A good China tour quotation names every flight, hotel, meal, vehicle, guide and entrance fee that is included, says what is not, and states the payment and cancellation terms. If one of those is missing, ask for it in writing before you say yes.
You are not being fussy by asking. A clear quotation protects both you and the agency, because nobody has to argue later about what was promised.
What should the first part of a quotation say?
The top of the quotation identifies who is selling and what you are buying. Look for these basics.
- The registered company name, licence number and address. Check them as shown in our guide to checking a MOTAC licence.
- The dates, the cities, the number of travellers and their ages.
- The name of the package or itinerary, with a day-by-day plan attached.
- How long the quotation stays valid.
If any of these is vague, the rest of the quotation is harder to trust.
Which inclusions should be listed line by line?
Ask for a separate line for each of the following, rather than one total.
- International flights, or a clear statement that they are not included.
- Domestic flights and high-speed rail legs, with the class of seat.
- Hotels, by area and room type, and how many travellers share a room.
- Meals, listing which breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included.
- Transport on the ground, including the vehicle type and who drives.
- Guide, including the language and the hours covered.
- Entrance fees, with the attractions named.
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure.
- Travel insurance, if it is included.
Our guide on flight-inclusive or land-only packages shows how to compare a quote with flights against one without.
What should the exclusions say?
Exclusions matter as much as inclusions. They should say plainly what you pay for on top.
Ask about guide and driver fees, optional tours, laundry, drinks, personal expenses and any single-room charge. Tipping and guide fees and single supplements and room sharing cover the two that surprise people most.
If shopping stops are part of the plan, the quotation should say how many and how long. A quote that is silent on them leaves room for surprises.
Which conditions should be written down?
Look for the deposit amount and due date, the balance due date and the accepted payment methods. Read the cancellation tiers and the rules for changes of name or date.
Two pages go deeper: deposits and payment schedules and cancellation and refund terms. Do not pay until you have read both for your own quote.
What if you want a private tour?
A private quotation needs a few extra lines: the vehicle, the driver’s and guide’s daily hours, waiting time, the meal arrangement and who covers the driver’s and guide’s meals and rooms.
Ask the agency to fill in each line in writing. Then you can compare it fairly with a group quote in the package comparator.
What should you do next?
Copy the lists above into a message, send it to the agency and ask them to confirm each item. Keep their replies with your booking papers.
The booking topic page lists the related checks, and our questions to ask before booking adds the ones that are specific to your trip.