Quick answer: Before booking a summer holiday, check three things: whether the package is ATOL protected, whether your passport meets the 6-month validity rule for your destination, and the current FCDO travel advice level for that country. Skipping any of these is the most common reason people lose money or get stuck abroad.
Summer is when the most holidays get booked and also when the most booking mistakes happen, because people rush to secure dates before checking the details that actually protect them. Here’s what to check before you hand over a deposit when booking a summer holiday.
1. Is the booking ATOL protected?
If you’re booking a flight and accommodation together as a package through a UK travel company, look for the ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) logo. It means that if the company goes bust before or during your trip, you’re entitled to a refund or to be brought home. Booking flights and hotels separately through different sites often means you lose this protection entirely worth knowing before you split a booking to save a few pounds.
2. Passport validity the 6 month rule
Since Brexit, most non EU destinations popular with UK travelers (and the Schengen Area itself) require your passport to have at least 6 months’ validity remaining from your date of entry, and to be less than 10 years old on the day you travel. Airlines can and do deny boarding over this it’s not a formality. Check your expiry date before you book, not the week before you fly.
3. Check the FCDO travel advice for your destination
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) publishes country-by-country travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. If the advice changes to “advise against all travel” after you’ve booked, most travel insurance becomes invalid for that trip so it’s worth checking the current status before booking, not just before flying.
4. Read the cancellation and refund terms
Summer bookings are often made months in advance, which means more time for circumstances to change. Check whether your deposit is refundable, whether you can amend dates, and what happens if the operator cancels the trip themselves terms vary hugely between operators and are worth five minutes of reading before you commit.
5. Get travel insurance before booking a summer holiday, not after
Buying travel insurance the same day you book (rather than closer to departure) covers you for cancellation from that point onward illness, jury duty, or a family emergency that forces you to cancel before you fly. Waiting until near your departure date to buy cover leaves that entire window unprotected.
Read the terms on group or family bookings
Some package terms allow one person in a group to cancel without affecting everyone else’s booking or price; others recalculate the whole group’s cost if numbers drop, sometimes significantly. This matters more than people expect for larger family or friend bookings, where one person’s circumstances changing shouldn’t necessarily derail everyone else’s trip or budget.
What happens if the operator cancels on their end
ATOL protection covers you if the company goes bust, but operators can also cancel specific trips for other reasons — low demand, operational changes, or external events. Check what you’re entitled to in this scenario specifically (a full refund, an alternative date, or just a credit note) rather than assuming “cancelled by them” automatically means “full refund.”
6. Understand what “travel disruption cover” actually means
Some policies distinguish between “cancellation” cover and “disruption” cover the first pays out if you cancel before travelling, the second covers delays, missed connections, or being stuck abroad longer than planned. Read which your policy actually includes rather than assuming “travel insurance” is a single standard product; coverage varies significantly between providers.
7. Check baggage and cancellation policies on the airline itself
Separate from your holiday insurance, airlines have their own change and cancellation terms, which vary hugely between budget and full service carriers. A budget fare that looks cheaper upfront can end up more expensive overall if your summer plans are even slightly likely to shift, once you factor in change fees.
8. Consider how you’re paying
Paying by credit card for any part of a package over £100 gives you additional protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, separate from ATOL — meaning the card provider can be jointly liable if something goes wrong with the booking. This is worth factoring in when deciding how to split payment between deposit and balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ATOL protection actually cover?
ATOL protection covers you if the travel company you booked a flight inclusive package through goes out of business, ensuring you either get a refund or are flown home if you’re already abroad.
Do I need 6 months on my passport for every country?
Not every country, but most popular destinations including the Schengen Area require it. Rules vary by country, so it’s worth checking the specific entry requirements for your destination before booking.
What happens if FCDO advice changes after I book?
If the FCDO advises against travel to your destination after booking, your travel insurer may allow you to cancel and claim, but policies vary check your specific insurer’s terms around FCDO advice changes.
Related Guides
- How to Check FCDO Travel Advice Before You Travel
- Passport Rules and Warnings Before You Book Travel
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