Pre-booking Policy

What is pre-booking?

Pre-booking lets you reserve a departure and lock today’s price by paying just 5% of the package cost upfront, instead of the full amount. It exists for travellers who want to secure a seat and a price while they arrange the rest of the payment.

The booking lifecycle

1. Draft — you’ve selected a tour and departure but haven’t paid.
2. Pre-booked — 5% paid. Price is locked, the seat is held, and a 15-day countdown begins from the moment of payment.
3. Confirmed — the remaining balance is paid within the 15-day window, at the originally locked price.
4. Expired — the balance wasn’t paid in time; the price lock and held seat are released, and the 5% is forfeited.
5. Cancelled — you actively cancel a Draft or Pre-booked booking.

Key rules

• The 5% pre-booking amount is non-refundable if you cancel.
• The price lock is valid for exactly 15 calendar days from the date of pre-booking.
• Paying the balance any time within the window confirms the booking at the price quoted when you pre-booked — even if the tour’s listed price has since increased.
• Missing the 15-day window automatically lapses the booking, releases the seat, and forfeits the 5% — there is no extension by default (see below).

Reminders

You’ll receive automatic reminders by email and WhatsApp/SMS at 7 days, 3 days and 1 day before your price lock expires, plus a lapse notice if it closes unpaid. A live countdown is shown on the tour page, at checkout, and in My Account at all times.

Paying the balance

Use the Pay Balance Now button in My Account, or the deep link in any reminder email, to complete payment at your locked price.

Extensions

Price-lock extensions are not available by default and are only granted at ZippoTrips’ discretion in exceptional circumstances, via our support team.

Related policy

This page should be read alongside our Cancellation & Refund Policy.