Package holidays have strong legal protections. Describe your situation and get instant plain English guidance on your rights to a refund or compensation.
Under UK261 regulations, you are entitled to compensation of £220–£520 if your flight arrives more than 3 hours late due to reasons within the airline's control. ATOL protection covers flight-inclusive package holidays — if your operator fails, you are entitled to a full refund or repatriation.
Package holidays give you the right to cancel for a full refund if significant changes are made with less than 14 days' notice.
Key areas covered: package holiday rights, ATOL protection, flight delay compensation, UK261, tour operator, cancellation. Verified against CAA and GOV.UK.
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UK workers and residents have significant legal protections covering employment, housing, benefits, consumer rights and more. These rights are enshrined in legislation including the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Equality Act 2010, the Housing Act 1988, and the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
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What you need to know
Package holidays booked in the UK are protected by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. A package is a combination of at least two different travel services (such as flights and accommodation) booked together from a single trader. This gives you much stronger rights than booking components separately.
If your tour operator cancels your package holiday, you are entitled to a full refund within 14 days — not a credit note. You may also be entitled to compensation, unless the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances such as a pandemic, war, or natural disaster. A credit note is not acceptable as a substitute for a cash refund.
If your tour operator makes a significant change to your holiday — such as changing the departure airport, downgrading your hotel, or substantially altering the time of departure — you have the right to accept the change, accept a substitute holiday of equivalent or higher quality, or cancel and receive a full refund within 14 days.
ATOL (Air Travel Organiser's Licence) protection covers flight-inclusive packages sold by licensed UK tour operators. If your operator fails financially, ATOL ensures you do not lose your money or are stranded abroad. ATOL-protected bookings display an ATOL certificate — always check for this when booking. Claims are handled by the Civil Aviation Authority.
If you become ill as a result of the holiday — such as food poisoning at an all-inclusive resort — your tour operator may be liable under the Package Travel Regulations. You should seek medical attention and get a medical report. Compensation can cover the holiday cost, medical expenses, and general damages for pain and suffering. Always report the illness to the hotel and tour rep.
Raise any problems with the tour rep or hotel management while you are on holiday and document everything. On return, send a formal written complaint to the tour operator within a reasonable time. If unresolved, escalate to ABTA (for ABTA members) or seek independent arbitration. As a last resort, the small claims court can be used for claims up to £10,000.
This guidance is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current figures and legislation on GOV.UK or seek professional advice for your specific situation.
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