Terms And Conditions

BOOKING CONDITIONS

1. All bookings are made and accepted by French Travel Service Ltd, trading as French Travel Service (FTS), subject to the terms set out in these conditions. In accordance with E.C. Directive 90/314/ EC all passengers booking with French Travel Service are fully protected against the loss of all monies paid to us for the holiday (and repatriation if required) due to insolvency, by way of an Insurance Policy provided by a regulated Insurance Company. When you make a booking you guarantee that you have the authority to accept and do accept on behalf of your party the terms of these booking conditions. A contract will exist as soon as we issue our confirmation invoice. For all bookings made more than 6 weeks before the date of departure, you undertake to pay a deposit of £75. A binding contract exists once FTS issues the confirmation invoice. The full balance of your holiday must be paid 6 weeks before departure (payments made by credit card will incur an additional 1.75% on the balance/full amount when due): if not, FTS can consider the booking as cancelled and retain your deposit. Money paid to a Travel Agent is held by him on our behalf.

2. We will do our utmost to accommodate any amendments you wish to make to your booking, but altering any details of your booking will entail a charge of £15 per booking except within 28 days of departure when it will be between £25 per person and the total holiday cost, depending on what refunds can be obtained for travel tickets or accommodation. If you have to cancel your holiday after it has been confirmed, the following cancellation charges will be incurred:- More than 42 days: loss of deposit; 29-42 days: 30% or deposit if greater; 15-28 days: 45%; 7-14 days: 60%; under 7 days: 100%. Travel insurance may cover these charges. Alterations/cancellations must be confirmed in writing and charges are calculated from the date of receipt of your letter and travel tickets.

3. FTS reserves the right to amend our prices before you book, in which case the price confirmed at the time of booking is the price you pay unless you are booking more than 90 days prior to your return date (the date Eurostar currently opens for reservations). Supplements may apply on certain Eurostar trains and if alternatives are not available the appropriate amount will be added to your invoice, however, at this stage you will have the right to cancel your holiday and be refunded in full.

4. In the event of a major change to your holiday by FTS, defined as a cancellation, change or delay of confirmed travel arrangements of more than 6 hours or change of hotel to one of a lesser category than originally booked, FTS will pay compensation as follows:- More than 42 days: Nil; 14-42 days: £10; 0-13 days: £20. In addition, you will have the option to either: a] accept alternative arrangements; or b] cancel the holiday and receive a full refund of all monies paid. (No compensation is payable for minor changes and we cannot accept responsibility for any additional expenses incurred as a result of changes, once accepted). No compensation will be paid in the event of Force Majeure - that is to say, if we are obliged to cancel or alter due to war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, disaster, fire, flood or adverse weather conditions or any other reason beyond our control. We will however offer alternative arrangements (with a partial refund if applicable) or allow you to cancel and obtain a full refund.

5. We accept responsibility for ensuring the holiday which you book with us is supplied as described in this brochure, and the services offered reach a reasonable standard but: a) your right to complain under the contract may be affected if you do not make the complaint within 28 days as we may be deprived of the opportunity to properly investigate the matter; b) we would ask you to co-operate with us or our insurers in enforcing any rights that you may have against third parties and would ask that you assign any rights against a supplier or other person you may have relating to the claim; c) claims are limited by international conventions in respect of the carriage by rail and the liability of hotel keepers; d) the conditions of carriage of the carrier concerned apply and limit liability for such matters as delays and luggage; e) we will not be liable for any delay, poor performance caused by unforeseeable circumstances, or events beyond our reasonable control f) we will not be liable for any indirect or consequential loss; g) we will not be liable where your loss is caused by your own negligence or that of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday arrangements or by our employees, agents, suppliers or sub-contractors acting outside the scope of their employment or authority when the loss or injury arises; and h) if you miss or choose to exclude any element of the excursion, that is your responsibility.

6. It is your responsibility to ensure that all party members arrive at the departure point in sufficient time and with valid documents. FTS accepts no responsibility for compensation, refunds, or to cover extra expenses or costs resulting from behaviour causing offence, danger, damage or distress to other guests causing the carrier/hotel to terminate the holiday.

7. Complaints: In the unlikely event you have a problem or complaint during your holiday, please report it immediately to the carrier, supplier or our emergency support phone number to resolve the matter on the spot. If your complaint cannot be resolved locally and you wish to pursue it on your return, you should do so in writing within 28 days of your return, quoting invoice number, departure date and name of hotel. FTS will then carry out a thorough investigation and respond appropriately (any delay may affect your right to complain as we may be deprived of the opportunity to properly investigate the matter). We cannot accept responsibility where we have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify the problem.

8. All matters arising from your contract with us are covered by English Law, and are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. In accordance with “The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992” all passengers booking with French Travel Service are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us, including repatriation if required, arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of French Travel Service.There is no requirement for Financial Protection of day trips, and none is provided.

This Insurance has been arranged by International Passenger Protection Limited and underwritten by Insurers who are members of the Association of British Insurers.

Claims Procedure: International Passenger Protection Claims only – any occurrence which may give rise to a claim should be advised within 14 days to: International Passenger Protection Claims Office IPP House, 22-26 Station Road West Wickham, Kent BR4 0PR United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)20 8313 3010 Facsimile: +44 (0)20 8313 1913