The Internet has empowered the holiday maker and given them complete choice and control over their holidays. No longer are they confined to the constraints of the package holiday; they are now free to mix and match individual components – choosing their own flights, accommodation, car hire and holiday activities.
The choices available are limitless, but beware, this does come at a cost and you could be putting your holiday at risk!
Every year more than 11 million people in Britain create their own holidays – putting together individual components to create their own personalised holiday. However, you could be putting your holiday at risk in the event of bankruptcy of any one of the companies that sold you part of your holiday.
Flights and accommodation booked separately as part of a DIY holiday are unconnected, so if an airline or accommodation provider ceases trading you could be forced to buy alternative, often more expensive, replacements - if replacements cannot be found, you may be unable to claim back money already paid for the unused components of your holiday. For example, your airline goes bankrupt and you cannot find a replacement flight – you’ll still have the accommodation and car hire, but you won’t be able to use them because you can’t get to them. You could even run the risk of being stranded abroad if the airline you flew with went bankrupt during your holiday.
Holiday makers need to be made aware of the benefits of booking all the elements of their holiday together with a single, ATOL bonded travel company.
ATOL is the UK’s only licensing scheme for travel companies selling air holiday packages, and protects around 27 million people each year from losing money or being stranded abroad if their travel company goes bankrupt. Travel companies are also responsible for all aspects of the holiday, so if one element goes wrong, the company will make alternative arrangements.
When booking your holiday:
•Look out for the ATOL logo on websites and in brochures if you are booking online or by telephone;
•If booking with a travel agent, check out brochures and ask the agent to confirm whether ATOL is protecting the entire holiday;
•Check the company’s details online at www.atol.org.uk or call ATOL on 020 7453 6430 for free advice.
DIY package holidays are not protected under the ATOL scheme so consumers should consider:
•Booking with a credit card. But beware - this does not necessarily mean full protection and you still may not be covered. You must have spent at least £100 on each element of the holiday;
•There is no protection for payments made via debit cards;
•Taking out a specialist travel insurance policy which covers against insolvency - most policies do not include this cover or will not cover all consequential losses – you will only be covered for the one component and not all areas of your holiday.
For more information and advice about ATOL and holiday protection, consumers should visit www.atol.org.uk
Paula Garrett is a contributor to
www.help-me-park.co.uk the
Gatwick meet and greet parking company providing
valet parking at Gatwick airport.
