On solid grounds for airline compo

THE collapse of Monarch Airlines has left thousands of customers wondering if they have lost their money.

I’ve been flooded with questions from worried readers who had booked a flight or a package deal through the doomed airline.

One due to go on holiday in November who booked through Monarch asked if all was lost.

In such circumstances, they will almost certainly have Atol protection, which means they will receive a full refund.

Another reader booked a Monarch package holiday through a travel agent and wanted to know if they will get their deposit back?

Again, Atol protection will mean they will get a full refund. The Civil Aviation Authority advises contacting the agent first to seek a refund. It’s likely they will offer you an alternative package holiday. It is your choice whether you accept this. It can’t be forced on you.

If you decline they should direct you to make a claim to Atol.

Flight

But a reader who booked a flight for October with Monarch probably will not get their money back – because it is unlikely buying the flight WITHOUT accommodation was Atol protected. Unlikely but it might be, so worth a check.

To those without Atol protection they may be able to make a section 75 claim against your credit card company or chargeback claim against your debit card provider, if you used either of these methods of payment.

So how do you know if you were Atol protected?

When you book a package holiday – a deal with travel and accommodation – you will nearly always be Atol protected.

If you are protected you should have received an Atol certificate after you confirmed your booking and made payment.

One reader was in the middle of a claim with Monarch, no Atol protection, and wondered if he would still be compensated.

I am the chief adjudicator at AviationADR provider, which dealt with Monarch. We’ve been told by Monarch administrators it is highly unlikely such passengers will receive compo payments.