Flights with BA - ATOL?

Itsadogslife_2

I am a bit confused by this ATOL protection business I am looking at booking flights to further afield and booking accommodation separately. I was just looking on the BA website and it said that if you book the flight AND the accommodation it would be ATOL protected. Does this mean that if I don't book the accommodation through them then it is not ATOL protected and what does that actually mean? Is this is a problem?

Many thanks.

mcfisco

AFAIK
ATOL protection is only for packages, not separates

Alan_Bowen

ATOL will protect a flight and accommodation or car hire bought at the same time or before close of business the next day. If you just book a flight with BA, your contract is with the airline, and no airline has its own ATOL because the law was written that way. If you add something to the flight, your contract is with BA Holidays who do have an ATOL. In truth if BA go bust we might as well all go home and give up but certainly for Avis car hire, I do find booking it with BA flights gives me a reasonable price saving but it may depend on where you are travelling to.

ATOL is a government scheme which protects your money if the supplier stops trading before you travel, very important if you are booking with a company you have never heard of, perhaps less so with BA

Doshwaster

For some BA flights it can be worth adding one night in a cheap hotel or one day car hire as it sometimes works out cheaper than the flight alone - even if you don't use the hotel or car.