Payment options and currency conversion.
OTS adventures are priced mostly in US dollars. Portugal and Morocco are priced in EURO, and Antarctica in AUD Australian dollars.
OTS believes in complete transparency regarding any fees. Our OTS philosophy has always been to make trips as affordable as possible for everyone. We do not build in bank fees or credit card charges (typically 2.9%- 4.9%) into a tour, preferring to provide payment options suitable for each individuals needs.
How to book and pay deposits
OTS uses We-Travel, which gives our travelers a much-improved online account to manage your booking and future payments, it is safe, and set up to take bank transfers from within your country, in your own currency avoiding the costs often involved with international transfers.
The We-Travel platform has a 1% booking fee, ($5-10 on a deposit) when paying via bank transfer.
We-Travel allows you to choose how you pay, and each payment option comes with a clear transparent cost, with credit cards costing more than bank transfers or wire options.
We-Travel enables you to:
Deposits are non-refundable, as we incur costs in arranging and confirming trip details with hotels and ground operators from when the deposit is made. Deposits are transferable (once only) to a future tour, or can be converted into a goodwill credit as per the of the specific tour, or OTS general T&C.
Options available to pay the balance of your adventure
OTS provides alternative ways to pay the final balance (other than We-Travel), though most people find We-Travel the simplest and most cost effective way, as bank charges for international transfers can vary widely.
Alternatives:
Option 1:
We-Travel – with a bank transfers or credit card option
Most travelers (e.g. Americans, Canadians, British, Europeans and Australians) find paying by We-Travel easy, safe, and convenient option and worth their (1% fee).
On the We-Travel payment platform, pay the balance the same way you paid the deposit, in your OWN CURRENCY.
If you have forgotten your login then just click on the "Green booking button" again, and follow the prompts to get back into your account.
We-Travel will send out a payment reminder, allowing you to log into your account and pay using a bank transfer or, for an additional fee, a credit card.
Option 2:
WISE App
OTS accepts payment from travelers who use Wise (formerly TransferWise).
OTS has its own Wise accounts, so payments into our account are really easy.
Credit your Wise account with the correct number of US dollars (or Euro, AUD) converting from your own currency.
If you have funds already loaded into your Wise account, then the transfer to OTS is free.
Email Andrew if you would like to pay with WISE and he will send you a payment link.
[email protected]
Option 3:
Bank to Bank transfer USD-USD international wire
Americans can pay via a USD-USD bank to bank international wire transfer.
American based travelers are familiar with this option although costs from your bank are often involved.
You can wire a bank-to-bank USD-USD international transfer into our OTS US dollar account.
You need to add another US$15 for bank charges at our end. Your bank may charge you a fee at your end.
Email Andrew if you would like to pay this way and he will send you the USD account information for a USD-USD Wire transfer.
[email protected]
New Zealanders (ONLY) will be offered the option to pay into the NZ OTS bank account (in NZ dollars) using the WISE rate of exchange advertised on the date of the final invoice.
Or
Via WISE app if you have been saving USD in your account ready for the trip.
Using We-Travel to pay the final invoice for New Zealanders is currently only suggested if you are using a credit card to activate travel insurance. It is more cost effective to pay in NZD into our ANZ account.
If you are from NZ we will automatically send you details via email, and you should ignore We-Travel payment notifications, which will stop as soon as we have received the money into the NZD account.
Helpful hints for funds on tour using a currency card
WISE is a banking and multi-currency card. You can access your Wise account online or from a phone app, so it is a very handy way to travel with funds. You can load up your card with your own currency and transfer it into multiple currencies (or not). It can be used like a debit card for retail, gift and food purchases, transfer money to fellow travelers, as well as cash withdrawals. It is FREE to set up, you can add a digital card to your phone wallet, or you can order a plastic card at a small charge, to use when you travel (recommended). If you choose to look into WISE and set up your own account, use this link below to set up. It helps OTS with a referral credit, and also gives you a FREE first $500 currency transfer. https://wise.com/invite/u/richardo169
Saving currency for the tour
As OTS tours are in USD, EURO or AUD, it makes sense to transfer local funds into the currency of your tour whenever you see the exchange rate is favorable. Currency can of course go either way, you may win, or you may lose, but the important thing is you can lock in funds for the holiday, at an exchange rate you are comfortable with, rather than be at the mercy of the exchange rate when the final balance is due.
Changes to the price of adventures
Due to the nature of adventure travel and the prices of the resources and services 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.
Travel insurance and cancellations
Before paying in final invoice please make sure you have read the Terms and Conditions which are there to protect both you, and OTS.
Ensure you take out sufficient travel insurance cover to cover any non-refundable cancellation charges should the unexpected happen.
Important Note: If you cancel your reservation within 90 days of the commencement of the trip, this will result in no refund of any payments made.
OTS adventures are priced mostly in US dollars. Portugal and Morocco are priced in EURO, and Antarctica in AUD Australian dollars.
OTS believes in complete transparency regarding any fees. Our OTS philosophy has always been to make trips as affordable as possible for everyone. We do not build in bank fees or credit card charges (typically 2.9%- 4.9%) into a tour, preferring to provide payment options suitable for each individuals needs.
How to book and pay deposits
OTS uses We-Travel, which gives our travelers a much-improved online account to manage your booking and future payments, it is safe, and set up to take bank transfers from within your country, in your own currency avoiding the costs often involved with international transfers.
The We-Travel platform has a 1% booking fee, ($5-10 on a deposit) when paying via bank transfer.
We-Travel allows you to choose how you pay, and each payment option comes with a clear transparent cost, with credit cards costing more than bank transfers or wire options.
We-Travel enables you to:
- To confirm your place on an adventure immediately.
- Waitlist for a tour that is showing full with no need to make a deposit until a place becomes available and you receive an invite to join.
- Add extras like Pre and post accomodation and Single room options.
- Gives you multiple payment options; bank transfers (1% booking fee), credit cards (+2.9%) as well as payment plans and ability to add extras, all payable in your local currency.
- Always choose to pay in your local currency to avoid any hidden banking fees.
Deposits are non-refundable, as we incur costs in arranging and confirming trip details with hotels and ground operators from when the deposit is made. Deposits are transferable (once only) to a future tour, or can be converted into a goodwill credit as per the of the specific tour, or OTS general T&C.
Options available to pay the balance of your adventure
OTS provides alternative ways to pay the final balance (other than We-Travel), though most people find We-Travel the simplest and most cost effective way, as bank charges for international transfers can vary widely.
Alternatives:
Option 1:
We-Travel – with a bank transfers or credit card option
Most travelers (e.g. Americans, Canadians, British, Europeans and Australians) find paying by We-Travel easy, safe, and convenient option and worth their (1% fee).
On the We-Travel payment platform, pay the balance the same way you paid the deposit, in your OWN CURRENCY.
If you have forgotten your login then just click on the "Green booking button" again, and follow the prompts to get back into your account.
We-Travel will send out a payment reminder, allowing you to log into your account and pay using a bank transfer or, for an additional fee, a credit card.
Option 2:
WISE App
OTS accepts payment from travelers who use Wise (formerly TransferWise).
OTS has its own Wise accounts, so payments into our account are really easy.
Credit your Wise account with the correct number of US dollars (or Euro, AUD) converting from your own currency.
If you have funds already loaded into your Wise account, then the transfer to OTS is free.
Email Andrew if you would like to pay with WISE and he will send you a payment link.
[email protected]
Option 3:
Bank to Bank transfer USD-USD international wire
Americans can pay via a USD-USD bank to bank international wire transfer.
American based travelers are familiar with this option although costs from your bank are often involved.
You can wire a bank-to-bank USD-USD international transfer into our OTS US dollar account.
You need to add another US$15 for bank charges at our end. Your bank may charge you a fee at your end.
Email Andrew if you would like to pay this way and he will send you the USD account information for a USD-USD Wire transfer.
[email protected]
New Zealanders (ONLY) will be offered the option to pay into the NZ OTS bank account (in NZ dollars) using the WISE rate of exchange advertised on the date of the final invoice.
Or
Via WISE app if you have been saving USD in your account ready for the trip.
Using We-Travel to pay the final invoice for New Zealanders is currently only suggested if you are using a credit card to activate travel insurance. It is more cost effective to pay in NZD into our ANZ account.
If you are from NZ we will automatically send you details via email, and you should ignore We-Travel payment notifications, which will stop as soon as we have received the money into the NZD account.
Helpful hints for funds on tour using a currency card
WISE is a banking and multi-currency card. You can access your Wise account online or from a phone app, so it is a very handy way to travel with funds. You can load up your card with your own currency and transfer it into multiple currencies (or not). It can be used like a debit card for retail, gift and food purchases, transfer money to fellow travelers, as well as cash withdrawals. It is FREE to set up, you can add a digital card to your phone wallet, or you can order a plastic card at a small charge, to use when you travel (recommended). If you choose to look into WISE and set up your own account, use this link below to set up. It helps OTS with a referral credit, and also gives you a FREE first $500 currency transfer. https://wise.com/invite/u/richardo169
Saving currency for the tour
As OTS tours are in USD, EURO or AUD, it makes sense to transfer local funds into the currency of your tour whenever you see the exchange rate is favorable. Currency can of course go either way, you may win, or you may lose, but the important thing is you can lock in funds for the holiday, at an exchange rate you are comfortable with, rather than be at the mercy of the exchange rate when the final balance is due.
Changes to the price of adventures
Due to the nature of adventure travel and the prices of the resources and services 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.
Travel insurance and cancellations
Before paying in final invoice please make sure you have read the Terms and Conditions which are there to protect both you, and OTS.
Ensure you take out sufficient travel insurance cover to cover any non-refundable cancellation charges should the unexpected happen.
Important Note: If you cancel your reservation within 90 days of the commencement of the trip, this will result in no refund of any payments made.