Booking a holiday is an exciting time as it gives us something to look forward to, especially when it is cold and grey outside.
Whether you love to soak up the sun, explore a new city and its culture or go off on an incredible adventure, holidays are something many of us will prioritise this year even in a cost of living crisis.
Data from ATOL shows that almost three in five of us (56 per cent) are planning to go overseas this summer, and just over half (51 per cent) are planning to go abroad more than once in 2024.
Package holidays are a great and convenient way to book everything you need all in one place, such as your flights, accommodation and transfers, and they also come with a great level of protection for you, should something get in the way of your trip.
Below are some great tips to consider when it comes to booking your next holiday along with what ATOL financial protection covers and why is important to have it.
What is a package holiday?
Package holidays are popular among Brits who are looking to travel, according to ATOL around four in ten people said they would book a package holiday for their next big holiday.
Package holidays offer many convenience and peace of mind, as they know they can book flights and their accommodation together at one inclusive price.
But they can often include more than just flights and accommodation, they can also include transfers, car hire, excursions and even gig or sports tickets. They also allow holidaymakers to select what level of catering they would like from all-inclusive to self-catering. UK companies that sell package trips where a flight is included are legally required to register with ATOL.
This means passengers will receive assistance if their travel company goes out of business.
Tips for booking your 2024 summer holiday
If you’re looking to book a holiday there are a few things to consider once you have found the perfect destination. Below is a helpful list you can follow to make sure you have the appropriate cover before you head off on your travels.
Do your research and be wary of fraud
- Research your travel company and planned trip before you book, particularly if it is a company you haven’t travelled with before.
- Check the web address is legitimate and has not been altered by slight changes to a domain name – such as going from co.uk to .org.
- Don’t reply to unsolicited emails, texts, social media or calls with holiday offers. Links and attachments in emails may lead to malicious websites or download viruses.
Use a credit card to book your holiday
A credit card can provide additional protection for your trip, under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
Book travel insurance
Travel insurance can give you extra protection if the holiday doesn’t work out as intended. It can protect against a range of issues such as cancellations, missed transport and medical emergencies. You can even claim for lost or stolen items. However, the level of cover will vary so always read the terms and conditions for the full details.
Keep your important documents safe
Make sure you have copies of your travel insurance documents, trip confirmations and passports all to hand when you’re travelling.
Keep your eye open for hidden costs
Check for any hidden costs if you need to amend your booking, such as paying for extra luggage.
Stay up to date with travel requirements
This includes 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.
Consider a package holiday
Package holidays are convenient, easy to book and, if they include a flight, should come with ATOL protection.
What is ATOL protection?
The ATOL protection scheme offers you financial protection when you book a package holiday that includes a flight.
The scheme ensures you won’t be left out of pocket if your holiday company ceases to trade by helping you to get home if you’re already aboard or it allows you to claim a refund if you are yet to travel.
ATOL has been protecting consumers since 1973 and over the last half-century has grown to financially protect more than 29 million passengers a year. This figure is projected to grow to almost 32 million in 2024.
There are now over 1,600 travel businesses licensed under the scheme and last year, ATOL-protected bookings made up almost £31 billion in sales.
How to check if your holiday is ATOL-protected
ATOL has some great tips on its website to make sure your holiday is protected. If you’re looking to book a holiday but are not sure if you are covered, you can search for travel operators on the website.
You can use the company’s name to confirm that they hold an ATOL before you book.
You can also look for the ATOL logo on the travel company’s website or shop window. They must display this along with their unique four or five-digit ATOL number.
Speak directly with the travel company that you are looking to book with. They will be able to confirm whether your booking will be ATOL-protected and whether the protection covers all parts of the booking.
Visit the website to find out more about ATOL protection.
