ATOL scheme reminds travellers to be cautious of Black Friday deals
27.11.2023 - 09:47
/ traveldailynews.com
/ Theodore Koumelis
/ Black Friday
Ahead of Black Friday (24 November), consumers are being urged to be on their guard against deals that seem too good to be true if they plan to book their next holiday this month.
ATOL research shows that 43 per cent of us plan to book an overseas trip this autumn and with Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday growing in popularity in the UK, airlines and travel companies are increasingly advertising deals on getaways.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority, which runs the ATOL scheme, urges consumers to check on the ATOL website and use the ‘check for ATOL’ tool to see if a holiday provider is ATOL licensed before booking a trip.
Other tips to avoid common travel scams include doing some online research to check the company you plan to book with is legitimate.
Consumers can also read feedback from sources they trust and navigate to a company’s official website by searching for them using a trusted search engine, rather than clicking on links in emails, texts or messages.
Michael Budge, Head of ATOL at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: “Over the Black Friday weekend, there can be many attractive deals offered by holiday companies, but consumers need to be wary. It is vital that people research thoroughly before booking, as there can be a risk of getting caught out by hidden costs and extras, or potentially fraudulent companies. We urge consumers to check for ATOL protection, book by credit card where possible and take out travel insurance to offer layers of financial protection for their next package trip.”
To coincide with the launch of a mini Black Friday campaign, ATOL has also published some top travel tips for consumers to follow:
Before booking a holiday it’s important to check there are no hidden costs hiding in the terms and conditions or their bargain price will soon start to rise. Before booking your holiday make sure to check:
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.