General Terms & Conditions
1. Definitions
1.1. In this document the following words and expressions shall have the following meanings:
1.2. “Mountain Drop-offs” shall refer to the company SARL Mountain Drop-offs (480 130 699 RCS Annecy)
1.3. “Client” shall be the person that makes the booking for themselves or on behalf of other persons.
1.4. “Party” shall refer to all persons travelling under one single booking
1.5. “Passenger” shall refer to a person within a party
1.6. “Operator” shall refer to an enterprise that provides transport services via the use of their own vehicles.
2. Making a booking
2.1. The client is responsible for the information provided when making a booking.
2.2. The client must provide a full and valid address for pick-up/drop-off in resort. Any changes to this address must be provided in writing. If no address is provided or the address provided is invalid, the client will be picked-up/dropped-off a central point in resort (such as the Tourist Office or train station).
2.3. Mountain Drop-offs reserves the right to charge an administration fee of 5€ for any changes to a confirmed booking that is amended at any time prior to departure.
2.4. Where the client has provided an incorrect date or time in the transfer booking, the client must notify Mountain Drop-offs immediately in writing via email.
2.5. Where the transfer booking has already been confirmed by Mountain Drop-offs, changes to the date or time of the booking may result in a cancelation of the original booking, and the Mountain Drop-offs cancelation policy (see paragraph 4 below) will apply. The client may have to make a new booking with the correct time and date, together with payment of the applicable tariff.
2.6. The client accepts these booking conditions on behalf of each member of the party.
2.7. When making a telephone booking the client accepts that the booking will be governed by the terms and conditions that are present on the Mountain Drop-offs website at the time of booking.
2.8. Should more passengers present themselves for transfer than noted on the booking it may not be possible to carry the extra passenger(s). The extra passenger(s) will have to make their own way to their destination and Mountain Drop-offs will accept no responsibility or liability for said extra passenger(s).
2.9. Baby seats and booster seats are supplied free of charge upon request at time of booking. The correct size baby seat must be requested, or the age and weight of the child specified. For your convenience a general guide has been provided.
a. Rear facing baby seat - up to 13kgs (29lbs) approx age range - birth to 12-15mths.
b. Front facing child seat - from 9-18kgs (20-40lbs) approx age 9mths - 4 years
c. Booster child seat - from 15-25kgs (33-55lbs) approx age 4-6 years
d. Booster cushion - from 22-36kgs (48-79lbs) approx age 6-11/12 years
2.11. Children smaller than 150cm must use one of the appropriate sized seats stated above.
2.12.The child seats provided comply with all relevant legislation
2.13.Mountain Drop-offs will endeavour to honour special requirement requests, such as the provision of child restraint seats, but are not contractually obliged to do so.
3. Payment and pricing
3.1. Full acceptance of Mountain Drop-offs price for the service requested is assumed at the time of booking. Where the client has provided an email address at the time of booking, Mountain Drop-offs will produce written confirmation by email of the details regarding the booking.
3.2. All prices published on the website, in print, or quoted over the phone or via email by a Mountain Drop-offs representative or employee, are subject to Mountain Drop-offs' and it's partner's terms and conditions.
3.3. The price paid by a Mountain Drop-offs client when booking an airport transfer is subject to change without notice. If there are any fare changes necessary after the booking has been made, Mountain Drop-offs will produce written confirmation of these changes by email. If the client does not want to accept the fare change, then he/she is free to cancel the booking free of charge and will be automatically refunded in full within 5 working days.
3.4. Mountain Drop-offs reserves the right to increase prices by adding a fuel surcharge in accordance with fuel price rises.
4. Cancellations
4.1. Super-saver fares are non-refundable.
4.2 Super-saver fares are date transferable at 15€ per transfer provided you advise us of the date change more than 72 hours prior to the transfer date.
4.3. Flexi Shared transfers fares are refundable up to 3 days (72 hours) prior to the transfer date. The credit card fee component is non-refundable.
4.5. Upon demand Mountain Drop-offs will issue a statement of cancellation showing amounts paid by the client, which the client may present to their insurer.
4.6. When a client has a confirmed booking with Mountain Drop-Offs and for any reason the client does not utilise our service and does not provide us with at least 3 days notice of the cancellation, Mountain Drop-offs reserves the right to recover full payment from the client or the client’s in-resort representative.
5. Luggage
5.1. All luggage must be clearly labelled with the owners name and destination address. Passengers are limited to two items of luggage (one usual holiday luggage bag and small hand luggage bag), and a ski or snowboard bag.
5.2. Any excess luggage must be declared at the time of booking. In the event of a passenger having excess luggage, Mountain Drop-offs reserves the right to charge an excess baggage allowance of 10€ per item, or refuse to transport the items.
5.3. Bikes are transported free of charge. Clients must inform Mountain Drop-offs at the time of booking of the number of bikes to be transported, failure to do so may result in Mountain Drop-offs being unable to transport said bikes. Bikes must be presented for carriage in an appropriate box or bag. Bikes not in bags or boxes are not acceptable and will not be transported.
5.4. Golf clubs are transported free of charge. Clients must inform Mountain Drop-offs at the time of booking of the number of sets of golf clubs to be transported, failure to do so may result in Mountain Drop-offs being unable to transport said golf clubs. Golf clubs must be presented for carriage in an appropriate bag. Golf clubs not in bags are not acceptable and will not be transported.
5.5. Mountain Drop-Offs will take all reasonable care in loading luggage, however we accept no responsibility for items lost or damaged in transit. Clients are advised to check the terms of their travel insurance policy.
5.6. Luggage lost by airline – see paragraph 6 below.
6. Delays at the airport
6.1. Clients are asked to keep Mountain Drop-offs informed of any incidence of lost luggage causing delays for the client at the airport. It is the responsibility of the airline and or handling agent of the airline to deliver any lost luggage to the passenger.
6.2. In the event of a significant delay caused by lost luggage, and if the allocated driver has to leave the airport prior to the arrival of the passenger, passengers will be placed on the next available transfer that is going to the requested destination, or in the direction of the requested destination. This may necessitate a significant wait on the part of the client.
6.3. Mountain Drop-offs may cancel the original airport transfer booking and reschedule a new transfer to cater for the 'newly' scheduled arrival time caused by the delay in waiting for lost luggage. In this case, passengers will be charged for the additional new transfer, and no monies will be refunded for the cancelled transfer. Clients are free to refuse the newly scheduled transfer and organise an alternative transfer themselves.
6.4. Clients are asked to keep Mountain Drop-offs informed about all possible delays and changes to their scheduled flight(s).
6.5. Where the client’s flight has been cancelled, delayed, or missed and the client will not arrive in time for the transfer as originally booked with Mountain Drop-offs, officially the transfer has been missed, and no refund will be provided.
6.6. Mountain Drop-offs will however make every effort to accommodate such clients where possible on the next available transfer, although the client may be required to wait for this service.
6.7. In the case where Mountain Drop-offs is unable to accommodate the new arrival time following a flight delay, cancelation, or missed flight the client will be required to make alternative arrangements and no refund will be provided for the original transfer booking. Clients are advised to check the terms of their travel insurance.
6.8. Where a private transfer has been booked and the flight is delayed up to ninety minutes from the flight's scheduled arrival, the Mountain Dropoffs vehicle will wait for the client at no charge. After this time the client will be liable for a waiting charge of 20 euros for each additional hour or part thereof. This charge must be settled prior to the vehicle’s departure.
7. In-resort departures
7.1. Mountain Drop-Offs reserves the right to change pick up times and will inform the lead passenger as booked by the client, or the client’s resort representative by telephone call or SMS.
7.2. Mountain Drop-offs schedule all departures to arrive at airports two hours before the scheduled departure time of a flight. Should a client request a pickup time that is later than the time recommended by Mountain Drop-offs, Mountain Drop-offs will accept no responsibility for any losses incurred due to missing a flight or onward connection.
*Summary of Conditions for Super Saver Fare
- Available for return transfers only (one-way super saver fares are available at a slightly higher price).
- Special offer valid from June 12th – Sept 18th (inclusive).
- Available only for transfers that fall between 07h – 22h.
- If one of your transfers falls out of these times, the price for that transfer will revert to the standard one-way price.
- Super Saver Transfers are non-refundable.
- Super Saver Transfers are date transferable at 15€ per transfer provided that we receive more than three days notice of the change.
- Changes to booking information (in-resort address, telephone number etc) will be subject to additional charge of 5€.
- General terms and conditions still apply.
- Bookings must be paid for at the time of reservation (note 3€ fee for credit card payments).
- Bookings made over the phone will be subject to 5€ administration fee and the client accepts Mountain Drop-Offs terms & conditions.
8. Carriage of children and minors
8.1. French Law states children are prohibited from travelling in the front seat until aged 10 years old.
8.2. Seats must be purchased for all infants and children regardless of age.
8.3. Babies and small children must travel in appropriate child restraint seats in accordance with the law. EU regulations state, children under the height of 1.35m require the appropriate safety seat for their size/age. It is the responsibility of the client to book the appropriate seat for their children. Parents are advised to provide their own child seats. Mountain Drop-offs may provide seats free of charge when requested to do so at the time of booking (see paragraph 2.9). Such services are subject to availability.
8.4. Parents are responsible for the correct fitting of child restraint seats in the vehicles.
8.5. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to travel in the front seats of any vehicle.
8.6. Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to travel without a parent or guardian.
8.7. Minors between the age of 16 and 18 assume full responsibility for their use of seat belts.
8.8. Parents, or minders (or friends over 18 years) of children and adolescents under the age of 18 years, are responsible for the conduct of these minors while in the Mountain Drop-offs vehicles, and will be held responsible for any damage caused by the aforementioned minors.
9. Eating, drinking, smoking
9.1. The consumption of alcohol is forbidden in Mountain Drop-offs vehicles.
9.2. Smoking is prohibited in all Mountain Drop-offs vehicles.
9.3. The consumption of food is not permitted in any Mountain Drop-offs vehicles.
9.4. Mountain Drop-offs reserves the right (and delegates to its chauffeurs the right) to refuse to carry any person who is thought to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and/or whose behaviour is considered to pose a threat or nuisance to the driver, the vehicle or the other passenger(s).
10. Damage and soiling of the vehicles
10.1. Passengers who soil the interior of a van are liable to an on the spot fine of 250.00 Euros. This fine is payable immediately to the Mountain Drop-offs driver.
10.2. If the passenger refuses to pay, or has no money with which to pay, then the 250.00 Euros valet cleaning fee will be taken on the credit card that the client used to make the booking. Mountain Drop-offs will produce a receipt for this transaction.
10.3. If payment cannot, or will not, be made Mountain Drop-offs will cancel any outstanding transfer(s) for the passenger(s) concerned with no refund given and take legal action against the passenger(s) concerned to recover the cost of cleaning the vehicle. Such action will include all legal costs Mountain Drop-offs incur.
10.4. Any damage caused to a Mountain Drop-offs vehicle by a passenger(s) must be paid for immediately. If payment cannot, or will not, be made then Mountain Drop-offs reserves the right to charge the credit card that was used to make the transfer booking. In cases where this is not possible, Mountain Drop-offs will take legal action against the client and/or passenger to recover the money.
11. Failure to fulfill confirmed bookings
11.1. If Mountain Drop-offs fail to provide a confirmed service because of an inability to contact the client, Mountain Drop-offs will not be held responsible for any losses incurred. Clients are advised to provide a means of contact, preferably a mobile telephone that is switched on, global-roaming enabled, and with sufficient battery life.
11.2. Mountain Drop-offs will use every reasonable means to ensure that the vehicle(s) arrives on time to begin the period of hire and that it reaches its destination on time.
11.3. Mountain Drop-offs will not incur any liability whatsoever in the event of any delay due to causes beyond its control.
11.4. Vehicles are fully insured for passenger and third party claims, as required under French law.
11.5. Mountain Drop-offs will endeavour to carry the passenger(s) with the maximum comfort and minimum inconvenience to their destination, however circumstances beyond our control may prevent this.
11.6. The following are examples, but not an exhaustive list of circumstances which are not within our control:
11.6.1. vehicle breakdowns
11.6.2. exceptional or severe weather conditions - snow storms, avalanches.
11.6.3. compliance with requests of the police
11.6.4. accidents or deaths on the road causing delays to the vehicle
11.6.5. vandalism
11.6.6. unforeseen traffic delays
11.6.7. industrial action by third parties
11.6.8. problems caused by other customers
11.6.9. the vehicle being held or delayed by a police officer or government official
11.6.10. other circumstances affecting passenger safety
11.6.11. Force Majeure (war, civil unrest, terrorism, acts of god, etc)
11.7. If affected by any of the above situations or other unforeseen events Mountain Drop-offs will make every effort to deliver the passenger to their destination.
11.8. In the event of Mountain Drop-offs being unable to deliver the passenger on time and or to their destination, Mountain Drop-offs will not be held responsible for any losses or costs incurred. Clients are advised to check the terms of their travel insurance.
11.9. Road or tunnel closures forcing alternative routes: Where Mountain Drop-offs is able to continue to provide the transfer, a supplement is to be agreed (at the time of transfer or prior where possible) with client and paid on arrival in cash by the passenger if the client has not previously agreed to pay the supplement. The amount of the supplement will reflect the extra distance, time and tolls involved to transport the passenger to their booked destination. Where no agreement can be reached on the supplement to be paid, or where Mountain Drop-offs is unable to provide the transfer on the alternative route (for example to due to other obligations, or limits on driver hours) Mountain Drop-offs will transport the passenger up to the point at which the normal route is blocked.
11.10. If Mountain Drop-offs fail for any reason within our control to deliver its passengers to their confirmed destination, Mountain Drop-offs will provide suitable transport such as another coach, train, private car, taxi etc. Any reimbursement made by Mountain Drop-offs for the costs of an alternative means of transport incurred by the passenger to get to their ticketed destination shall be no more than the cost of getting to that destination by one taxi of an appropriate size. Mountain Drop-offs shall be allowed a period of 90 minutes commencing from the point at which the client presents themselves to a Mountain Drop-offs representative, to supply the purchased service.
11.11. Mountain Drop-offs shall only be liable for any reasonable and foreseeable consequential losses arising directly out of a breach of contract.
12. Privacy
12.1. Mountain Drop-offs work with a number of partners and may share with these partners your email address and telephone number, and from time to time contact you via email regarding special offers. If you do not wish to be contacted about these offers, or for Mountain Drop-offs to share your email address you should inform us in writing by email or fax and we will respect your request.
13. Complaints, disputes
13.1. Any complaints or service issues should be addressed to Mountain Drop-offs via email. Mountain Drop-offs will endeavour to resolve all service issues and respond to all complaints within 14 days of receipt.
13.2. Any dispute between Mountain Drop-offs and a third party, if not resolved by mutual agreement shall be referred to a mediator. However, if mediation is unsuccessful, then the matter of the dispute will be referred to a formal litigation process through the French courts.
14. Agents and partners
14.1. Where Mountain Drop-offs book transport for clients on services provided by operators other than Mountain Drop-offs, we do so as booking agents for the operator concerned whose own conditions of carriage will apply. Our liability will be confined to travel on our own services.
14.2. Some of our corporate partners may choose to be invoiced. All accounts must be settled as per the terms stated on the invoice.
15. Changes to contractual terms
15.1. Mountain Drop-offs may alter these terms and conditions from time to time. The terms governing the purchase of an airport transfer will be the terms in place at the time that the booking is paid for.
16. Applicable law
16.1. Nothing can affect the clients' statutory rights.
16.2. Mountain Drop-offs’s Terms and conditions are governed by French Law.
