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Teletext Holidays stops taking new bookings
Guest Author:
Emma LunnThe beleaguered holiday company, alongside sister company AlphaRooms, no longer holds an ATOL licence or Travel Trust Association (TTA) membership.
Teletext Holidays has stopped taking holiday bookings two weeks after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched court action against the company over inadequate progress on refunds to package holiday customers.
The Travel Trust Association (TTA), part of The Travel Network Group, will look after and fulfil the firms’ ATOL-protected bookings through TTA Travel.
On 18 October the CMA filed proceedings requesting a court order that outstanding refunds be immediately repaid by Teletext Holidays and that, going forward, customers who are entitled to a refund are repaid within 14 days.
The regulator had been investigating Truly Holdings Ltd, the company that operates Teletext Holidays and its sister company Alpharooms.com, after customers complained of not receiving refunds for trips that couldn’t go ahead due to the pandemic.
Last summer, YourMoney reported how customers of the holiday firm had refund requests ignored and debit card chargebacks requests disputed.
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A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Tweet on Friday said: “Truly Travel Ltd (trading as Teletext Holidays) no longer holds an ATOL licence. Consumers impacted by this news should seek support from the Travel Trust Association.”
However, a statement on the TTA’s website said: “Truly Travel Limited, trading as Teletext Holidays is no longer a member of Travel Trust Association, as of 29th October 2021.
“Your Truly Travel booking has been re-contracted with TTA Travel and your holiday will go ahead as planned. The financial protection remains in place with TTA Travel ATOL T7173. The balance, when applicable, will be collected as advised at the time of confirming your booking.”
A statement on Teletext Holidays’ website said: “Truly Travel Ltd, trading as Teletext Holidays have had their Travel Trust Association membership closed on 29th October 2021 and are no longer taking new bookings.
“All existing Truly Travel bookings have been re-contracted with TTA Travel, ATOL Licence T7173 and existing customers’ holidays will be fulfilled as planned. For any questions, please see the TTA Travel website, available here https://www.ttatravel.co.uk/”
A statement on AlphaRooms’ website said:” Alpha Holidays, trading as Alpharooms.com have had their Travel Trust Association membership closed on 29th October 2021.
“This means that sadly, your existing booking with Alpha Holidays will not be fulfilled. In order to process a refund on your accommodation, please submit the claims form available by clicking here. https://alphaholidays.traveltrust.co.uk/”