Thomas cook airlines atol warning

JakethePeg99

Hi I just wanted everyone to double check before booking flights direct with Thomas Cook Airline, they have changed their terms and conditions with regards to ATOL Protection. So you may not be ATOL Protected, Thats quite worrying.

The below information is taken from their website.
(Bookings made on or after 22nd November 2015
From this date, the website is operated by Thomas Cook Airlines Limited. When you make a flight booking via this website, your payment will be processed by Thomas Cook Airlines Limited, but your contract will be with either Thomas Cook Airlines Ltd or Thomas Cook Tour Operations Limited.

Flights with Thomas Cook Airlines (Flight code: TCX or MT): - If your booking includes flights operated by Thomas Cook Airlines only, your contract will be with Thomas Cook Airlines Ltd. Your booking will NOT be financially protected by the ATOL scheme.

Flights with other airlines: Flights operated by other airlines may be protected by Thomas Cook Tour Operations Ltd (ATOL number 1179). This will be confirmed as part of the booking process. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then your booking will not be ATOL protected.)

Alan_Bowen

The same goes for their accommodation only sales which are not protected by ABTA even though the company appears to be an ABTA member, even more reason "to look before you book" as ABTA itself says

bagand96

So you may not be ATOL Protected, Thats quite worrying

Why is it worrying? (unless you are particularly concerned with the financial stability of the Thomas Cook group?)

It's pretty much standard these days not to receive ATOL protection when booking a flight only:

Thomson
British Airways
Virgin Atlantic
Ryanair
Monarch
flybe
Jet2
easyJet

I could go on all night, but you get the idea...