At BalabacTour.com, the goal is to provide a seamless experience for travelers seeking to explore the pristine beauty of Balabac and other parts of Palawan. Situations may arise where refunds become necessary, and this Refund Policy details the circumstances under which refunds may be provided, the processes involved, and the timeline for resolution. Please read this policy carefully, along with the Terms of Service of any partner travel service providers (including travel agencies, tour/boat/transport operators, suppliers, accommodation establishments, guides, and other related entities) whose services you ultimately purchase.
Overview & Applicability
- Separate Policies: This Refund Policy applies primarily to any products or services purchased directly from D’Palawan Travel and Tours through BalabacTour.com. If you booked a package managed by D’Palawan Travel and Tours or another external provider, you must also adhere to their respective Terms of Service and refund rules.
- Consistency Clause: In the event that BalabacTour.com’s Refund Policy conflicts with the Terms of Service of D’Palawan Travel and Tours, the latter’s terms may prevail. Always verify the agency’s policies before making any payments.
- D’Palawan Travel and Tours’ Refund Policy: Kindly take a moment to review the refund policy of D’Palawan Travel and Tours, available at DPalawanTravelAndTours.com/balabac-refund-policy.
No Refund Within 7 Days
- 7-Day Window: BalabacTour.com typically does not issue refunds for cancellations, date changes, or reductions in the number of participants made within seven (7) calendar days of your scheduled trip. This aligns with the logistical challenges of coordinating boat services, accommodations, and local permits in remote areas.
- Late Bookings: For bookings made less than 7 days before the start date, all payments are considered final and non-refundable unless otherwise stipulated by the partner travel agency.
- No proportionate refunds are provided for any package inclusions that tourists or customers choose not to avail.
- Once the tour begins, all services are considered fully utilized.
Non-Refundable Fees
- Payment Platform Charges: Transaction fees incurred through PayPal, bank transfers, or credit cards are non-refundable, even if your booking is canceled or amended. These fees are imposed by third-party platforms, and BalabacTour.com cannot waive them.
- Administrative Costs: Certain minimal costs, such as administrative or handling fees, may also be non-refundable since they cover the time and resources spent processing your reservation.
Conditions for Potential Refunds
While the 7-day no-refund rule generally applies, exceptional circumstances may arise:
- Major Error by D’Palawan Travel and Tours: If a reservation fails to materialize due to a verifiable error on our part—such as double-booking or providing incorrect package details—BalabacTour.com may consider issuing a partial or full refund.
- Critical Service Unavailability: If a primary service component (e.g., boat transfer or specific tour inclusion) becomes completely unavailable and no equivalent alternative can be arranged, a partial refund may be warranted at our discretion or based on partner agency policies.
- Force Majeure Exceptions: Most partner agencies do not provide refunds for weather-related cancellations or force majeure events, but if partial refunds are permissible under a partner’s policy, BalabacTour.com will assist in coordinating them to the extent possible.
Refund Request Process
- Contact Procedure: To initiate a refund request, please reach out via email or the Contact Us form. Include your booking reference number, full name, contact number, email address, and a concise explanation of your request.
- Assessment Period: BalabacTour.com will evaluate your request, cross-checking details with the relevant partner agency. This process can take from one (1) week up to two (2) weeks, depending on the complexity of the situation.
- Final Decision: A formal response will be sent through email or another designated channel. If your refund is approved, funds will be credited to your original payment method within thirty (30) days from the time of refund approval, subject to possible delays from payment processors.
Timeframe for Processing Refunds
Once a refund is approved:
- 30-Day Standard: BalabacTour.com strives to process payment within thirty (30) days. The exact speed depends on the payment gateway or financial institution, and delays may occur on weekends or local holidays.
- Partial Refunds: If a partial refund is granted, a breakdown of fees and the final amount to be credited will be provided.
- PayPal & Bank Processing: Refund transactions made via PayPal or banks may take additional time to reflect in your account due to their verification procedures.
Changes & Rescheduling
- Mid-Trip Adjustments: If you change your itinerary during the trip—e.g., upgrading from basic lodging to premium—these are considered new bookings or add-ons. Any prior payment for the original service is typically forfeited, given local logistics requirements.
- Early Departures: Leaving a tour or accommodation ahead of schedule generally does not entitle you to a refund, as funds have already been allocated to local suppliers.
- Service Downgrades: Opting for a less expensive package after initially confirming a higher-priced one does not typically result in a partial refund unless explicitly permitted by the partner agency in writing.
Limitations & Liabilities
- No Guarantees for External Issues: BalabacTour.com and its partners are not accountable for personal emergencies, flight delays, or visa constraints. Refunds are not provided for these circumstances unless specifically stated in a partner’s Terms of Service.
- Non-Refundable Expenses: Transportation to the meeting point, personal gear, and optional excursions not included in the original booking are non-refundable.
- Documentation Requirement: In certain disputes, BalabacTour.com may require documentation—such as proof of flight cancellation, medical certificates, or official advisories—to evaluate the validity of a refund claim.
Revisions to This Policy
BalabacTour.com reserves the right to update or modify this Refund Policy at any time. Such changes will be indicated by a new “Effective Date” at the top of the page. By continuing to use the Site or finalizing bookings after updates, you confirm acceptance of the revised policy.
Final Considerations
- Read All Terms: Before making any reservation, please review both BalabacTour.com’s Refund Policy and the Terms of Service of the respective travel agency arranging your tour.
- Open Communication: Most issues can be resolved through honest, timely discussion. For clarifications on any point, please contact BalabacTour.com promptly.
- Acknowledgment of Risks: Travel in remote areas like Balabac comes with uncertainties—such as weather shifts, limited infrastructure, or resource constraints. Booking through BalabacTour.com implies acceptance of these potential variances and their potential effects on refunds.
If you have further questions, please review the Terms of Use, Disclaimer, and Privacy Policy or visit the Contact Us page. BalabacTour.com aims to handle refund requests fairly and consistently to support both customer satisfaction and the sustainability of local tourism partners.
