Refund credit notes extended through April
ATOL extended the validity period for issuing refund credit notes by one month, to 30 April.
Following the continued disruption including lockdown restrictions and suspension of travel corridors, the Air Travel Trust (ATT) has made the decision to provide a short-term extension to issuing ATOL protected refund credit notes (RCNs), up to 30 April 2021.
The current expiry date for ATOL protection of RCNs is still 30 September 2021.
This means that consumers whose package holiday bookings are cancelled continue to be able to safely accept a refund credit note where it is suitable for them.
Consumers are entitled to a cash refund for a cancelled package holiday should they not wish to accept a refund credit note.
The same conditions as previously advised to travel companies will apply to refund credit notes and must be issued for a cancelled ATOL protected booking.
The booking must have been cancelled by the tour operator due to the pandemic and the refund credit note must be able to be exchanged for cash at a later date.
All valid refund credit notes currently benefit from ATOL protection until 30 September 2021, at which point Government backing for their ATOL protection is set to end.
Travel businesses are reminded that they must notify the Air Travel Trust of any refund credit notes issued by completing the appropriate forms.
Paul Smith, Consumer Director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: "Consumers are entitled to a full refund for cancelled package holidays. However, extending the deadline for issuing ATOL protected refund credit notes allows travel companies to offer this option, meaning that consumers will not be at financial risk if they choose to accept a refund credit note."
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season