This Refund & Cancellation Policy is derived from the Terms & Conditions of Lora Cottom, Independent Travel Advisor. By engaging our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these specific financial terms.

1. Planning Fees

Any planning fees charged by Lora Cottom for travel research, itinerary design, and booking services are 100% non-refundable.

• Fees are due in full before work on an itinerary begins.

• Planning fees are separate from the cost of the travel itself and are not applied toward the balance of your trip.

2. Supplier Refund Policies

Lora Cottom acts as an intermediary between the Client and travel suppliers (hotels, airlines, tour operators, etc.). Consequently:

• The Client is subject to the specific refund and cancellation policies of each individual supplier.

• Many travel bookings are non-refundable or carry heavy modification penalties.

• Travel Advisor is not responsible for a supplier’s failure to provide a refund, nor for any price changes, cancellations, or bankruptcies of a supplier.

3. Modification and Cancellation Requests

To effect a cancellation or modification, the Client must provide Travel Advisor with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice via email.

• Travel Advisor is not liable for penalties or lost refund opportunities resulting from untimely requests by the Client.

• Any costs or expenses incurred by the Travel Advisor due to a Client’s modification or cancellation will be passed on to the Client.

4. Denied Entry and Travel Documents

It is the Client’s responsibility to ensure all travel documents (passports, visas, etc.) are valid and accurate.

• Denial of entry into any country for any reason (including criminal convictions, lack of visa, or expired passport) may result in a complete financial loss of the trip.

• Being denied entry does not entitle the Client to a refund from the Travel Advisor or the supplier.

5. Travel Advisories and Personal Concerns

Changes in government travel advisories or personal concerns regarding a destination (such as anxiety, health risks, or geopolitical tensions) do not supersede the refund policies of travel suppliers.

• Unless the Client has purchased specific travel insurance (such as "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage), personal discomfort with a destination does not entitle the Client to a refund, credit, or compensation.

6. Travel Insurance

The purchase of travel insurance is highly recommended.

• Travel insurance is the primary method for safeguarding against financial loss due to medical emergencies, supplier defaults, or trip interruptions.

• Without insurance, the Client acknowledges that cancellation or interruption will result in the loss of monies up to the full cost of the booking.

7. Chargebacks and Disputes

By agreeing to these terms, the Client agrees not to file a dispute or chargeback with their bank or credit card company to circumvent supplier cancellation policies or for reasons beyond the Travel Advisor’s control (e.g., Force Majeure).

• Disputes are only permitted if the services purchased were never provided or were grossly misrepresented.

• Clients must first allow the Travel Advisor a reasonable opportunity to resolve issues with the supplier before seeking external financial recourse.

Note: Lora Cottom is an independent travel advisor of Fora Travel, Inc. Fora is a technology provider/host agency and is not a party to this Agreement, nor is Fora liable for any refund claims or damages.