What is ABTA and ATOL protection?

ATOL stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence.

UK and European Law requires travel businesses to financially protect their package holidays in the countries where they are established. In the UK, business provide their protection under the ATOL scheme, elsewhere in other European Member States,  they will be covered by their own schemes.

When you book a holiday which is covered by ATOL protection, you will receive an ATOL certificate. This is proof that your holiday or flight is covered by ATOL and what to do is your travel business collapses. It’s worth keeping this safe and taking it on holiday with you should you need it while away.

ATOL protection covers consumers who have booked holidays with a travel business which then ceases trading. It will support consumers currently abroad and provide refunds for the cost of replacing parts of an ATOL protected package.

ATOL covers the following packages:

• Flights and accommodation (including a cruise)
• Flights and car hire
• Flights, accommodation and car hire

ATOL is run by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). All ATOL holders are required to pay a fee of £2.50 for each traveller, which is then held in a fund managed by the Air Travel Trust. This fund is used in scenarios for refunds, repatriate or reimburse travellers for the cost of repaying for the affected parts of their trip.

ATOL protection is not free, the costs are charged to the ATOL holder at £2.50 per traveller. Holidaymakers are not required to cover this cost, it is the responsibility of the ATOL holder.

There are a number of ways to claim on your ATOL protection, depending on your circumstances. If you are at home and yet to travel, you will need to complete a claim form which will require additional evidence. If you are currently abroad, you will need to call the ATOL Scheme using details on your ATOL certificate, who will then explain the situation and discuss your options.

ATOL protection is there to prevent consumers from losing money or becoming stranded abroad if the travel business you booked with collapses. If a business ceases trading while you are on holiday, ATOL protection provides support to minimise disruption. If it ceases trading prior to your holiday, ATOL protection issues a refund or replacement holiday.

ABTA means Association of British Travel Agents.

All members of ABTA must abide by the ABTA Code of Conduct, which governs things such as accurate advertising, fair trading, changes to bookings and managing complaints.

More than 4,300 travel brands hold a membership with ABTA – including SixStarCruises.co.uk – providing a wide range of leisure and business travel services. ABTA offers support, protection and expertise to its members, meaning you can have confidence in ABTA members as they abide by the ABTA Code of Conduct.

ABTA members arrange a variety of experiences for holidaymakers, but sometimes things don’t go to plan. For those times, ABTA can help resolve your issues with an independent complaints resolution service and customer support.

Once your holiday is planned with an ABTA Member, you are safe in the knowledge that the ABTA Code of Conduct is there to ensure high standards. For package holidays which are sold within the European Economic Area (EEA), all ABTA members are financially protected in the event of a company failure. This means, in the unlikely event that a travel company goes out of business, there is a quick and simple process to follow to get your money back or continue your holiday as planned.

Any package holiday which is booked using a travel agent that is an ABTA Member is protected.

ABTA is important because it provides expert help and advice to holidaymakers. The expertise offered means that you are reassured during times which can often cause distress and upset. ABTA also helps you understand your right and can provide round-the-clock advice in a crisis.

ABTA protection is not travel insurance. Even is a company is an ABTA member, you will still need to take out personal holiday insurance to ensure you are covered for personal effects, medical issues and delays.

ABTA bonded is just another way of referring to an ABTA Member. Anyone who is an ABTA Member is ABTA bonded.

Each ABTA member is provided with a number to identify their credentials. This is usually displayed wherever you may see the ABTA logo. SixStarCruises ABTA number is L3743.

There are a number of memberships you can acquire with ABTA. These include travel agent, managed branches and tour operators. For each of these a risk assessment and financial criteria is outlined. You pay a joining fee and ABTA will verify your identity.