2012.
How to Book
Telephone us directly on 01244 355 580. Normally it will be possible to confirm availability immediately and an option valid for up to four days may be taken on the holiday of your choice. To make your reservation, please call us and one of our expert sales consultants will provide you with first hand information on your chosen tour. You must then confirm your booking by telephone - your sales consultant will re-iterate all aspects of your itinerary and ask you to provide details from the passports of each person travelling and confirm that you have read and agreed to our Booking Conditions. You will then be asked to complete and return your booking form together with the required deposit of £75.00 per person for Arc Day Trips, £200.00 per person for European Tours or £250.00 per person for World-Wide Tours) unless published or low-cost airfares and/or race badges or accommodation require full payment at the time of booking, in which case the deposit will equal the total cost of the airfare, tickets or accommodation and a further 10% of the holiday price.
Booking forms may be scanned and emailed, posted or faxed; payment may be made by credit or debit card, sent by cheque or via bank transfer. We will send you a Confirmation Invoice and a contract will exist between us once this has been issued.
Please note: we reserve the right to alter the prices of any of the holidays shown in our brochure. You will be advised of the current price of the holiday that you wish to book before your contract is confirmed.
Balance Payment
The balance of the holiday must be paid 12 weeks before departure. If a booking is made within 12 weeks of departure, then the full amount must be paid at the time of booking.
We regret to advise that we cannot accept cheques less than seven days prior to the date of departure.
Should you choose to pay the deposit by credit or debit card, we will automatically deduct the final balance on the due date without further reference to you.
Full payment and balances over £1,000 made with a credit or charge card (Visa debit excluded) will automatically incur an additional 2% charge.
Surcharges
The price of your travel arrangements is subject to surcharges on the following items for increases in: transportation costs e.g. fuel, scheduled airfares and any other airline surcharges which are part of the contract between airlines and the tour operator, Government action such as increases in VAT or any other Government imposed increases, currency in relation to adverse exchange rate variations. Even in this case, we will absorb an amount equivalent to 2% of the holiday price which excludes insurance premiums and any amendment charges. Only amounts in excess of this 2% will be surcharged. If this means paying more than 10% of the holiday price, you will be entitled to cancel your holiday with a full refund of all money paid except for any amendment charges. Should you decide to cancel because of this, you must exercise your right to do so within 7 days from the issue date printed on the invoice.
Should the price of your holiday go down due to the changes mentioned above by more than 2% of your holiday price, then any refund due will be paid to you. However, please note that travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your travel due to contractual and other protection in place.
Minimum Numbers
Tours will only operate on a minimum of 10 persons being booked. We will advise you at least 30 days before departure if the minimum number of participants has not been reached. You will then have the choice of continuing you're your holiday on an unescorted basis or booking an alternative holiday with us, though in both cases if the alternative is at an additional cost, the difference will be payable by you. Alternatively, a full refund of monies paid will be available.
CANCELLATION CHARGES
Period before departure Cancellation charges
|
84 or more days |
Loss of deposit*** |
|
57-83 days prior |
40% of the total holiday value*** |
|
33-56 days prior |
60% of the total holiday value*** |
|
1-32 days |
100% of the total holiday value*** |
|
Departure date or thereafter |
100% of the total holiday value*** |
**** Or total deposit including interim payments and increased payments to cover low-cost airfares and/or event tickets, hospitality and accommodation costs, whichever is greater. Bookings on some airlines, yachts, cruises, villas and hotels during peak seasons or over major sporting events have varying cancellation terms which will replace the above cancellation charges. Any charges will be calculated and advised at the time of cancellation.
Event Cancellation
If racing is cancelled a full refund of your tour costs will apply.
Amendments by Us
We make every effort to operate holidays as featured in our brochure, but nevertheless from time to time, hoteliers and other services we use, can and occasionally do, withdraw or change certain facilities. When we are aware of this, you will be notified immediately. A holiday of a similar or higher standard will be offered in this eventuality, and if not acceptable, a full refund of all monies paid will be given. We will not cancel a holiday less than 12 weeks prior to departure, unless it is necessary to do so as a result of circumstances amounting to force majeure or if your balance payment is not forwarded to us on the due date.
Amendments by You
Certain airlines insist on tickets being issued immediately, which we will do upon receipt of your booking form and these are ticketed on a non-refundable, non-changeable basis. Therefore any alteration, such as name change, would incur the purchase cost of a new ticket. However, you should check with us for full details as airline policies do differ from carrier to carrier. Please note that due to stringent security precautions in force at airports, the name on your passport must agree with the name on your air ticket.
Smoking Policy
Most airlines operate a no smoking policy. Please note no smoking policies in buildings, restaurants, and transportation may not be in force in the countries that you are visiting.
Airport Taxes and Security Charges
These, together with government Airport passenger duty, are included in all our tour prices.
Airline Assistance and Baggage
Passengers requiring assistance at airports on check in should advise us prior to departure to ensure that the necessary arrangements are made with the airline concerned.
Baggage Allowances vary according to the carrier, destination, route and the class of travel booked. You will be advised of the specific allowances and restrictions with your travel documentation. Should you require these at the time of booking, please ask your sales consultant.
Airline & Aircraft
We do try to inform you in our brochure copy of the airline flight number, timings, and the aircraft type that they propose to operate on the route. It may be that the airline for operational reasons will substitute or change the aircraft type and/or flight timings and we will inform you of any change when details are made available to us.
Airline Delays & Passenger Rights
Under EC regulations 261/2004, in some circumstances you have rights to a refund or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or long delays of flights. Full details of these rights are posted at EU airports and are also available from airlines/ airline websites or visit www.caa.co.uk.
Please note that compensation in these cases is the responsibility of the airline and will not automatically entitle you to a refund from us. Please check your travel insurance policy for compensation following airline delays.
Where long flight delays result in lost holiday time, refunds are not given by suppliers for unused accommodation as rooms are held for delayed arrivals and are not re-let. Please also note that an airline carrier may, if circumstances so require, divert, postpone or delay any flight, or alter the airport of departure or arrival and may, without notice, substitute alternative carriers or aircraft.
The flight timings given on bookings are for general guidance only and are subject to change. The actual flight times will be those shown on your tickets, which will be dispatched to you approximately two weeks before departure. You must, accordingly, check your tickets very carefully immediately upon receipt to ensure that you have the correct flight times. It is possible that the flight times may be changed even after tickets have been dispatched; we will contact you as soon as possible if this happens.
AIR CARRIERS
The EU publishes a list of airlines that are subject to an operating ban within the European Community. To view it, go to www.europa.eu and search on "banned airlines".
Disabled Customers
Horse Racing Abroad are not specialists in holidays for the disabled and regrettably most of our tours are not suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
Please let us know if you or anyone in your party suffers from a serious medical condition or physical disability before a booking is made, as Horse Racing Abroad cannot provide individual assistance with boarding coaches or other forms of transport, baggage handling, walking or other personal requirements, and clients should be confident that they can do these tasks unaided. We are happy to give advice with the choice of your holiday, which will be dependent upon the nature of the disability and whether the person with the disability is accompanied by an able-bodied companion. Please specify details of any disability or special requirements at the time of booking.
Due to the nature of some of our hotels/destinations, many may lack the simplest facilities, such as ramps for wheelchairs and door access. This may apply to shops, restaurants public transport and recreational facilities.
Within the EU airlines will facilitate access to air transport for disabled persons and persons of reduced mobility and ensure they receive assistance when travelling by air in accordance with EC Regulation 1107/2006. This also applies to passengers departing from an airport situated outside the EU to an airport situated within the EU if the air carrier is an EU Community Air Carrier.
Your Financial Protection
We provide full financial protection for our package holidays. When you buy an ATOL protected air holiday package from us you will receive a Confirmation Invoice from us (or via our authorised agent through which you booked) confirming your arrangements and your protection under our Air Travel Organiser's Licence number 2786. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. For further information visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk When you buy a package holiday that doesn't include a flight or Accommodation only, protection is provided by way of a bond held by ABTA (V2359).
Travel Insurance
We believe that it is essential to take out insurance when you go on holiday and we strongly recommend that to do so is in your interest and that of your family. We also ask that you provide us with the details of your insurer and the policy number to assist you in the event of an accident or emergency abroad. It will be necessary for you to comply with the requirements of the policy in the event of a potential claim; e.g. reporting a theft to the local police.
Passports
All passengers are responsible for ensuring that their passports and visas (where required) are valid for their journey. Most non-eu countries require that passports are valid for at least six months after the departure from their country.
For countries requiring visas, there should be at least one blank page in the passport to facilitate the visa stamp. Please note that some countries may require two blank pages for entry and departure visas.
If you, or any member of your party, do not hold a British citizen's passport and/or do not reside in the UK, you must check the entry requirements with the embassy of the country/ies you will be visiting.
Health requirements
You must ensure that you have complied with any health requirements Such as vaccinations for any country you may be visiting. Please consult your own doctor for full details of which (if any) inoculations are required for travel to destinations contained in this brochure.
Visas
France: Passports are required for entry in to France. Visas are not required for France by holders of UK passports. Holders of all other passports must check with the French Consulate for Visa requirements on 020 7073 1200.
Czech Republic, Hong Kong & Dubai: Visas are not required by British Passport Holders but passports must have a minimum 6 months validity from the date of entry.
Australia: A tourist visa is required for entry into Australia. A form requesting your details will be sent with your confirmation.
USA: UK travellers to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), which allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit for up to 90 days without a visa, will require an authorisation via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the US. Travellers can register for authorization online through the ESTA website at https://esta.
cbp.dhs.gov and are advised to do so at least 72 hours prior to travel.
South Africa: British nationals visiting on holiday for less than 90 days do not require visas. After entry, extensions of stay may be sought from the Department of Home Affairs. If you have overstayed without authority you may be required to pay a fine, either on exit or at the nearest South African mission on your return to the UK (or elsewhere).
Please note that requirements do change and you must check the up-to date situation in good time before departure and for further information please visit www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or call the ABTA Information Line Tel: 0901 201 5050 (calls are charged at 50p per minute).
Liability
(i) You to the Company:
(a) It is your responsibility to arrive at places stated at the correct times and to reconfirm your return flight and departure times. The Company has no liability whatsoever to you for your failure to do so.
(b) You must act and behave in a reasonable and responsible manner toward any other person you meet in the course of your travel arrangements. The Company reserves the right to cancel forthwith your holiday arrangements in the event that you fail so to act and behave and any consequent loss or damage that you suffer lies with you. The Company has no liability whatsoever to you in such event.
(ii) The Company to You:
(a) We make every effort to ensure that all arrangements are made correctly and efficiently. We further accept responsibility for the acts and/or omissions of our employees, agents, suppliers and subcontractors (providing they were at the time carrying out duties, work or activities authorised or on our behalf) except where these result in death, personal injury or illness (dealt with separately below). We also accept responsibility if the services which we are contractually obliged to provide prove deficient or not of a reasonable standard. This acceptance of liability is subject to the provisions on "force majeure" and the other terms of these Booking Conditions.
(b) Subject to these Booking Conditions, we accept responsibility should you or any member of your party suffer death, personal injury or illness as a result of any negligence by any of our employees, agents, suppliers or subcontractors (providing they were at the time carrying out work authorised by us), except in the following situations:
(i) The act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected, or
(ii) Those of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable, or
(iii) An event which either us or the supplier(s)/agents and subcontractors of the service(s) in question could not have foreseen or avoided even with all due care.
(c) We limit the maximum amount that we may have to pay you for any and all claims or, parts of claims that do not involve personal injury, illness or death. Except where loss of and/or damage to luggage or personal possessions is concerned or if a lower limitation of liability applies to your claim, the maximum amount we will have to pay you for such non-personal injury claims, if we are found liable to you on any basis, is twice the price (excluding amendment charges) paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected, in total. This maximum amount will only be payable where you have not received any benefit at all from your holiday. Where we are found directly liable for loss of and/or damage to any luggage or personal possessions (including money), the maximum amount we will have to pay is £250 per person affected, as it will be assumed that you have taken out adequate insurance at the time of booking. Please also see Clause (d) below.
(d) In all cases, our liabilities in respect of air, sea, rail, road carriers and hotels are limited as if we were carriers or hotels within the applicable international conventions (e.g. Warsaw Convention for air travel etc). For all claims arising from international carriage, compensation can only be paid in those situations where the carrier concerned would be obliged to pay compensation under the relevant international convention, were a claim made against that carrier in that particular situation.
(e) It is a condition of the acceptance of liability set out in this Clause that you notify us of any claim you and/or any member(s) of your party has in accordance with Clause 12 "Complaints". Any person(s) to whom any payment is made (and their parent or guardian, if that person is under 18 years of age) must also assign to us or our insurers any rights they may have to pursue any third party in connection with the claim. You must provide us and our insurers with all the assistance that we may reasonably require.
(f) Should you be unfortunate enough to suffer personal injury, illness or death by misadventure as a result of an activity which does not form part of your booked arrangements, or an excursion sold through us, we shall assist you and your party. This assistance may, subject to our prior approval and our reasonable discretion, include financial assistance with initial legal expenses to enable you to take proceedings against the third party responsible. All assistance is provided subject to a maximum total cost to us of £5,000 per Booking. In addition, if you should be successful in obtaining a costs order against any third party or if you are able to claim under any insurance policy/ies you may have, we shall be entitled to recoup from you the costs actually incurred by us. All requests for assistance with legal costs must be received by us within 90 days of the date of misadventure.
Conditions of Carriage
The various carriers who provide transport as described in this brochure have their own terms and conditions. These terms and conditions may limit and/or exclude the supplier's liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable international conventions such as the Warsaw Convention 1929. Air travel is also subject to the operational decisions of air carriers and of airports, which may result in delays, aircraft being diverted or schedule changes over which the Company has no control. The Company can provide you with copies of all relevant conventions and conditions upon request. In accordance with EU Regulation 2111/2005 we are required to advise you of the actual carrier operating your flight/connecting flight/transfer. Due to the flexible itineraries that we offer, we are not in a position to state these facts in this brochure. Any changes to the actual airline after you have received your tickets will be notified to you as soon as possible and in all cases at check-in or at the boarding gate.
Data Protection
Please be assured that we have measures in place to protect the personal booking information held by us. This information will be passed on to the principal and to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements, The information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. Certain information may also be passed on to security or credit checking companies. If you travel outside the European Economic Area, controls on data protection may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. We will only pass your information on to persons responsible for your travel arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give us such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/ religious requirements. (If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, whether in the EEA or not, we will be unable to provide your booking. In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons.) Full details of our data protection policy are available on request. All information in this brochure was correct at the time of going to press (March 2011).
Complaints
Whilst we aim to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly, there may be times when it does not. Please follow the complaints procedure below to minimize inconvenience to all parties:
1. Any complaint should be reported immediately and directly to the supplier and, as soon as possible, to our local representative (where applicable). If you fail to follow this simple procedure, your right to claim compensation may be affected, as we will have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify the problem.
2. In the unlikely event that neither our representative nor our supplier is able to resolve the matter to your complete satisfaction, please write in, fax or e-mail the details of your complaint within 28 days of the end of your holiday and providing full details of the holiday and the reason for dissatisfaction, to: Horse Racing Abroad, International Travel Connections Ltd, Concorde House, Chester. CH1 4EJ/ Fax +44(0)1244 355 399, E-mail info@horseracing-abroad.com.
3. Once in receipt of a complaint, we will react swiftly to resolve the matter. Our aim is to rectify any shortcomings immediately, so that you can fully enjoy the remainder of your holiday.
4. We regret that we cannot accept liability in relation to any complaint or claim which is not notified entirely in accordance with these Clauses. Disputes arising out of or in connection with this contract that cannot be amicably settled, may (if the client so wishes) be referred to arbitration under a special scheme, which although devised by arrangement with ABTA is administered quite independently by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. The Scheme (details of which will be supplied on request) provides for a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on the customer in respect of costs. The scheme does not apply to claims for an amount greater than £5,000 per person or £25,000 per Booking Form. The Scheme does not apply to claims which are solely or mainly in respect of physical injury or illness or the consequences of such injury or illness. If you elect to seek redress under this scheme, written notice requesting arbitration under this scheme must be made within 12 months after the schedule date of return from the holiday.
Law
Your contract is governed by and construed in accordance with English law. Each party submits to the jurisdiction of English Courts (You may however, choose the law and jurisdiction of Scotland or Northern Ireland if you wish to do so) to settle any claim or matter arising under the contract, unless you wish to submit the claim or matter to arbitration under the Scheme set out under Clause 12 above.
Copyright - International Travel Connections Ltd March 2011