What does ATOL protected mean? A traveller’s guide

When planning your next holiday, one term you might come across is ATOL protection. But what does ATOL protected mean, and why is it important for travellers like you? This guide aims to answer these questions and help you understand the ins and outs of ATOL protection, so you can travel with peace of mind.

ATOL stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence. It’s a financial protection scheme managed by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that covers most air package holidays sold by travel businesses in the UK. If a travel company with an ATOL goes out of business, the scheme makes sure you won’t be left stranded abroad or lose money on your booking.

Imagine booking the holiday of your dreams, only to find out that your travel company has gone bust. Without ATOL protection, you could face the hassle and expense of finding different travel arrangements or even risk losing your money entirely. With ATOL protection, you'll get support:

Before you travel - If the travel company collapses before you leave, you’ll get a full refund

While you’re abroad - If the company fails while you’re on holiday, ATOL will cover your costs to bring you back home

ATOL protection covers air package holidays and some flight-only bookings. Here’s a closer look at what’s included:

ATOL covers holidays where you book a combination of flights and accommodation (and sometimes car hire) from the same provider

Some flight-only deals are also covered, especially if you get a ticket immediately after payment.

However, ATOL doesn’t cover holidays booked directly with an airline or accommodation-only bookings. Always check the fine print and make sure your travel agency or tour operator mentions ATOL protection.

Travelling smart means knowing all the safety nets available to you. ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and ATOL are both designed to protect travellers, but in different ways:

ABTA covers rail, cruise, and self-drive holidays. It also offers protection for accommodation-only bookings

ATOL protection - ATOL, as mentioned, covers air package holidays and some flight-only arrangements. Put simply, ABTA protects non-flight-based holidays, while ATOL covers flight-based packages.

To make sure your holiday is ATOL protected:

 

1. Look for the ATOL Logo - The ATOL logo should be displayed on the travel company’s website and brochures

 

2. Ask for the ATOL certificate - When you book, you should get an ATOL Certificate. This document details your protection and who to contact if things go wrong

 

3. Check the ATOL number - Check your travel company’s ATOL number on the CAA’s official website

ATOL protection isn't the same as travel insurance and it isn't included in regular travel insurance policies. Even if your holiday is ATOL protected, you should still get travel insurance. ATOL protection helps if your travel company goes into scheduled airline failure (goes bust), but travel insurance can cover you for that, and more. This includes protection for things like medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and more. So, having both gives you complete peace of mind, making sure you're covered for more unexpected events.