In Reply to: Refunds from Travel Agents. posted by Jess of Oz on Monday, 30. June 2003 at 11:51 Bali Time:
payment has been received.
The general Conditions from Wholesalers is that for Holiday Packages, Final Payment is due 49 Days/ 7 Weeks prior to departure, with tickets being issued around 3 weeks prior to travel.
It seems that you may have a communication problem with your Travel Agent, who should have clearly explained these conditions to you.
If, however, you - on your own volition - decide to cancel (Insurance doesn't cover this) - you would, depending on how far out from your holiday you are, will unquestionably lose money.
At the very least, you will lose your Deposit plus a Handling-Fee imposed by your Agent (after all, they HAVE put effort into your booking so shouldn't be left "high and dry"). Depending on the Wholesaler, if booking is cancelled within 49 days of travel, then you will lose ALL of the land component. Once tickets have been issued, you would lose ALL Land Component + around AU$250.00 per person as the Airline's Cancellation Fee (and refunds can take in excess of 6 Weeks).
If however, you have Travel Insurance and the need to cancel is based on a genuine reason like inability to travel due to illness of one of the party, sudden (and not due to pre-existing illness) sickness of a close relative, then your Insurance will cover your Cancellation costs.
I can only assume that your Agent recommended that you take appropriate Insurance at the time you paid your Deposit. If so, then read the "fine-print" of the Policy + the Wholesaler's Conditions (usually in back of their Brochure) and the whole situation should become clear.
Just seems a pity though that you don't appear to have confidence in your Travel Agent.
Hope this information helps you.
LES