A 2 Z TRIP – PAYMENT POLICY

This Payment Policy explains the advance payment requirements, installment schedules, final payment deadlines, accepted payment methods, booking release conditions and payment-related responsibilities applicable to bookings made with A2Z Trip.

Customers are requested to review this policy, their quotation and the applicable Cancellation & Refund Policy before making any payment.

1. Bookings Made More Than 30 Days Before Travel

1. Customers booking more than 30 days before departure are generally required to pay 25% of the total ground package cost as an advance, along with the full applicable flight fare where flights are included in the booking.
2. The advance payment is collected to initiate hotel reservations, transportation arrangements and other travel-related services.
3. After receiving the advance, A2Z Trip's Booking Team will coordinate the remaining booking arrangements and communicate the applicable payment schedule.
4. The payment schedule may include multiple installments depending on the travel date, supplier requirements, hotel booking conditions and other operational arrangements.
5. The advance payment will be adjusted against the total package cost. In case of cancellation, its refundability will be determined according to the accepted Cancellation & Refund Policy and applicable law.
6. Flight tickets and other separately booked services may have their own payment and cancellation conditions, which will be communicated before the relevant booking commitment.

2. Bookings Made 11 to 30 Days Before Travel

1. For bookings made between 11 and 30 days before departure, the required advance payment will depend on the package, travel dates and supplier booking requirements.
2. The Booking Team will communicate the advance amount, remaining balance and payment deadlines before the customer accepts the booking.
3. Depending on supplier requirements, a higher advance or full payment may be required.
4. Customers must complete all payments according to the booking-specific payment schedule accepted before payment or subsequently agreed in writing.
5. Failure to make payment by the applicable deadline may result in booking release under the Payment Default & Booking Release provisions of this policy.

3. Bookings Made Within 10 Days Before Travel

1. For bookings made 10 days or less before departure, 100% of the total confirmed package cost, including applicable flight fares, taxes and other disclosed charges, must generally be paid before final booking confirmation or ticket issuance.
2. Payment may be required immediately due to limited hotel availability, supplier deadlines and the short time remaining before departure.
3. The Booking Team will communicate the applicable payment deadline before the booking is accepted.
4. A quotation, payment request or temporary holding arrangement does not guarantee final availability until the relevant services are confirmed.
5. If the customer does not complete payment by the agreed deadline, A2Z Trip may decline to proceed with unconfirmed services or release the affected arrangements according to the applicable booking conditions.
6. Any cancellation charges or refund eligibility will be governed by the accepted Cancellation & Refund Policy.

4. Booking Team Authority & Payment Schedule

1. A2Z Trip's authorized Booking Team is responsible for communicating booking-specific payment schedules, installment amounts, outstanding balances and payment deadlines.
2. Payment schedules may vary depending on hotel requirements, transport arrangements, supplier payment commitments, travel dates and other booking-related conditions.
3. The applicable payment schedule will be communicated through official email, authorized WhatsApp numbers or another agreed communication channel.
4. Customers must follow the payment schedule accepted for their respective bookings.
5. Payment reminders may be sent before the applicable deadline. Such reminders do not automatically change an already agreed deadline.
6. The Booking Team may request an earlier payment where necessary. However, an already accepted deadline may be changed only with the customer's written agreement or another valid basis under the accepted booking terms.
7. Customers must not assume that the payment schedule applicable to another booking or customer also applies to their own booking.

5. Final Payment Deadline – Important 10-Day Rule

1. The total outstanding package amount must ordinarily be cleared no later than 10 days before the scheduled departure date.
2. The 10-day period is the latest standard payment limit and is not a guaranteed payment date for every booking.
3. Depending on hotel requirements, supplier payment deadlines, travel dates and booking arrangements, A2Z Trip may require full payment earlier than 10 days before departure.
4. Any earlier final payment deadline must be clearly communicated to the customer before booking acceptance and must form part of the accepted booking-specific payment schedule.
5. Once the customer accepts an earlier payment deadline, that deadline will apply to the booking. The customer cannot unilaterally postpone payment to 10 days before departure.
6. If no earlier deadline has been validly agreed, A2Z Trip cannot rely solely on this policy to impose a new earlier deadline after booking acceptance.
7. Any subsequent change to an accepted payment deadline must be mutually agreed in writing or otherwise permitted under the original booking terms and applicable law.

Example: If a customer's travel date is 25 December and the Booking Team communicates a final payment deadline of 5 December before booking acceptance, the customer must pay by 5 December once that schedule has been accepted. The general 10-day rule does not replace the accepted deadline.

6. Acceptance of Booking Terms Through Advance Payment

1. Before collecting advance payment, A2Z Trip will provide or clearly make available the quotation, applicable booking-specific payment schedule, Payment Policy, Cancellation & Refund Policy and other relevant booking conditions.
2. By making an advance, token or partial payment after receiving these details, the customer indicates acceptance of the clearly disclosed booking terms, including the applicable payment deadlines.
3. Customers are responsible for reviewing the package details, payment requirements, cancellation charges and refund conditions before making payment.
4. Any clarification or requested modification should be communicated before payment.
5. Where the booking terms and payment schedule have been clearly disclosed before payment, advance payment may constitute acceptance of those terms without a separate written reply stating "I Agree", subject to applicable law.
6. Payment alone does not establish acceptance of terms that were not properly disclosed or made available before payment.
7. A2Z Trip will maintain available records of the quotation, payment schedule, applicable policy version and advance payment received.

7. Payment Reminders & Official Communication

1. Payment reminders, outstanding balance statements and booking-related instructions may be communicated through A2Z Trip's official email addresses, authorized WhatsApp numbers or other agreed communication channels.
2. Customers are responsible for providing accurate contact details and informing A2Z Trip of any changes.
3. Payment communications will specify the relevant booking reference, outstanding amount and applicable payment deadline wherever reasonably possible.
4. A2Z Trip will maintain records of important payment reminders, deadline changes and booking release notices.
5. Customers should contact the Booking Team promptly if they identify any discrepancy in the payment amount or deadline.
6. A payment reminder does not, by itself, create a new payment obligation or change an already accepted payment deadline.

8. Failure to Make Payment & Booking Release

1. Customers must complete all outstanding payments by the applicable agreed deadlines.
2. If a customer fails or refuses to make payment by the applicable deadline, A2Z Trip may issue a written payment reminder or final payment notice.
3. The notice may be communicated through official email, authorized WhatsApp or another agreed communication channel.
4. Where appropriate, the customer will be provided a reasonable opportunity to clear the outstanding payment, taking into account supplier deadlines and the nature of the booking.
5. If payment remains outstanding after the applicable notice and payment opportunity, A2Z Trip may suspend or release the affected hotel reservations, transport arrangements or other booking services.
6. A booking validly released due to the customer's payment default will not automatically be considered a cancellation initiated by A2Z Trip.
7. Such release does not automatically make the entire advance non-refundable. Applicable cancellation charges and any refundable balance will be calculated according to the accepted Cancellation & Refund Policy and applicable law.
8. A2Z Trip will maintain relevant payment communications and booking release records.
9. A2Z Trip will remain responsible for any improper booking release attributable to its own failure to follow the agreed terms or applicable law.

9. Payment Extension Requests

1. Customers who are unable to pay by the applicable deadline may request an extension before the deadline expires.
2. An extension request does not automatically change the existing payment deadline.
3. A2Z Trip may approve or decline an extension depending on supplier payment requirements, booking availability and operational circumstances.
4. Any approved extension will be communicated in writing, mentioning the revised payment date and applicable conditions.
5. Once an extension is approved, the revised deadline will apply according to its written terms.
6. Failure to pay by the original deadline during an approved extension period will not be treated as payment default where the extension covers that deadline and the customer complies with its conditions.
7. If the customer fails to pay by the revised deadline, the Payment Default & Booking Release provisions may apply.

10. Partial Payments & Outstanding Balances

1. Customers may make installment payments only according to the accepted payment schedule or another arrangement approved by A2Z Trip.
2. Making a partial payment does not automatically extend the deadline for the remaining amount.
3. If a customer pays less than the amount due, the outstanding balance must still be cleared by the applicable deadline unless an extension is approved in writing.
4. A2Z Trip will adjust all verified payments against the relevant booking balance.
5. Any disagreement regarding a payment calculation should be reported promptly for verification.

11. Payment Receipt & Transaction Verification

1. Payments must be made through authorized A2Z Trip payment channels.
2. A payment will ordinarily be treated as received once the transaction is successfully credited and verified.
3. Sharing a payment screenshot, transaction reference number or payment promise does not, by itself, establish that funds have been received.
4. If the customer provides evidence of a timely payment that is pending due to a genuine banking or payment gateway delay, A2Z Trip will reasonably verify the transaction before taking booking release action.
5. Customers should mention their booking reference when making payments and retain the transaction receipt.
6. A2Z Trip will issue appropriate payment acknowledgements and invoices in accordance with applicable requirements.

12. Authorized Payment Methods

Customers may make payments through payment methods officially accepted by A2Z Trip, including:

• Bank transfer through an authorized company account.
• UPI payments through an authorized company UPI ID or QR code.
• Debit card.
• Credit card.
• Other officially approved payment gateways.

Additional Conditions:

1. Customers must verify payment details before transferring money.
2. Payments to employee personal accounts or unauthorized third-party accounts should not be made without written authorization from A2Z Trip through an official channel.
3. Any alternative payment arrangement must be confirmed in writing by an authorized company representative.
4. Where applicable, credit card or payment gateway convenience fees, including the currently specified 2.5% credit card fee, must be disclosed before the customer authorizes the transaction.
5. Any payment dispute involving an unauthorized account will be investigated based on the available evidence and applicable law.

13. GST & Applicable Taxes

1. GST and other applicable taxes will be charged according to prevailing Indian tax laws and the nature of the services supplied.
2. The quotation will clearly specify whether the quoted package cost includes or excludes GST.
3. Where GST is excluded, the applicable tax rate and amount will be disclosed before booking acceptance and reflected in the invoice.
4. The applicable tax treatment may differ depending on the type of service, package structure and invoicing arrangement.
5. A2Z Trip will not add undisclosed taxes to a confirmed all-inclusive price except where permitted under the accepted booking terms and applicable law.
6. Any legally applicable tax changes affecting a confirmed booking will be communicated with the relevant calculation.

14. Booking Release & Rebooking

1. Once a booking has been validly released due to customer payment default, the original hotel, room category, vehicle, package rate or other services may no longer be available.
2. Rebooking will depend on fresh supplier availability and prevailing rates.
3. Any revised package cost or additional charge will be communicated before the customer accepts the rebooking.
4. Payment of an outstanding amount after valid booking release does not automatically restore the original booking.
5. Any amount previously paid will be adjusted or refunded according to the accepted cancellation and refund conditions.

15. Group Booking & Payment Responsibility

1. For group bookings, the payment schedule will be communicated to the authorized booking coordinator or other agreed contact person.
2. The agreed payment deadlines will apply to the booking irrespective of whether individual group members have contributed their respective amounts to the coordinator.
3. The person or persons contractually responsible for payment will remain responsible for fulfilling the accepted payment obligations.
4. Any reduction in the number of travelers may result in a revised package cost due to changes in room occupancy, vehicle sharing or other group arrangements.
5. Revised pricing and applicable cancellation charges will be calculated and communicated separately.
6. Individual travelers retain their applicable legal rights.

16. Third-Party Payments

1. Payments may be made by a family member, friend, group member or other authorized person on behalf of the customer.
2. Such payments will be adjusted against the relevant booking.
3. A third-party payment does not automatically authorize the payer to cancel, modify or control the booking.
4. Refunds will ordinarily be processed to the original payment source, subject to verification, payment provider requirements and applicable law.

17. Payment Disputes & Chargebacks

1. If a customer raises a payment dispute or chargeback through a bank, card issuer or payment provider, A2Z Trip may submit relevant booking confirmations, payment records, accepted terms and service records to the concerned institution.
2. A chargeback request does not automatically cancel a booking or establish refund eligibility.
3. Any booking suspension or release during a payment dispute will remain subject to the accepted booking terms and applicable law.
4. Both parties are expected to cooperate in verifying disputed transactions.

18. Cancellation, Advance Adjustment & Refund

1. All customer-initiated cancellations will be governed by the Cancellation & Refund Policy accepted at the time of booking.
2. Cancellation charges will be calculated according to the applicable agreed conditions and relevant supplier-specific terms.
3. Advance payments will be adjusted against applicable cancellation charges.
4. If the amount already paid exceeds the applicable cancellation charges, the remaining eligible balance will be refunded.
5. If cancellation charges exceed the amount paid, any additional amount will be recoverable only where contractually agreed and legally enforceable.
6. A2Z Trip may protect confidential supplier rates and commercially sensitive agreements, but will maintain reasonable supporting records for deductions based on supplier commitments.
7. Where legally required, relevant supporting evidence will be provided to a competent authority.
8. Cancellation charges will not be deducted twice.
9. A booking release caused by customer payment default and a cancellation caused by A2Z Trip's own inability to provide agreed services will be treated separately.

19. Relationship With Other Booking Policies

1. This Payment Policy governs advance payments, installment schedules, payment deadlines, payment verification and payment-related booking release procedures.
2. The Cancellation & Refund Policy governs cancellation charges, advance adjustments and refund eligibility.
3. The General Terms & Conditions govern other applicable booking and travel service conditions.
4. The booking-specific quotation and payment schedule accepted by the customer will apply to the relevant booking, subject to applicable law.
5. In the event of any inconsistency, the relevant terms will be interpreted together, taking into account the specific booking agreement, the disclosures made before payment and applicable law.
6. Any subsequent modification to an accepted booking term must be validly agreed or otherwise legally permitted.
7. New policy versions will not automatically alter the terms of bookings already accepted under an earlier version.

20. Final Customer Acknowledgement

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ BEFORE MAKING PAYMENT

By making an advance, token, partial or full payment after receiving the applicable quotation, payment schedule and booking policies, the customer indicates acceptance of the booking conditions clearly disclosed before payment.

Please understand the following:

• Every booking may have a different payment schedule.
• The general 10-day-before-departure rule is the latest standard payment limit, not a guaranteed payment date.
• An earlier payment deadline accepted for a particular booking must be followed.
• Partial payment does not automatically extend a payment deadline.
• A request for an extension does not mean the extension has been approved.
• Failure to pay by the applicable deadline may result in booking release after the required notice and process.
• Booking release may result in applicable cancellation charges.
• Advance payments are not automatically refundable or automatically forfeited in every situation. Refund eligibility depends on the accepted Cancellation & Refund Policy and applicable law.
• Customers should clarify any payment or booking concerns before making payment.

All provisions of this policy are subject to applicable Indian laws, including consumer protection laws. Nothing in this policy excludes mandatory statutory rights or remedies available to customers.