Saga Holidays has entered into a trust accounting arrangement with the Civil Aviation Authority.
Payments under the arrangement for all flight-based holidays requiring an Atol will be held in a CAA approved trust account controlled and administered by an independent trustee.
“The operation of the trust provides Saga customers with additional reassurance when booking their trip as money held in the trust account is generally only transferred to Saga once the customer has returned from their holiday,” the over-50s operator said.
The trust will run alongside Saga’s existing financial protection arrangements for flight-based holidays which remain Atol protected.
The change will apply to all Saga flight inclusive holidays.
Holidays without a flight, such as coach travel, are not covered by the trust and continue to be financially protected by Saga’s Abta bond.
Saga Holidays managing director Chris Simmonds said: “With continued restrictions on international travel, we know how important it is to our customers when booking a holiday that their money is safe.
“That’s why holding payments for our flight-based holidays in an independent trust gives our customers that extra peace of mind.
“We recently launched our 2021 range of holidays, including our brand-new Stay & Discover range of tours, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests on their next adventure once travel restrictions are lifted.”
Also new for 2021 holidays is the Saga Reassurance Promise, which includes travel insurance with coronavirus cover and extra cancellation rights, no amendment fees and a £99 deposit.
The company has also reintroduced a price promise for all holidays in the 2021 brochure.