Group trips have a predictable failure mode: one person pays the deposit to lock in the booking, and then a friend drops out and assumes their money comes back. The deposit, of course, is long gone. The fix is to agree the awkward part before anyone pays.
What to agree before booking
- The total and the split — who owes what share.
- Deposits — who’s fronting them, and who reimburses what, when.
- The cancellation rule — if someone drops out, is their share refundable? By when?
- Payment deadlines — so the organizer isn’t chasing.
The cancellation rule is the one that saves friendships. "If you pull out within 30 days of travel, your share of non-refundable bookings is yours to cover" feels fair when everyone’s excited — and prevents a blow-up later.
Lock it in
Describe the trip split, everyone reviews and e-signs, each keep a copy. Then book with a clear conscience.