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Terms & Conditions *

1. Company Information *

These Terms & Conditions apply to bookings made with FlyingSponge Ltd.

Company Number: [INSERT]
Registered Office: FlyingSponge Ltd, Suite A, 82 James Carter Road, Mildenhall, IP28 7DE
Email: hello@flyingsponge.com

References to “FlyingSponge”, “we”, “us”, or “our” refer to FlyingSponge Ltd.
References to “you”, “participant” or “Customer” refer to the person making the booking.

2. Your Booking is a Package

Your booking constitutes a “Package” within the meaning of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

As the organiser, FlyingSponge Ltd accepts responsibility for the proper performance of all travel services included in the contract.

You have statutory rights under these Regulations. Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes those rights.

3. Nature of the Package

FlyingSponge provides fixed-date international language immersion packages.

Packages:

  • Operate on fixed beginning and ending dates

  • Are offered for varying durations

  • Have a minimum duration of one (1) week

  • Are strictly for participants aged 18 and over

Each package includes:

  • Host-stay accommodation

  • Structured language tuition

  • Connection to a local guide

Unless expressly stated in writing, packages do NOT include:

  • Flights

  • Airport transfers

  • Visas

  • Travel insurance

  • Personal spending money

  • Meals not specified in the booking confirmation

  • Tours or specific activities not mentioned in the booking confirmation

4. Booking & Contract Formation

A booking is confirmed when:

  • We receive your completed booking form; and

  • A 20% deposit is paid.

Upon confirmation, a legally binding contract is formed.

The remaining 80% balance must be paid no later than 60 days before the departure date.

If the balance is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and retain the deposit.

5. Price & Payment

All prices are stated in GBP.

We reserve the right to correct obvious pricing errors prior to contract formation.

After contract formation, price changes will only occur where permitted under the Package Travel Regulations.

6. Customer Cancellation

All cancellations must be submitted in writing.

The following cancellation charges apply:

  • The 20% deposit is non-refundable in all circumstances.

  • Cancellation 60 days or more before departure: 20% of the total package price retained.

  • Cancellation 31–59 days before departure: 50% of the total package price retained.

  • Cancellation 15–30 days before departure: 75% of the total package price retained.

  • Cancellation 14 days or less before departure: 100% of the total package price retained.

If we are able to resell your place, we may, at our discretion, refund part of the cancellation charges minus reasonable administrative and unrecoverable costs.

We strongly advise comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation.

7. Transfer of Booking

You may transfer your booking to another person aged 18 or over, provided:

  • We receive written notice at least 7 days before departure;

  • The replacement participant meets all participation requirements;

  • Any additional costs incurred are paid in full.

Both you and the transferee will be jointly liable for any outstanding sums.

8. Changes Requested by You

If you request changes after confirmation, we will endeavour to accommodate them but cannot guarantee availability.

Additional costs may apply.

9. Changes or Cancellation by FlyingSponge *

We reserve the right to cancel or modify a package where necessary due to:

  • Host family withdrawal

  • Tutor or guide unavailability

  • Safety concerns

  • Unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances

If a significant change is made before departure, you will have the option to:

  • Accept the change;

  • Accept a substitute package (if available); or

  • Receive a full refund.

10. Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances (Force Majeure)

“Unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances” means events beyond our control, including but not limited to:

  • War or civil unrest

  • Natural disasters

  • Pandemic or public health emergency

  • Government travel restrictions

  • Border closures

  • Strikes affecting transport

  • Acts of terrorism

Where such circumstances significantly affect the performance of the package, we may cancel or amend the programme in accordance with applicable law.

11. Host Family Accommodation

We carefully select host families; however:

  • We can not guarantee personality compatibility.

  • Participants must respect house rules and cultural norms.

We reserve the right to relocate a participant where reasonably necessary.

We reserve the right to remove a participant from a host family or from the programme without refund where behaviour is unlawful, unsafe, or seriously disruptive.

Nothing in these Terms creates a direct contractual relationship between participants and host families, tutors or guides.

12. Age Restriction & Safeguarding *

All programmes are strictly for participants aged 18 and over.

FlyingSponge is committed to participant welfare and safeguarding. We:

  • Enter into written agreements with host families, tutors and guides

  • Set minimum standards of safety and conduct

  • Provide an emergency contact during programmes

Participants must provide an emergency contact prior to travel.

13. Behaviour & Conduct *

Participants must:

  • Comply with local laws

  • Respect host families and communities

Failure to do so may result in termination without refund.

14. Activities & Assumption of Risk *

Some activities included in the programme may involve inherent risks.

By booking, you acknowledge and accept that participation involves a degree of personal risk.

You agree to follow all safety instructions provided by hosts, tutors and guides.

15. Travel Insurance & Health *

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory.

It must cover:

  • Medical expenses

  • Repatriation

  • Cancellation

  • Personal liability

You are responsible for:

  • Holding a valid passport

  • Meeting visa and entry requirements

  • Obtaining necessary vaccinations

  • Ensuring fitness to travel

  • Disclosing relevant medical conditions

16. Emergency Assistance *

If you are in difficulty during the programme, we will provide prompt assistance, including:

  • Information on local health services

  • Assistance with alternative travel arrangements where necessary

17. Liability *

We accept responsibility for the proper performance of the travel services included in the contract.

Our liability for non-personal injury claims shall be limited to three times the total package price.

Nothing in these Terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence.

We are not liable for:

  • Flights booked independently

  • Visa refusals

  • Loss of personal belongings

  • Matters outside the scope of the agreed package

18. Personal Property

Participants are responsible for safeguarding their personal belongings at all times.

19. Data Protection

We process personal data in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

We may share relevant information with host families, tutors, guides, insurers or authorities where necessary for the performance of the contract.

Full details are set out in our Privacy Policy.

20. Complaints Procedure *

If a problem arises, you must inform us immediately to allow us the opportunity to resolve it.

If unresolved, complaints must be submitted in writing within 28 days of programme completion.

21. Insolvency Protection *

FlyingSponge Ltd provides financial protection for customer funds in accordance with the Package Travel Regulations.

Full details of the insolvency protection mechanism and provider will be supplied prior to booking confirmation.

22. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.