Methods of Payment and currency conversion.
Most of our adventures are costed in USD except Portugal and Morocco which are in EURO.
You can pay in your own currency, NZD / USD / AUD / GBP / EURO, and the final invoice will convert your currency to the trips currency at the WISE exchange rate on the day of the final invoice.
My philosophy has always been to make these trips as affordable as possible for everyone. That's why I don't build in a customer credit card charge, preferring to leave it to each individual as an option if they wish to pay the credit card charge.
You can pay with CREDIT CARD, Visa and Mastercard in your cards currency by using our payment platform We-Travel at plus 1+2.9%
You may need to pay some on Credit Card to validate a Credit Card travel insurance policy, otherwise it's not really a cost-effective way to pay. (You can request this option if needed)
We can set a payment plan up for you if requested.
Payment options are sent out to you as soon as all your questions are all answered, and you are ready to deposit and confirm your place on the adventure.
Outside the Square use WISE to calculate exchange rates as they offer a significantly better exchange rates than the banks.
Deposit information
To confirm your booking on an adventure a deposit of USD$500 / GBP 500 / NZD $750 / AUD $750 is required at the time of your booking. This is a non-refundable deposit as OTS will incur costs in arranging the trip. The deposit is fully transferable to another adventure should you need to change your booking, and this can be done any time before 90 days prior to the start of the trip, (see T&C)
Balance of payment can be made any time but no later than 60 days prior to the commencement of the trip date.
Due to the nature of Adventure travel and the prices of the resources on which it depends, the published price of any trip is subject to change at any time, before or after booking confirmation, up to 30 days before the departure of such Product.
Before paying in full please insure you have read the Terms and Conditions which are there to protect both you, and OTS, and have protected yourself by taking out sufficient travel insurance cover to cover any cancellation charges should the unexpected happen.
New Zealand
Deposit = $750 NZD, internet bank (No charge) direct into OTS account (which will be emailed to you).
Balance payment in NZD = An invoice will be sent out showing the balance in NZD converted from USD / EURO at the time final payment is due (WISE rate)
Credit Cards can be accepted (1+2.9%) plus any currency exchange fee your credit card may charge you through the We-Travel payment platform in USD.
You may need to pay some on Credit Card to validate a Credit Card travel insurance policy, otherwise it's not really a cost-effective way to pay. (You can request this option if needed)
USA America
Deposit = U$500 USD most trips.
For USD payments OTS uses the payment platform We-Travel which charges 1%, from the US, and you can easily do this using a debit card online like any purchase.
It's easy to use, safe, and very convenient.
Payment We-Travel link is our default option and details will sent to you via email when the deposit is requested.
If the trip is one costed in EURO then the final balance in USD will be calculated using the WISE exchange rate at the time balance is due, and you can pay in USD via the same method as you used for the deposit.
We-Travel charges are ACH bank payment = (1%)
Credit Cards can be accepted at an extra (2.9%)
Two other payment options are available to North Americans
- If you are a user of the WISE international payment App, and have this set up then you can pay this way, please email to request the payment details.
- If you'r bank offers you FREE international WIRE transfers this can be another option, though we charge $15 each transfer to cover the costs our end and insure the correct money arrives.
Australia
Deposit = AUD $750 internet bank (No charge) direct into an Australia account number (which will be emailed to you).
Credit Cards can be accepted (1+2.9%) plus any currency conversion charges your credit card may charge you, through the We-Travel payment platform in USD.
You may need to pay some on Credit Card to validate a Credit Card travel insurance policy, otherwise it's not really a cost-effective way to pay. (You can request this option if needed)
If the trip is one costed in USD/EURO then the final balance in AUD will be calculated using the WISE exchange rate at the time the final payment is requested.
UK
Deposit = GBP 500 internet bank (No charge) direct into OTS UK account (which will be emailed to you).
Credit Cards can be accepted (1+2.9%) plus any currency conversion charges your credit card may charge you, through the We-Travel payment platform in USD.
You may need to pay some on Credit Card to validate a Credit Card travel insurance policy, otherwise it's not really a cost-effective way to pay. (You can request this option if needed)
If the trip is one costed in USD/EURO then the final balance in GBP will be calculated using the WISE exchange rate at the time of invoice.
Introducing WISE the banking app for international travellers and a worthwhile option to look into for the Australia and Kiwi travellers.
WISE is a banking and currency online bank, which OTS has been using for the last 5 years for all our international payments, as it is much more cost effective than the banks.
It is FREE to set up and use, and you can also apply for a multi currency debit card, to use when you travel. (recommended)
As OTS tours are in USD or EURO, it makes sense to buy currency when you have some spare cash, and the exchange rate looks good, keeping it on your WISE account so you're ready to pay the tour balance, without being at the mercy of the exchange rate on invoice date.
Currency can of course go either way, you may win, or you may lose, but the important thing is you can lock in some of the holiday cost, at an exchange rate you're comfortable with, rather than be at the mercy of the exchange rate when the final balance is due.
When the invoice comes out you will have a choice, pay in your own currency, or from the USD money you have been saving in your WISE account.
If you choose to look into WISE and set up your own account, you can use this link below to set up. It helps OTS with a referral credit, and also gives you a FREE first currency transfer, up to $500, perfect for the deposit.
https://wise.com/invite/u/richardo169
WISE has been the best travel innovation for us over the last few years and I would encourage you to check it out.
You will only ever pay a max of one currency conversion or international transfer fee for your holiday, this is our guarantee, (we pay all other charges) whichever currency you are paying in.