Cheap holiday packages – advice

Holiday & Travel advice: So where are the cheap holiday packages to be found, that offer both financial protection and cost savings.

For you the travel consumer you want to know that the holiday package you have booked is still going ahead if the agent or tour operator goes bust.

For this level of protection you need to book with a company that is both Atol and Abta bonded more about this later, however booking with anyone else is madness.

If you book a holiday with anyone that says “this is not a package” for your 7 or 14 night break and they not at least Atol bonded you may find yourself in trouble if they go bust.

ATOL bonding

If a tour operator goes out of business, the CAA will ensure you do not lose the money you paid over, or if you’re abroad, we’ll arrange for you to finish your holiday and fly home.

Abta bonded

If you’ve made your booking through a travel agent, it’s important that you obtain and keep all the paperwork referred to above. This will show that you have a booking with the relevant holiday company.

You should contact the holiday company to make sure that the booking is in place. If it is, then your travel arrangements should continue unaffected.

In the unlikely event that your travel agent has failed to make your booking with a travel company you should contact your credit card company if you paid by credit card.

If you didn’t pay by credit card, contact our claims enquiries office for advice and assistance. Contact: ABTA Claims, PO Box 127, Metro House, Northgate, Chichester PO18 8WQ, Tel: 01243 621 500.