Consumer Protection

Protected Travel Services was set up to improve consumer protection. Too many people are travelling on expensive holidays with inadequate protection. The Package Travel Regulations are meant to protect the consumer but they cover less than half of UK holidaymakers. Travel regulations were designed for a time when people booked an all-in package holiday but not for today when you can surf the net & buy all the different elements of a holiday from different providers.

We provide consumer protection in simple ways:

• Our affiliate Travel Company sells you your holiday (or part of a holiday)
• All money they collect from you is paid into an independently controlled client account
• They provide you with a link to our PTS system which allows you to confirm we have your money in our client account. It also provides many other benefits including an on line itinerary for your holiday.
• We arrange payment for your holiday direct to the suppliers. These payments are checked and authorised by the independent trustees.
• You are protected against the insolvency of your travel company or any of their suppliers from making your first deposit until after you have travelled.

The Client Account

Solicitors and accountants have always had to hold their customers’ money in client accounts, so why should not travel companies do the same. The principle is very simple; it is your money so your travel company should hold it separately and not use it to run their business.

All Travel Company members of Protected Travel Services are contractually bound to pay any money they receive from customers into the client account. The Protected Travel Services card payments can only be paid into the client account.