If you use a travel refund voucher to book a package, is that package ATOL protected?

Fan_of_MSE

I booked and paid for a coastal cruise, but not the flights to get to it, before we had even heard of Covid-19. It looks like the cruise is going ahead but, under current travel restrictions and with no flights currently operating, I can't travel to the departure point. I don't think that I am entitled to a refund because the cruise is going ahead, but I have been offered a voucher that will enable me to make another booking. If I use that voucher to pay (or partially pay) for another trip that does include the flights, will that trip be ATOL protected? So, if they then can't provide the flight or the UK Government still advises against overseas travel at the time that the new booking is due to depart, would I then be entitled to a refund (or another voucher)?

[Deleted User]

I think (stretching my knowledge) as ATOL stands for Air Travel Operators Licence, and covers package holidays (with flights) and flight-only (based on Thomas Cook). This suggests that your voucher would not be ATOL protected. I would also think that if travel is limited (or restricted) then you should be entitled to a refund? Also based on the CMA reports then as you cannot access the service then you should be entitled to a refund.

Life__Goes__On

Fan_of_MSE said:

I booked and paid for a coastal cruise, but not the flights to get to it, before we had even heard of Covid-19. It looks like the cruise is going ahead but, under current travel restrictions and with no flights currently operating, I can't travel to the departure point. I don't think that I am entitled to a refund because the cruise is going ahead, but I have been offered a voucher that will enable me to make another booking. If I use that voucher to pay (or partially pay) for another trip that does include the flights, will that trip be ATOL protected? So, if they then can't provide the flight or the UK Government still advises against overseas travel at the time that the new booking is due to depart, would I then be entitled to a refund (or another voucher)?

It depends on what form the coastal cruise is going ahead.
If they are cancelling certain elements  then you could be entitled to cancel for a refund.

[Deleted User]

I don't think anybody really knows the answer to this.  Seems to be a grey area.   Can you ask whoever you are rebooking cruise and flights with if it will be ATOL protected? If so you will receive a certificate with the confirmation documents.   I can't actually see why not if the voucher is treated as a credit refund and put towards the full cost of the package deal.  But am no expert.  

Fan_of_MSE

Thanks @GabiB . I know that the voucher itself is not protected; however, if you then used that voucher to pay for a package that would be ATOL protected if you paid with a credit card, would your new booking be ATOL protected? It seems logical that it should, but not sure if there are loopholes.

Thanks

[Deleted User]

I think it should be ATOL protected, the payment method doesn’t change that. Also, you would have Section 75 (if over £100) and chargeback.

Trina90

When Thomas Cook went bust, I had paid for my package holiday using a voucher and did get a full refund. It is irrelevant how you paid.