1. Introduction and Scope of Policy

This Comprehensive Refund and Cancellation Policy governs all transactions, bookings, and purchases made through Journey Meister, including but not limited to our website, offline channels, and direct B2B/B2C communications.

By engaging our services, remitting payment, or confirming a booking, the client (hereafter referred to as "Customer," "You," or "Your") acknowledges and unconditionally agrees to the terms stipulated in this document.

Journey Meister acts solely as an intermediary and booking agent for third-party travel suppliers, including airlines, hotels, consulates, and tour operators. Consequently, many of our refund capabilities are directly dictated by the overarching policies of these third-party vendors.

2. General Administrative Terms and Non-Refundable Fees

Before assessing individual product policies, the following general financial rules apply to all bookings and cancellations across Journey Meister:

• Standard Transaction Charge: A fixed administrative transaction charge of ₹2,200 is applied per booking. This fee covers our operational costs, itinerary design, and system processing. This ₹2,200 transaction charge is strictly 100% non-refundable under all circumstances, regardless of whether the underlying travel components are cancelled, refunded, or modified.
• Convenience and Gateway Fees: Any credit card processing fees, payment gateway charges, or banking convenience fees incurred during the initial transaction are non-refundable.
• Communication of Cancellation: All cancellation requests must be submitted formally in writing via email from the registered email address used at the time of booking. Verbal cancellations, WhatsApp messages, or SMS notifications are not considered valid for initiating a refund process.
• Date of Cancellation: The effective date of cancellation will be the business day on which Journey Meister receives the formal written request during our standard working hours (IST). Requests received on weekends or public holidays will be deemed received on the next business day.

3. Visa Processing Services

Journey Meister facilitates the preparation, documentation, and submission of visa applications. However, the issuance of a visa is the sole prerogative of the respective sovereign government, embassy, or consulate.

• 100% Non-Refundable: All visa processing fees, government visa fees, VFS/biometric appointment charges, and Journey Meister’s service charges are 100% non-refundable.
• Rejections and Delays: In the event that a visa application is rejected, delayed, or issued with shorter duration or fewer entries than requested, no refunds will be provided.
• Withdrawal: If a customer chooses to withdraw their visa application after processing has commenced but before submission, the service fee remains non-refundable. If government fees have already been remitted, they cannot be retrieved.
• Missing Documentation: Failure on the part of the traveler to provide necessary documentation, resulting in application abandonment, does not qualify for any full or partial refund.

4. Flight Tickets and Aviation Services

• Standard Retail Fares: Cancellations for standard published fares are subject to the specific rules of the issuing airline. Journey Meister will process refunds only after deducting the airline's cancellation penalty and our standard service fee.
• Group Fares and Special Fares: All group allocation tickets, series departure tickets, promotional fares, and special discounted tickets (often utilized in our packaged itineraries) are strictly 100% non-refundable. No exceptions can be made for these specific ticket classes.
• No-Show Policy: Failure to board a flight (No-Show) generally results in the forfeiture of the entire ticket value. Airlines typically do not provide refunds for No-Show passengers.
• Airline Initiated Changes: If an airline cancels a flight, changes the schedule significantly, or ceases operations (bankruptcy), Journey Meister will act as your advocate to secure a refund or alternative routing. However, we are not liable for the financial loss if the airline refuses to process a cash refund or issues a future travel credit instead.
• Ancillary Services: Pre-booked meals, extra baggage allowances, and seat selections are generally non-refundable once confirmed by the airline.

5. Travel and Medical Insurance

• Premium Non-Refundability: Once a travel insurance policy is issued, the certificate is generated, and the coverage period is active, the premium is 100% non-refundable.
• Claims vs. Refunds: If you are forced to cancel your trip due to a covered medical emergency or other insured reason, you must file a claim directly with the insurance provider for reimbursement of your travel expenses. Journey Meister cannot refund the cost of the travel components; you must rely on the insurance mechanism for financial recovery.

6. Customized Holiday Packages and Ready-Made Itineraries

• 45 Days or More Prior to Departure: 25% of the total package cost is forfeited as a non-refundable deposit.
• 30 to 44 Days Prior to Departure: 50% of the total package cost is forfeited.
• 15 to 29 Days Prior to Departure: 75% of the total package cost is forfeited.
• 14 Days or Less Prior to Departure (including No-Shows): 100% of the total package cost is forfeited.
• Non-Refundable Package Components: Regardless of the timeframe above, certain components within a package (e.g., internal domestic flights, non-refundable boutique hotel rates, private yacht charters, specific train tickets) may be 100% non-refundable from the moment of booking. The cost of these specific components will be deducted in full before applying the percentage-based refund to the remaining balance.

7. Accommodation, Ground Transfers, and Sightseeing

Hotel Bookings

• Refund policies fluctuate based on the property, seasonality, and the specific rate booked.
• When an itinerary lists a specific hotel "or similar," the cancellation policy is governed by the rules of the ultimate confirmed property.
• During peak seasons, trade fairs, festive periods, or major sporting events, most hotels enforce a 100% non-refundable policy.
• Early check-outs or unused nights are not eligible for any partial refunds.

Ground Transfers

• Private or shared airport transfers cancelled within 48 hours of the scheduled pickup time are 100% non-refundable.
• Driver waiting time exceeded due to passenger delays (without prior notification) will be considered a No-Show.

Excursions and Event Tickets

• All pre-booked sightseeing tours, museum passes, theme park tickets, and specialized event tickets are entirely non-refundable upon purchase.

8. Force Majeure

• This includes, but is not limited to: Acts of God, natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, volcanic ash clouds), global pandemics, localized epidemics, government-imposed lockdowns, border closures, acts of terrorism, war, civil unrest, or widespread labor strikes.
• In such extreme scenarios, suppliers (airlines, hotels) often suspend standard refund policies and issue Future Travel Vouchers (FTVs) or credit notes instead of cash refunds. Journey Meister will distribute these credits to the customer as received, but we cannot mandate a cash refund from a supplier experiencing a Force Majeure event.

9. Refund Processing Mechanics and Timelines

• Third-Party Dependency: Journey Meister does not hold your funds. Payments are distributed to airlines, hotels, and operators to secure your reservations. Therefore, we can only issue a refund to you after the respective supplier has returned the funds to our corporate accounts.
• Estimated Timelines:
  • Flight Refunds: Typically take 15 to 45 business days, depending on the airline's billing cycle.
  • Hotel & Package Refunds: May take 30 to 60 business days, particularly when dealing with overseas Destination Management Companies (DMCs).
• Currency Fluctuations: If your booking involves international suppliers, the refunded amount may vary slightly from the original purchase price due to daily fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. Journey Meister is not liable for minor discrepancies caused by global currency markets.
• Method of Refund: All approved cash refunds will be credited back exclusively to the original method of payment (e.g., the specific credit card or bank account used for the initial transaction). We cannot issue refunds to alternate bank accounts or in cash due to anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.

10. Modifications and Amendments to Bookings

• Any request to alter a confirmed booking (e.g., date changes, passenger name corrections, or upgrading a room) is treated as an amendment.
• Amendments are subject to the specific supplier's terms. Airlines and hotels typically charge amendment penalties, fare differences, and seasonal surcharges.
• Journey Meister applies a standard administrative fee for processing amendments, independent of the supplier's penalty.
• If an amendment is not permitted by the supplier, the request will be treated as a cancellation (subject to the terms above) and a new booking will be required.

11. Right to Modify Policy

Journey Meister reserves the unilateral right to update, modify, or amend this Refund and Cancellation Policy at any time without prior individual notice. The version published on journeymeister.com at the time of your booking confirmation will be the governing document for that specific transaction.