TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Luxury accommodation, activities, and bespoke experiences
Purchase Terms
Thank you for engaging Touch of Spice to assist with planning your luxury accommodation and experiences throughout New Zealand and Australia. By engaging Touch of Spice, you will be working with our highly skilled team of travel designers and benefit from our tenured and strong supplier relationships. We are an agency that works on your behalf to save you time, and with our expertise, help you to create a truly unique experience that you will never forget.
Upon engaging us to work on your behalf, we require you to complete and sign these Terms & Conditions as confirmation of our arrangement.
If we do not receive signed Terms & Conditions plus your deposit or full payment (and other details stipulated as being necessary) within 72 hours of providing this document to you, we may, in our discretion, cancel your booking.
If you are travelling within 72 hours of receiving this document, we require the signed Terms & Conditions plus full payment by return.
Prices and Quotes
All prices are quoted in NZD or AUD and include GST unless otherwise indicated. Please note there is a $300NZD + GST file management fee on every booking.
What is not included?
- International airfares. These must be booked by your IATA agent.
- Domestic airfares. We can book domestic airfares (fully flexi fares) on your behalf for a fee of $150 + GST per person provided we have your written authority and full names as per your passport. Without your full names or passport details we cannot.
- Costs for obtaining passports, visas, personal insurances, and additional baggage charges.
- Meals, sightseeing or other optional activities.
Changes without Notice
All supplier quotes and charges are subject to availability. Due to the current climate, they may change without prior notice even though your arrangements may have been confirmed by us.
Where possible, we attempt to negotiate fixed supplier prices, however some changes are beyond our control (e.g., airline charges, changes to flights and Covid related travel delays).
Payment Terms
Deposit:
We require a 25% non-refundable deposit in order to secure your itinerary, accommodation, activities and bespoke experiences. N.B. This amount may vary depending on the supplier. If so, the deposit amount will be outlined at the time of confirmation of your complete itinerary.
Balance:
For travel on any dates other than Peak Season dates of December 15th - January 6th
The balance is due no later than 91 days prior to the date of arrival into New Zealand or Australia provided that, if a booking is made within 91 days of commencement of travel, the total trip cost is payable at the time of booking.
For travel during Peak Season dates of December 15th – January 6th
The balance is due no later than August 14th provided that if the booking is made after August 14th, the total trip cost is payable at the time of booking.
Payment Method:
We require payment by bank transfer/direct deposit or credit card. Please see payment link in the confirmation email that will be sent to you.
Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX):
A surcharge fee ranging from 2% to 3.5% will be applied, and the specific rate will be determined by the country of origin of the credit card. This will be automatically applied at the time of payment.
Amendments to Bookings:
Once booking confirmed: You must advise us in writing of any and all amendments to your itinerary/bookings as soon as possible. We will endeavor to accommodate any requested amendments but cannot guarantee that it will be possible.
Additional costs and charges arising due to requested amendments including changes to travel dates, Covid related travel delays, accommodation upgrades or changes to any other element of your itinerary will be payable by you.
From receipt of deposit but before payment of balance: Changes can be made once within 12 months of the original travel dates. We will assist where possible (subject to Terms and Conditions of Suppliers we have engaged on your behalf) for a fee of 5% of the trip cost.
Where possible your deposit will be held on file and transferred to the new confirmed dates. You will be responsible for any increase in cost or rate changes due to seasonal differences.
Where you have paid the final balance: Changes can be made once within 12 months of the original travel dates. We will assist where possible (subject to Terms and Conditions of Suppliers we have engaged on your behalf) for a fee of 10% of the trip cost.
Where possible the total amount will be held on file and transferred to the new confirmed dates. You will be responsible for any increase in cost or rate changes due to seasonal differences.
Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel you must advise us in writing as soon as possible.
Any additional costs and charges arising through cancellation of your confirmed itinerary will be payable by you.
For travel on any dates other than Peak Season dates of December 15th - January 6th:
If cancellation is received:
- More than 91 days prior to date of travel, you will forfeit your non-refundable deposit together with any prepaid supplier charges that are unable to be recovered.
- 91 – 47 days prior to date of travel, you will forfeit your non-refundable deposit and 100% of all accommodation costs plus any supplier costs unable to be recovered.
- Within 46 days of travel, you will forfeit the total trip cost (including 100% of all activities and accommodation costs).
For travel during Peak Season dates of December 15th – January 6th
If cancellation is received:
- Before August 14th, you will forfeit your non-refundable deposit together with any prepaid supplier charges that are unable to be recovered.
- From August 14th – within 47 days of travel, you will forfeit your non-refundable deposit and 100% of all accommodation costs plus any supplier costs unable to be recovered.
- Within 46 days of travel, you will forfeit the total trip cost (including 100% of all activities and accommodation costs).
COVID-19 Amendment AND Cancellation Policy
If there is a government enforced COVID-19 related travel policy preventing you from travelling (example, unable to travel due to testing positive and having to self-isolate for COVID-19) we may be able to amend your booking to a new date, subject to rate changes, availability, and owner approval. There will also be a $500 + GST booking fee to make any changes. This will only apply and be valid for any name guests on the pre-arrival check in form. We will require a doctor’s note to confirm the name of the person, confirmation of a positive COVID-19 infection and the required dates of quarantine. New bookings made with credit for cancelled bookings must be made within 12 months of your cancellation date. The client will also forfeit 10% of their total itinerary cost together with any supplier charges that are unable to be recovered.
If the booking that needs to be cancelled due to the above COVID-19 clause falls within the peak period of December 15th – January 6th and we are unable to re book the property, the guest will forfeit the total cost of the stay.
COVID-19 MANDATES & VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS
For New Zealand Travel
Current Covid mandates and requirements are set out on the following website:
Please read before travelling to New Zealand.
You are required to comply fully with all legal requirements as set out under the New Zealand Covid-19 Protection Framework, a copy of which is available upon arrival. Non-compliance may result in immediate termination of your stay, and any additional costs payable by Touch of Spice, accommodation and activity providers will be payable by you.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) and Entry Regulations
Please note this advice below is intended to provide general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For information on visas to enter New Zealand and Australia, visitors should seek the most up-to-date information from the government website.
For New Zealand Travel
If you are travelling to New Zealand on a passport from a visa waiver country, are a cruise ship passenger or a permanent resident of Australia, you must hold a NZ ETA (electronic travel authority) before arrival. The quickest way is to apply via the NZ ETA mobile app or online here: https://nzeta.immigration.govt.nz/
The website currently advises to allow up to 72 hours for processing. However, we strongly suggest you apply for the ETA well in advance of travelling. You are able to apply for an ETA at your departure port however if this can’t be processed in time, you will be denied boarding.
If you are a citizen from a non-visa waiver country, you should check with your local New Zealand embassy for the necessary entry requirements.
For Australian Travel
Unless you are an Australian citizen, you will need a valid Australian visa to enter the country. New Zealand citizens with a valid New Zealand passport do not need to apply for a visa before coming to Australia. All other passport holders, regardless of age, must apply for a visa before leaving home. You can apply for an Australian tourist visa via the ETA app or on the Department of Home Affairs website.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder
Liability
You agree and acknowledge as follows:
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Touch of Spice always acts only as an agent for all accommodations, airlines, excursion, and transport operators, and has no liability in relation to any of these supplier’s services. This includes (but is not limited to):
- the inability to recover deposits or other amounts paid to suppliers who are no longer able to supply contracted goods or services.
- loss or damage which arises directly or indirectly from any act of God, weather disruption, dangers incidental to sea, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, wars whether declared or not, terrorism, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, deaths, etc.
All bookings are made subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by service providers. Touch of Spice accepts no liability in respect of the supply of leisure and recreational services and in any event, Touch of Spice’s liability (if any) is limited to any amount received from you.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is essential particularly in relation to Covid related disruptions. We strongly recommend clients take out comprehensive travel insurance (taken out in country of origin) to provide cover against cancellation charges and unforeseen circumstances such as damage or loss of personal baggage, loss of money and other valuables, medical expenses, or the need to return home earlier than expected, and any non-refundable elements of your travel & itinerary.
Touch of Spice shall not be liable for any travel changes caused by Covid or any other circumstances out of their control.
Other
Touch of Spice may, in its absolute discretion, relocate guests to alternative accommodation, or cancel any activities or bookings in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as a Force Majeure. Neither Touch of Spice nor the accommodation provider / supplier shall be liable for any loss or damage arising from such event, or from such relocation or cancellation.
We may terminate your itinerary if, in our reasonable opinion, your behaviour is inappropriate, has caused or is likely to cause distress, damage, nuisance or any form of danger to our employees, representatives or suppliers or to any third-party property we have booked on your behalf.
You cannot transfer your booking to another person without our express written approval (which we are not bound to give).
CONFIRMATION
Your booking will be confirmed once we receive the following:
- The non-refundable deposit, or full payment (if required) and
- These terms & conditions signed by you.
We will then send you a booking confirmation with all relevant details.