ABTA has released a statement in regard to the rights of customers with Super Break bookings in light of the company ceasing trading yesterday.
The Malvern Group, which incorporates Super Break, as well as Late Rooms, went into administration after Cox & Kings, the 49% shareholder, defaulted on debt payments.
According to reports, the group said Super Break hotel-only holidays would be cancelled and customers on holiday might have to pay again. In response, ABTA has released guidance which agents can pass on to customers with Super Break bookings. For customers currently on holiday on ABTA-protected, flight-based packages, agents can reassure them that they should be able to continue their trip as planned but should contact the CAA if they have any difficulties. Customers on ABTA-protected non-flight packages can contact ABTA if their travel arrangements are affected.
For customers with forward bookings, agents can direct them to www.abta.com/superbreak for specific guidance. This includes information on how to progress a claim via ABTA, ATOL, credit card providers or other financial protection schemes.
ABTA understands that Super Break had approximately 20,000 bookings, involving around 53,000 people, with the majority of these customers yet to travel. The ABTA statement reiterates that "in most cases, they should be able to obtain a refund, either through ABTA or another financial protection scheme." According to the company, approximately 400 Super Break customers, covering 167 bookings, are currently on holiday.
"ABTA's immediate aim is to help customers to navigate through the process of either continuing with their holiday arrangements if they are away or, for those yet to travel, recovering their money or rebooking their travel arrangements," according to the statement.
