Cancellation Policy

At TravelBuddy, we understand that travel plans can change. This cancellation policy outlines the terms and conditions regarding cancellations for services booked through our platform.

1. General Cancellation Terms

The following general terms apply to all cancellations:

• All cancellations must be made through your TravelBuddy account or by contacting our customer support team.
• Cancellation timestamps are based on UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).
• The TravelBuddy service fee is non-refundable except in cases where the error was on our part.
• Some promotional or special rate bookings may be non-cancellable, which will be clearly indicated during the booking process.

2. Flight Cancellations

For flight bookings, the following cancellation terms apply:

• 24-Hour Cancellation: Most flight bookings can be cancelled within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, provided the departure date is at least 7 days away.
• Airline-Specific Policies: Beyond the 24-hour period, cancellation terms are determined by the airline's specific policies, which vary by:
  • Fare type (economy, premium economy, business, first class)
  • Fare conditions (flexible, semi-flexible, non-flexible)
  • Time remaining before departure
• Cancellation Fees: Airlines typically charge a cancellation fee, which will be deducted from any refund amount.
• No-Show Policy: Failure to check in for your flight without prior cancellation may result in forfeiture of the entire fare.

3. Hotel Cancellations

For hotel reservations:

• Free Cancellation Period: Many hotels allow free cancellation up to a specific date before check-in (typically 24-72 hours). This information is clearly displayed during the booking process.
• Late Cancellations: Cancellations made after the free cancellation period may incur charges, typically equivalent to one night's stay or a percentage of the total booking value.
• Non-Refundable Rates: Special discounted rates may be offered as non-refundable. These bookings cannot be cancelled for a refund.
• No-Show Policy: Failure to arrive at the hotel without prior cancellation typically results in a charge equivalent to the entire booking or as specified in the hotel's policy.

4. Package Tours and Activities

For package tours and activities:

• Cancellation Timeline and Fees:
  • 30+ days before start date: 10% cancellation fee
  • 15-29 days before start date: 50% cancellation fee
  • 7-14 days before start date: 75% cancellation fee
  • Less than 7 days before start date: 100% cancellation fee (no refund)
• Provider-Specific Policies: Some tour operators and activity providers may have their own cancellation policies that supersede our standard policy. These will be clearly communicated during booking.
• Group Bookings: Group bookings (5+ people) may be subject to stricter cancellation policies.

5. Cancellations Due to Extraordinary Circumstances

In cases of extraordinary circumstances:

• Natural Disasters: In the event of natural disasters affecting your travel destination or departure point, we will work with service providers to offer the most flexible cancellation terms possible.
• Health Emergencies: For documented medical emergencies, we may be able to negotiate more favorable cancellation terms with service providers. Supporting documentation may be required.
• Travel Advisories: If official government travel advisories recommend against travel to your destination, special cancellation terms may apply.
• Pandemic Situations: During pandemic situations, cancellation policies may be adjusted according to global health guidelines and provider policies.

6. Cancellation Process

To cancel a booking:

1. Log in to your TravelBuddy account
2. Navigate to "My Bookings"
3. Select the booking you wish to cancel
4. Follow the cancellation process
5. You will receive a confirmation email once your cancellation has been processed
6. If applicable, refund information will be provided according to our refund policy

7. Modifications Instead of Cancellations

As an alternative to cancellation, you may be able to modify your booking:

• Date changes are often subject to availability and may incur change fees or fare/rate differences.
• Name changes may be permitted for some bookings but are typically subject to fees.
• Modification policies vary by service provider and booking type.

8. Contact for Assistance

If you need assistance with cancellations or have questions about our policy:

• Email: [email protected]

We reserve the right to modify this cancellation policy at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our website.

Last Updated: March 25, 2025