About ATOL
Do I pay extra for ATOL protection?
No. The cost is built into the price of a protected booking. You don't need to buy it separately.
Is a flight booked directly with an airline ATOL protected?
No. ATOL covers trips sold by travel companies. If you book a flight straight from an airline, it isn't ATOL protected, although paying by card may give you other protection.
Are cruises and coach holidays covered?
Only if the trip includes a flight sold as part of the booking. Holidays without flights aren't covered by ATOL, but may be protected another way, so ask the company.
Does ATOL cover cancelled flights or delays?
No. ATOL protects you when a travel company stops trading. Flight delays and cancellations are covered by separate passenger rights rules and the airline's own terms.
ATOL numbers and companies
What does an ATOL number look like?
It has 4 or 5 digits, sometimes with a T at the start, for example 3973 or T7482. Our search accepts it with or without the T.
What is an Accredited Body?
An ATOL holder approved to let other travel agents sell protected trips under its licence. Those agents are members of the Accredited Body.
Bookings from a member are fully protected. The ATOL number shown is the Accredited Body's, and your certificate will name the Accredited Body.
A company quotes an ATOL number but a different company comes up. Is that wrong?
Not always. If the company is a member of an Accredited Body, it will use that body's number. Search the company's own name too: our results show which Accredited Body it sells under. If the company isn't listed as a member, ask why before paying.
The company says it's protected but I can't find it.
Try its registered company name, which often ends in "Ltd", as well as any trading name. If you still can't find it, don't pay until the company explains, and consider reporting it.
What are authorised passengers?
The number of protected bookings the CAA has licensed a company to sell in each period. It gives a sense of the company's size, not its quality.
About this service
Is this the official CAA website?
No. This is an independent free service. For an official answer, use the CAA's own ATOL register.
How up to date are the results?
Company details come from the public data behind the CAA register and are refreshed every few hours. The lists of failed and expired licences are updated when the CAA publishes new ones.
Does a result here mean my booking is protected?
A result shows the company holds, or sells under, a current ATOL. It doesn't confirm a specific booking. Your ATOL Certificate is the proof for your booking.
Didn't find your answer? Contact us.