Terms and Conditions

TERMS & CONDITIONS
By submitting the Booking Application, the Agent formally agrees to adhere to the Terms & Conditions set forth by PLUS herein.

1.SUMMER BOOKING PROCEDURE
1.1. Preliminary reservation (Allocation)
From September to February 28th, the Agent can request an allocation of up to 15 places for each centre and period (please indicate 1-2 alternatives). Larger allocations may be granted. PLUS shall confirm the allocation(s) via email with relevant group reference(s). 
No payment is due.

1.2. Extended Allocation/Booking

For each place confirmed, PLUS shall raise a relevant deposit invoice (see part 6.1.). 
Payment must be credited on PLUS's account by the date indicated on the invoice to avoid automatic annulment.
Please note: After March 1st, depending on PLUS’s requirements, the allocation may be extended once or more times, for one or more weeks or a few days.
Should PLUS be compelled to reduce or cancel it (no compensation given), the Agent is offered the opportunity to confirm the places already sold (deposit payment must immediately ensue) or accept a new allocation at a different centre/period.

 

1.3. Reduce Allocation/Booking
Agents have the right to reduce the size of their group bookings and to retain the corresponding deposits under the following conditions:
1. Each month, the size of a group booking may be reduced by up to 10% from the current total. For instance, if a booking has 100 students at the end of February, up to 10 students can be deducted at the end of March.
2. Only one reduction is permitted per calendar month.
3. This reduction should be communicated to the sales department in writing at the end of the month and by quoting the group reference.
4. This adjustment is allowed up to 30 days before the scheduled departure date.

Minimum Group Size:
This policy is applicable for groups with a minimum of 10 confirmed bookings. For groups smaller than this, the cancellation policy outlined below will take immediate effect.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations must be communicated via email, including the booking reference, and will incur the following penalties based on the timing of the notice:
• 30 Days Before Arrival: Any cancellations made 30 days prior to the students' arrival will result in a forfeiture of the deposit to PLUS.
• 29 to 21 Days Before Arrival: Cancellations within this window will incur a 40% penalty of the full course price.
• 20 to 15 Days Before Arrival: A 60% penalty of the full course price will be applied.
• Within 14 Days of Arrival: Cancellations made less than 14 days before arrival will incur a 100% penalty.
Important Note:
The cancellation date is considered to be the date on which the cancellation email is sent. Penalties are calculated based on the full course price. If cancelled places are resold, a credit will be applied to the Agent's future bookings. Please note that different conditions outlined in the agreement will apply if the cancellation occurs after the 30-day period preceding departure.

 

2. PRICES
PLUS's prices are exclusive of value-added tax, sales tax, or any other tax which may become 
applicable from time to time. The Agent has to bear the additional cost thereof.

 

3. OUR SERVICES
In return for the payment of the appropriate course price, PLUS provides board, tuition and activities as specified on its website. General expenses and airport transfers are not included in the course price.

Note: The service schedule, social programme, facilities etc. may be modified for reasons beyond PLUS’s control, such as industrial dispute or where the minimum number of students for an activity has not been reached. In such an event, PLUS shall either offer equivalent services/facilities or refund fees paid. No claim can be considered; likewise, no compensation for missed lessons during public holidays can be proposed.

 

4. WARRANTY & LIABILITY
PLUS, its staff, and representatives are not liable for any loss, damages, illness, or injury to persons or property however caused, except where such liability is imposed by statute. Clients must have personal insurance covering medical expenses, third parties, and travel insurance, including the inability to attend or continue a course.

 

5. INSURANCE
The Agent shall, at their own expense, obtain and maintain insurance coverage for public liability, events, personal injury, liability for the death of any person, and any loss or destruction of or damage to property not attributable to any fault or neglect of the clients, with an insurance company of repute throughout the duration of the courses. Copies of all such insurance policies and evidence that all premiums have been paid shall be presented upon PLUS's request.

 

6. PAYMENTS
6.1 Deposit/Balance

To convert the allocation into a booking, the Agent must pay a non-refundable deposit of

- £ 150.00 - UK centres

- $ 150.00 - USA & Canada

- € 150.00 - Malta & Ireland

for each place retained.

PLUS shall confirm the booking via email with a reference number. This reference must always be indicated in the correspondence and on the bank transfer(s).

Relevant payment must ensue within 5 working days. Failing this the booking system will automatically cancel the allocation and a new booking procedure must be started. The deposit will be deducted from the final bill.

 

6.2 Settlement
The balance must be settled by the date indicated on the invoice and anyhow not later than
30 days prior to the arrival of the students, with NO deduction/set-off and free from any taxes, levies, other charges or encumbrances. 
Should the Agent fail to transfer the sum(s) credited to PLUS's account within the time limit indicated, curtail their payment, or fail to pay by the date indicated, PLUS may cancel the Agent’s booking, forfeit the deposit paid, and/or suspend service(s) at any given centre.

 

6.3 Adherence to Terms and Payments
Adherence to Terms and Payments: PLUS emphasizes the critical importance of adhering to agreed-upon terms and payment schedules for attraction bookings as part of PLUS's commitment to a seamless journey.

PLUS's operational department meticulously handles the booking of attraction tickets and entries on the Agent's behalf to ensure a high level of service and operational efficiency. It is therefore imperative that payments and all group and final attendee details are provided in accordance with the specified timeline to maintain smooth operations.

Delaying payments or the communication of final group and attendee details beyond the agreed-upon timeframe can have significant consequences, including cancellations and modifications to services, such as airport transfers, excursion coaches, travel cards, or meals and accommodation.

Attractions are subject to fluctuation in availability and demand, as PLUS is not the only company booking them.

Postponing payment or delaying confirmation may lead to unavailability of desired attractions or time slots, potentially disrupting the overall service PLUS aims to provide.

 

7. CANCELLATION PENALTIES
Cancellations must be made via email (please quote booking reference) and entail following penalties:

For cancellation(s) communicated 30 days prior to the arrival of the students: deposit is forfeited to PLUS.

For cancellation communicated between

- 29 and 21 days: 40% (forty percent)

- 20 and 15 days: 60% (sixty percent)

- within 14 days: 100% (hundred percent).

For avoidance of doubt: the cancellation date is the one of the email and the cancellation penalty is calculated on the full course price. If the places cancelled are sold again, a credit on the Agent's future bookings is raised.

 

8. FORCE MAJEURE
If services cannot be provided due to Force Majeure, the party involved must immediately notify the other. Neither party shall be deemed to be in breach of this Agreement and/or liable the other.

 

9. MISCELLANEOUS
9.1. Student Visa
To visit the UK and the USA, students need a Visa issued by the British or American Embassy. The Visa is generally released on presentation of PLUS's sponsorship letter. If the Visa is refused (proof thereof must be exhibited), PLUS undertakes to reimburse the deposit paid. Cancellation penalties still apply.


9.2. School Regulations
PLUS uncompromisingly prohibits illicit drugs, violence, racism, classroom disruption and dishonesty. No drugs, tobacco and vape products or alcohol are permitted at any centre, function or when on excursions. Clients are expected to abide by the College's disciplinary regulations, and demonstrate reasonable standards of conduct within and outside the classroom. Failure to comply may result in expulsion from the course with no refund.


9.3. Student Welfare and Group Leaders' Responsabilities
PLUS only accepts closed groups accompanied by their Group Leader. They must be at least 25 years old and speak fluent English. The Group Leader is ultimately the person responsible 
for supervising their group constantly, day and night, and must comply with PLUS's student welfare, security, and safety rules. Their duties and responsibilities are well defined and encompassed in the PLUS Group Leader Handbook which the Agent must hand out to their staff. A statement of responsibility acceptance must be signed by each Group Leader before leaving the country of origin.

9.4. COMPLAINTS APPLICABLE TO UK
Please refer to the Complaint Procedure in the footer section of this page.

 

10. PROPER LAW
These Terms & Conditions are construed in accordance with the English Law. All disputes, 
controversies or claims shall be referred to and settled under the rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce of London by three arbitrators appointed in accordance with those Rules that are known and accepted by the Parties. It is hereby agreed that the Commercial Court of London shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any judicial proceedings related to the interpretation of these Terms & Conditions which may not be deferred to arbitration.

 


London, November 2024