Overview

At OpenAccessLane, we recognize that situations may change, and we are committed to providing clear and reasonable refund policies. This policy details the scenarios under which refunds may be granted for yacht charter services.

Please review this policy thoroughly prior to making a reservation. By reserving a charter with OpenAccessLane, you accept and consent to these reimbursement conditions.

Standard Cancellation and Refund Schedule

More than 72 Hours Before Charter

100% Refund

Eligible for: Full reimbursement less administrative charges

Processing Time: 5-7 business days

Processing Fee: €50 for transactions via credit card

Requirements: Must be requested formally through email or by phone

24-72 Hours Before Charter

50% Refund

Eligible for: Half of the total amount paid for the charter

Processing Time: 7-10 business days

Processing Fee: €25 taken from the reimbursement

Conditions: A valid justification required; incurs operational costs

Less than 24 Hours Before Charter

No Refund

Eligible for: No refund possible

Exception: Emergent situations may be taken into account

Alternative: A credit for future charters might be provided at the discretion of the management

Requirements: Supporting papers required for emergency justifications

Weather-Related Cancellations

Our Weather Guarantee

Your safety is our utmost concern. If the weather conditions are considered unsafe for charter activities by our accredited captain, we present flexible options:

  • Complete Refund: A full refund is issued if it is not feasible to reschedule
  • Rescheduling: Transfer your booking to an alternative date at no extra cost
  • Charter Credit: A voucher valid for a year from the date of the original booking

Weather Assessment Procedure

We evaluate the weather including:

  • Analysis of the wind's strength and direction
  • Consideration of wave size and ocean conditions
  • Forecasts of visibility and precipitation
  • Advisories and alerts from the Coast Guard
  • Safety assessment by the professional captain

Decision Timeline: Judgments regarding weather cancellations are made no later than 4 hours prior to the planned departure.

Medical Emergency Refunds

Emergency Scenarios

We empathize with the unforeseen nature of medical crises. The instances below may qualify for exceptional consideration:

  • Unanticipated illness or injury demanding hospital care
  • A death within the immediate family
  • Enlistment deployment or sudden recall
  • Serving on a jury or court mandates
  • Natural calamities impacting journey plans

Documentation Required

For processing requests related to emergencies, kindly provide:

  • Medical statement or hospital records
  • Death certification (if applicable)
  • Official military commands
  • Notice of court summons or jury duty
  • Emergency declarations or travel warnings

Processing: Requests for refunds due to emergencies are processed within 3-5 business days after receiving adequate documents.

Operational Cancellations

Equipment Faults

If the allocated vessel encounters unresolvable mechanical issues:

  • Different Craft: We will aim to supply a comparable alternative
  • Full Reimbursement: Provided no similar vessel is accessible
  • Partial Reimbursement: Issued if the alternative craft is priced differently
  • Compensation: Additional reparation may be offered for the inconvenience caused

Unavailability of Crew

In the uncommon event that certified crew members are not available:

  • Substitute crew will be arranged when viable
  • Fully refunded if the charter cannot be conducted
  • Rescheduling without any added fee

Refund Processing

Method of Repayment

Reimbursements are returned to the original method employed for payment:

  • Credit Cards: 5-7 business days
  • Bank Transfers: 7-10 business days
  • Cash/Cheque: 3-5 business days

Processing Charges

Credit Card Processing

€50 fee applied to cancellations requested over 72 hours in advance

Bank Transfer Processing

€25 fee levied for all reimbursements via bank transfer

International Processing

Supplementary costs may apply to transactions across borders

Charter Credits

Instances When Credits May Be Offered

Charter credits might be provided as an alternative to refund in specific situations:

  • Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice
  • Cancellations due to weather
  • Requests to reschedule at one's own discretion
  • Disturbances in operations

Terms for Credit

  • Validity: 12 months from the issue date
  • Transferability: Non-assignable to other individuals
  • Amount: The full value of the charter (excluding processing costs)
  • Utilization: Applicable to any available charter
  • Expiration: Cannot be extended beyond 12 months

Partial Service Reimbursements

Interruptions of Service

Should your charter experience interruptions or end prematurely due to factors within our control:

  • A proportional refund based on the portion of service not utilized
  • Voucher for future charter equivalent in worth
  • Complimentary services or advancements

Interruptions Initiated by Guests

If a charter concludes earlier as a result of conduct by the guests or non-compliance with safety measures:

  • No recompense for the time not used
  • Payment in full is still obligatory
  • Additional fees might be applied

Resolving Disputes

If there is disagreement regarding a reimbursement decision, you may:

  • Ask for an assessment by our supervisory team
  • Submit further proof or documents
  • Seek arbitration via consumer rights organizations
  • Pursue judicial recourse as provided by the law

Guidelines to Request a Refund

Step 1: Reach Out

To begin the refund procedure, reach out to us through:

Step 2: Provide Required Details

Convey the following in your refund application:

  • Proof of reservation number
  • Scheduled date and time of charter
  • Explanation for the cancellation
  • Necessary supporting papers (if relevant)
  • Desired method for refund

Step 3: Assessment and Processing

Our staff will acknowledge your request within a day, evaluate it in relation to this policy, deliver a judgment within two days, and execute authorized reimbursements within the mentioned processing periods.

Vital Points

  • All reimbursement applications must be documented in writing
  • Reimbursements are issued in €, despite the currency used for the original payment
  • Acquiring travel insurance is highly suggested
  • This policy can be amended given a notice period of 30 days
  • Reimbursements are subjected to the relevant taxes and regulations

Contact Details

For questions regarding refunds or to submit a refund application:

Refunds Department
OpenAccessLane Marine Services Ltd.
Marina Point
Hamburg 20457
Germany

Phone: +49 40 9999 9999
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM