Travel agents closed down abta won't help

CT_uk · 14 February 2013 at 3:28AM

This is the company we have booked with through our abta travel agent luxurygolfholiday.co.uk/usmasters (I cant give you the full link because i'm new on here)they want the balance in full even though they didn't deal with us direct, they took the booking via our agent. They say they are only atol protected. We have to pay again.

dacouch · 14 February 2013 at 4:00AM

Did you pay any part of the money by credit card?

CT_uk · 14 February 2013 at 4:39AM

No our travel agent was paid in full over a 2 month period in cash July-sept 2012. They in turn paid our air fares in full. We have received those tickets for the flights. They have paid luxury golf holiday £3.6k half of there costs. We thought they had been paid in full until they contacted us in December informing us our agent had closed down and they were looking for the balance from us again. Luxury golf holiday is only a member of atol NOT abta. Our travel agent is/was an abta member. Both atol and abta are refusing to help!!! The golf holiday company say no money no holiday. They will return what they have. The flight company won't refund because they have not gone bust. I have paid just short of 9k. I'm shocked to find now once can help us!

budgetflyer · 14 February 2013 at 8:46AM

If they have ran off with your money without going into administration or liquidation then they have STOLEN IT. Contact the police

securityguy · 14 February 2013 at 9:14AM

CT_uk wrote: »

No our travel agent was paid in full over a 2 month period in cash

What could possibly go wrong? Why on earth did you pay an intermediary, not even the end supplier, in cash?

Alan_Bowen · 14 February 2013 at 12:15PM

Security Guy, they booked through an ABTA travel agent and like the rest of consumers, thought that meant their money was protected and as we can see, ABTA have suddenly turned around and told them it wasn't.

CT_uk · 14 February 2013 at 3:24PM

We have dealt with this local company for 20 years. I thought I knew them well. Obviously not. We paid cash monthly we didn't have funds to pay in one go. It's a fair point they have stolen it. Police aren't going to do anything, I assume thy will just say take legal action. Which is why I'm on here. Legal action is expensive. If that's the route to take I was looking for advice on how to go about getting my money back. To save some solicitors costs.

luci · 14 February 2013 at 11:43PM

Do you have legal expenses included in your house insurance?

greenface · 15 February 2013 at 12:21AM

Would it do any harm to name the travel agent . It may help someone or someone may help . good luck

CT_uk · 15 February 2013 at 2:38AM

Top class travel, Marple, Stockport also known as A1 Travel. I will report to police, I've no issues about that. I thought I was protected by abta and atol both aren't being helpful.