What do deposit and balance mean?
A deposit is the first part of the package price, paid to hold your booking. The balance is everything else, paid later on a date set by the agency. Most China packages work this way, because hotels and transport are reserved ahead.
Where do you meet it on the trip?
You meet it twice. First when you confirm the booking and pay the deposit. Then again some time before departure, when the balance falls due. Between the two, a change of name, date or room can trigger extra charges, so the terms matter.
Peak weeks, such as Golden Week and the Spring Festival travel rush, usually bring earlier payment dates, so ask rather than assume.
One practical tip
Before you pay the deposit, get five things in writing: the total price and what it includes, the deposit amount, the balance due date, the cancellation and refund terms, and the company name and bank account you are paying into. Then check the agency’s licence on motac.gov.my. We give no percentage, because agencies set their own.
Pay to a company account that matches the name on the quote, and keep the receipt.
Related terms
See MOTAC travel agency licence to verify who you pay, travel insurance coverage for what protects the trip, and the guide on China tour deposit and payment schedules.