Balabac Island, Palawan, Philippines

Balabac

Balabac Tour Packages, Island Hopping, Accommodations, Attractions/Destinations,  Camping/Campsites, and Booking.

Balabac Island Palawan Philippines

Refund Policy

Overview & Applicability:

  • 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.
  • 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.

No Refund Within 7 Days:

  • 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.
  • 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 (e.g., PayPal, bank transfers, credit cards) are non-refundable, even if your booking is canceled or amended.
  • Administrative or handling fees may also be non-refundable since they cover the time and resources spent processing your reservation.

Conditions for Potential Refunds:

  • 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 us via email or the Contact Us form with your booking reference number, full name, contact number, email address, and a concise explanation of your request.
  • Assessment period: 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the complexity of the situation.
  • Final decision: A formal response will be sent through email or another designated channel. If approved, funds will be credited to your original payment method within thirty (30) days from the time of refund approval.

Timeframe for Processing Refunds:

  • 30-Day Standard: BalabacTour.com strives to process payment within thirty (30) days. Delays may occur on weekends or local holidays.
  • Partial Refunds: If 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: Changes during the trip (e.g., upgrading lodging) are considered new bookings or add-ons. Prior payment for the original service is typically forfeited.
  • Early Departures: Leaving a tour or accommodation ahead of schedule generally does not entitle you to a refund.
  • 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 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 include transportation to the meeting point, personal gear, and optional excursions not included in the original booking.
  • Documentation may be required to evaluate the validity of a refund claim (e.g., proof of flight cancellation, medical certificates, official advisories).

Revisions to This Policy:

  • BalabacTour.com reserves the right to update or modify this Refund Policy at any time.

 

Full Refunds

  • A 100% refund will be issued if the tour is canceled due to orders from the Coast Guard, Local Government Units (LGU), or any competent authority, prioritizing public safety and security.
  • In case of cancellations due to weather disturbances or unforeseen events, a 100% refund will be provided.

Customer-Initiated Cancellations

  • 7 Days or More Before the Tour:
    • A 100% refund may be granted for cancellations made at least 7 days before the tour date.
    • Please contact us through Messenger for cancellation requests (messenger link: m.me/dpalawantravelandtour).
  • 4 to 6 Days Before the Tour:
    • A 50% refund will be issued for cancellations made within this period.
  • 3 Days or Less Before the Tour:
    • No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 3 days of the tour.
    • We encourage you to review tour details and online reviews before booking.

Operator-Initiated Cancellations

  • If the tour operator cancels the tour, we reserve the right to either transfer your booking to another tour operator or issue a refund, subject to the operator’s refund policy.

Day-of-Tour Adjustments

  • For unforeseen events on the day of the tour, such as accidents, roadblocks, or other safety-related concerns that require the cancellation of one or more destinations, no refunds will be given.
  • The itinerary provided is a guideline and is subject to change on the day of the tour based on safety considerations, weather/sea conditions, and the remaining time available during the tour.

Processing Time

  • Refunds for cash payments are processed within 1 to 2 weeks.

Partner Operator Policies

  • As a booking agency, we process refunds in accordance with our partner operators’ policies.
  • Many travel operators provide only a 50% refund for cancellations.

Policy Interpretation

  • PalawanCart.com, TravelAndTours.co, and D’Palawan Travel and Tours reserve the right to interpret this refund policy.
  • For clarification, please contact us directly.

 

Supplemental Refund Provisions for Digital & Card Payments

Partial Refunds:

  • All refunds (whether you were granted 100% refund or 50% refund from the above-mentioned General Refund Policy) for digital payments are issued as partial refunds.
  • All refunds exclude transaction fees that are non-refundable by payment platforms (e.g., PayPal, GCash).
  • Refunds exclude the following fees/charges incurred when you made your payment, when your payment was transferred to a tour operator, or when withdrawn to facilitate booking of your tour:
    • PayPal transaction fees: 2.9% + PHP 15 (domestic) or 4.4% + PHP 15 (international).
    • PayPal withdrawal fees: PHP 50 for amounts below PHP 7,000.
    • GCash transaction fees: PHP 15.

Processing Time:

  • Domestic Cards (Philippines-issued): Refunds processed within 3 to 4 weeks.
  • International Cards (Non-Philippines-issued): Refunds processed within 30 to 60 days.
  • GCash Payments: Refunds processed within 1 to 2 weeks.

Refund Conditions:

  • Refunds are subject to our management’s approval.
  • Regardless of the reason—whether initiated by us or requested by the customer (e.g., service cancellations, booking errors, customer’s change of plans, or customer’s inability to attend)—only a partial refund will be issued, excluding PayPal transaction fees and the PHP 15 fee associated with your GCash payment.
  • In the event of a service cancellation due to our fault, customers will have the option to either be transferred to one of our partner service providers on the next available schedule or receive a partial refund discussed in this policy.

Refund Process:

  • Refunds will be issued in Philippine Peso (PHP), the original transaction currency.
  • For payments in other currencies, PayPal’s exchange rates at the time of refund apply. We are not responsible for variations in exchange rates.
  • Refunds will be credited to the original payment method used.

Additional Notes:

  • Any fees incurred by your bank, PayPal, or card issuer (e.g., currency conversion fees) are non-refundable and are the customer’s responsibility.
  • For digital payment refunds, provide a screenshot of your payment confirmation showing the amount paid, date, and transaction reference number. Delays in submitting this information may affect refund processing.
  • If your tour is scheduled within 24 hours and we cannot verify your payment on time, you may miss the tour. Please ensure prompt confirmation to avoid delays.
  • Official receipts will reflect only the tour price in PHP and exclude payment method fees. A booking confirmation slip will be provided for partial payments, and the receipt will be issued after full payment.

Important:

  • If you do not agree with any of the terms outlined in this refund policy, refrain from making a payment or proceeding with your booking.
  • Should you have any questions regarding our refund policy, please contact us at D’Palawan Travel and Tours located at #3 San Vicente Public Market, Barangay Poblacion, San Vicente, Palawan.