When you book through The Voyage Agency, we will always be clear whether you are purchasing accommodation only, or whether your booking forms part of a Package or Linked Travel Arrangement (LTA) under the Package Travel rules.
This page explains the difference, what it means for you, and when additional protections and information requirements apply: Legislation.gov.uk.
1. Booking Accommodation Only
Most bookings made through our booking engine are accommodation-only (hotel / resort stay). In this scenario, your purchase is generally not sold as a package.
You still benefit from your normal consumer rights and our booking Terms & Conditions, including clear pricing, cancellation rules, and support before and during travel. Your payments are still held in an independent trust account. The Voyage Agency, part of L’Essentialiste Ltd, is a proud member of Protected Trust Services (PTS), membership number 6429.
2. When Package Travel rules may apply
Package Travel rules can apply where more than one travel service is purchased for the purpose of the same trip (for example: accommodation + transfer, or accommodation + an excursion), and where the services are sold or facilitated in a way that meets the legal definition of a Package (or, in some cases, a Linked Travel Arrangement).
Examples that may trigger additional obligations:
- You book accommodation and, during the same booking process, you also purchase a transfer or excursion.
- You book accommodation and, within 24 hours, you add another travel service through a linked offer or a connected sales process.
- You book accommodation and your booking details are transmitted in a way that enables an additional travel service booking with another provider as part of a linked arrangement.
Examples that may trigger additional obligations:
3. Package Travel and LTA in more details:
All the package holidays we sell, including those that we might organise for you, come with protection for your money. If you buy a single travel service then this might not apply. If we sell you a Tour Operators Package we may also sell you a separate travel service from anther supplier. As a Package is not a travel service in itself, the Tour Operator will be responsible entirely for the Package as the Organiser. Any other sale would not create a new package or make us an Organiser according the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations. Package holidays are protected by the package organiser and we will provide you with their confirmation. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.
When we sell face to face:
If, after selecting and paying for one travel service, you book additional travel services for your trip or holiday via our company, you will not benefit from rights applying to packages under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. Therefore, we will not be responsible for the proper performance of the individual travel services. In case of problems please contact the relevant service provider.
When booking online:
If, after selecting and paying for one travel service, you book additional travel services for your trip or holiday via our company, you will not benefit from rights applying to packages under the Package Travel and LinkedTravel Arrangements Regulations 2018. Therefore, our company will not be responsible for the proper performance of the individual travel services. In case of problems please contact the relevant service provider.
When additional travel services are not part of the booking anymore:
However, if you book any additional travel services A) during the same visit to or contact with our company, B) during the same visit to our company’s booking website, or C) via links we provide not later than 24 hours after receiving the confirmation of the booking from our company, the travel services will become part of a linked travel arrangement. In that case we have, as required by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, protection in place to refund your payments to us for services not performed because of our insolvency. Please note that this does not provide a refund in the event of the insolvency of the relevant service provider.
4. Information for EU Residents”
If you are a resident of the European Union, your booking with The Voyage Agency is protected in accordance with Directive (EU) 2015/2302 on package travel and linked travel arrangements. Although we are a UK-based agency, our financial protection and operational standards are designed to comply with the harmonized consumer rights applicable across the EU.
Recap: Your Rights under Directive (EU) 2015/2302
The protection you receive as an EU citizen is equivalent to the UK Package Travel Regulations (Directive (EU) 2015/2302 of the European Parliament and of the Council). The primary differences are detailed below:
- Insolvency Protection: Just as in the UK, your payments are fully protected against our insolvency. We use a Trust Account model (via PTS), which ensures that your funds are held securely and can only be used to pay for your travel services or refunded if the service cannot be provided.
- Liability: For all “Packages”, we (or the designated Organiser) remain fully responsible for the proper performance of all travel services included in your booking, regardless of the individual service provider.
- Standard Information: Before you book, you will be provided with a statutory Standard Information Form (as required by the Directive) which clearly outlines whether you are purchasing a “Package” or a “Linked Travel Arrangement.”
- 24-Hour Rule: The definition of a “Linked Travel Arrangement” (LTA) is identical: if you book additional services for the same trip within 24 hours of your first booking, you receive insolvency protection for those payments.
5. What this means for you
If your purchase is sold as a Package (or an LTA where applicable), you may receive:
- additional pre-contract information,
- enhanced protections (including insolvency protection in relevant cases),
- clearer responsibility allocation for the delivery of the combined services.
Where required, we will provide the relevant information and ask for your acknowledgement/approval before completion of purchase.
Your Payments are 100% Protected
We understand that security is your top priority. As a member of Protected Trust Services (PTS) (Membership #6429), we provide the highest level of financial protection in the UK travel industry. Here is exactly how your money is handled:
- The Independent Trust Account: When you pay for your booking, your money does not go to our business bank account. Instead, it is held in a secure, independent Trust Account managed by professional trustees. We cannot touch this money for our own operational costs.
- Paying Your Suppliers: Your funds are only released from the trust account for two reasons: to pay the travel providers (like hotels or airlines) to secure your booking, or to pay us our commission after you have safely returned from your trip.
- The Insurance Bridge (SFI): If we need to pay a supplier before your trip begins (common for non-refundable or “Book Now” rates), the payment is covered by Supplier Failure Insurance (SFI). This ensures that if that supplier or our agency were to fail, your money is still protected and can be recovered.
- Regulatory Compliance: This structure ensures we are fully compliant with the UK Package Travel Regulations 2018 and Linked Travel Arrangements (LTA) rules. Whether you book a single hotel or a full package, your money is ring-fenced and secure.
- Verified Protection: You can verify our membership and the status of your funds at any time by visiting the Protected Trust Services website
or calling them directly with our membership number: 6429.