Advance Payment Policy
1. Purpose and Scope
This Advance Payment Policy explains the conditions that may apply when a traveler makes a deposit, partial payment, or other advance payment for a tourism service arranged by BIRD GREEN EXPEDITIONS.
Advance payments may be required to reserve a tour, coordinate logistics, purchase tickets, secure transportation, or confirm services with independent suppliers. The amount and payment schedule depend on the selected service, travel date, availability, and the conditions communicated before confirmation.
This Policy must be read together with the Terms and Conditions, Booking Policy, Cancellation and Refund Policy, and Personal Data Protection Policy.
2. Advance Payment Requirements
Before payment, the traveler will be informed of the total price or quoted price, the required advance amount, the outstanding balance, the applicable currency, the payment methods available, and the relevant due dates.
The required advance payment may vary between services. Certain activities with limited capacity or services requiring advance ticket purchases may require a higher initial payment or full payment before confirmation.
A general quotation or inquiry does not guarantee availability. Payment should only be made through a payment method communicated or verified by BIRD GREEN EXPEDITIONS.
3. Purpose of the Advance Payment
An advance payment may be used to arrange or secure elements of the selected service, including:
- Entrance tickets and attraction reservations.
- Train tickets, transportation, or transfers.
- Accommodation or other supplier reservations.
- Guides, equipment, permits, or operational arrangements.
- Administrative and coordination tasks associated with the booking.
The specific use of an advance payment depends on the confirmed service. The fact that a payment is described as an advance or deposit does not, by itself, determine whether it is refundable. Refund eligibility will be assessed under the communicated booking conditions, the Cancellation and Refund Policy, and applicable law.
4. Payment Methods and Verification
Available payment methods will be communicated directly to the traveler. These may include bank transfers, approved electronic payment services, or other methods accepted by the Company.
Travelers should verify the recipient’s details before sending money and should not transfer funds to an account or individual unless the payment instructions have been confirmed through an official communication channel.
After completing a payment, the traveler should send the relevant receipt or transaction reference when requested. The Company will verify the payment before treating it as received and applying it to the booking.
A screenshot or transfer instruction alone may not establish that funds have cleared. If a payment is delayed, rejected, reversed, or cannot be verified, the Company will communicate the situation and any necessary next steps.
5. Balance Payments and Deadlines
Where a service requires a partial advance payment, the remaining balance must be paid by the deadline stated in the booking confirmation.
The deadline may depend on the departure date, ticketing requirements, supplier rules, or the nature of the service. Travelers should not assume that the balance is payable on the day of the tour unless this has been expressly confirmed.
If the balance is not paid on time, the Company will explain the outstanding amount and contact the traveler regarding the available options. Where a supplier’s deadline has passed or availability has changed, the reservation may be affected. Any cancellation, additional cost, or loss of availability will be handled in accordance with the conditions communicated before confirmation and applicable law.
6. Currency, Charges, and Payment Errors
The currency and amount payable will be specified before payment. If a bank, payment platform, or intermediary applies a fee or exchange-rate conversion, the traveler should review those terms before completing the transaction.
If a traveler sends an incorrect amount, makes a duplicate payment, or transfers funds using incorrect details, the traveler should contact the Company promptly and provide the transaction reference. The Company will review the information and explain the available corrective steps.
Any correction, return, or additional payment will be handled in accordance with the circumstances, the payment provider’s procedures, and applicable law.
7. Payment Confirmation and Records
A payment will be applied to the relevant booking after it has been verified. The Company will communicate confirmation through the agreed channel and provide the relevant payment record or documentation as required.
Travelers should retain payment receipts and booking confirmations until the service has been completed and any related matter has been resolved.
8. Changes to Bookings
If the traveler requests a change after making an advance payment, the Company will review whether the change is operationally possible and whether it affects tickets, supplier reservations, prices, or payment deadlines.
A change is not confirmed until it has been communicated in writing. Additional charges or adjustments, if applicable, will be explained before the traveler accepts the change.
If a change is not possible, the original booking conditions and the Cancellation and Refund Policy will apply, subject to applicable law.
9. Cancellation and Refunds
If a traveler cancels a booking, the treatment of the advance payment will depend on the applicable cancellation conditions, the timing of the request, the services already secured, supplier terms, and any legal rights that apply.
The Company will not treat all advance payments as automatically non-refundable without considering the conditions applicable to the booking and mandatory law. Where a refund is due, the amount and processing procedure will be communicated to the traveler.
The detailed rules are set out in the Cancellation and Refund Policy.
10. Failure to Deliver a Service
If BIRD GREEN EXPEDITIONS is unable to provide a confirmed service, the Company will inform the traveler and explain the available alternatives, which may include rescheduling, an appropriate alternative, or a refund where required by the circumstances and applicable law.
Any alternative will be communicated clearly. The traveler will not be required to accept a material change without being informed of its relevant conditions.
11. Fraud Prevention
Travelers should be cautious of suspicious messages, unofficial payment requests, or communications asking them to change payment details unexpectedly. If in doubt, verify the instructions directly through the official contact channel used for the booking.
The Company will never ask travelers to disclose full payment-card security codes or passwords through ordinary messaging channels.