ABTA Avis 

I really appreciate the advice and support ABTA gave me and the eventual resolution to the issue i had with Jet2 who were totally uninterested before the involvement of ABTA. The representative from ABTA that i spoke to during mediation was very knowledgeable and it was nice to finally have someone actually listen. Thank you again.

Straight forward and simple process to register a dispute, swift and efficient action taken.

I have had a really positive experience with the advisor at ABTA who was helping mediate a settlement between myself and TUI over a poor quality hotel and numerous health and safety issues. The advisor was so kind, understanding and helpful, offering realistic and pragmatic advice as to how best approach mediation. We discussed where I’d be happy to settle and what could realistically be the outcome. I felt like I didn’t have to compromise significantly and my requests were being advocated for. I was really happy with the ultimate settlement outcome, and the settlement being offered in cash and not vouchers which I had voiced as a primary concern. Thank you for your help in resolving what has been a very stressful experience!

Amazing!! I really can’t thank ABTA enough. My flight was delayed with easyJet & I had contacted ABTA to help with compensation. Which was resolved swiftly! Thank you

ABTA as the initials identify it is an Association of British Travel Agents. They represent their members, they do not represent the travel companies customers. They have no authority to enforce any complaint made by a customer, all they can do is pass the complaint to the travel company and then pass on the travel companies response to the customer. As the customer has almost always complained to the travel company before contacting ABTA the chance of the travel company changing its response is not a good one. Customers need an independent organisation with powers to enforce compensation if they find the complaint valid. Holiday companies post on their adverts that their holidays are ABTA protected, that is simply not true.
ABTA has asked for more information regarding my review. Case reference 301236

ABTA staff member was very pleasant and managed to get a good outcome. Her guidelines were clear and the process was managed in an efficient and timely manner.

Complained to ABTA about a Thomas Cook Holiday. 3,000 word complaint so it wasn't trivial. Everything about Transfer to Hotel, Hotel, Facilities Food Entertainment next to building site etc etc about 12 separate complaints. ABTA took weeks to come back and say Thomas Cook stand by their decision. I thought they reviewed the info independently clearly not ABTA stands for Always Back Travel Agents. They are a waste of space. If I want to take it further I can go to arbitration for £150. Dated experience at todays date when they finally replied.

The ABTA service of mediation is a complete waste of time it’s not worth even writing to them, it’s purely a lip service, they do absolutely NOTHING! You only way you are able to get some form of redress is by paying to go to Arbitration, the organisation is totally useless.

Brilliant company, stepped in and helped resolve a dispute with a Travel company who were being non compliant.
Great service, couldn’t have achieved this without them!

Travelled with TUI at the beginning of July and had possibly the worst experience of my life. Returned home and complained to ABTA. One minute I am getting replies which looks promising and then all of a sudden, nothing. I am chasing and chasing to get nothing. They protect TUI. TUI have accepted liability by offering compensation in the first place.

I am disgusted in the fact TUI think they can charge extortionate amounts for holidays that are full of cockroaches, dirty rooms, mouldy/stale food and false promises. Then to make matters worse the competition is insulting.

I have asked more than once for ABTA to step in and advise me on arbitration but get no response.

ABTA claim they “protect customers” if you book with one of their members. The truth? They don’t.

I complained to TUI through ABTA. All ABTA did was pass my complaint back to TUI, who refused to change their position. ABTA then told me if I want to take it further, I have to pay extra for arbitration or go to court. How is that customer protection? It isn’t.

ABTA membership is nothing more than a marketing badge that helps companies look trustworthy. When something goes wrong, ABTA are nowhere. They protect their members, not the customer.

Holidaymakers need to know this: if you book with an “ABTA member,” you are not protected. If things go wrong, you’re on your own.

Shameful setup.

I’m writing this whilst actually still on holiday to show how quickly this got resolved. We had an issue with our room on arrival - a room we’d paid to upgrade to. TUI said it was just a difference in expectations. I said they had miss-sold me an upgrade. They closed the case twice, told me to go and enjoy my holiday. Raised it with ABTA. 4 days later I get an email from TUI directors office saying they’ve reviewed my case and will be refunding me the cost of the upgrade (this is what I asked for). Really impressed. Thank you.

Impossible to raise a dispute with one of their members because their web form won't send the automated message or email code you need to proceed. You can't call them and their email query is unmanned and just sends you back around in the loop.

Update:
After posting the review above I had a 'phone call and an email from ABTA (so they must have received my details) saying they'd confirmed my registration manually. So I've now been able to raise my dispute. Shame it takes a 1* review on Trustpilot but at least ABTA did take notice and respond. No doubt I'll be updating here again on the outcome of the dispute.

ABTA helped get TUI to 're-assess' their response to me claiming back money they had overcharged me. This was AFTER TUI said their final decision was I was getting nothing and they wouldn't discuss it anymore!

So dissatisfied with the outcome had a bad experience with Tui they was useless in helping with the matter in hand I will not use again.., very disappointed.

There was only one option to accept

I used ABTA to mediate a dispute that I had with Ingham's. The process was simple enough, using their online system and little extra information was required, over and above what I had already provided to the company. ABTA quickly proposed a pragmatic solution which both parties accepted.

You have almost zero extra protection from ABTA they will defend the company and the company can almost do what they want the so called contracts that are in place once you receive confirmation and they take money mean nothing at all they can cancel when they want and ABTA will just refer you to the courts of you can afford it. Remember any rights are only there if you have money! I honestly would never ever worry about a holiday having ABTA protection just make sure you have insurance in case things go really wrong. (Although they probably won’t pay you out either)

ABTA help settle an holiday compensation issue with TUI very professionally.

Following holiday issues, made a complaint through the tour operator when I returned home. Received a derisory offer of compensation from the tour operator. Refused offer and took my dispute to Abta, excellent service and received much improved offer from the operator. From beginning to end it was resolved within 3 x days from contacting Abta. Highly recommended.

Swift help in resolving our issue with tour operator.