CONSUMER DIRECT News
Release (081009holidaybooking) issued by COI News Distribution
Service. 9 October 2008
With recent
failures in the travel industry leaving thousands stranded and
many more out of pocket, Consumer Direct is offering advice to
travellers wishing to protect themselves when booking winter
breaks or next year's summer holiday.
Consumer Direct is urging people to do their homework before
booking, as the level of protection available can depend on the
type of holiday being bought, the method of payment being used and
the terms of any travel insurance policy.
Michele Shambrook, Operations Manager for Consumer Direct said:
"Generally speaking, you will have greater protection if you
are booking a package holiday, but if you are opting to book
flights and accommodation separately, ask what is covered and
consider appropriate travel insurance or paying by credit card.'
Consumer Direct has the following advice for those concerned:
* If you are booking a package holiday - which usually means a
holiday that consists of two or more pre-arranged elements (for
example flight and accommodation) - check that the travel operator
has a bonding scheme or some other form of protection such as
those offered by ATOL, ABTA or AITO. These will usually give you
financial protection and arrange to get you home if the operator
or another business involved in providing your holiday ceases
trading. Also you should usually receive a refund if you
haven't already travelled.
* If you book a non-package holiday, for example if you arrange
your flight and accommodation separately, and you book directly
with an airline or hotel you may have less protection so check
terms and conditions.
* Be aware that some websites where you select different elements
of your holiday and make a single payment may not be considered a
'package' holiday and may not provide sufficient
protection. It is important that you check the terms and
conditions of the holiday and look for ATOL, ABTA or AITO
membership or check that there is adequate bonding or travel
insurance in place to ensure you are protected.
* If you book a flight only arrangement, operators are usually
required to have measures in place which can allow you a refund of
your money and bring you home if you are abroad. This will usually
be by way of the ATOL scheme or some form of bond or travel
insurance. However, this protection does not apply to flights that
are bought directly from an airline.
* If the cost or your flight is more than £100, you could
consider paying with a credit card as this offers you some
financial protection. If the airline goes out of business you will
usually get a refund on the cost of your tickets from your credit
card provider. However, you may have to pay for and make your own
arrangements to get home if you have already flown and you would
not be covered for any extra costs such as additional nights in a hotel.
* There is little protection for non-package holidays paid for by
debit card. Much will depend on the terms and conditions of the holiday.
* Consider buying travel insurance and look for a policy that
covers insolvency or includes supply failure cover. There are a
few of these types of policies and they usually promise to provide
an alternative holiday or a replacement journey in the event of a
travel operator going out of business. You may have to book and
pay for another trip and then claim the costs back from the insurer.
Further consumer advice is available by calling Consumer Direct
on 08454 04 05 06 or by visiting the website at http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
EDITOR'S NOTES
* Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice
service funded by government and managed by the Office of Fair
Trading. It operates in partnership with Local Authority Trading
Standards Services to offer consumers clear, practical and
impartial advice and information.
* Consumer Direct has around 400 trained advisors in 12 contact
centres across England, Wales and Scotland.
* The information and advice helpline is available on a single
national telephone number - 08454 04 05 06 from 0800 - 1830 Monday
to Friday, and 0900 - 1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and
public holidays.
* A Welsh-speaking Consumer Direct service is available on 08454
04 05 05. Minicom users should call 08451 28 13 84.
* Calls to the Consumer Direct 0845 numbers are charged at no
more than four pence per minute from a BT landline. Call charges
from other landline providers or mobile phones may vary. Please
check the rate with your phone service provider.
* Northern Ireland has its own service called ConsumerLine
(available on 08456 00 62 62) which is similar to Consumer Direct.
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk