What is ATOL protection, and why is it important?

The Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) scheme protects you if your holiday provider goes bust before or during your holiday, focussing on helping you get home. In some circumstances you might even be able to carry on with your holiday if it’s ATOL protected.

If your holiday company goes bust before you travel, you should also be able to organise a refund through ATOL.

Here's what you need to know.

What is ATOL protection?

The Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) scheme protects you if your holiday provider goes bust before or during your holiday. ATOL can help you get home, and in some cases, help you continue your holiday if it's ATOL protected.

What does ATOL protection cover?

ATOL protection usually covers: 

• Package holidays that include flights, car hire abroad and accommodation
• Holidays that include flights and accommodation

Some flight-only holidays can have ATOL protection, but not always. And, if your holiday package doesn't include flights, these might not be covered by ATOL. If you're unsure, it might be worth checking with the provider before you commit to booking anything.

Is ATOL protection worth it?

Absolutely. ATOL protection is a safeguard that can offer peace of mind for your holiday plans. While it's rare you'll need it, it's there if your travel provider goes bust.

According to ATOL, it's helped 242,000 stranded holidaymakers return home since 2000. It's also processed 1.7 million claims for future bookings impacted by company failures. That's a lot of stress saved for travellers!

Here's what ATOL can cover:

• Before you travel. If the company goes bust before you travel, you can claim for a refund during the holiday.
• While you're abroad. If the company goes bust while you're already on holiday, the scheme ensures you can return to the UK.

Remember: ATOL doesn't replace travel insurance— it only covers you if your holiday provider goes bust. Travel insurance is there if you need things like medical attention, repatriation cover or help with lost luggage. 

How do I know whether my holiday is ATOL protected? 

Finding out whether your holiday is ATOL protected is easier than you might think!

• Use the 'Check an ATOL' tool. Before you book, use the ‘Check an ATOL’ tool on the UK Civil Aviation Authority Website. Here you'll see which firms provide ATOL protection for flights or holidays. Be wary of companies that falsely claim they’re ATOL protected—use this tool to make sure they’re covered!
• Look for the ATOL logo. Check your holiday provider’s website or brochure for the ATOL protection logo. It should contain the ATOL logo, sometimes combined with the provider’s unique number.
• If in doubt? Ask. If you're still uncertain, ask your holiday provider directly. Or, ask your travel agent for the holiday company's details to check if they're an ATOL holder. Like we've said, most package holiday companies offer ATOL protection. But, if you're booking different parts of your trip through various providers, be mindful that not all of them could be covered.

An ATOL certificate is your official 'proof' your holiday is protected. In other words, it's a vital document that'll ensure, if your holiday provider does go bust, you're covered.

That said, your ATOL certificate should:

• Include a unique reference number
• Explain what you're entitled to under protection
• Provide instructions on what to do if your holiday company fails before or during your trip

As we've mentioned, you should receive your ATOL certificate as soon as you book your holiday. If you haven't, or if you can't find it, contact your provider right away to ask for a copy.

How do I make an ATOL claim?

If you need to make an ATOL claim, or if you’re stranded, you should find who you need to contact on the ATOL certificate. So, it’s worth checking before you travel!

The UK Civil Aviation Authority website is a great resource you can use, offering:

• A list of ATOL failures or companies that have gone bust. 
• Up-to-date information on each travel provider’s situation, and who to contact to make a claim. 

Usually, ATOL claims can be submitted easily online. But, if you're unsure, just reach out to your provider for clarification.

What's the difference between ATOL and ABTA?

The main difference is that they protect different types of travel.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) covers holidays where you travel by:

• Rail
• Road
• Sea

On the other hand, ATOL protection mainly covers package holidays that include flights.

Do I need travel insurance if my holiday is ATOL or ABTA protected?

Yes, it's worth thinking about!

ATOL and ABTA only provide cover if your holiday company goes bust. But, there's plenty of other things that can go wrong on holiday, for example:

• Lost baggage
• Stolen items during your holiday
• Needing medical treatment
• Having to cancel your holiday
• Flight delays and missed connections

Travel insurance policies are designed to help in these situations. When you compare travel insurance policies, check the Defaqto star ratings to find out how comprehensive the cover is.

Can I buy ATOL protection as an add on?

No, you can't. But, that's just because it's not your responsibility to—it's your travel company's. When you book through an ATOL partner, you should get an official ATOL certificate.

If you're buying travel insurance, you can consider adding Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI) to your policy. It helps cover new flights or getting home if your airline goes bust. You could also look into End Supplier Failure Insurance. It's like SAFI but covers more—like hotels and transfers if a supplier cancels.

Head's up: Some insurers include these protections in their policies, but not always. Double-check your policy to be sure!

What happens if I book with a company that doesn’t have an ATOL certificate?

Every UK holiday company needs to provide an ATOL certificate.

So, if you aren't given one, you should question this. Keep in mind, you'll be booking at your own risk if you're not ATOL protected. Without it, you might need to make your own travel arrangements if the company you booked with goes out of business. And, that could be costly!