What’s the Difference Between ABTA and ATOL?

Over 60 million people travel from the UK each year for holidays or business reasons. The vast majority enjoy smooth, trouble free journeys. However, things do occasionally go wrong, people do not receive the service they expected, or travel companies unexpectedly run into financial problems. In those situations, travellers need urgent support, and that is where ABTA comes in. However, few people understand what ABTA is or the protection it offers.

What is ABTA?

ABTA stands for the Association of British Travel Agents and is a UK travel association. ABTA provides protection for package holidays, which are defined as a combination of at least two travel services, such as transport and accommodation, purchased together from the same company. ABTA protection covers issues such as the financial failure of the travel company, changes to the holiday due to unforeseen circumstances, and support if something goes wrong during the holiday.

What does ABTA cover?

ABTA protection is specifically designed to cover holidays bought in the UK that do not include flights. So, if you buy a land or sea based package holiday, such as a coach, rail or cruise holiday, from an ABTA member, your money and holiday will be protected by ABTA’s financial protection scheme.

What does ABTA protected mean?

ABTA protection means that if your travel company goes out of business, you may be entitled to a refund, and if you are already abroad your arrangements for getting home will be protected. It provides a clear process to follow, so you can either continue your holiday if possible or recover your money.

How else can ABTA offer protection?

ABTA also has a Code of Conduct which governs areas such as accurate advertising, fair terms of trading, changes to bookings, customer complaints, providing travellers with the right paperwork, and handling complaints properly. An ABTA member cannot cancel your booking after the date for payment of the full price unless it is necessary to do so for reasons outside its control. If this happens, it must offer you the choice of getting all your money back or choosing alternative travel arrangements. If there is a significant change to your travel arrangements, it must offer you the choice of accepting the changed arrangements or getting your money back. All ABTA members have to abide by this code, and those that breach it can face sanctions.

What is the difference between ABTA and ATOL?

ATOL, which stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence, sits alongside ABTA but is specifically designed to cover holidays and travel arrangements that include flights. ABTA generally covers rail, road or sea based package holidays bought in the UK, while ATOL applies where flights are involved.

How do I know if I’m covered by ABTA?

You should always check whether your travel company is ABTA protected. Check your receipt shows the name of the company providing the holiday service, such as the tour operator. Where your holiday services are being provided by more than one company, you should receive a separate receipt for each service. Ensure that the name that appears on the receipt is the name of the company to which the payment is made. You can find World Class Adventures ABTA membership details here.

This information should also be clearly listed on company websites and covered in the certificates or paperwork that are legally provided. Be sure to take your protection certificate with you in case of an emergency while you are away.

How to make a complaint to ABTA

If you have been unable to resolve your issue with your tour operator, or received no reply within 28 days, you can appeal to ABTA. It provides an arbitration scheme and applies its own guidelines. You can register a complaint through ABTA’s online complaints hub. You will need to provide all relevant documentation and copies of correspondence. ABTA will normally reply within seven days and attempt to resolve the dispute.

Do I still need travel insurance if a company is covered by ABTA?

Yes. Even if a company is an ABTA member, you should still take out personal travel insurance to cover things such as medical issues, personal belongings, delays and other circumstances that ABTA protection does not cover. You can read more on my travel insurance page.

What is ATOL?

ATOL stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence and is a UK financial protection scheme for package holidays that include flights. ATOL protection applies if the travel company providing your flight inclusive holiday stops trading. It can cover refunds before travel or repatriation if you are already away. Not all holidays are covered by ATOL, so it is important to check with your travel provider whether your booking is protected.

What does ATOL protected mean?

ATOL is a scheme run by the Civil Aviation Authority. If your booking is ATOL protected, it means you have financial protection if the travel company that arranged the flight inclusive trip stops trading. You should also receive an ATOL certificate when you make your first payment.

What does ATOL cover?

ATOL protection typically applies where you book a package with a single travel firm that includes flights and accommodation, flights and car hire, or flights, accommodation and car hire. It can also apply in some flight only situations, particularly where you do not receive your ticket immediately. It does not generally apply to holidays or flights booked directly with scheduled airlines.

The scheme can also apply where a holiday includes UK domestic flights, or where at least one flight is to or from the UK, such as some fly cruise arrangements.

How do I know if my holiday is ATOL protected?

Look for the ATOL logo on travel company websites, brochures and advertisements. If you are not sure, ask your travel company or travel agent for clarification. Also make sure you receive an ATOL certificate. ATOL also has its own online check facility.

As an independent travel agent, I make sure every aspect of your trip is handled with care, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday. From choosing the right destination to arranging transport and accommodation, I help you book with the right protection in place. If you would like to understand more about how I work, you can also read Why Book With Me.

What is an ATOL certificate?

It is a legal requirement that the business taking payment for ATOL protected travel supplies an ATOL certificate when you make your first payment.

When you book an ATOL protected holiday, you should be given an ATOL certificate as soon as you pay any money towards the holiday, even if it is only a deposit. The certificate is proof that the holiday you have booked is protected by the ATOL scheme. It also includes details of the scheme and information telling you what to do if the travel company stops operating, so it is important to take it with you and keep it safe.

How do I make a claim?

Check your certificate to see the specific circumstances that apply to your booking, then complete a claim form if needed. If you are already away, consult the certificate and check the Civil Aviation Authority’s Latest ATOL Holder Failures page for more details about your circumstances, or call +44 (0) 333 103 6350.

What happens if I book with a company that is not ATOL protected?

If your travel company cannot provide an ATOL certificate where one should apply, ask why. If it cannot give you a clear answer, you may be booking at your own risk. Every holiday booked with World Class Adventures that includes a flight and originates from the UK is fully protected by ATOL, giving you financial protection throughout your trip.

If you want your holiday planned with the right protection in place from the outset, call or WhatsApp me on 0117 452 1159 and I will help you choose the right trip with the right cover.