Goldtrail Go Bust

[mummyofexcitedprincesses]

Is anyone else effected by this? We have booked 2 weeks in August through an independent operator and they then booked our flights through Goldtrail. We have booked alternative flights as our hotel etc. were seperate so we would not have been able to get the money back for them.

We have had to pay for the new flights plus an extra night at the hotel but will get the cost of the original flights back eventually (I hope).

I can't believe they were taking peoples' money just hours before going bust- they must have known!

Hope any MNers abroad are not too badly effected.

mummyof, if the independent operator is ATOL bonded, it is up to them to organise new flights for you and you should get your money back for original flights.

Really? They said we would have to book new flights ourselves and then make our own claim to get the money back for the original flights. Just put a lot of money on the credit card to save our holiday. We also had to pay for an extra night in another hotel as our dates are slightly different.

I think I will have to let the dust settle then make a claim. Any tips/advice/legal jargon welcomed...

As I said, depends if they are ATOL licensed. Check that out.

ATOL stands for Air Tour Operator's License.

They are ATOL and ABTA protected or we would never have booked with them. Still wish we hadn't...

Ok, I'm a travel agent and this is what my company is recommending -

What to do if you are affected:
Tour operator Goldtrail, who specialised in cheap holidays to Turkey and Greece, went bust on Friday leaving thousands of holidaymakers stranded abroad and others with cancelled holiday plans.
It is the second victim this week in the travel industry with well known travel agent Monster travel going bust just a couple of days before.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has assured holidaymakers affected by the collapse of Goldtrail that their holidays will be covered by the ATOL protection fund. Those who haven?t travelled yet may be able to claim a refund from the ATOL emergency scheme but should contact their travel agent in the first instance. There is also a claim form available on the CAA website ? www.caa.co.uk and a helpline for those with forward bookings whose enquiry is urgent: 0844 856 2585
For holidaymakers already abroad:
A helpline has been set up by the CAA for any holidaymakers stranded overseas which is 0044 203 441 0846.

It is estimated that approx 50,000 people had booked to travel with Goldtrail over the coming Summer months. Travel companies are currently helping holidaymakers re-book their Greece and Turkey Holidays.

Thanks, Stormy. Who would have to pay any extra costs? We have had to buy more expensive flights and pay for an additional night at a different hotel. The amount we get back from the original flights will be about £300 less than the new flights + night at hotel.