Refund Reassurance: Why Westward Offers the Fairest Booking in the UK.
In our previous posts, we’ve talked about the "will we, won’t we" anxiety that often haunts the days leading up to a hot air balloon flight. We’ve explained how our Proactive Weather Updates provide clarity at the 72, 48, and 24-hour marks.
But we know that for many, there is one final, nagging question: "What happens to my money if the clouds don’t clear?"
At Westward Ballooning, we believe that if nature doesn’t cooperate, you shouldn’t be the one to pay the price. We have built our reputation on being the most transparent and fair operator in the country. Here is how we protect your investment and your peace of mind.
The Instant Reschedule: Your Journey, Re-Imagined
Our absolute preference is to get you into the sky. We are in the business of creating memories, not processing paperwork.
The moment a flight is officially "Grounded" due to safety or weather concerns (as detailed in Why We Can’t Fly in High Winds or Rain), our system springs into action. You won't be left waiting for an email or stuck in a phone queue.
The Personal Link: We instantly send you a personal, easy-to-use link via your preferred contact method.
Complete Control: This link gives you immediate access to our real-time diary, allowing you to quickly and easily reschedule your flight to a new date that suits you.
Human Support: While our digital system is fast, we haven't forgotten the human touch. If you have any questions or need help finding a specific date, our team is always on hand and will get back to you as soon as possible.
Refund Reassurance: Included, Not an "Extra"
This is where Westward truly stands apart. In the wider ballooning industry, many companies offer "Refund Insurance" as an additional "bolt-on"—an extra cost you have to pay on top of your flight just to ensure you aren't out of pocket if the weather is poor.
We don’t believe in hidden costs. We are proud to be the only balloon operator in the UK to offer our Refund Reassurance included in all our flight packages as standard. We understand that many of our passengers are visiting Somerset, Bath, or Bristol for a one-off holiday and simply cannot return for a rescheduled flight.
How the Refund Process Works
If your flight is cancelled due to weather and you decide that rescheduling isn't the right option for you, we make the refund process as simple as possible. No hoops to jump through, no awkward conversations—just honest service.
Contact Us: Simply reach out via your preferred method (Email, SMS, or WhatsApp) to let us know you’d like a refund.
Original Payment Method: We will issue the refund directly back to the payment method you used during booking.
Timeline: Once processed, the funds typically appear in your account within 10 working days.
Why We Work This Way
Hot air ballooning is a dance with the elements, but that doesn't mean you should be kept on your toes. By providing this tiered level of service, we ensure that the only thing you have to focus on is the excitement of the ascent.
We are hot air balloon pilots, but we are also in the business of peace of mind. We prioritise your safety and your sunshine—in that order—every single time.
The Fine Print (Transparently Explained)
To maintain our bespoke service and cover the non-refundable costs we incur from external providers, there is a 10% deduction as a booking fee on all refunds.
This fee doesn't go into our pockets; it strictly covers the costs we have already paid to external companies for the booking platform and the secure transaction fees. We believe in being upfront about this so you aren't surprised by the final total. You can read more about this in our full Terms and Conditions, which we affectionately call The Fine Print.
Adventure with an Absolute Safety Net
Whether you choose to reschedule and try again for that "Golden Hour" glow, or you opt for the security of a refund, the power is entirely in your hands.
At Westward, we don't just prioritise your safety; we honour your trust. By including Refund Reassurance as standard, we ensure that the only thing you have to lose when you book with us is the view—and we’ll keep working until we help you find the perfect day to see it.