| 1.What is 'HolidayChoice' ? |
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| 'HolidayChoice' is a complete list of ATOL bonded Tour Operators who hold the allocations on charter flights from the UK. Basically, if you have been on a charter flight over the last year, whether you know it or not, you have been flying on the seats held by one of these companies. 'HolidayChoice' is brought to you by the same people who supply the UK's travel trade with the charter flight publication - CHARTERLINE. |
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| 2.Why use 'HolidayChoice' ? |
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| The internet is full of companies & web-sites claiming to offer the cheapest flights. Unfortunately, all of these web-sites only offer a limited number of Operators or companies who have paid to be there. Either way, they offer a limited choice of the flights and holidays available. 'HolidayChoice' is different. The only way to ensure that you get the cheapest flight is to resource every Operator with an allocation on the charter route you are looking for. 'HolidayChoice' offers you this information. We have been matched on a few occasions but bettered on none. Also, to make things simpler for you we have compiled a list of "'HolidayChoice' Recommended Travel Agents". They are listed by town as we suggest that you support a local ABTA agent. We have also listed agents with local and free call numbers. |
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| 3.Why use a 'HolidayChoice' Recommended Agent ? |
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| By using the Charterline flight directory these ABTA agents have access to a complete list of the companies that do the route you are looking for. We feel that it is very important to research the entire choice of Operators who do the route a customer requests in order to provide price competitiveness and customer service. The Agents listed have the independent right to offer every fully ATOL bonded Tour Operator within Charterline. Some Travel Agents are wholly owned by one specific Tour Operator and, therefore, practice directional selling. This hugely reduces the choice given to you. No such Agent appears on our list. |
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| 4.What is the Charterline Flight Directory ? |
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| Charterline is the UK travel trade's complete list of charter flights. It lists every charter flight and every Operator who has an allocation. By utilising this directory and researching the relevant companies listed the user will have contacted every source for the flight seats to meet a clients requirements. Unlike 'HolidayChoice', Charterline lists the full flight details on every flight. |
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| 5.What is a Travel Agent ? |
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In the UK there are more than 8000 travel agents. Most are members of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), however, over the last few years other smaller organisations have appeared (such as Travel Trust Association).
A Travel Agent is purely a selling agent. They sell flights, holidays, train tickets, insurance etc. on behalf of the Airline, Tour Operator, Train Operator etc. They have no commitment on the products they sell and make their money on a commission paid to them by the principle. Therefore, (in most circumstances) you will pay the same for the holiday through your local Travel Agent as you would by booking direct with the Tour Operator.
'HolidayChoice' would recommend that travellers support their local Travel Agent by booking through them (where applicable). If you have a problem with the holiday a good ABTA agent can be a powerful ally when corresponding with the Tour Operator.
Other information ?
Some of the UK's largest Travel Agents are affiliated or owned by Tour Operators:
Lunn Poly and Thomson Holidays.
Going Places and Airtours.
Thomas Cook and JMC. |
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| 6.What is a Tour Operator ? |
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The Tour Operator is the company that puts the package together. Every 'HolidayChoice' Tour Operator has a commitment on the flights that they sell and allocated rooms in the hotels/apartments. The package is normally put together by the Tour Operator, featured in a brochure and sold at a package price.
Every 'HolidayChoice' Tour Operator has a Air Travel Organisers License (ATOL ) covered by the Civil Aviation Authority. Tour Operators in the 'HolidayChoice' directory range from the largest companies such as Thomson Holidays who fly to most holiday destinations to the smaller specialists who purely concentrate on a specific area. Why not order a brochure, they may hold the key to the holiday of your dreams!!!
Other Information:
Many of the largest Tour Operators in the UK have various different trading names offering alternative types of holidays. Each have their own brochures:
Thomson Holidays use the names Skytours,
Club Freestyle and Just.
Airtours use the names Aspro, Escapades and Tradewinds.
First Choice use the names Sovereign, 2wentys and Sunstart.
JMC Holidays use the name Club 18-30. |
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| 7.What is a Direct Sell Tour Operator ? |
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Quite simply, a Tour Operator who will only sell their holidays and flights direct to the public. You cannot book them through Travel Agents.
Other information:
Some of the UK's largest Tour Operators have direct sell trading names. Each have their own brochures:
Thomson Holidays use the name Portland.
Airtours purchased the company Direct Holidays.
First Choice use the name Eclipse. |
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| 8.What is ATOL, and what does it do for you ? |
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| The letters "ATOL" stand for "Air Travel Orgainser's License". These licenses are granted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Firms selling air travel in the UK are required by law to hold ATOLs. For further information visit the official web-site (http://www.atol.org.uk/atol/atolhome2.htm). |
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| 9.What is Charter ?...What is a Charter Airline ? |
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The major alternative to a scheduled air service for the carraige of passengers or freight. A Tour Operator can contract a charter airline and has exclusive use of the aircraft for the flgihts and dates contracted. The airline is paid an agreed fee by the Tour Operator regardless of how many people fly. Therefore, the Tour Operator carries all of the financial risk.
A series charter means a carrier provides flights between specified points on a regular basis, usually weekly, so that holiday arrangements can be organised back to back.
A part charter is the chartering of only part of the capacity of an aircraft. This can mean that a number of Tour Operators share the capacity of the aircraft. Commonly, it is used to describe the situation where a Tour Operator has chartered part of the capacity of a scheduled airline. This is sometimes known as a block-off charter.
Other information:
Some of the UK's largest charter airlines are affiliated with or owned by major Tour Operators:
Thomson and Britannia.
Airtours and Airtours Int'l.
First Choice and Air 2000.
JMC.
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