thetravelbookings.co.uk - To good to be true, or legit?

ItchieFeet2022

I'm searching for cheap flights to go to a wedding in the USA in November.  While using Kayak, an advert for thetravelbookings.co.uk came up with some crazy prices.  I'm wondering if these are legitimate or too good to be true?!  They don't have an ATOL or ABTA number on their website, but are a member of Protected Trust Services...who apparently provide the ATOL, which just seems odd.  Am I being too cynical and suspicious?!
If anyone has used this company, please can you share your experience - good/bad, use again or never?
Thank you!

eDicky

ItchieFeet2022 said:

Am I being too cynical and suspicious?!

No, you're not. Use Kayak etc only for indication of available flights, then book directly with the airline to avoid or mitigate various future problems.

comeandgo

Book directly with the airlines. This gives you lots more control if things go wrong and there are cancellations.

Westin

"Am I being too cynical and suspicious?!" - No.

All credit for the OP for starting to research and check BEFORE booking.  So many seem to fail to do this before handing over wads of cash to people they find on the internet.

This was a new travel company on me.

Companies House show the business as being set up later September so they are fairly new.

A search of their address shows what appears to be a residential house in Hounslow. 

"I'm searching for cheap flights to go to a wedding in the USA in November."  - for such a special occasion not sure that I would take the risk, but your choice.  Just ask yourself perhaps, how can a new small scale business like this offer a lower price than a well established travel firm or the airline themselves?

I think you would be better booking direct with the airline of choice or using a good and reputable UK based travel business.  Avoid the shonky ticket sellers on the internet.

Sandtree

comeandgo said:

Book directly with the airlines. This gives you lots more control if things go wrong and there are cancellations.

Or with reputable agencies who may be much easier to get through to in the event of your chosen airline cancelling a large number of flights with short notice. 

Alan_Bowen

I endorse Westin's concerns. Only an IATA accredited agent can issue tickets so they will be buying them from someone else, it is a house but I suspect, reading the words on their webpage, you will actually be dealing with an agent in India and the address in Hounslow is just an accommodation address of a cousin or other relative. According to Companies House, it has a value of £10.....