Refund Policy

Last Updated: May 1, 2024

At WorldWide Adventures, we understand that plans can change. This Refund Policy outlines the terms and conditions for refunds and cancellations for tours, travel packages, and services booked through our website at https://www.worldwideadventures.com (the "Site").

By making a booking with WorldWide Adventures, you agree to the terms of this Refund Policy. Please read this policy carefully before completing your booking.

1. Standard Tour Packages

1.1 Cancellation by You

If you need to cancel your booking, the following cancellation fees apply:

All cancellations must be received in writing via email to [email protected]. The date of cancellation is the date on which we receive your written notification.

1.2 Partial Cancellations

If one or more members of your party cancel, this may result in a change to the per-person price for the remaining travelers due to the loss of group discounts or changes in accommodation arrangements (e.g., single supplement fees may apply).

2. Custom and Private Tours

2.1 Tailored Itineraries

For custom-designed or private tours, the following cancellation policy applies:

• More than 90 days before departure: Loss of deposit (30% of tour price)
• 90-60 days before departure: 50% of total tour price
• 59-30 days before departure: 75% of total tour price
• 29 days or less before departure: 100% of total tour price (no refund)

Due to the personalized nature of custom tours and the advance arrangements made on your behalf, our cancellation policies are stricter than for standard tour packages.

2.2 Non-Refundable Deposits

For certain custom tours, particularly those involving exclusive accommodations, special events, or peak season travel, deposits may be entirely non-refundable regardless of when you cancel. This will be clearly communicated at the time of booking.

3. Travel Insurance and Trip Protection

3.1 Recommended Coverage

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation coverage. A good policy can reimburse you for non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel for covered reasons such as:

• Illness, injury, or death of you, a traveling companion, or a family member
• Natural disasters affecting your destination
• Jury duty or legal obligations
• Job loss or work requirements

3.2 Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage

For maximum flexibility, consider purchasing a policy with "Cancel For Any Reason" coverage, which typically allows you to recover a percentage of your non-refundable trip costs for cancellations made for reasons not otherwise covered by standard policies.

4. Special Circumstances

4.1 Cancellation by WorldWide Adventures

If we cancel your tour for any reason other than force majeure or failure to reach minimum group numbers (which will be specified in your booking confirmation), we will offer you the following options:

• A full refund of all money paid
• An alternative tour of equivalent or superior quality (if available)
• An alternative tour of lower quality with a price difference refund (if available)
• Credit toward a future tour to be used within 24 months

4.2 Force Majeure Events

If we must cancel your tour due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (such as natural disasters, political instability, terrorism, pandemic, or other force majeure events), we will offer:

• A credit voucher for the full amount paid, valid for 24 months
• A rebooking to a later date with no change fees
• A partial refund after deduction of non-recoverable costs, if possible

4.3 Minimum Numbers Not Met

Some tours require a minimum number of participants to operate. If these numbers are not met, we reserve the right to cancel the departure and will notify you:

• At least 30 days before departure for tours of 7 days or more
• At least 20 days before departure for tours of 2-6 days
• At least 48 hours before departure for tours of less than 2 days

In such cases, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid or the option to transfer to another departure.

5. Refund Process and Timeframes

5.1 Refund Methods

Refunds will be processed back to the original payment method used for booking:

• Credit/debit card payments will be refunded to the same card
• Bank transfers will be returned to the originating account
• For payments made by multiple methods, refunds will be proportionally distributed to each method

5.2 Processing Times

Once approved, refunds are typically processed according to the following timeline:

• Credit/debit card refunds: 7-14 business days
• Bank transfer refunds: 10-20 business days
• Complex bookings involving multiple suppliers may take up to 30 business days

Please note that while we process refunds promptly, the time it takes for funds to appear in your account depends on your financial institution's procedures.

6. Changes and Modifications

6.1 Changes by You

If you wish to make changes to your booking rather than cancel entirely:

• Changes requested more than 60 days before departure incur an administration fee of £50 per person plus any difference in tour costs
• Changes requested within 60 days of departure are treated as a cancellation and rebooking, with applicable cancellation fees
• Name changes are subject to a £30 fee per person, if permitted by airlines and other suppliers

6.2 Date Changes

Requests to change your departure date:

• More than 90 days before departure: £100 fee per person plus any difference in tour costs
• 90-60 days before departure: £200 fee per person plus any difference in tour costs
• Less than 60 days before departure: Treated as a cancellation and rebooking

6.3 Changes by WorldWide Adventures

If we make a significant change to your tour before departure, you have the right to:

• Accept the change
• Accept an alternative tour (with price adjustment if necessary)
• Cancel with a full refund

Minor changes (e.g., change in accommodation of similar standard, slight itinerary modifications) do not entitle you to cancel or receive compensation.

7. Unused Services

No refunds will be provided for:

• Any unused portion of a tour or included activity once the tour has commenced
• Missed accommodations due to flight delays or other transportation issues
• Services not used due to illness, early departure, or personal choice
• Changes to itinerary by client request during the tour

8. Special Booking Types

8.1 Early Bird and Promotional Offers

Tours booked under special promotions or early bird discounts may have different, more restrictive cancellation policies. These will be clearly communicated at the time of booking and will supersede the standard policy.

8.2 Group Bookings

For bookings of 10 or more travelers:

• A higher non-refundable deposit of 30% is required
• Full payment is due 90 days before departure
• Cancellation fees are increased by 10% at each tier compared to our standard policy

8.3 Last-Minute Bookings

For bookings made within 30 days of departure:

• Full payment is required at the time of booking
• Cancellations are subject to a minimum 75% fee
• Changes are not permitted without full cancellation penalties

9. Complaints and Refund Requests

If you experience issues during your tour that you believe warrant a refund or compensation:

1. Notify your tour leader or our local representative immediately so the issue can potentially be resolved on the spot
2. If the issue cannot be resolved during your tour, document the problem with photos, names, and specific details
3. Submit a formal written complaint within 28 days of the end of your tour to [email protected]
4. Include your booking reference, travel dates, and all relevant details

We will thoroughly investigate all legitimate complaints and provide appropriate compensation where we have failed to deliver the agreed services.

10. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to modify this Refund Policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our Site. The policy in effect at the time of your booking will apply to your reservation, regardless of future changes.

11. Contact Us