Cancellation and refund policies vary based on fare categories set by airlines and hotels. Below is a general guideline for different fare groups:
1. Airline Fare Categories & Refund Policies
A. Fully Refundable (Flex or Business Class)
- Cancellation: Allowed before departure.
- Refund: Full refund after deducting nominal service fees, if any.
- Changes: Date changes permitted with/without additional charges.
B. Partially Refundable (Saver or Standard Fares)
- Cancellation: Allowed but subject to cancellation charges.
- Refund: Partial refund after deducting airline cancellation fees.
- Changes: Date changes allowed with a change fee and fare difference.
C. Non-Refundable (Basic or Economy Fares)
- Cancellation: Not allowed or subject to 100% cancellation charges.
- Refund: No refund, except for airport taxes (if applicable).
- Changes: Date changes may be allowed with high penalties.
D. Special & Promotional Fares
- Cancellation: Strictly non-refundable.
- Refund: No refund, except in case of airline-initiated cancellations.
- Changes: Not allowed or subject to high fees.
2. Hotel Booking Cancellation & Refund Policies
A. Fully Refundable Rates
- Cancellation: Allowed up to a specific time before check-in (e.g., 24-48 hours).
- Refund: Full refund if canceled within the allowed period.
- Changes: Modifications allowed based on hotel policies.
B. Partially Refundable Rates
- Cancellation: Allowed but subject to a cancellation fee.
- Refund: Partial refund based on hotel policy and notice period.
- Changes: May be allowed with a modification fee.
C. Non-Refundable Rates (Advance Purchase, Last-Minute Deals)
- Cancellation: Not allowed.
- Refund: No refund in case of cancellation or no-show.
- Changes: Generally not permitted.
D. Special Group & Corporate Bookings
- Cancellation: As per contract terms.
- Refund: Depends on negotiated agreements with hotels.
- Changes: Subject to availability and contract terms.
General Guidelines for Cancellations & Refunds
- Processing Time: Refunds may take 7-14 working days to reflect in the original payment method.
- Service Fees: Alwaves Ventures may charge a small processing fee in addition to airline/hotel charges.
- Force Majeure: Cancellations due to natural disasters, government restrictions, or airline/hotel shutdowns may have special handling policies.