Bookings & Confirmation

Q: Can I book a hotel without flights?
A: Yes, you will not require an IATA letter/proof of employment in this circumstance, however, you will be expected to prove your travel industry status on check-in at the hotel.

Q: Can I book flight only?
A: Yes - Subject to the individual airlines conditions. Bookings without accommodation or cruise elements are subject to an administration fee of £15pp for travel within UK/Europe and £19pp elsewhere. 

Q: How do I calculate a flight price?
A: Select your basic flight price. Prices will include all prepayable taxes, PSC and fuel surcharges unless otherwise annotated. Check the conditions of the offer for peak, weekend, companion and other supplements.

Q: How do I calculate a hotel price?
A: Select your hotel and the basic price and then access the MORE box. This will show any supplements that apply to your date of travel.

Q: Can I make a booking over the phone?
A: Yes! Call our reservations line 0844 873 3000 (Mon-Fri 0900-1730).  Note that the booking must be followed up with a fully completed booking form with letter of employment etc within 24 hours (n.b. this should indicate that seats have already been held, if applicable!) .N.b. if with a late booking, special delivery or courier is required for travel documents, this charge will be passed on to the client. Reservations can also be made by e-res (see below) or by faxed booking form..

Q: Can I check availability?
A: We will try to assist where possible with advice about availability depending on the route requested. However, at peak times, we regret this will not be possible, as we will be giving priority to processing booking applications received.

Q: How long does it take for airlines/hotels to confirm?
A: Most airlines offer immediate confirmation, some, however can only be requested 2 weeks before departure date ex UK. We request the hotel accommodation as soon as possible after receipt .Normally we would hope to have confirmation within 3 working days after receipt of completed booking form.

Q: Is there a minimum occupancy for hotel reservations?
A: Our rates are per person based on 2 persons sharing unless otherwise annotated. This also applies similarly to cruises, safaris, excursions etc.

Q: What happens if my flights or hotels are not available?
A: We will endeavour to find an alternative carrier or the closest flight to the requested date of departure and similarly priced hotel accommodation.

Q: Can you give me the booking class so I can check the flights myself?
A: Regret no, as generally, the booking class is confidential.

Q: How am I protected if I book another tour operator's product through Touchdown?
A: The Air Holiday packages and/or flights for other tour operators shown, are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority, as we act as agents for licensed tour operators. THe names and ATOL numbers for these operators are displayed with each holiday shown. Bookings made this way, will be booked and CAA protected under the license and ATOL number of the company shown. 

Q:What is Scheduled Air Failure Protection?
A: This is to assist you to get all your money back for the unused portion of a flight if the scheduled airline goes out of business. This will only apply to UK originating scheduled flights for residents of the UK, on SAFI covered airlines (see below), to bookings made from 01 November 2008.
This protection will take effect from when the actual flight tickets are issued, irrespective of departure date. It cannot be backdated to cover other flight tickets already issued.
SAFI covered airlines for UK residents with flight originating ex UK only:
Air Canada, Air China, Air Mauritius, Air Seychelles, bmi, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways,EVA Air, Flybe ,Gulf Air, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Kenya Airways, Kingfisher, Malaysia Airlines, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Mexicana, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei, Sata International, South African Airways, Sri Lankan, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways International, Virgin Atlantic.

Internet bookings

Q: Can I submit a booking over the internet?
A: Yes, please click the link 'Book now' in the menu and then select the click here to continue to the booking server option.
Complete all the details required. Please include extra information in the additional comments to help us with your booking request. When ready to submit please type YES in capital letters.

Q: How long will it take you to respond to an e-res booking?
A: Some airlines offer immediate confirmation, some, however can only be requested 2 weeks before departure date ex UK. We request the hotel accommodation as soon as possible after receipt .Normally we would hope to have confirmation within 3 working days after receipt of completed booking form.

Q: What is the cut-off time when making a booking on an offer that expires on the same day?
A: 1530 U.K.Time. Bookings after this time cannot be processed.

Q: How will you take payment for bookings made through the website?
A: We will contact you to advise success of the booking and take payment details from you accordingly. At this time we are not operating with a 'secure server' for credit card payments hence this procedure!

Payment

Q: How much is the deposit for a holiday? When is full payment required?
A: GBP £75 per person deposit plus optional GBP £7 per person cancellation waiver if required. Full payment is required 6 weeks prior to departure.

Q: How can I make a payment?
A: Cheques and major credit/debit cards are accepted. Note that credit cards carry a surcharge of  1.5 percent for usage.

Is my money safe? What happens to my money if I cancel?

Q: Is my money safe?
A: Yes, Touchdown are fully bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority and hold the highest level of ATOL license. Our ATOL number is 4104 . In addition we are IATA accredited, our IATA number is 912-44882.

Q: What is the 'cancellation waiver'?
A: This is an optional cancellation protection paid at the time of booking of £7 per person, details of which are on the booking form or check booking conditions. Brief details of the waiver which must be taken out at time of initiating the reservation are to offer a full refund of the HOTEL or GROUND ARRANGEMENT element (excluding the waiver ) for cancellation in writing for any reason up to day of departure. FLIGHTS are only covered up until ticket issue by the waiver. For cancellations made within 14 days of  departure, flights are NOT covered by cancellation waiver. 

Q: If I have not selected the cancellation waiver when making my initial booking, what charges will apply in the event of cancellation?
A: You will forgo your deposit. In the event of cancellation less than 14 days before departure the full holiday cost is non-refundable.