Travellers warned to do homework when booking last minute holidays

Travellers are being warned by the UK regulator to check their holiday is part of the ATOL scheme. The CAA, responsible for the ATOL financial protection scheme, is urging people to do their research when booking holidays however last-minute their plans are.

The ATOL scheme offers financial protection for British holidaymakers when they book a package trip that includes a flight. The scheme steps in to protect passengers if their tour operator ceases to trade, assisting them to get home if they are already aboard or allowing them to make a claim if they are yet to travel.

Michael Budge, head of ATOL at CAA says, '... it's worth taking a few simple steps to safeguard your hard-earned money. By booking ATOL protected packages, holidaymakers can enjoy holidays with peace of mind, knowing their money is safe and they will be protected should anything happen to their travel firm'.

Regulator tips when booking last-minute holidays

• Consider booking a package trip, rather than organising flights and accommodation separately, to offer extra consumer protection and convenience. Consumers can easily check if their flight package trip is ATOL protected by using the Check for ATOL tool on our website. For more tips and advice on travel-related fraud click HERE

• Do your research on your travel company before you book, particularly if it is a company you haven’t travelled with before and shop around with other providers to check it really is a good deal.

• If possible, use a credit card for holiday bookings - it may provide additional protection for your trip, under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

• Book travel insurance which can provide extra protection if the holiday doesn’t work out quite as intended. It can protect against a range of mishaps relating from cancellations, missed transport and medical emergencies through to items lost or stolen when travelling. The type of cover will vary so always carefully check the insurance terms and conditions for full details of cover.

• Keep essential documents safe: save and organise booking confirmations, receipts, copies of passports and insurance documents for easy access during your trip.

• Look out for hidden costs and charges, for example if you want to amend the booking before you travel or if you need to pay for extra baggage.

• Stay updated on the latest travel requirements, including passport validity, visas, and entry restrictions using the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website. Make sure you have the necessary documents and meet the health and safety requirements of your destination.

• The Department for Transport also has an Aviation Passenger Charter, which is a guide to the rights and responsibilities of air passengers.

• For more information on flight disruption in particular, go to the Flights and Your Rights page on this site

ATOL is marking its 50th anniversary with the first licences issued to travel companies in the summer of 1973. Over the last half century, ATOL has also grown to financially protect more than 26 million passengers in the past year and there are now over 1,600 travel businesses licensed under the scheme.