Following the collapse of travel company Thomas Cook, customers up and down the country have been left out of pocket having paid for pricey trips abroad.
If you're one of the affected customers, chances are you'll have several questions about what this means for you, and how best to go ahead with the refund process.
If you booked a package holiday through Thomas Cook, you'll be ATOL-protected, meaning you should be entitled to a full refund for your holiday.
Here's everything you need to know about ATOL, claiming a refund and how long it will take.
What does ATOL protected mean?
ATOL (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing Scheme) is a government-run scheme that was first introduced in 1973 to provide financial protection to travellers booking package holidays.
UK travel companies must be ATOL holders in order to create and sell package holidays.
How do I know if I'm ATOL protected?
UK travel companies are required by law to issue ATOL certificates to travellers as soon as they book an ATOL protected package holiday. These certificates confirm details of protection.
Will ATOL cover my Thomas Cook holiday?
If you bought a package holiday through Thomas Cook you will be ATOL protected. While you won't be able to go on the holiday you booked, you will be entitled to a refund.
Will ATOL refund my entire Thomas Cook holiday?
Yes. If you paid for your entire package holiday through Thomas Cook you should be entitled to a full refund.
How do I apply for an ATOL refund?
Right now ATOL's main priority is to make sure all stranded customers are able to return home, but the company claims it is working to get a full refund process in place by September 30. On this date you should be able to raise a refund request.
How long will it take for ATOL to refund me for my Thomas Cook holiday?
According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), it could take up to 67 days for Thomas Cook customers to receive a full refund. This is due to the scale of the collapse, and the amount of people affected. It is also dependent on when the website to claim for a refund launches.
If you've been affected by the Thomas Cook collapse, visit thomascook.caa.co.uk for more information.
