Thomas Cook Goes Bust – Your Rights

23 Sep Thomas Cook Goes Bust – Your Rights

150,000 have been left in limbo abroad as a massive repatriation effort commences

Thomas Cook was tasked last week with finding £200 million to satisfy its lenders in regards to underwritten funds. On the morning of Monday 23^rd September, Thomas Cook went into administration after failing to secure a rescue package with its creditors and the banks.

Now, 150,000 passengers are left stranded, with the UK government having to organise the largest peacetime repatriation in history.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has released a statement saying all of the UK passengers affected will be brought home as close to possible to their booked return date.

Can I claim compensation for Thomas Cook flights?

If passengers booked their Thomas Cook holiday as a package, it will be protected by ATOL. ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) is a UK financial protection scheme and it protects most air package holidays sold by UK travel businesses. If a travel business with an ATOL ceases trading, the ATOL scheme protects consumers who had booked holidays with the firm.

You will, however, need to contact the company you booked your package holiday with and also the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority).

If, however, passengers have booked their flight and hotel separately, they are less likely to protected by ATOL.

However, there are still ways to claim compensation, through Section 75 cover. Section 75 relates to credit card payments over £100. When you pay for something which costs between £100 and £30,000 on credit, the provider is equally liable if something goes wrong.

This means there is a legal protection put in place, so individuals do not have to pay off debt for a good or service that was never received.

If passengers paid for their flight and hotel using a credit card, and it cost over £100, they will be protected by Section 75, and may be eligible for compensation.

How can Smooth Law help?

Smooth Law have a team of Flight Compensation specialists with a wealth of knowledge in the Flight Compensation industry, making claiming easy and hassle-free. You simply provide us with the information required and we will do the rest.

Smooth Law also have experience in consumer claims. We have vast experience assisting clients make claims under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

If you have been affected by the cancellations and delays caused by the Thomas Cook collapse, complete our enquiry form for free today to find out if you have compensation, or call 0800 161 5709.