Travel Archives

Has the January blues got you dreaming of Sunnier days? Check out our travel top tips to make your holiday planning a breeze.

Counting down the weeks until your summer holiday? Do not fear, January is nearly over and you will be feeling the sand between your toes in no time.

Whether it’s a family get away, a once in a lifetime cruise or a short city break, make sure you are beach ready with our Travel Top Tips holiday guide.

Write a packing list: It may sound disciplined but writing it down and being able to tick items off will ensure you don’t forget any essentials (or over pack). This will hopefully ensure that you have some room in your suitcase for those ‘Must have’ Souvenirs.

Do your research: Going somewhere new? Then browsing the web to find exciting things to do will help you to make the most of your time away. Using apps such as Pinterest or Instagram will lead you to breath taking new sights and original places to eat and drink.

Get Tech Savvy! What a world we live in, with reservations, boarding passes and tickets accessible via your smart phone – who needs to print? There is no need for folders, binder or paper documents falling out at the check in desk. Saving your documents to your smart phone makes for a smooth transition through the airport. Although, we would recommend printing anything that’s super important such as Visas or Esta (just in case of any technical faults).

Take out that all important travel insurance: It may not be the most exciting part of your holiday planning, but don’t leave it to chance when it comes to your travel insurance. Medical emergency? Flight Cancellation? (we could go on), being uninsured will be sure to wipe out your spending money…and much more.

Have a Blast! Switch off, unwind and enjoy every minute of it, you deserve it.

Safe travels and happy holidays from everyone at Graham Sykes Insurance!

If you’d like to chat to someone about your travel insurance then please call us on 01395 255100, or email info@graham-sykes.co.uk.

Overview

Thomas Cook Group, including the UK tour operator and airline, has ceased trading with immediate effect (announced approximately 2am 23/09/2019). All Thomas Cook bookings, including flights and holidays, have now been cancelled. There are currently more than 150,000 Thomas Cook customers abroad. This is almost twice the number that were repatriated following the failure of Monarch.

• Thomas Cook has ceased trading so all Thomas Cook flights are now cancelled

• Customers in the UK yet to travel must not go to the airport if their flight was due to be fulfilled by Thomas Cook

• UK Civil Aviation Authority to launch biggest ever peacetime repatriation

• Customers currently overseas should check thomascook.caa.co.uk for advice. Only go to the airport once they have an alternative flight confirmed.

• 24-hour helpline: 0300 303 2800 from the UK and Ireland and +44 1753 330 330 from overseas

FAQ’s

Q How do I know whether my flights / holiday have ATOL Protection?

A If you have ATOL Protection your documentation would have included an ATOL Certificate.

Q What is the ATOL protection certificate?

A When selling package holidays travel agents and tour operators must now give you a certificate explaining how your holidays are protected.

Q I am due to fly tomorrow/in the future with Thomas Cook, am I covered?

A The CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) have advised any flight due to be operated by Thomas Cook will no
longer be flying. If you hold ATOL protection as part of your booking, then you will be covered by them for your unused trip.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of Thomas Cook’s package holiday bookings include flights with airlines unrelated to the Thomas Cook Group. If your return flight is not with Thomas Cook’s airline it may still be valid. However other elements of the package, such as accommodation and transfers might be affected

FAQ’s – If Abroad

Q I am abroad at the moment and scheduled to return to the UK with Thomas Cook, what should I do?

A If you are on a package holiday and due to return on or before 6th October 2019 then the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) will arrange your repatriation back to the UK. Further details can be found on the following link –

https://thomascook.caa.co.uk/customers/if-you-are-currently-abroad/

PLEASE NOTE: Some of Thomas Cook’s package holiday bookings include flights with airlines unrelated to the Thomas Cook Group. If your return flight is not with Thomas Cook’s airline it may still be valid. However other elements of the package, such as accommodation and transfers might be affected.

Q Will the customer return home on the same flight?

A For those customers who are ATOL protected historically the CAA has arranged new flights at no extra cost to the customer. Details of new flights should be published at least 48 hours in advance of the original departure time, so they should monitor the CAA website.

Q Will the customer still be able to stay in their accommodation?A Previously when tour operators have gone into liquidation, if the customer has ATOL Protection, the CAA have contacted accommodation providers to make arrangements for the customer to stay in their accommodation, on the same board basis for the duration of their holiday, at no extra cost to the customer.
If you are currently abroad on an ATOL protected package holiday with Thomas Cook or any company part of the Thomas Cook Group, the Civil Aviation Authority will seek to guarantee your stay directly with your hotel. If you are experiencing difficulties with your ATOL-protected hotel, or your hotel is requesting payment from you, please call our call centre on +44 1753 330 330. Please note that it may take the CAA a few days to secure these arrangements.
While arrangements are being made, please do not make a payment to your hotel unless instructed otherwise by the CAA team. If our guarantee is not accepted by the accommodation provider, we may need to relocate you to another hotel for the duration of your stay. In these circumstances, the CAA will inform other suppliers, such as transfers, of the change to your accommodation and flight details