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Thomas Cook have been a travel company of choice since they were first created in 1841 and the company has been a long and trusted one that has covered many destinations since it’s creation.
In recent years the company have been struggling, a month ago it looked as though Thomas Cook was going to be saved and bought out, but that deal no longer looks certain, and news in recent days reports that the company is now close to going into administration. Understandably this has worried a lot of holidaymakers who have not only booked for next year, but who are also due to travel in the next few years and even some who are currently on holiday.
So what will happen if Thomas Cook goes into administration and I’m already on holiday?
The first thing is don’t panic. If you are already on holiday and the worst happens your holiday will continue as normal. You will not be liable for any hotel costs and your flight home will be organised by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as part of the ATOL agreement. Just follow advice and wait to hear what flight you will be on.
Thomas Cook do also provide third party flights for other operators, so if you’re on holiday and the worst happens it is your tour operators responsibility to get you an alternative flight home you will not be left stranded.
If you are on a Thomas Cook flight that is not ATOL protected you will fall under Operation Matterhorn – a special airlift operation – that mirrors the Thomas Cook schedule and you will be offered a flight as soon as possible, returning you to your local home airport.
I’ve booked with Thomas Cook for a holiday that hasn’t yet happened? What will happen if Thomas Cook goes into administration?
Unfortunately if this happens your holiday will be cancelled and you will be unable to fly. The good news is that if you paid by credit card you will be able to get your money back (full refund for flights only and/or a package holiday).
If you paid via a debit card, don’t worry. The chargeback scheme allows you to get a refund on flights only and you can apply to ATOL for a refund for any package holiday booked. The only note of caution is that if a company goes into administration they are not obliged to return funds.
Sadly anyone who booked by cash will not be due a refund, but if you have a receipt you can trying to claim on you holiday insurance but it will be down to their terms and conditions as to whether it will be honoured.
If you booked a package holiday with a different tour operator whonare using Thomas Cook flights then it is the tour operators responsibility to get you an alternative flight to your destination.
The future of Thomas Cook
We wait to see what happens and hope that Thomas Cook survives this blip, as it would be sad to lose such an iconic and popular holiday company. We hope that those who have booked are able to continue their holidays, and look forward to upcoming ones without any more concern. If you need further advice please contact Thomas Cook or your tour operator.
