17 September 2008

Hoteliers wrongly charging XL customers in resort

The CAA has issued another warning to customers of failed XL Leisure Group after reports that hoteliers have been wrongly charging them for their accommodation at the end of their holiday.

It is urging holidaymakers in resort not to pay hotels direct but to contact the holiday representatives of Thomson, First Choice, Thomas Cook or Virgin Holidays.

It has also assured hoteliers who are concerned they will not be paid that bills from the time of XLââ¬â¢s collapse will be settled in full by ATOL.

So far, 158 flights have been arranged to carry 37,150 passengers back to the UK from a total of 38 destinations.

ATOL-protected customers of the failed XL Leisure Group tour operators who are still abroad are reminded that their holidays are financially protected from the moment the company went into administration on September 12.

But passengers who booked directly with XL Airways or the XL subsidiary, Medlife, which sold only accommodation, are not covered by ATOL.

Richard Jackson, CAA director of consumer protection, said: ââ¬ÅâœATOL offers complete financial protection covering both flights and accommodation.

ââ¬ÅâœIf you are covered then you should not have to pay for anything that was covered under your original package. The CAA and tour operators are contacting hoteliersto remind them that ATOL will be picking up the bills from the point of XLââ¬â¢s collapse.ââ¬~

By Bev Fearis

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• no payments to hoteliers
  
  

  The reason why many hoteliers are charging XL customers in resort is simple. They know - or believe - that the CAA will be very slow to pay, anticipating up to three YEARS which they are not prepared to wait.

  By alan cornish, Wednesday, September 17, 2008