|
| |
DON’T LOSE OUT WHEN TRAVELLING TO EURO
2004
If you’re planning to go to Euro 2004, probably the last thing on your mind when
making your travel arrangements is that the firm you book with might go out of
business and leave you without your trip and out of pocket, or stranded abroad.
Sadly travel firms do sometimes go bust and this has affected a number of
football fans in the past, particularly around the time of major tournaments.
With an array of travel association logos in adverts, brochures and websites, it
can be difficult to know who’d look after you if the travel firm you booked with
went out of business.
ATOL, which is part of the Civil Aviation
Authority, is the government’s
licensing and protection scheme which for over 30 years has provided
financial protection for flights and air holidays sold by tour operators,
including specialist travel firms offering sports packages. From the moment you
book and make payment, ATOL protects your money against the insolvency of
nearly 2,000 travel firms and their authorised agents. If an ATOL holder
stops trading before you travel, we'll refund your money and, if you're on your
trip, we'll look after you and bring you home as planned. No worry, no expense.
You can check you're protected by looking for the ATOL logo or licence
number in adverts, brochures and websites, as well booking receipts and
confirmations. If a travel firm offering air packages hasn't got one, don't
book. You may be putting your money at risk.
So what if you’re thinking of booking independently? If you book each element of
your trip direct with different suppliers - an airline for your flight, and
accommodation and car hire firms etc with separate firms - these won't be
protected by ATOL. If one of these suppliers fails, you could find
yourself having to try and make alternative arrangements at extra cost.
You don’t have to take these risks. There are a number of ATOL firms that
specialise in sports trips that can put together packages to suit all needs. All
elements of an ATOL protected package are covered, and if there’s a problem with
any of the suppliers involved in your trip the tour organiser must sort it out.
So why take a risk?
Here’s a Checklist for You to Make Sure You’re Covered
| Booking direct? Does the travel firm
you’re booking with hold an ATOL? Remember – look for the logo in
adverts, brochures and websites. |
Booking through a travel agent?
Has the agent told you which ATOL
operator you’re booked with?
|
Does the firm’s ATOL number
check out?
www.atol.org.uk or
call 0207 453 6430?
|
Does the firm’s ATOL number
check out?
www.atol.org.uk or
call 0207 453 6430?
|
Have you received your booking
confirmation? |
Has your agent issued a receipt confirming which
ATOL is protecting you? |
For further information, follow these links
Top of Page
page compiled with assistance from Mark Rayner,
London EnglandFans |
