What are the benefits of booking with a ATOL protected travel company?
• Under the Package Travel Regulations, package holiday providers are responsible for all services and
• facilities offered as part of the package holiday.
• If there is a problem with any of the suppliers involved in the package holiday the provider is
• responsible for resolving the issue.
• If the package holiday provider goes out of business before you have travelled the CAA will give you
• a full refund of all money you have paid.
• If the package holiday provider goes out of business whilst you are holiday the CAA will arrange for
• you to complete your holiday and organise your flight home.
• If an airline fails and you have booked your package holiday with a tour operator, the tour operator
• will make alternative arrangements so customers can travel on holiday or get home.
Are all types of holidays protected under ATOL?
No, ATOL is only applicable to holidays and flights where the company providing your travel arrangements holds an ATOL. Some holidays, where the flight and accommodation are arranged or sold separately ("dynamically packaged") may not be ATOL protected. Similarly where flights are booked direct with an airline they will not be ATOL protected if the airline should cease trading.
What is ATOL Protection?
• ATOL protection is scheme that protects consumers booking package holidays from losing their money
• or being stranded abroad.
• The CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) does this by carrying out financial checks on tour operators and
• travel organisers to ensure they are financially able to support the business they do.
• ATOL licensed companies pay a contribution of £2.50 per passenger to the Air Travel Trust Fund which is
• administered by the CAA so if a tour operator goes out of business, you will refunded and if you're
• abroad they will arrange for you to finish your holiday and fly home.
What should I ask to ensure my holiday is ATOL protected?
• Does the company with which I am booking my holiday stand behind the products it is selling ("act as a
• principal") and will it be responsible for all parts of my holiday?
• Is the whole holiday that is being booked ATOL protected and will I receive a full refund or be brought
• home if the holiday company fails?
• Do I have full rights as a consumer under the Package Travel Regulations if anything goes wrong before
• or during my holiday?
What type of bookings are covered under the ATOL protection scheme?
• Package Holidays including a flight & Flight only arrangements booked directly with a tour operator who
• hold an ATOL licence.
• Package Holidays & Flights booked through a travel agent with a tour operator holding an ATOL licence.
What type of bookings aren't covered under the ATOL protection scheme?
• Flights booked directly with an airline.
• Flights booked directly with scheduled airlines and low cost airlines.
• If you book from outside the UK, you probably won’t be ATOL protected.
• Bookings where a travel company / travel agent book flights and accommodation from separate
• suppliers and create a package themselves ("dynamic packaging").
Can I get written confirmation of a company's ATOL protection?
Yes. When you make a booking the tour operator or travel agent should provide you with an ATOL receipt that gives the name and ATOL number of the licensed operator you are booked with.
What if the travel agent I booked with goes out of business?
If your travel agent is an ABTA travel agent or belongs to one of the associations (for example the Travel Trust Association) and the travel agent goes out of business, your money will be safe and the tour operator your holiday has been booked with will continue to provide your holiday.
What if I booked through a travel agent and the tour operator goes out of business?
You will be protected by ATOL so you get your money back if this happens before you travel and if you're on holiday you can complete your holiday and the CAA will ensure your flight home.
Are online bookings protected by ATOL?
You are protected as long as the company you are booking with has an ATOL. The "ATOL Protected" logo together with the company's ATOL number should be displayed on the website.
What does ABTA stand for?
Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)
Does ABTA and ATOL offer the same protection?
No they don't, ATOL is a legal requirement that companies like tour operators must comply with to sell package holidays where a flight is part of the package. ABTA is travel trade association that requires members to hold an ATOL if a flight is part of the package holiday and takes other steps to ensure that your money is safe if booking through a member of ABTA.
I need more information who should I contact?
• Visit the ATOL protection website for more information.