What does ATOL protection mean?

What does ATOL protection mean?

The Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) is a financial protection scheme for UK travellers run by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). ATOL protection gives you the reassurance that if you are stranded abroad when your provider ceases trading, you’ll not lose out on the cost of your holiday and will be able to get home again.

What does ATOL protection cover you for?

Should the UK travel company you booked your holiday with go out of business, you will be reimbursed for the cost of your trip. It also applies if a UK airline goes bust.

ATOL protects your package holiday with a flight included, flights and accommodation, flights and car hire and some flight-only bookings. ATOL will help you stay in your accommodation while you’re abroad, pay for car hire and transfers and arrange flights home if possible.

Does ATOL protection mean you get your money back?

If you bought a package holiday, all flights, accommodation and car hire expenses can be recovered. If your airline is no longer in operation, your travel company will have to find you a separate carrier or give you your money back.

What is not protected under the ATOL scheme?

Non-package holidays where you paid for the flights direct and travel companies that are not registered on the ATOL website.

How to claim on an ATOL protected holiday

You’ll need your ATOL certificate, which is proof you’re covered by the scheme. Keep a digital copy of the certificate with you when you travel and make a note of your unique reference number. The certificate will tell you who is protected and who is responsible for any failure and the next steps to take to make a claim.

If your holiday hasn’t happened yet, visit atol.org to locate the company you booked through on the failure list.

Are all holidays ATOL protected?

Only ones carrying the ATOL logo and number are protected by the scheme. The number often starts with a T followed by four or five digits. Always ask when booking if your operator is ATOL protected.

What is the difference between ATOL and ABTA protection?

ATOL protection is for airline holidays, car hire and accommodation while the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) is a trade association for UK tour operators, travel agents and the wider industry. ABTA covers travel by coach, rail, road or sea, plus resorts and hotels. Saga Holidays are both ABTA and ATOL protected.

ATOL protection vs travel insurance

It’s important to note that ATOL protection is not the same as travel insurance as it only covers package holidays. If you like to build the elements of the trip yourself by booking flights, accommodation and car hire separately, you will need travel insurance to cover each individual cost.

As well as cancellation cover, travel insurance covers you for loss of belongings, medical emergencies, flight delays or travel disruption. Saga Travel Insurance offers five cover options to choose from, so you can pack the right policy for every trip.