Thomson Airways

It was mentioned in the Sunday papers that from November 1st 2010 all flight only bookings with Thomson Airways will no longer be ATOL protected. This does not apply to package deals. Thomson commented that this was in line with other Companies.

[Neil]

I saw this also, and was surprised that flight only bookings were ATOL protected until now. I always assumed, wrongly, that any flight only booking with any company wasn't protected.

I saw this also, and was surprised that flight only bookings were ATOL protected until now. I always assumed, wrongly, that any flight only booking with any company wasn't protected.

Same here, I rightly or wrongly have always put the flights and accomodation on the same credit card when booking independently. I read somewhere that this gave you the best chance of compensation from the credit company not the airline.

If the company you book with holds your money for more than 24 hours without issuing a ticket then the booking has to be ATOL protected and the company has to pay the £2.50 per person fee.

If they take your money and then issue the tickets straight away then you aren't ATOL protected.
Ed