| In recent years there’s been a surge of new | | | | Aside from Travel Insurance there are still ways to |
| airlines, many of them budget airlines that can let us | | | | cover your flights in case the airline shuts down or |
| travel to our holiday destination for less. This is all well | | | | goes bust. In the case of an airline you’ve booked |
| and good but sometimes our flights may get cancelled | | | | directly with going bust, normally you would not be |
| or we may miss the plane through no fault of our own. | | | | protected financially. It is advised to book your flight |
| It’s annoying and can sometimes take days off our | | | | through an intermediary such as an ATOL (Air Travel |
| holidays, potentially even having to cancel them all | | | | Organisers’ License), ABTA (Association of British |
| together. It’s therefore important that you take | | | | Travel Agents), or AITO (Association of Independent |
| necessary precautions when booking your holiday and | | | | Tour Operators) accredited agent. |
| flights. The first obvious measure to take is Travel | | | | Paying for your holidays and flights on your credit card |
| Insurance, never leave home without it, most people | | | | can offer some level of protection especially for flights |
| don’t know how many different eventualities are | | | | but again there are details you should check. You |
| covered by travel insurance, it isn’t just if you get a | | | | should ensure that the company or airline you are |
| dodgy stomach in Spain or break your leg on the ski | | | | booking through has its name on the transaction, this |
| slopes. | | | | means any losses will be refunded to you, but like |
| Travel Insurance also covers flight related issues, flight | | | | most good ideas this is somewhat of a two sided |
| cancellations are normally covered as well as if you | | | | blade because some cheap flights merchants like |
| have to cancel your holiday for a medical emergency. | | | | EasyJet charge extra to pay by credit card and would |
| If you’re really unlucky and end up on the end of a | | | | rather you pay by charge or debit card, thus removing |
| 12 hour flight delay then you are normally covered | | | | your protection. |
| under what is called Delayed Departure Insurance, as | | | | If you’ve booked your flight as a part of a package |
| obviously if you’re delayed by this period of time or | | | | holiday through a travel agent either over the internet |
| - heaven forbid – longer, then there’s a good | | | | or on the high street then you’re normally covered |
| chance that you’re going to miss out on a day of | | | | under the Package Travel Regulations. This stipulates |
| sun or a night in a warm bed. | | | | that every package deal that includes flights is |
| The delayed departure insurance would help in the | | | | covered by an ATOL (Air travel organisers licence), |
| eventuality that your hotel will still charge you for your | | | | meaning that the flight company has enough money to |
| booking even if you are not even in the country yet! | | | | recompense passengers even if they go under. To be |
| One point I must make is that with some insurers this | | | | on the safe side it is advisable to check if your travel |
| cover does not come as standard and may need you | | | | company is ATOL bonded with the Civil Aviation |
| to enquire about whether they offer this and if it will | | | | Authority. |
| cost extra. | | | | |