Booking holidays over Christmas? How to ensure you’re protected

On Dec 19, 2023

Protection scheme ATOL is warning travellers forward of the height reserving season
Two-thirds of the UK plans to guide a vacation within the winter and spring months
Here is the way to inform in case your vacation is ATOL-protected – and get cheaper flights too

Updated: 13:31, 19 December 2023

Two-thirds of the UK plan to guide a vacation this winter and spring, and now the ATOL scheme is warning would-be holidaymakers to make sure their journey is protected.

ATOL surveyed round 2,300 folks in December and located almost three in 5 (56 per cent) are planning to go on an abroad summer season vacation in 2024.

Those in Northern Ireland had been the probably to go overseas subsequent yr (67 per cent) adopted by these in Wales (57 per cent). Some 55 per cent of these in England plan a visit away in 2024, whereas Scots had been the least seemingly of these surveyed to go abroad subsequent yr (53 per cent).

We have a look at what ATOL safety is, and the way vacation bookers can be sure that their cash is protected if one thing goes mistaken – in addition to some suggestions for reserving cheaper flights.

Don't be left in the lurch: ATOL protection pays out if package holiday firms go bust

Don’t be left within the lurch: ATOL safety pays out if bundle vacation companies go bust

What is ATOL safety?

ATOL stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence. ATOL safety covers folks taking a bundle vacation with a flight concerned.

If a bundle vacation firm goes bust throughout a visit, ATOL safety pays for lodging and may deal with refunds for issues like automotive rent and flights house.

Now ATOL, which is run by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, is reminding holidaymakers to ensure their journeys are protected forward of the height reserving interval.

This could be finished on-line utilizing the CAA’s ‘examine for ATOL’ web site.

When you guide an ATOL-protected journey you need to be given an ATOL certificates if you make the primary fee. This is proof of your ATOL safety.

ATOL has launched TV, social media and web adverts to remind holidaymakers of the significance of ATOL safety.

The new ATOL advert (pictured) is meant to educate the public about holiday protection

The new ATOL advert (pictured) is supposed to teach the general public about vacation safety

CAA head of media and exterior affairs Andrew McConnell mentioned: ‘This yr has seen development in bookings, driving vacation reservations again to pre-pandemic ranges.

‘While sadly, we have now seen a number of smaller organisations exit of enterprise this yr, ATOL monetary safety has offered reassurance by helping folks to get house if they’re already overseas or permitting them to make a declare for a refund if they’re but to journey.

‘We know from our analysis that individuals are already planning their subsequent abroad journey, so earlier than customers take the vacation plunge, they need to use our “check for ATOL” device to see if their vacation supplier holds an ATOL licence.’

What is ABTA?

If you’re questioning what safety you get for reserving holidays that do not contain a flight, that’s the place ABTA steps in.

Protection from ABTA, or the Association of British Travel Agents, covers bundle holidays together with journey by street, sea or prepare.

If your bundle vacation agency goes below, ABTA can pay out for cash misplaced on lodging and journey, together with transport house if you find yourself caught abroad.

However, ABTA says bundle holidays which can be for lower than 24 hours, or are for enterprise journey, might not be protected.

What will not be coated by ATOL or ABTA?

Loads of issues – for instance, in case your baggage is misplaced or stolen, should you want medical remedy abroad, if that you must cancel a visit or if there are any delays that rack up additional prices for you.

This is why it’s nonetheless essential to get the fitting journey insurance coverage, even when your vacation is roofed by ATOL or ABTA.

Non-package holidays, the place folks guide their flights and lodging individually, are additionally not coated by both scheme.

How to get cheaper flights

Travel specialists at FlightsFinder.com have revealed seven methods to save cash on flights, together with the precise day and time to guide flights.

The demand for journey because the Covid pandemic has led to a steep rise in airline ticket costs world wide.

Air fares rose by 20 per cent between April and May 2023 alone, with a number of the highest rises for European flights.

Major UK airways have already warned of extra steep hikes in air fares, amidst rising gasoline costs and post-pandemic restoration.

Luckily, following suggestions whereas on-line searching for flights can considerably decrease costs, resembling looking in incognito mode and reserving at midnight.

FlightsFinder founder Shahab Siddiqui mentioned: ‘Even so-called finances airways are rising costs, and mixed with the price of extra add-ons like baggage, reserving a vacation could be excruciatingly costly.’

Here are FlightFinder’s seven suggestions to save cash on aeroplane journey.

1. Go incognito

If consumers are usually monitoring sure tickets, airways can improve costs as they know there’s a demand.

So, whereas it doesn’t all the time make a distinction, looking in incognito or non-public mode in your internet browser could drive costs down on flights because of algorithms and cookie methods.

2. Use a VPN

This one is for the tech-savvy solely, however downloading a VPN will unlock decrease airline costs.

VPNs, or digital non-public networks, is software program that works by funnelling internet info by means of safe digital tunnels.

Some VPNs conceal the place you’re on the planet. That helps when reserving flights, as firms use location knowledge, in addition to different looking habits, to change on-screen costs.

This means these looking from a wealthier nation will get larger costs.

3. Compare airline costs

It’s not all the time simply the finances airways which give the most effective costs, so search round to seek out which offers work greatest for you.

It can also be price contemplating a connecting flight, which may knock tons of off the general journey worth.

4. Discount codes

Checking for low cost codes on-line is a fast and simple solution to carry down prices.

Check airline social media websites, devoted coupon web sites and journey boards. Students, NHS workers and the navy can also be capable to get distinctive perks.

5. Book mid-week

Tuesday and Wednesday nights are the most effective instances to guide the most cost effective flights, with midnight beneficial as the fitting time to safe a high cut price.

6. Check last-minute selections

Sometimes flight suppliers carry down prices to fill empty seats or cancellations.

This is unlikely to be the case throughout peak journey and vacation seasons, so it’s best to guide prematurely for standard locations.

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