The Government has updated its guidance on the Package Travel Regulations (PTR) ahead of changes coming into force on 6 April 2027.
The updates outline three key amendments.
The first change will see Linked Travel Arrangement (LTA) Type A bookings reclassified as packages.
This applies where an agent facilitates the separate selection and payment of bookings for the same trip through a single point of sale, either online or offline, during one visit or contact by the traveller.
In practical terms, this means that if a customer books a flight and hotel through an agent during the same visit, the arrangements could be classed as a package holiday even if the customer pays for each booking separately. They would then be subject to the same rules as all package holidays, rather than the separate requirements previously applied to LTA Type A arrangements.
The second change will remove LTA Type B bookings from the regulations.
This means that if a customer books a flight and is then specifically encouraged by the seller to book a hotel separately through another supplier within 24 hours, the arrangement would no longer fall under the LTA Type B rules and this specific category of LTA will no longer be covered by the regulations.
Thirdly, the existing PTR right-to-redress rule will be replaced with two separate provisions covering refunds and redress between travel businesses.
The new refund rules say a package organiser or retailer will be entitled to a refund within 14 days if a third party fails to provide a service it agreed to deliver.
The new redress rule will allow an organiser or retailer that has had to compensate a traveller to seek redress from a third party if that party contributed to the circumstances that led to the compensation.
The changes begin on 6 April 2027 and do not have any effect in relation to any package travel contract or any linked travel arrangement entered into before the commencement date.
The Government has advised businesses to take care when applying the updated guidance when it begins in April, and to consider keeping records showing when relevant arrangements were made.
ABTA Director of Legal Services Simon Bunce said: “Now that the Department for Business and Trade has released its guidance on the revised Package Travel Regulations, we will be going through the guidance carefully and in detail before making further comment.
“We will work closely with members so that they understand what they will need to do ahead of the updated regulations coming into force in April 2027.
“At ABTA’s Travel Regulations Conference event next month, members will also have the opportunity to hear from and question Craig Belsham, Assistant Director within the DBT who leads its Partnerships and International Consumer Policy Team.”
