Terms & Conditions
For Compass itineraries, Bespoke Curation, non-flight and non-dining travel booking arrangements
Effective Date: 15th September 2026 | Version 1.0
Business: The Sabah Edition | Email: hello@thesabahedition.com
PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING, ACCESSING DIGITAL CONTENT OR CONFIRMING A BOOKING. These Terms & Conditions include Schedule 1 (Cancellation & Refund Policy). Our Privacy Policy and Cancellation & Refund Policy are available on our official website. Booking-specific Supplier terms disclosed for an individual arrangement may prevail for that arrangement.
1. Acceptance and contract formation
1.1 Acceptance. You accept these Terms & Conditions when you tick an acceptance box, approve a proposal, pay any amount, request us to proceed, access a digital product, or otherwise confirm acceptance electronically or in writing.
1.2 Authority for travellers. If you accept for other travellers, you confirm that you are authorised to do so, will provide them with the applicable terms, and remain responsible for information, approvals and payments supplied for the travelling party.
1.3 Pre-payment disclosure. For Bespoke Curation, the applicable fee, traveller count, scope, relevant policies and payment link will be communicated by email to you before payment. Curation begins only after we receive your acceptance and cleared payment.
1.4 Order of precedence. In a conflict, the following order applies: applicable mandatory law; booking-specific Supplier terms; the accepted proposal, invoice or confirmation; Schedule 1; and these general Terms. A special written term applies only to the service to which it relates. For the avoidance of doubt, any website policy incorporated into these Terms is subordinate to these Terms unless expressly stated otherwise.
1.5 Global application and consumer rights. These Terms apply to clients in any country, subject to applicable mandatory laws. Nothing in these Terms limits, excludes or restricts any consumer right, protection, guarantee or remedy that cannot lawfully be waived under the laws of the client’s country, state or province of residence. If any provision of these Terms is inconsistent with such mandatory rights, that provision will apply only to the extent permitted by law.
2. Definitions
2.1 The Sabah Edition / we / us. “The Sabah Edition” is the trading name of a sole proprietorship registered in India and owned by Saarah Hameed Ahmed. References to “The Sabah Edition”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean Saarah Hameed Ahmed trading as The Sabah Edition, unless otherwise stated.
2.2 Client / you. The purchaser and, where relevant, the travellers for whom services are requested.
2.3 Compass. A pre-curated digital itinerary or travel guide available for immediate purchase only when identified as completed and available.
2.4 Discovery Itinerary. A preliminary, illustrative pre-payment document showing the proposed travel style, broad travel outline and sample recommendations. It is not a confirmed itinerary, booking, reservation, guarantee of availability or final deliverable and may omit proprietary details.
2.5 Bespoke Curation. Paid, client-specific research, itinerary design and recommendations prepared to an accepted brief. It does not itself include any reservation. Where separately confirmed, non-flight, non-dining travel arrangements may form part of a Booking Service; dining is limited to recommendations and guidance.
2.6 Booking Service. The arrangement or coordination of non-flight, non-dining travel components through us and an authorised Travel Fulfilment Partner. It excludes flight tickets and restaurant or dining reservations.
2.7 Supplier. An independent hotel, resort, cruise operator, activity provider, transfer provider, tour operator, guide, other non-flight, non-dining travel provider.
2.8 Travel Fulfilment Partner. An independent partner authorised by us to assist with enquiries and non-flight, non-dining travel bookings, Supplier payments, booking documents, logistics, traveller support, amendments, cancellations or refunds. The identity of the Travel Fulfilment Partner and, where applicable, its role in a particular booking will be disclosed to the Client before booking confirmation. Neither The Sabah Edition nor the Travel Fulfilment Partner books, issues, manages, changes or cancels flight tickets.
2.9 Proprietary Content. Non-public venue identities, contacts, rates, routing logic, access methods, recommendations and other proprietary curation released only as part of the paid deliverable.
3. Our services and role
3.1 Services. We may provide Compass, Discovery Itineraries, Bespoke Curation and Booking Services for non-flight, non-dining travel components. Dining is limited to recommendations and guidance. Neither The Sabah Edition nor its Travel Fulfilment Partner books, issues, manages, changes or cancels flight tickets. Flight arrangements remain the responsibility of the traveller and the applicable airline or ticketing provider. Exact inclusions, exclusions, fee stages, timing and revisions are those stated on the website or in the accepted written offer.
3.2 Client relationship. Your engagement and payment relationship remains with The Sabah Edition unless a confirmation expressly identifies another contracting party. Appointing a Travel Fulfilment Partner or Supplier does not transfer ownership of the client relationship. Where a booking or travel component is supplied through a Travel Fulfilment Partner or Supplier, the applicable booking, payment, operational and cancellation arrangements will be disclosed before confirmation.
3.3 Independent providers. Suppliers and the Travel Fulfilment Partner are independent. Travel components are performed under Supplier conditions. We select, recommend and coordinate in good faith but do not own or control Suppliers or guarantee their continuing availability, standards, licences, safety performance or delivery. The Sabah Edition remains responsible for its own services and contractual obligations, while Suppliers and the Travel Fulfilment Partner remain responsible for the services they separately provide.
3.4 Disclosure of booking parties. Before any Booking Service is confirmed, we will identify any Travel Fulfilment Partner involved in the booking process and, where relevant, the party responsible for issuing booking documents, processing Supplier payments and providing booking support.
3.5 No airline affiliation. The Sabah Edition is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or acting for any airline unless expressly confirmed for a specific arrangement.
4. Enquiry, Discovery and Bespoke workflow
4.1 Enquiry. Bespoke Curation begins as an enquiry. You must provide accurate dates, traveller details, preferences, budget, accessibility, medical, dietary, religious and other material requirements through the requested written channel.
4.2 Discovery stage. The Travel Fulfilment Partner may discuss your requirements and share a Discovery Itinerary, ordinarily within 2-3 business days after receiving a sufficiently complete enquiry and requirements. Discovery Itinerary is a watermarked, viewable PDF, is not a booking or final curation, and must not be treated as a promise of availability. A stated timeframe is an operational target and may reasonably extend if information is incomplete or clarification is required.
4.3 Proceeding. If you wish to proceed after reviewing the Discovery Itinerary, the authoritative email will state the accepted scope, Bespoke Curation fee, traveller count, applicable policies and payment link. Bespoke Curation begins only after acceptance and cleared payment of the non-refundable Bespoke Curation fee.
4.4 Communication record. Email is the authoritative channel for scope, approvals, fees, terms, changes and final acceptance. Messaging services may be used for intermediate support, but a material instruction or change is effective only when acknowledged by email.
4.5 Finalisation. After the Bespoke Curation fee has cleared and the required information is received, the detailed itinerary will be prepared and shared. Drafts, permitted revisions and approval will follow the accepted proposal. Once approved, a separate invoice for the applicable travel partner fee will be issued and must clear before the related logistics or booking services proceed. This fee is separate from, and is not a balance of, the Bespoke Curation fee.
5. Prices, fees and payments
5.1 Availability and quotations. Quotations and proposed arrangements remain subject to availability and may change before cleared payment and written confirmation. A payment link or provisional hold does not guarantee a reservation.
5.2 Payment. Unless expressly directed otherwise, amounts are paid to The Sabah Edition. We may disburse booking amounts to the Travel Fulfilment Partner or Suppliers.
5.3 Curation fees. Compass prices and Bespoke Curation fees compensate our research, intellectual property, planning and expertise and are distinct from Supplier charges.
5.4 Bespoke commencement. Bespoke Curation is treated as commenced when, after acceptance and cleared payment, we first begin client-specific research, route design, venue selection, Supplier enquiries, drafting, mapping, sequencing or recommendation analysis. Commencement may precede delivery of a first draft.
5.5 Compass-to-Bespoke upgrade credit. If you have purchased a Compass and later request Bespoke Curation for the corresponding trip, the amount actually paid for that Compass will be credited once against the Bespoke Curation fee then applicable. The request must be made from the purchaser’s registered email address and include the Compass order reference. This credit is not a cash refund, cannot exceed the Bespoke Curation fee, cannot be transferred to another person or unrelated trip, and cannot be combined with another credit unless we agree in writing. The Bespoke process begins only after we issue the revised scope and fee, you accept them, pay the remaining balance, and provide the complete required brief. Prior Compass delivery or access remains governed by these Terms.
5.6 Taxes and external charges. Prices include or exclude taxes as stated. Exchange movements, taxes, Supplier surcharges and bank or payment-provider charges may affect the amount payable or received on refund. INR amounts stated in these Terms apply while that service and price remain offered.
5.7 Late or failed payment. We may pause work, withhold final access, release reservations or treat the affected service as cancelled if payment is late or fails. Resulting price changes, charges or loss of availability are your responsibility to the extent permitted by law.
6. Compass delivery
6.1 Automated fulfilment and timing. Completed Compass editions purchased through the standard website flow are intended to be delivered automatically after successful payment and order confirmation, and in any event within 24 hours, by secure link, account access or another method stated at checkout. Manual handling is reserved for system-flagged exceptions or support cases. A purchaser should contact hello@thesabahedition.com if access has not been received within that period.
6.1.A Digital content acknowledgement. Before completing a Compass purchase, you may be required to acknowledge that:
(a) the Compass product is digital content supplied electronically;
(b) delivery may commence immediately after successful payment;
(c) you expressly request immediate access or delivery; and
(d) to the extent permitted by applicable law, your cancellation or refund rights may be affected once delivery, download or access begins.
6.2 Completion of delivery. Delivery is complete when the file or access link is sent to the email address provided or made available in the client account. Order and delivery records may evidence fulfilment and refund eligibility.
6.3 Your responsibilities. You must provide an accurate email address, maintain access to it, check filtered folders and promptly report failed or materially defective access to hello@thesabahedition.com. We will reasonably attempt correction or redelivery.
6.4 Refund position. Compass products are digital products supplied immediately after purchase. By purchasing a Compass product, you request and consent to immediate digital delivery. Once delivery or access has occurred, refunds are generally unavailable except where required by applicable law, where the product has not been supplied, or where a material defect cannot be remedied.
7. Bespoke scope, delivery and changes
7.1 Accepted brief. We curate to the accepted brief. Included revisions are limited to the number and type stated in the proposal. A new destination, material date or budget change, altered traveller profile or request outside scope may require a revised fee and timeline.
7.2 Timelines. The estimate begins after cleared payment and receipt of complete information and approvals. Client delay, material change, non-payment or circumstances beyond reasonable control may extend it.
7.3 Dynamic information. Prices, operating hours, entry rules, availability, menus, payment methods and local conditions change. Time-sensitive information must be reconfirmed before purchase or travel.
7.4 Non-refundable after commencement. The Bespoke Curation fee is refundable only if cancellation occurs before work commences. Once work described in clause 5.4 begins, the fee is non-refundable except where we fail to provide the agreed service or mandatory law requires otherwise.
8. Digital delivery and permitted use
8.1 Delivery and watermarking. Itineraries may be delivered digitally and may carry a The Sabah Edition brand watermark or a personalised client watermark.
8.2 Prohibited use. Unauthorised copying, sharing, publication, resale, distribution or commercial use of any itinerary or related material is prohibited and may result in legal action.
8.3 Personal-use licence. Subject to these Terms and payment of all applicable fees, The Sabah Edition grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable and revocable licence to access and use the purchased Compass, itinerary or related material solely for your personal, non-commercial travel purposes.
8.4 Licence restrictions. Except as expressly permitted by these Terms, you must not copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, publish, licence, sell, transfer, disclose or commercially exploit any Compass, itinerary or related material.
8.5 Suspension or termination. We may suspend or terminate the licence granted under this clause if we reasonably believe that any Compass, itinerary or related material has been used, shared or distributed in breach of these Terms. Suspension or termination of the licence does not limit any other rights or remedies available to us.
9. Dining recommendations and guidance
9.1 Recommendations. Dining recommendations remain classified until full curation payment is received and are then disclosed as part of the paid deliverable, with Google Maps links where provided. They are advisory only. Availability, menus, prices and venue policies may change and are not guaranteed.
9.2 No dining reservation service. The Sabah Edition and its Travel Fulfilment Partner provide dining recommendations and guidance only. Neither contacts venues, requests or holds tables, makes or amends dining reservations, manages confirmations, collects restaurant deposits, or handles dining cancellations or no-shows on a client’s behalf.
9.3 Changes and alternatives. Within the review period stated in the proposal, we may suggest a reasonable alternative if a recommended venue is unavailable. Additional research or material re-curation beyond the accepted scope may attract a separately agreed curation fee, but no fee creates or includes a dining reservation service.
9.4 Venue terms. Clients must contact each dining venue directly to check availability, make any reservation and review its current deposit, prepayment, minimum-spend, cancellation, no-show, late-arrival, dress, age, dietary and other rules. Any reservation and all related payments, charges and losses remain directly between the client and venue.
9.5 Dietary responsibility. Menus, ingredients, preparation, cross-contamination controls and halal, vegetarian, vegan, kosher or other certification can change. You must verify suitability directly with the venue before consumption; our information reflects the position known when curated.
10. Bookings, cancellations and refunds
10.1 Schedule incorporated. Schedule 1 applies to Booking Services. By confirming a booking, you accept the Supplier-specific cancellation, amendment, no-show and refund terms disclosed for it.
10.2 Written requests. Cancellation or amendment requests must be emailed to hello@thesabahedition.com and take effect only when received and acknowledged. Supplier charges may arise before action is possible.
10.3 Separate fees. A Supplier refund or credit does not refund a Compass price, commenced Bespoke Curation fee, payment fee or other separately identified non-refundable service fee.
10.4 No guaranteed waiver. We or the Travel Fulfilment Partner may assist with a refund, credit or waiver request but cannot promise Supplier approval, amount or processing time.
11. Traveller responsibilities
11.1 Accurate information. You must provide names exactly as in travel documents, dates of birth, contact details and all requested information. You bear costs caused by inaccurate, incomplete or late information.
11.2 Passports, visas and entry. Each traveller is responsible for genuine and valid passports, visas, permits, vaccinations, insurance, entry and transit requirements, and fitness to travel unless a specific service is expressly included in writing. Visa approval is never guaranteed by us, the Travel Fulfilment Partner or a Supplier.
11.3 Suitability and conduct. You must disclose relevant mobility, medical, dietary, religious, accessibility or safety needs and comply with law, Supplier rules and reasonable safety instructions. Recommendations do not replace professional advice.
11.4 Insurance. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended from the date of first payment, including cancellation, medical, evacuation, baggage and disruption cover.
12. Changes, disruption and force majeure
12.1 Operational changes. Suppliers may change schedules, routes, properties, equipment or activities. Where notified, we may reasonably assist with alternatives, subject to availability, price differences and Supplier terms.
12.2 Beyond reasonable control. Neither we nor the Travel Fulfilment Partner is liable for delay or failure caused by events beyond reasonable control, including severe weather, natural disaster, epidemic, government or border action, strike, unrest, conflict, transport or infrastructure failure, cyber incident or Supplier insolvency, except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded.
12.3 Disruption remedies. Refunds, rebooking and credits remain subject to Supplier remedies and applicable law. Additional post-disruption assistance may attract a fee only if agreed in advance.
13. Liability
13.1 Our responsibility. We provide our own curation and coordination with reasonable care and skill. Nothing excludes a right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded.
13.2 Supplier performance. To the lawful maximum, we are not liable for an independent Supplier’s or Travel Fulfilment Partner’s act, omission, insolvency, injury, loss, delay, change or service failure, without excluding responsibility for our own negligence, misrepresentation or breach.
13.3 Indirect loss. To the lawful maximum, we are not liable for indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss, or loss of enjoyment, opportunity, profits or business.
13.4 Cap. Subject to applicable law and clause 13.5, our aggregate liability arising from a specific service shall not exceed the total amount paid by the Client for that service during the transaction giving rise to the claim, except to the extent a greater liability cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
13.5 Non-excludable liability. The limits do not apply to fraud, wilful misconduct, death or personal injury caused by our negligence, non-limitable confidentiality or data liability, or any liability that law prohibits us from limiting.
14. Intellectual property and confidentiality
14.1 Ownership. All itineraries, Discovery Itinerary, Proprietary Content, research, layouts, narratives, images, videos, maps, databases, methods, brand assets and original material remain owned by or licensed to The Sabah Edition. No ownership transfers to you.
14.2 Proprietary content. You must not disclose Proprietary Content beyond the named travelling party and professional advisers who need it for the trip and are bound to keep it confidential.
14.3 Feedback. Feedback or testimonials are voluntary. We will seek separate permission before publicly using your name, image or identifiable travel content.
15. Privacy, support and complaints
15.1 Privacy. Personal information is handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy published on our official website. You must have authority to provide other travellers’ information. Necessary information may be shared with the Travel Fulfilment Partner, Suppliers, payment providers and advisers, including internationally where required for travel. The Privacy Policy explains the categories of information we collect, the purposes for which it is used, international transfers, retention practices, available privacy rights and how privacy-related requests or complaints may be made.
15.2 Support. Operational communications may occur by email and messaging. During travel, report a problem promptly to the Supplier and the official support contact stated in the booking confirmation or in the Legal Information and Contact section of the Disclaimer page so there is a reasonable opportunity to assist.
15.3 Complaints and grievances. We encourage clients to send a written complaint with the booking reference, dates, evidence and requested remedy to grievance@thesabahedition.com within 14 days after the affected service or trip to assist timely investigation and resolution. This does not limit any longer mandatory period or remedy available under applicable law. Privacy rights requests and privacy grievances must also be sent to that address and will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
15.4 Operational contacts. Website forms, first contact, automated acknowledgements, Compass delivery issues and general support use hello@thesabahedition.com. Qualified lead handling and active client or coordination may use concierge@thesabahedition.com.
15.5 Legal notices. Formal legal notices intended for The Sabah Edition must be sent to legal@thesabahedition.com with sufficient details to identify the sender, transaction and matter. This does not replace any method of service required by mandatory law.
16. General
16.1 Electronic records. Electronic approvals, delivery records and communications may form and evidence the contract.
16.2 Subcontracting. You may not transfer your rights without written consent. We may use employees, contractors, a Travel Fulfilment Partner and Suppliers while remaining responsible for our own contractual obligations.
16.3 Severability, waiver and entire agreement. An invalid provision is read down or severed minimally; the remainder continues. Delay in enforcement is not waiver. These Terms, Schedule 1, accepted proposal or confirmation, incorporated policies and applicable Supplier terms form the entire agreement.
16.4 Updates. The version accepted for a transaction governs it. Later website changes do not retrospectively amend it unless required by law or agreed in writing.
16.5 Governing law and forum. These Terms are governed by the laws of India. Before commencing legal proceedings, the parties will make reasonable efforts to resolve a dispute through good-faith discussions in accordance with these Terms. Nothing in this clause limits any mandatory consumer rights or any right of a consumer to bring a claim before a court, tribunal or authority that has jurisdiction under applicable consumer protection laws. Subject to those mandatory rights, the courts and tribunals of Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, shall have exclusive jurisdiction.
16.6 Language and country-specific rules. The English version of these Terms governs to the extent permitted by law. Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude, limit or override any mandatory consumer protection law, statutory guarantee, cancellation right, remedy, disclosure obligation or regulatory requirement applicable in the Client’s place of residence. Any such requirement will apply to the relevant transaction to the extent required by law; and the remainder of these Terms will continue in full force and effect.
16.7 Contact directory.
General website enquiries: hello@thesabahedition.com
Client and itinerary coordination: concierge@thesabahedition.com
Grievance Officer (Formal complaints, privacy rights and DPDP requests): grievance@thesabahedition.com
Legal notices: legal@thesabahedition.com
Schedule 1 - Cancellation & Booking Terms
This Schedule is binding under clause 10 and applies only to non-flight, non-dining travel components arranged through The Sabah Edition and its authorised Travel Fulfilment Partner.
1 Supplier-specific rules. Every booking is subject to the relevant Supplier’s cancellation, amendment, refund and no-show rules, which may vary by destination, season, rate, offer and booking condition. Terms disclosed for that booking prevail over this general Schedule.
2 Cancellation requests. Requests must be made in writing. Charges may range from a partial deposit to 100% of booking value, especially for non-refundable rates, peak dates, events, villas, charters, camps and exclusive arrangements.
3 Deposits and balances. A deposit may be non-refundable under Supplier terms. Missing a balance deadline may cause automatic cancellation, release of inventory and applicable charges.
4 No-show and unused services. No refund is due for a no-show, unused service, late arrival, early departure or unused portion unless the Supplier agrees or applicable law requires otherwise.
5 Changes. Changes to dates, names, numbers, categories, transfers or services may incur a fee, rate difference, cancellation charge or rebooking cost. Availability is not guaranteed.
6 Flight tickets excluded. Flight tickets are outside our Booking Services. Neither The Sabah Edition nor its Travel Fulfilment Partner books, issues, manages, changes or cancels flight tickets. Clients must book, pay for, change and cancel them directly with the airline or their chosen ticketing provider under that provider’s terms.
7 Documents. Passport validity, visas, entry and transit requirements remain the traveller’s responsibility unless expressly agreed. Costs caused by refusal, delay or inadequate documentation remain subject to Supplier terms.
8 Refund processing. An approved Supplier refund will be processed or transmitted after the corresponding cleared amount or binding approval is received. Supplier timelines vary. Disclosed bank charges, transaction fees, non-refundable service fees, unreturned taxes and lawful deductions may be excluded.
9 Separate product and service fees. Supplier cancellation or refund rules do not convert a Compass price, commenced Bespoke Curation fee or other separate service fee into a refundable booking deposit.
10 Acknowledgement. By confirming a booking, you accept the individual Supplier terms disclosed for it.