ATOL Charges

Nemesis201077

Hi,
I've just booked a cheap weeks holiday in Spain, half-board. I did this through sunsave.com after finding a decent price on Icelolly.com.
Along with all the other charges that aren't included in the advertised rate, like transfers, card fees etc is the ATOL fee.
I thought the ATOL fee was £2.50pp and at some point is to be reduced to £1.50pp?
When the agent broke down the cost, she tells me the ATOL fee is £8+, not sure whether this is per person or as a whole.
Are they profiteering from this fee? isn't it supposed to be a fixed amount?

InsideInsurance

Sounds like a random number they are deciding to add on with a made up excuse which they hope people will blindly accept. You'll see many companies "postage" charges do not reflect the actual courier charges at all.

tamiami

Icelolly and those part of the Global Travel consortium advertise below net price - they have to make a margin somewhere.


Like some of the flight companies who sell flights at net cost and add a £50 surcharge at the end.

Alan_Bowen

The ATOL Protection fee is fixed by law at £2.50 per person. For that you get a guarantee that your money is safe and if the business fails whist you are on holiday, they will pay the hotel until you leave and arrange a flight back if necessary. It is illegal to charge a penny more, the £2.50 is paid on a direct debit to the CAA who run the ATOL scheme. If you have any documentation which shows a charge of £8, report it to the CAA, it may be a sign of bigger problems in the business!

tamiami

Sunmasters charge £3 pp on their website.

Nemesis201077

Thanks for the replies.
There's an online login to see my booking details etc, but no breakdown of the charges. I'll email them and ask for a breakdown and see if they put the overcharged ATOL feel in black and white.