New UK rule changes to help protect the British traveller

British package holiday travellers will receive the same level of protection when booking over the internet as when using a high street travel agent under new EU rule changes.

Changes taking effect from the 1st July 2018 aim to alter the perception of what a package holiday is when sold online. Websites have in the past been able to allow a single payment for various aspects of the holiday but avoid the typical package holiday responsibility by stating each element is a separate contract between the buyer and supplier. So for example, although a internet user has paid for car hire, flights and a hotel in one place, there are three separate contracts. As of July the online travel vendor will now become responsible for fixing any errors issues should they occur.

It’s thought around three million UK travellers a year will now have protection although its worth noting that only package holidays booked after the 1st July 2018 are included. A package will be two or more travel services paid for in one transaction.

Booking everything in one go certainly saves time and many web users probably don’t even realise that the standard 1990s travel regulations don’t currently apply.

Published 20 Apr 2018

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