Flexy, Flexier, Flexiest: G Adventures unveils flexible booking options

G Adventures is giving travellers more flexibility when plans change with the launch of “Stay Flexy Adventure Plans,” a new three-tier booking program designed to offer greater peace of mind before departure.

The new Flexy, Flexier and Flexiest options give travellers more choice over what happens to their money if they need to cancel, with enhanced cancellation terms, Future Travel Credits and additional pre-departure perks available through the higher tiers.

The program is the latest move by G Adventures to lower barriers to booking and follows existing policies such as low deposits, the company’s Lifetime Deposit program and guaranteed departures.

“Booking an adventure should be exciting, not daunting, and these new flexible booking options provide agents with another tool to help turn ‘I’m thinking about it’ into ‘I’m booking it’. That final moment of hesitation is often driven by uncertainty, rather than a lack of desire to travel. Flex helps remove that uncertainty and offers travellers peace of mind when they lock in their adventure,” said David Green, global VP, customer sales and solutions and managing director, Canada, in a press release. 

The new plans also create an earning opportunity for travel advisors, with G Adventures confirming that Flex is commissioned at the same rate as the tour.

“Flex is commissioned at the same rate as the tour itself and is non-refundable, meaning commission is protected, making it a great earning opportunity for our agent partners. Trip add-ons, such as pre or post nights or transfers, added at a later date, are also automatically protected by an existing flexible booking option at no extra cost. It’s designed to be a genuinely useful product for agents, not another thing to explain at the point of sale,” Green said.

Three levels of flexibility

Flexy, the standard option, provides a full refund for trips departing more than 60 days away, with the Lifetime Deposit kept on file.

For cancellations between 59 and 30 days before departure, up to 50 per cent of the tour value is refunded, with the remainder subject to cancellation terms and the Lifetime Deposit. At 29 days or less, the Lifetime Deposit is retained, with the remainder subject to cancellation fees.

Flexier extends the cancellation window and converts more cancellation penalties into Future Travel Credits. It also includes a 1GB travel eSIM, lost luggage protection of up to US$500, priority service and double the trees grown on the traveller’s behalf while on their trip.

Travellers cancelling 60 or more days before departure receive a full refund, with the Lifetime Deposit kept on file. Between 59 and 30 days, travellers receive a 50 per cent refund, with the remainder split between the Lifetime Deposit and Future Travel Credit.

Between 29 and 21 days before departure, the Lifetime Deposit and Future Travel Credit mean 100 per cent of the traveller’s money is protected. At 20 days or less, the Lifetime Deposit is retained, with the remainder subject to cancellation fees.

Flexiest, meanwhile, offers the greatest level of flexibility and is aimed at travellers making larger commitments, booking further in advance or seeking additional reassurance.

The option includes a 3GB eSIM, lost luggage protection of up to US$1,000, priority service and double the trees grown on the traveller’s behalf while on their trip.

Travellers cancelling 60 or more days before departure receive a full refund, with the Lifetime Deposit kept on file.

Between 59 and 21 days, they receive a 50 per cent refund, with the remainder split between the Lifetime Deposit and Future Travel Credit.

Between 20 and five days before departure, the Lifetime Deposit and Future Travel Credit protect 100 per cent of the traveller’s money.

At four days or less, the Lifetime Deposit is retained, with the remainder subject to cancellation fees.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.