Booking Conditions

These Booking Conditions, together with our Privacy Policy any other written information we brought to your attention before we confirmed your booking, set out the details of your booking with Oxford Travel Collection Limited - trading as Oxford Ski Company and Oxford Private Travel - Registered Office: 18 Thorney Leys Business Park, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 4GE (“we” or “us”). Please read them carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations. In these Booking Conditions references to “you" and "your" include the first named person on the booking and all persons on whose behalf a booking is made or any other person to whom a booking is added or transferred.  

By making a booking, the first named person on the booking agrees on behalf of all persons detailed on the booking that:

1. He/she has read these Booking Conditions and has the authority to and does agree to be bound by them;
2. He/she consents to our use of personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and is authorised on behalf of all persons named on the booking to disclose their personal details to us, including where applicable special categories of data (such as information on health conditions or disabilities and dietary requirements);
3. He/she is over 18 years of age and resident in the United Kingdom (if you are not a resident of the United Kingdom, you must advise us prior to booking) and where placing an order for services with age restrictions declares that he/she and all members of the party are of the appropriate age to purchase those services;
4. He/she accepts financial responsibility for payment of the booking on behalf of all persons detailed on the booking.

APPLICABLE TO ALL AGENCY BOOKINGS

1. Booking

It is your responsibility to ensure that any information which you give us is accurate and that information which is given to you by us or any of our suppliers is passed on to all members of your party.

When you make your booking you must pay the relevant deposit as specified at the time of booking. No contract will come into existence until we accept your booking and we receive your deposit or full payment in cleared funds and issue you with a confirmation invoice either on behalf of ourselves or the Supplier/Principal. We or the Supplier/Principal reserves the right to return your deposit and decline to issue a booking confirmation in our absolute discretion.

Please check that all names, dates and timings are correct on receipt of all documents and advise us of any errors immediately, as changes cannot be made later and it may harm your rights if we are not notified of any inaccuracies in any document immediately. Please ensure that the names given are the same as in the relevant passport.

The booking information that you provide to us will be passed on only to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements or other persons necessary for the provision of your travel arrangements. The information may therefore be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. This applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities, or dietary and religious requirements. Certain information may also be passed on to security or credit checking companies. If you are traveling to the United States, the US Customs and Border Protection will receive this information for the purposes of preventing and combating terrorism and other transnational serious crimes.

If you travel outside the European Economic Area, controls on data protection may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, whether in the EEA or not, we will be unable to provide your booking. In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons. For further information please see our Privacy Policy.

2. Payment and pricing

You will be required to pay a deposit or make full payment for your booking at the time of booking. Where you only pay a deposit you must pay the full balance by the balance due date notified to you. If full payment is not received by the balance due date and where we act as agent, we will notify the Supplier/Principal who may cancel your booking and charge the cancellation fees set out in their Terms and Conditions. We reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur. You must check the price of your chosen travel arrangements at the time of booking.

3. Accuracy

We endeavour to ensure that all of the information and prices both on our website and in our brochures are accurate; however, occasionally changes and errors occur and we reserve the right to correct prices and other details in such circumstances. You must check the current price and all other details relating to the arrangements that you wish to book before your booking is confirmed.

4. Special Requests

If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. Whilst every effort will be made by us (or the Supplier/Principal) to try and arrange your reasonable special requests, we cannot guarantee that they will be fulfilled. The fact that a special request has been noted on your confirmation invoice or any other documentation or that it has been passed on to the supplier is not confirmation that the request will be met. Failure to meet any special request will not be a breach of contract on our part unless the request has been specifically confirmed by us. We do not accept bookings that are conditional upon any special request being met.

5. Insurance

Adequate travel insurance is a condition of your contract with either us or the Supplier/Principal.. You must take out a policy of insurance in order to cover you and your party against the cost of cancellation by you; the cost of assistance (including repatriation) in the event of accident or illness; loss of baggage and money; and other expenses. Failure to disclose relevant information will affect your insurance. If you fail to travel with adequate insurance cover we will not be liable for any losses in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available.

We are unable to sell a policy directly. Please check what cover you may already have in place with your bank or other insurance or source a new policy directly and check it covers the activities you plan to do on your trip. You could consider a provider such as MPI Brokers who specialise in winter sports cover.

6. Accommodation Ratings and Standards

Accommodation ratings are displayed as provided by the supplier. These are intended to give a guide to the services and facilities you should expect from your accommodation. Standards and ratings may vary between countries, as well as between suppliers. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of any ratings given and no warranty is given or implied.

Safety standards in some countries may differ from those applicable in the United Kingdom. We strongly advise that all customers seek to minimise their exposure to injury by familiarising themselves with relevant safety information.

7. Fitness to Travel, Medical Conditions, Disabilities and Pregnancy

If you have any medical condition, disability or special requirements which may affect your holiday, please tell us before you confirm your booking, as we are able to make enquiries of the supplier about the suitability of arrangements for you and provide replies prior to booking. We or the Supplier/Principal may require you to produce a doctor’s certificate certifying that you are fit to participate. Acting reasonably, if we are unable to properly accommodate the needs of the person(s) concerned, we will not confirm your booking or if you did not give us full details at the time of booking, we will cancel it and impose applicable cancellation charges when we become aware of these details.

8. Behaviour

All our customers are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly and acceptable manner and not to disrupt the enjoyment of others. If in our opinion, the opinion of the Supplier/Principal (where we are acting as an agent) or in the opinion of any hotel manager or any other person in authority, your behaviour or that of any member of your party is causing or is likely to cause distress, danger or annoyance to any other customers or any third party, or damage to property, or to cause a delay or diversion to transportation, we or the Supplier/Principal reserve the right to terminate your booking immediately.

In the event of such termination our liability (or the Supplier/Principal’s where we act as agent) to you and/or your party will cease and you and/or your party will be required to leave your accommodation or other arrangements immediately. Neither we or the Supplier/Principal will have no further obligations to you and/or your party. No refunds for lost accommodation or any other arrangements will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of termination. You and/or your party may also be required to pay for loss and/or damage caused by your actions and we will hold you and each member of your party jointly and individually liable for any damage or losses caused by you or any member of your party. Full payment for any such damage or losses must be paid directly to the hotel manager or other supplier prior to departure. If you fail to make payment, you will be responsible for meeting any claims (including legal costs) subsequently made against us as a result of your actions together with all costs we incur in pursuing any claim against you. We cannot be held responsible for the actions or behaviour of other guests or individuals who have no connection with your booking arrangements or with us.

Occasionally, our suppliers may require you to pay an advance damage deposit when placing a booking or otherwise prior to your arrival in resort. Where an advance damage deposit applies, we will clearly advise you of this fact before we confirm your booking. Where applicable, the advance damage deposit will be returned to you in full, by the supplier, once your holiday has come to an end and the relevant supplier is satisfied that no damage has been caused to the property.

9. Passports, Visas and Health

We can provide general information about the passport and visa requirements for your trip, but this is for guidance only and it remains your responsibility to check the requirements before you travel. Your specific passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements, are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates prior to travel. Neither we nor the Supplier/Principal accept any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration requirements. Most countries now require passports to be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

Please take special note that for all air travel within the British Isles, airlines require photographic identification of a specific type. Please ask us for full details.

Special conditions apply for travel to the USA, and all passengers must have individual machine readable passports. Please check https://uk.usembassy.gov. 

For European travel you should obtain a UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) prior to departure unless you are able to rely upon an existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

For travel to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, UK GHIC and EHIC can not be used for medical treatment. Passengers to these destinations should obtain comprehensive medical insurance prior to departure, including cover for emergency medical treatment and associated costs.

Up to date travel advice can be obtained from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, visit https://www.gov.uk/travelaware. 

Non British passport holders, including other EU nationals, should obtain up to date advice on entry, passport, visa, health and immigration requirements   from the Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of your destination or country(ies) through which you are travelling,

We can provide general information about any health formalities required for your trip but you should check with your own doctor for your specific circumstances.

Up to date travel advice can be obtained from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, visit www.fco.gov.uk. 

We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any entry, passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any entry passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.

Please note: The impacts of Brexit may change your visa, ticket and health requirements. Third country nationals may require an airport transit visa when passing through EU Member States. There is the potential for disruption at borders when travelling between the UK and EU Member States and you should allow sufficient time for this when planning any onward travel. You should check any impacts of Brexit on your travel, in advance of your departure, to ensure that you fulfil the requirements post-Brexit, including any passport validly requirements. The UK Government passport checker can be found here https://www.gov.uk/check-a-passport-travel-europe.

10. Complaints

Where we are acting as agent, the contract for your arrangements is between you and the Supplier/Principal and any queries or concerns should be addressed to them. If you have a problem whilst on holiday, this must be reported to the supplier or their local supplier or agent immediately. If you fail to follow this procedure there will be less opportunity to investigate and rectify your complaint. The amount of compensation you may be entitled to may be reduced or you may not receive any at all depending upon the circumstances.

If you wish to complain when you return home, write to the supplier. You will see the name and address plus contact details in any confirmation documents we send you. We will of course assist you with this if you wish - please contact your Travel Consultant.

11. Financial Protection

If you book anything other than a package from us, your monies may not be financially protected. Please ask us about the protection that applies to your booking. If you receive an ATOL Certificate then you will have ATOL protection.

When you buy an ATOL protected product from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate.  This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.  For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.  The price of our flight inclusive arrangements includes the amount of £2.50 per person as part of the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices. Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL Scheme. ATOL protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom.

12. Events Beyond Our Control

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these Booking Conditions we will not be liable or pay you compensation if our contractual obligations to you are affected by “Events Beyond Our Control”. For the purposes of these Booking Conditions, Events Beyond Our Control means any event beyond our or our supplier’s control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Examples include, but are not limited to war, warfare and acts of terrorism (or threat thereof) , civil strife, significant risks to human health such as the outbreak of serious disease at the travel destination or natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or weather conditions which make it impossible to travel safely to the travel destination or remain at the travel destination, the act of any government or other national or local authority including port or river authorities, industrial dispute, labour strikes, lock closure, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, chemical or biological disaster, unavoidable technical problems with transport and all similar events outside our or the supplier concerned’s control.

Brexit Implications: please note that certain travel arrangements may be affected as a result of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union. This could include an unavailability of certain flight routes, access to certain ports and airports, etc. Please rest assured that this is something we will continue to monitor and will advise our customers as soon as possible if we become aware of any confirmed bookings that will be affected. However, since this is something which is completely unprecedented and outside our control, we would treat any such changes as Events Beyond Our Control, and whilst we will endeavour to provide suitable alternative arrangements or refunds where possible, we will not be liable to pay you any compensation.

13. Law and Jurisdiction

These terms and conditions are governed by English law and any dispute arising between the parties is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales (unless you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, in which case you can bring proceedings in your local court under Scots or Northern Irish law, as applicable).

14. Conditions of Suppliers

Many of the services which make up your holiday are provided by independent suppliers. Those suppliers provide these services in accordance with their own terms and conditions which will form part of your contract with us. Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplier's liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable International Conventions. Copies of the relevant parts of these terms and conditions are available on request from us or the supplier concerned.

15. Excursions and Concierge Arrangements

Excursions or other Concierge arrangements that you may choose to book or pay for whilst you are on the trip are not part of your contracted arrangements with us. For any excursion or other arrangement that you book, your contract will be with the Operator/Supplier of the excursion or arrangement and not with us. We are not responsible for the provision of the excursion or arrangement or for anything that happens during the course of its provision by the Operator/Supplier.

16. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Advice

You are responsible for making yourself aware of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice in regard to the safety of the countries and areas in which you will be travelling and to make your decisions accordingly. Advice from the FCDO to avoid or leave a particular country may constitute Events Beyond Our Control.

17. Data Protection and Privacy

Please see our Privacy Policy for full information regarding the way in which we use and store your personal data.

18. Your contract

When making your booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Supplier/Principal named on your receipt. As an agent we accept no responsibility for the acts or omissions of the Supplier/Principal or for the services provided by the Supplier/Principal. The Supplier/Principal’s Terms & Conditions will apply to your booking and we advise you to read these carefully as they do contain important information about your booking. Please ask us for copies of these if you do not have them.

19. Cancellation and Amendment

Any cancellation or amendment request must be sent to us in writing, by email or post, and will take effect from the day we receive it and receipt has been confirmed by us. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your booking prior to travel. Amendments and cancellations can only be accepted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Supplier/Principal. The Supplier/Principal will charge the cancellation or amendment charges shown in their Terms & Conditions (which may be as much as 100% of the cost of the travel arrangements and will normally increase closer to the date of departure). In addition we may ask you to pay an administration fee of £50 per person for any amendments or cancellation. You will be notified of the exact charges at the time of amendment or cancellation and it is recommended that you contact us prior to amendment or cancellation in order to confirm the charges applicable. 

20. Changes or Cancellations by the Supplier

We will inform you of any changes or cancellations the Supplier/Principal needs to make, as soon as reasonably possible. If the Supplier/Principal offers alternative arrangements or a refund, you will need to let us know your choice within the stipulated time frame. If you fail to do so the Supplier/Principal is entitled to assume you wish to receive a full refund. We will also liaise between you and the Supplier/Principal in relation to any alternative arrangements offered by the Supplier/Principal but we accept no liability for any changes or cancellations made to your arrangements by the Supplier/Principal under your contract with them.

21. Payment

If you have paid a deposit, you must pay the full balance by the balance due date notified to you. If full payment is not received by the balance due date, we will notify the Supplier/Principal who may cancel your booking and charge the cancellation fees set out in their Terms & Conditions.  In this event we will also charge you an administration fee of £50 per person.  Except where otherwise advised or stated in the Terms & conditions of the Supplier/Principal concerned, all monies you pay to us for arrangements will be held on behalf of the Supplier/Principal concerned and forwarded on to the Supplier/principal in accordance with our agreement with them.

22. Our responsibility for your booking

Your contract is with the Supplier/Principal and its Terms & Conditions apply. As agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the arrangements you have booked. Our responsibilities are limited to making the booking in accordance with your instructions. We accept no responsibility for any information about the arrangements that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to 20% of the cost of your booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.