Mike, we thought about this problem.
In Germany we get an chattel paper. Sorry, I am not sure about the translation. I had a look on the dictionary and I did not found an other translation.
Please help me, if it is not correct.
We get this paper with each booking about a tour operator. This paper is very important as to come home if such circumstances happen.
It means we do not have to pay for extra costs.
When we book the flights private we can effect an insurance it works on the same way. This insurance is not expensive. When I remember it costs a couple
of Euros.
At present we have a special credit card from the biggest automobile club in Germany (ADAC) and this card insured us from the moment of the booking
until the arrival at home. During the last days we got a letter and the conditions will be changed from the beginning of the next year. Until now the amount
of the journey is indifferent but from the next year they will raise the value.
We will see what will happens.
Kerstin
Hello Kerstin,
Your "Chattel Paper" sounds like our ATOL (Air Travel Organisers' Licence) protection. This adds £1 to a tour operator booking. Previously this was "invisible" but from next year tour operators seem to be listing it separately on invoices. This is part of a tour operator trend to charge and list separately things like this, in flight meals, extra luggage allowance, etc. Extra legroom seats went the same way a few years ago.
My guess is that the UK government will be forced to extend this scheme to airlines after the major problems caused by the demise of XL. Currently the best protection for flight only bookings seems to be to pay by credit card, as the postion re. travel insurance seems unclear and mired in the small print.
Mike
ps. George has a lot a friends on this forum and we all look forward to hearing soon that he is back safely, Heathrow (see Peter & Dawn's posting) notwithstanding.
