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Booking Terms & Conditions

This Terms of Business Agreement (“Agreement”) is made between:

Fare Buddy Pty Ltd trading as “Fare Buddy” (ABN 34 692 125 063) of [insert registered address], Australia (“Fare Buddy”, “we”, “us” or “the Provider”);
and
The Customer (“you” or “the Customer”).

1. Introduction

1.1 These Terms of Business constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Fare Buddy Pty Ltd.

1.2 Please read this Agreement carefully, as it governs the services provided by Fare Buddy to you.

1.3 By agreeing to these Terms, whether as an individual or on behalf of a company, government, or other entity, you represent that you have the authority to bind that entity and that all references to “you” or “Customer” shall include such entity.

1.4 Fare Buddy may modify this Agreement from time to time. The updated terms will take effect upon publication on Fare Buddy’s website. It is the Customer’s responsibility to review the latest version periodically.

2. Parties and Legal Status

2.1 Parties Involved: The parties to this Agreement are the Customer and Fare Buddy Pty Ltd, trading as “Fare Buddy”.

2.2 Legal Status: By accepting these Terms, the Customer acknowledges entering into a binding legal agreement with the Provider.

2.3 Location and Contact: Fare Buddy Pty Ltd operates from Australia under ABN 34 692 125 063. Full contact details are available on our website for transparency and correspondence purposes.

3. Authority and Limitation of Rights

3.1 Authority of Booking Person: The individual making a booking represents and warrants that they have the authority to act on behalf of all travellers included in the booking, including where separate payments have been made. That individual is responsible for ensuring that all travellers comply with these Terms and Conditions.

3.2 Limitation of Rights: These Terms define the full extent of the Customer’s rights in relation to the Provider. No other rights or remedies (whether express or implied) are granted beyond those stated herein or required by applicable law.

4. Recitals

  • A. The Customer wishes to engage the Provider to provide travel-related booking and advisory services, and the Provider agrees to do so in accordance with these Terms.
  • B. The Customer must be at least 18 years of age to engage the Provider’s services.
  • C. The Customer acknowledges full responsibility for obtaining appropriate travel insurance covering cancellation, medical expenses, repatriation, personal injury, loss of baggage or money, and personal liability.
  • D. The Customer acknowledges responsibility for complying with all health and vaccination requirements applicable to their travel. The Customer is advised to seek professional medical advice prior to travel. General destination-specific health advice is available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) at www.smartraveller.gov.au.

5. Scope of Services

  • (a) The Provider offers booking and advisory services, including arranging travel with various third-party travel service providers (“Travel Service Providers”).
  • (b) The Provider acts as an intermediary only and does not provide the travel services directly. All bookings are subject to the Travel Service Providers’ own terms and conditions.
  • (c) Upon request, the Provider will provide copies of the relevant Travel Service Providers’ terms and conditions. Any legal claim regarding travel services lies directly against the Travel Service Provider, not the Provider.
  • (d) The Provider acts as an agent for the Travel Service Provider when accepting bookings and payments.
  • (e) Each booking forms a direct contract between the Customer and the respective Travel Service Provider. The Provider’s role is limited to facilitation and advisory support.
  • (f) The Customer agrees to review and accept all relevant Travel Service Provider terms prior to confirming any booking.

6. Operative Provisions

6.1 Definitions and Interpretation

Definitions

  • Business Day – A day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday when banks in Adelaide, South Australia are open for business.
  • Charges – All Fees and Expenses payable by the Customer.
  • Claim – Any claim, demand, proceeding, suit, or action (in contract, tort, statute, or otherwise).
  • Control – Has the meaning set out in section 50AA of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
  • Customer Service – The Provider’s support service (via phone, email, or online chat) assisting with confirmations, amendments, or queries.
  • Default Rate – Interest at 10% per annum.
  • Engagement – As defined in clause 7.1.
  • Event of Default – Any of the following: (a) A material or persistent breach of this Agreement; (b) Repudiation or intent to repudiate; (c) Misleading conduct; (d) Insolvency Event.
  • Expenses – Out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Provider and reimbursable under clause 9.
  • Fees – The agreed amount payable for Services as specified in a Quote.
  • GST – As defined under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth).
  • Travel Service Provider – Any third-party supplier of travel-related products or services including airlines, hotels, car hire, rail operators, or cruise companies.
  • Travellers – All persons included in a Customer’s booking.

Interpretation Rules

  • (a) Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.
  • (b) No construction rule applies to the disadvantage of a party responsible for drafting.
  • (c) References to documents include amendments or replacements.
  • (d) References to time are to Adelaide, South Australia.
  • (e) References to “include” or similar expressions are without limitation.
  • (f) Monetary amounts are in Australian Dollars (AUD).

7. Engagement

7.1 Each individual arrangement for services under this Agreement constitutes an Engagement between the parties, subject to an agreed Quote.

7.2 The Provider’s obligation to deliver services under any Engagement arises only after the Customer accepts the relevant Quote.

7.3 Engagements are non-exclusive and commence on the Start Date specified in the Quote.

8. Pricing and Invoicing

8.1 Fees

  • (a) Fees for each Engagement are as stated in the applicable Quote.
  • (b) All prices are subject to change without notice due to factors beyond the Provider’s control, including currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, and taxes.
  • (c) Fees are only guaranteed once full payment has been received and confirmed by the Provider.

8.2 Deposit

  • (a) The Customer must pay a non-refundable Deposit at the time of booking unless otherwise stated.
  • (b) Deposits are non-refundable except where required under the Australian Consumer Law or where refundable by the Travel Service Provider.
  • (c) Refunds of Deposits (if applicable) are subject to receipt of funds or authorisation from the Travel Service Provider.

8.3 Reimbursement of Expenses

  • (a) The Customer shall reimburse the Provider for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing the Services, provided that:
    • (i) The Provider obtains prior written consent from the Customer;
    • (ii) Supporting documentation is supplied; and
    • (iii) The Provider complies with any relevant Customer expense policy.
  • (b) No reimbursement is required for GST amounts where the Provider is entitled to claim an input tax credit.

9. Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Western Australia, and each party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Western Australia.

10. Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with any applicable Quote and Travel Service Provider terms, constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior representations, communications, or agreements.

1. Requirements to Travel: Passport & Visas

1.1 Passport Validity

1.1.1 All travellers must possess a valid passport for international travel. Many countries require at least six (6) months validity from the date of return, and certain countries mandate a machine-readable passport.

1.1.2 You must notify Fare Buddy if your passport has less than six (6) months validity or is not machine-readable when booking international travel.

1.2 Responsibility for Travel Documents

1.2.1 You must ensure possession of all required travel documents, including passports, visas, and re-entry permits, in compliance with immigration and government requirements.

1.2.2 Any fines, penalties, or additional costs incurred due to invalid or non-compliant documentation shall be solely your responsibility, except where caused by Fare Buddy’s fault.

1.3 Visas

1.3.1 Visas must be obtained from the relevant issuing authority, typically an embassy in Australia. Visa requirements vary by destination country and your citizenship.

1.3.2 You are responsible for verifying visa requirements in advance to allow sufficient processing time.

1.3.3 For one-way travel, you must ensure compliance with the laws and regulations of the destination country.

1.4 Travel Advisories

1.4.1 Prior to travel, you are recommended to consult government websites for advisories relevant to your destination.

1.4.2 For travel to or via the United States, you must comply with the ESTA requirements.

1.4.3 For travel to or via Canada, you must comply with ETA requirements.

1.5 Recommendation

1.5.1 Fare Buddy strongly recommends applying for ESTA or ETA prior to airfare booking if eligibility is uncertain.

2. Services Provided by Fare Buddy

2.1 Scope of Services

  • 2.1.1 Booking and purchasing of travel-related goods and services.
  • 2.1.2 Flight and travel searches and reservations.
  • 2.1.3 Access to customer service assistance.
  • 2.1.4 Payment processing and ticketing services.

2.2 Agency Relationship

2.2.1 Fare Buddy acts as an agent on behalf of suppliers to accept bookings and payments.

2.2.2 Each booking constitutes a contract between you and the relevant supplier, subject to their product terms, conditions of carriage, and limitations of liability.

2.3 Customer Service

2.3.1 Fare Buddy provides global customer service for flight bookings, accessible online, via email, or by phone.

2.3.2 Charges may apply for certain services as per these Terms and Conditions.

3. Travel Insurance

Fare Buddy strongly recommends obtaining travel insurance covering:

  • 3.1.1 Cancellation.
  • 3.1.2 Medical and repatriation expenses.
  • 3.1.3 Personal injury, accident, or death.
  • 3.1.4 Loss of baggage and money.
  • 3.1.5 Personal liability.

3.2 You are responsible for reviewing coverage to ensure it meets your specific travel needs.

4. Health Requirements

4.1 You must comply with all health requirements and carry necessary vaccination documentation.

4.2 Failure to present required documentation (e.g., Yellow Fever vaccination) may result in denial of entry.

4.3 Fare Buddy cannot guarantee accommodation of medical requests by travel service providers; all such requests remain your responsibility to follow up.

5. Financial Arrangements

5.1 Fare Buddy receives remuneration through commissions, incentives, or other means from third-party travel service providers.

5.2 Disclosure of the nature or value of such arrangements is not required by law.

6. Deposit and Final Payment

6.1 Deposits are required at the time of booking and may be non-refundable depending on supplier terms.

6.2 Refunds of deposits are subject to receipt of funds and authorization from the travel service provider.

7. Service Fees – Agent Assisted and Online Bookings

Domestic Flights

  • 7.1.1 Economy: $45 per person; consolidation fees $25 per person.
  • 7.1.2 Premium Economy, Business, First Class: $100 per person; consolidation fees $25 per person.

International Flights

  • 7.2.1 Economy: $150 per person; consolidation fees $35 per person.
  • 7.2.2 Premium Economy, Business, First Class: $275 per person; consolidation fees $35 per person.

8. Change and Cancellation Fees

8.1 Fees applicable to bookings will be outlined in your quote, tax invoice, and/or itinerary.

8.2 Payment by credit card may attract additional surcharges.

9. Travel Service Provider Change and Cancellation Fees

9.1 Travel service provider fees may apply for changed or cancelled bookings, up to 100% of the booking cost.

9.2 Fare Buddy may charge additional fees in case of travel service provider charges for refunds or changes.

10. Changes or Cancellations by You

10.1 Booking Changes

10.1.1 Requests to change bookings will be accommodated subject to supplier fees, Fare Buddy service fees, and any fare differences.

10.2 Booking Cancellations

10.2.1 Deposits are forfeited upon cancellation.

10.2.2 Refunds of refundable bookings depend on receipt of funds from the supplier.

10.3 Fees

  • 10.3.1 Domestic booking changes: $75 per person plus consolidation fees.
  • 10.3.2 International booking changes: $150 per person plus consolidation fees.
  • 10.3.3 Domestic cancellations: $75 per person (capped at $300) plus consolidation fees.
  • 10.3.4 International cancellations (Economy): $175 per person (capped at $1,000) plus fees.
  • 10.3.5 International cancellations (Premium Economy/Business): $375 per person plus fees.

11. Change or Cancellation by Travel Service Provider

  • 11.1 Alternative arrangements or travel credits may be offered.
  • 11.2 Refunds may be provided, less unrecoverable costs or applicable supplier fees.
  • 11.3 Fees for instant purchase/non-refundable bookings may still apply.
  • 11.4 International and domestic flights: service fees apply even if full airline refunds are granted.

12. Credit for Future Use

  • 12.1 Fare Buddy service fee of $175 per person applies.
  • 12.2 Credit must be used within 12 months of purchase.
  • 12.3 Name changes, rerouting, airline changes, or fare downgrades are prohibited.

13. Unavoidable Circumstances

13.1 “Unavoidable circumstances” include acts beyond the travel provider’s reasonable control (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics, industrial disputes).

13.2 Travel credits may be offered in lieu of cancellation refunds.

14. Payment Terms

14.1 Credit/Debit Card Payments

14.1.1 Applicable surcharges apply.

14.1.2 Payment authorizes Fare Buddy to charge all fees to the designated card.

14.2 High-Risk Transactions

14.2.1 Additional documentation may be required for high-risk transactions within 4 hours of booking.

14.2.2 Failure to comply may result in booking cancellation and refund to the original payment method.

14.3 Transaction Verification

14.3.1 Fare Buddy may validate payment credentials and request supporting identification.

14.3.2 Bookings may be declined or cancelled at Fare Buddy’s discretion for risk management.

15. Service Guarantee

15.1 Services are provided in accordance with Australian Consumer Law, including quality, fitness for purpose, and reasonable time standards.

16. Agency

16.1 Fare Buddy acts as an agent for suppliers and is not itself a provider of travel services.

16.2 Your legal rights for service delivery are primarily against the supplier.

17. Liability

17.1 Fare Buddy excludes liability to the extent permitted by law for third-party acts, force majeure, or events beyond control.

17.2 Liability may be limited under applicable conventions, including the Montreal Convention.

18. Supplier Insolvency

18.1 Fare Buddy shall not be liable for any losses arising from the insolvency, bankruptcy, or administration of any travel service supplier.

18.2 In such cases, refunds or compensation are subject to the supplier’s policies and any applicable government protection schemes.

18.3 Fare Buddy will, where possible, assist with claims but does not guarantee recovery.

19. Seat Allocation, Meals, Wheelchair Assistance, Infant Seats

19.1 Requests for specific seating, meals, or special assistance must be made directly with the airline or supplier.

19.2 Fare Buddy will forward reasonable requests but cannot guarantee fulfillment.

19.3 You are responsible for compliance with airline regulations regarding infant or child seats.

20. Pricing & Ancillary Services

20.1 All prices displayed are indicative at the time of booking and subject to change due to currency fluctuations, taxes, or supplier price adjustments.

20.2 Ancillary services (e.g., baggage fees, airport transfers) are subject to additional charges as determined by suppliers.

20.3 Fare Buddy may add service fees, which will be disclosed prior to purchase.

21. Flexible & Changeable Ticket Services

21.1 Certain bookings allow changes; others are non-refundable.

21.2 Fare Buddy will provide information on change and cancellation policies at the time of booking.

21.3 Any fare differences, service fees, or supplier charges apply in addition to the original ticket cost.

22. Online/Agent Booking Fees

22.1 Fees for online and agent-assisted bookings are non-refundable unless otherwise stated.

22.2 Fees vary by service class, destination, and booking method.

22.3 Fare Buddy reserves the right to update fees at any time; updated fees apply to subsequent bookings.

23. Refund Policy

23.1 Refund eligibility is determined by supplier terms and Fare Buddy’s service fees.

23.2 Refunds will be processed via the original payment method unless otherwise agreed.

23.3 Refund timelines depend on supplier processing; Fare Buddy is not liable for delays outside its control.

24. Errors & Omissions

24.1 Fare Buddy makes every effort to ensure accuracy of pricing and information.

24.2 Typographical, technical, or pricing errors are subject to correction without prior notice.

24.3 In the event of an error, Fare Buddy reserves the right to cancel or modify bookings with appropriate notice.

25. Frequent Flyer Details

25.1 You are responsible for providing accurate frequent flyer details at the time of booking.

25.2 Fare Buddy will forward details to the airline or supplier but cannot guarantee credit for points if information is incomplete or incorrect.

25.3 Correction of errors in frequent flyer credits must be pursued directly with the supplier.

26. Schedule Changes

26.1 Suppliers may change flight schedules, departure times, or routes.

26.2 Fare Buddy will communicate schedule changes where possible, but it remains your responsibility to monitor supplier updates.

26.3 No compensation is payable by Fare Buddy for minor schedule changes unless mandated by law.

27. Privacy Compliance

27.1 Fare Buddy collects, stores, and processes personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and other applicable legislation.

27.2 Personal information may be shared with suppliers, payment processors, and government authorities as required for travel bookings.

27.3 You consent to the collection and use of your personal information for the purposes of booking, administration, marketing, and service improvement.

28. Modifications of Terms

28.1 Fare Buddy reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time without prior notice.

28.2 Revised Terms take effect immediately upon publication on the website.

28.3 Continued use of the website or services constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

29. Governing Law

29.1 These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia.

29.2 Any dispute arising under or in connection with these Terms shall be submitted to the courts of the relevant Australian jurisdiction.

30. Consent to Marketing Communications

30.1 By using Fare Buddy services, you consent to receive marketing communications, including promotional offers, newsletters, and partner promotions.

30.2 You may opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time via the unsubscribe mechanism provided.

30.3 Fare Buddy will not sell or distribute personal information to unrelated third parties for marketing purposes without explicit consent.

31. Intellectual Property

31.1 All content on the Fare Buddy website, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is the property of Fare Buddy or its licensors.

31.2 Users may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without prior written consent.

31.3 Any unauthorized use of intellectual property may result in legal action.

32. Limitation of Liability

32.1 To the maximum extent permitted by law, Fare Buddy excludes liability for:

  • 32.1.1 Loss, damage, or injury arising from use of services.
  • 32.1.2 Delays, cancellations, or errors caused by suppliers or third parties.
  • 32.1.3 Acts of God, force majeure events, or government actions.

32.2 Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot be lawfully excluded, including statutory rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

32.3 Your exclusive remedies are limited to those explicitly stated in these Terms and Conditions.