What happens if I have to cancel the tour that I have already booked?

It is always advisable to read the cancellation policies before booking any tour. Cancellation time periods and penalty amounts vary from tour to tour (i.e. 4 weeks before departure, 50% of tour fare is forfeit.) Most of the time, there will also be full cancellation charges if you cancel within 24 hours of departure. This is because the travel agency will suffer losses from airline seats bought, and payments to overseas vendors to secure rooms and tours on the customer's behalf. If a customer cancels at least a reasonable time before departure, the agency may take only an administrative fee.

What if the travel agent cancels a tour?

Tours may be canceled because of insufficient bookings (normally there is minimum number of passengers required), passenger cancellations, rejected visa applications or safety considerations.

In the event a tour is canceled by the travel agent, the travel agent will offer alternatives or a postponement of the trip. The travel agent will usually inform all passengers two weeks in advance and refund the money in full if the alternatives offered are rejected by the passengers.

What can I do if I missed the tour?

If the tour is missed due to the passenger's own negligence, the passenger must bear the full cost. However, the travel agent can aid in re-issuing the ticket or providing a solution for the passenger to join the group at a later stage.

If you purchased travel insurance and were unable to travel due to health reasons, you can produce your medical certificate and the insurance company can process a refund. The amount is determined by the policy purchased and on a case-by-case basis.

If you cannot travel due to serious family emergencies, the travel agent can try to obtain a compassionate refund for you. However, this is also on a case-by-case basis and it depends on the period of advance notice given.

Can the price of the tour vary?

The price of the tour may vary for a few reasons, one of which is the continual fluctuation of airport taxes and fuel surcharges. These taxes and surcharges are determined by the airlines and airports and are not within the control of the travel agent. Another reason is the lower than expected take-up rate of the tour, in which case the price will need to be adjusted to make up for the shortfall.

Why is the tour package more expensive than similar packages offered by other travel agents?

Many factors determine the final fare of the tour. To ensure you know what you are paying for, always check if the fare includes:-

- Airport tax and fuel surcharge

- Tips (for tour guides, drivers etc.)

- Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Other factors that affect the fare are:-

- Type of accommodation

- Carrier

- Special transport arrangements to reduce traveling time (i.e. domestic flights)

- Number of touring days

- Itinerary and places covered

At the end of the day, you may be paying far more to agents "advertising" the cheapest fares.

Why are there are so many different pricings, even for Economy Class fares?

Although most carriers separate their fares into three main categories: First Class, Business Class and Economy Class; there are many different pricing divisions within each class. Airlines create these divisions to suit different types of passengers to maximize their earnings and accord seats to the passengers fairly. These pricing divisions are controlled to large degree by:

• Length of time to departure and date of booking the ticket. The rule of thumb is that the closer you book the ticket to the date of departure, the more you will be paying because passengers before you have snapped up the cheaper fares, which is on a first-come, first- serve basis.

• Terms and conditions of the fare. For example, you may get a really cheap fare from a budget carrier but you cannot change the return or departure date. Another example is that certain cheaper fares require minimum two persons to travel together.

• Seats reserved by airline for group bookings. These seats are normally cheaper than the normal fares because these are reserved for a large number of people. However, this varies between airlines and also depends on the booking period.

• Peak Seasons.

So how do I get the best fares?

• Book early when your travel agent gives you good rates as these are usually  promotional rates that are snapped up really fast. If you delay in making your booking, you may end up paying a higher rate as the promotional rate previously offered may have been taken up.

• Sacrifice on the flight timings. Sometimes, certain flight times may not be as popular due to very early departures or longer stop-over. The travel agent may offer promotional fares for these less popular flight times.

• Avoid peak seasons if possible. Flying a week earlier or later can make a lot of difference to your fare if the dates you want to fly coincide with a peak season for the airline. Being flexible in your travel dates will help you obtain the best fare for yourself or your group.

Can I reserve my seats without any penalty?

Do check with your travel agent or the airline. Most of the time, for budget carriers like Tiger Airways and Valuair, immediate booking and payment is required and you WILL NOT be able to reserve your seats. It is the same for all major carriers when you make bookings through their websites*. If you book via a travel agent, most of the time, you can place a booking for a period of time before the seats are released without any penalty.

*Note for most major carriers, if you are not the traveler or traveling with the group, you cannot book and pay for the tickets online and transfer the ticket to the other party.

Does booking or reserving a seat mean it’s confirmed?

No. With the exception of budget airlines, which give an immediate confirmation when you make a booking,carriers will only acknowledge a reservation of the seat has been made when they receive the booking from the travel agent. However, the seat is still not confirmed. The seat is only considered sold or confirmed when a deposit is paid or the ticket is issued by the travel agent or airline.

Is it okay to be on waitlist?

You may be placed on waitlist during peak seasons or when you are trying to get the best fares. As the customer, you have to weigh the chances of trying to wait out for the good fare or pay a higher price and get the peace of mind that your ticket is confirmed. Usually the smaller groups will have a slightly higher chance of getting the seats. When a large group is split into smaller groups, the travelers should be prepared to be put on different flights leaving at different times if they want the same fares.

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What do I do if I gave the wrong name when I made my reservation?

Inform the airline and the travel agent immediately so that they can make the necessary changes. The name of the passenger must match the name in the passport or the passenger may be refused boarding. Usually  a service charge is imposed to change the name in reservation.

Can I change my flight timings?

This depends on the fare conditions of the ticket purchased as well as the carrier that you are using. Even if the fare conditions allow you to do so, should the seats be full on the alternate flight, you have little choice but to remain in your current flight itinerary or choose an alternate date.Usually once the ticket has been issued, it is not possible to change the flight timing. At times, you may still do so but with a significant penalty.

Can I exchange seat reservations with someone else?
 

If your reservation was done via a travel agent who has not yet issued the ticket, it may still be possible to exchange your seat reservation with another person. Otherwise it is not possible to do so.

What happens if I need to cancel my ticket?

If the ticket has not been confirmed or issued, you may or may not be required to pay an administrative fee for the cancellation. If the ticket has been issued, the travel agent has to make a cancellation with the airline who will impose a cancellation charge in accordance to the airline's terms and conditions.

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Do I need a visa for Israel?

As of 3rd October 2005, Singapore citizens holding a Singaporean passport will not require a visa to enter Israel. With this change, Singaporean passport holders can stay in Israel for up to ninety days. However, if they wish to remain in Israel after this period, they will have to go to the Israeli Ministry of Interior while in Israel, and apply for extension of their stay.

Nationals of other countries residing in Singapore wanting to visit Israel are still required to apply for a visa at the Embassy. It takes about 7 to 10 days to process these visas.

Malaysian and Indonesian passport holders are also required to apply for a visa to enter Israel. The processing time for these visas take between 2 to 3 weeks. Omega Tours & Travel Pte Ltd will apply for a group visa if the passengers are traveling together with the group.

Visa Application Requirements for Applicants without Singapore Passport

* Valid passport (with at least 6 months validity)

* 2 photos

* Official letter from place of work - confirming applicant's employment status

* Invitation letter from host/sponsor company in Israel

* Valid ticket/travel agent reservation/itinerary

* Completed visa application form

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