When booking a holiday, one of the first things many people look for is a sign of consumer protection. The ABTA logo is often the first thing that comes to mind, and many travellers believe that booking with an ABTA member guarantees financial protection for their holiday. But, at Jamie Wake Travel, we’re proud to be a member of Protected Trust Services (PTS), which provides similar, if not superior, protection for your holiday money and gives you peace of mind throughout your booking experience. In this post, we’ll break down the differences between ABTA, PTS, and also touch on ATOL, to help you understand what each offers in terms of financial protection and why Jamie Wake Travel is a safe choice for your holiday.
What is ABTA?
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) is one of the UK’s most well-known travel industry associations. When you see the ABTA logo on a travel agent’s website or office, it signifies that the company is a member of ABTA and adheres to the association’s strict codes of conduct. Membership means that ABTA members are subject to regulations and consumer protection, particularly in cases of insolvency, offering some level of financial security if a company goes out of business.
While ABTA provides essential safeguards, it is primarily focused on regulating the behaviour of its members and resolving disputes between customers and travel businesses. However, when it comes to financial protection, ABTA membership alone doesn’t guarantee that customers’ funds are protected in case of a company’s insolvency. In many cases, ABTA members are required to take out additional financial protection insurance, but it’s important to remember that the details of this protection can vary from one company to the next.
What is Protected Trust Services (PTS)?
Protected Trust Services (PTS) is a financial protection scheme that offers consumers a high level of security when booking a holiday. As a member of PTS, Jamie Wake Travel holds all customer funds in a trust account until the holiday has been completed. This ensures that your money is fully protected, and in the unlikely event of insolvency, your money is safe and can be refunded or redirected to another holiday provider.
What sets PTS apart from ABTA is that trust accounts are not reliant on insurance but on the clear structure of trust law. Funds are held separately from the company’s assets, meaning your money is not part of the company’s operating funds and cannot be used for anything other than your holiday. This means that PTS provides an extra layer of security, guaranteeing that your funds will be protected throughout the booking process, even if the travel agency were to cease trading.
This form of protection is easy to understand and trust. When you book through a PTS member, you can be certain that your payment is held securely, and if something were to happen to the agency, your booking and your money are protected by law.
What is ATOL?
When booking flights and package holidays, ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) is another crucial part of your travel protection. Administered by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), ATOL ensures that if a travel company goes out of business, customers are either refunded or repatriated safely back to the UK at no extra cost. ATOL covers air holidays and flights that include a flight element, so if you’re booking a package holiday or a flight that includes other services like accommodation or car hire, ATOL protection applies.
For example, if a travel company goes bankrupt after you’ve booked a flight-based holiday, ATOL will ensure that you either get your money back or are flown home safely if you’re abroad. ATOL is vital protection for anyone booking a holiday that involves flying, and all businesses selling ATOL-protected holidays must display the ATOL logo and provide you with an ATOL certificate outlining your protection.
Why Should You Trust Jamie Wake Travel?
At Jamie Wake Travel, we are committed to offering maximum protection and security for all of our customers. While many companies use ABTA membership to highlight their financial safeguards, we take protection a step further with Protected Trust Services. This means your holiday funds are kept safe in trust accounts, offering clear and reliable protection in case of insolvency.
In addition to this, we are intending to be ATOL members, so any holidays that include flights will also be fully covered for your peace of mind. These dual forms of protection, combined with our commitment to customer service, mean that booking with Jamie Wake Travel offers one of the safest ways to plan and enjoy your next holiday.
Final Thoughts
While ABTA has done a great job of raising awareness of its brand and what it represents, it’s important to understand that there are other, equally important, forms of protection that might better suit your needs when booking a holiday. Protected Trust Services (PTS) is an excellent option for anyone looking for the safest possible protection for their money, and Jamie Wake Travel is proud to offer this for all our customers.
When you book with us, you can rest easy knowing that your money and your holiday are fully protected through both PTS and ATOL. Your holiday plans are in safe hands, so you can focus on the fun of planning your dream getaway.
