WE are fast approaching the holiday season and with this being the case many of you will be spending you're hard earned cash on family holidays, both within the UK and further afield.
Unfortunately tens of thousands of families will find their dream holidays turn into nightmares, some will experience delays with flights, and others will arrive at their holiday destination to find that what was described as a luxury hotel with a sea view is in fact a rundown hotel with a view of a building site.
Worst still, some will find their holidays cancelled last minute by the tour operator who will refuse compensation. If this happens to you, it is vitally important that you know what your rights are.
Ask your travel agent if you are ATOL or ABTA protected
There are two main protection schemes; ATOL (which covers air travel and holidays booked as a package that include air travel) and ABTA. If you buy a package holiday, you should always check what protection the tour operator offers and ensure that you get a receipt confirming that you are protected.
Consider buying a packaged holiday
When you buy a packaged holiday, which is a holiday package that includes the travel and accommodation or travel and car hire, it comes with significant legal and financial protection. This is therefore worth a significant amount and makes packaged holiday an attractive and safe option.
Use your credit card
If you buy your holiday with a credit card, the card issuer is jointly liable for breaches of contract or 'misrepresentations' by the holiday company – this is particularly useful if the company goes out of business.
Take out travel insurance
Travel insurance is a holiday essential that should provide you with financial protection if unexpected events occur while you're away. A good policy will cover you for cancelling or cutting your holiday short in an emergency, will pay out if a personal belonging is lost or stolen, and will cover your medical expenses should you becoming injured or sick while you are away on holiday.
Be careful when booking online
Basing your choices on where to stay by looking at images or hotel descriptions online is a trap that many fall into.
For more information visit www.youandyourrights.co.uk or join him on twitter @deandunham.