Refund policy
Refund & Cancellation Policy
Thank you for choosing Thrifty Adventures. This policy summarises how we handle cancellations, refunds, postponements and replacement travellers for road and flight tours. It is a summary of section 5 of our Terms & Conditions, which remain the full booking contract. Nothing in this policy limits your rights under applicable consumer protection law.
1. How to Cancel
All cancellation, postponement and transfer requests must be made in writing to info@thriftyadventures.co.za or via WhatsApp. The cancellation date is the date we receive your written request.
2. Non-Refundable Deposit
A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking:
- R3,000 per person for flight-based tours
- R2,000 per person for road-based tours
The deposit may be transferred to another tour within 6 months only if the request is made before an airline ticket is issued and, for non-flight tours, at least 30 days before departure. The only exceptions to the non-refundable deposit are set out in sections 7 and 8 below.
3. Cancellation by the Traveller
| Written notice received | Refund of amounts paid |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more before departure | Full refund, excluding the deposit and any issued air ticket |
| 60 to 89 days | 90% refund, excluding the deposit and any issued air ticket |
| 30 to 59 days | 60% refund, excluding the deposit and any issued air ticket |
| Less than 30 days | Non-refundable (see Replacement Travellers) |
Flights: Once flights are booked or issued with your written approval, flight costs are non-refundable and subject to the airline's rules.
No refunds are issued for missed departures, no-shows, late arrival, refused entry or denied boarding for document or visa reasons, or unused parts of a tour.
4. Replacement Travellers
At any time before departure, including within 30 days of departure, if you find a suitable replacement who pays the full amount you originally paid, you will receive a refund of all amounts paid, excluding the deposit. The costs of transferring the booking are payable by you and deducted from your refund, itemised in writing. These include airline or supplier name-change or reissue fees, any fare increase, and the cost of a new ticket where the original cannot be transferred (less any amount recovered from the airline).
5. Postponements
A booking may be postponed once, to a departure in the same calendar year, provided flight tickets have not been issued and hotel bookings have not been finalised. A R500 postponement fee applies. Transfers from full-priced tours to promotional packages are not permitted, and promotional bookings cannot be changed.
6. Final Payment
The balance is due 21 working days before departure, unless an extension is requested and approved in writing before the due date. Late payments incur a R500 administration fee. Bank charges on cash deposits are added to your account.
7. If We Cancel or Postpone
Events outside our control: If a tour is disrupted by events outside our reasonable control (such as airline cancellations, border closures, natural disasters, strikes or government restrictions), we may postpone it and reschedule within 12 months, as set out in clause 5.9 of our Terms & Conditions.
Our own decisions: If we cancel or postpone a tour for reasons within our control, including low booking numbers, you may choose either a transfer to the new or an alternative departure, or a refund of all amounts paid including the deposit, less third-party costs that cannot be recovered, which we will itemise in writing (clause 5.9A).
8. Death or Hospitalisation
No cancellation penalty is charged if you cannot travel because of the death or hospitalisation of the person for whom the booking was made. Supporting documents are required, and amounts already paid to suppliers that cannot be recovered may be deducted and itemised in writing.
9. Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend travel insurance. For illness, family emergencies and work-related cancellations, the standard cancellation terms above apply, and claims must be made directly with your insurer.
10. Promotional Bookings
Promotional packages operate under their own terms. Promotional deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. See our Promotional Booking Policy.
11. How Refunds Are Paid
We will send you a written refund calculation showing any deductions. Approved refunds are paid to your original payment method within 10 business days of approval, or to verified bank details where the original method cannot be used. Bank and payment-provider settlement times may add to this period.
12. Questions & Disputes
If you disagree with a refund or cancellation decision, please contact us with your booking reference. We aim to acknowledge written complaints within 2 business days and respond within 10 business days.
Email: info@thriftyadventures.co.za
WhatsApp: +27 84 331 1059 / +27 65 102 6163
Website: www.thriftyadventures.co.za