What is ATOL Protection?
At Blue Bay Travel, we believe in providing travellers with unforgettable holidays backed by our world-class experience and a commitment to ensuring your trip runs as smoothly as possible. When you spend your hard-earned money on your dream holiday, you want to be sure your money is protected. That’s where ATOL comes in. All UK travel companies are required to hold an ATOL to ensure customers are protected. But what is ATOL protection? What does it cover? And why do you need it?
What is ATOL protection?
ATOL stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence. The purpose of ATOL protection is to keep your money safe in the unlikely event of a holiday company collapsing. If the company you’ve paid is unable to make the required payments for your holiday package, your money will still be safe. If you’re still in the UK, you’ll receive a full refund, and if you’re in the middle of your trip, ATOL will do everything it can to ensure you can finish your holiday as planned and return home without any interruptions. ATOL is run by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, a government body that ensures the aviation industry meets high standards of safety, consumer choice and protection, and fair treatment. When you book with Blue Bay Travel, you’ll receive an ATOL Certificate as soon as you make your first deposit. This document will tell you who is providing the ATOL protection for each part of your trip, as well as a unique reference number you’ll need in the event you need to make a claim. Consider printing out a copy of your ATOL certificate, to ensure you have it ready to hand during your trip.
Do I need ATOL protection?
ATOL protection is a legal requirement for any travel organiser selling to customers in the UK. It’s a necessity any time you’re booking a package holiday that includes an airline ticket. It ensures your money ends up either with the airline and hotel included in the package deal, or back in your hands. In 2024, travellers lost over £11 million to holiday fraud, with over 6000 reports made to Action Fraud. On average, victims lost just over £1,800. To ensure your pounds are protected, the best thing to do when booking your holiday is to double-check that the company you’re booking with offers ATOL protection. Every Blue Bay Travel holiday that includes flights comes with ATOL protection as we only book with certified ATOL-protected suppliers. We believe in finding you the best price, but never at the cost of your financial security. We recommend that when you receive your ATOL certificate, you check that every aspect of your booking (flights, transfers, accommodation etc.) is covered. You can search the ATOL Database to ensure the company listed as the ATOL holder is maintaining its ATOL protection.
What does ATOL Protection cover?
ATOL protection covers the money you’ve paid to a travel company for any holiday package that includes a flight. Holiday packages that do not include flights are not covered by the ATOL scheme. If you need to make an ATOL claim, you’ll receive the assistance you need to stay in your accommodation if possible, as well as reimbursements for money you need to spend to replace parts of your trip such as accommodation or transfers that are ATOL protected. If any protected part of your trip that should have been paid for asks you to pay again, you can claim that too. They’ll also help you arrange flights home if necessary. ATOL protection means you can make payments with confidence, knowing that if anything happens to the company handling your money, you’ll still either get the holiday you paid for, or your money back. It also protects you if you have an outstanding refund from a cancellation made prior to the company ceasing to trade as an ATOL holder.
ATOL makes the process of claiming as simple as possible, usually offering a few different options, depending on whether you want to try and continue your holiday or receive a refund. If you’ve made your payments by credit card, you can often reclaim your money by simply filing a claim with your bank using supporting documentation from ATOL. Otherwise, you can use the ATOL website to make a claim using your ATOL certificate, booking confirmation, passport, ticket details and bank statements. Once submitted, your claim should be reviewed within 28 working days. After a company ceases trading as an ATOL holder, there’s usually a 12-month window during which customers can make a claim.
ATOL protection vs travel insurance: What’s the difference?
ATOL protection should not be confused with travel insurance. ATOL insures you specifically against financial loss due to a travel organiser you booked with encountering financial difficulties and ceasing to trade. It does not cover other reasons for delays or cancellations. When you book your holiday, you should also take out your own separate travel insurance to cover things like lost luggage, medical emergencies and last-minute cancellations due to weather or sickness. ATOL protection does not cover cancelled, delayed or missed flights, general disputes with travel companies or accommodations-only bookings. For additional protection, Blue Bay Travel is also a proud ABTA member. ABTA’s code of conduct holds travel agents to a high standard, ensuring transparency and fairness for consumers while offering reassurance and assistance if any queries or issues arise.
Conclusion
At Blue Bay Travel, we take our responsibilities to you seriously. Whether you’re booking a once-in-a-lifetime trip or your yearly getaway, know that your money is safe with us. We certainly don’t plan on going anywhere, but you deserve the peace of mind knowing your money is protected either way. From over-water villas in the Maldives to sun-soaked balconies in the Caribbean, our holidays offer rejuvenation and relaxation, from the moment you book to the flight back home. Browse our ATOL-protected and ABTA-informed package deals or give one of our expert agents a call and book your next holiday with Blue Bay Travel.
