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About Us
Who is Ola Holidays Limited?
We are an independent travel agency that has been well established for more than 5 years. Our aim is to provide you with impartial advice and the end result to provide you with the holiday of your choice, within your budget and to meet your requirements. Our goal is to offer the most competitive prices in the travel market, with our professional staff having a wide range of knowledge to assist you with your questions, we believe we are a one stop travel agency where you can organise your holiday plans from start to finish.
Are my personal details safe?
Ola Holidays follow the guidelines as set out in the Data Protection Act 1998 and can guarantee all personal details are stored securely. Ola Holidays will never release personal information to third parties.
Is it safe to book online?
It is completely safe to use our online booking service. All your personal and payment details are encrypted and transmitted to our secure servers. You can also verify this protection when inputting your details please ensure that the Lock Symbol is enabled.
Is my booking governed by the Package Travel Regulations?
No, we are an Agent only. When making a reservation with Ola Holidays Limited. You accept that your contract lies with the various travel providers (Principals) used to make up your reservation and you are therefore bound by their booking conditions. None of the bookings we make for our customers that comprise of more than one element are classed as Package Holidays as defined by the Package Travel Regulations 1992 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1995, Amended 2003. Ola Holidays DOES NOT Act as a Tour Operator or Principal.
Can I trust you and is my money safe?
Ola Holidays clients have the protection of the Association of British Travel Agents or more well known as ABTA. Our charter flights are under the wing of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Air Travel Licensing (ATOL), with this we have a licensing number that is shown with each flight. Our ABTA Number is K8069 and our ATOL number is 9813 which offer clients protection that pay in the United Kingdom. Should it be necessary, in the unlikely event of our collapse, these protection bodies will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and in addition will refund any money that you have paid in advance for your holiday. Please be aware that ATOL protection and the CAA do NOT cover any of the "No Frills Airlines".
Accommodation
How are the Hotel Ratings awarded?
Hotel ratings are awarded for facilities and amenities of the accommodation, each travel provider usually allocates their own rating based on their experience and consumer feedback but, please be aware that this may differ to the official rating. Official ratings are awarded by the local Tourist Board and differ from country to country. All hotels have guidelines of health and safety standards which should be strictly adhered to.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
These times vary according to the individual hotel and/or country. As a general rule check in is usually after midday on the day of your arrival and check out is before 10.00 on the day of departure. If you have booked a board basis with meal options, these facilities will end at check out time even if your return flight is not until some hours after check out. Some hotels have courtesy rooms/luggage storage facilities and we advise you to check if this is possible at the time of your booking.
Can I get early check-in or late check-out?
Yes this may be possible but is wholly at the discretion of the hotel and is often charged extra. We can, if you wish, book you additional nights at the hotel to guarantee that you check in as soon as you arrive or to enable you to keep your room until your departure time. We usually recommend this for flights through the night or at unsociable hours. Some hotels have courtesy rooms/luggage storage facilities and we advise you to check if this is possible at the time of your booking.
What is provided under the All Inclusive offer?
There are different types of all inclusive options and it is important to check your hotel carefully and your hotel voucher so there is no confusion as to which type of all inclusive you have booked. For example, all inclusive light holidays normally offer alcoholic drinks only at the same time as your meals, whereas full all inclusive normally offer alcoholic drinks during set times throughout the day and evening. You should carefully check the meal and beverage times as this varies from hotel to hotel. Meals are normally buffet style; most hotels have a la carte restaurants which can sometimes be included in the all inclusive package one time per stay, or several times per stay. Water sports, gym and spa facilities are often included with the all inclusive package, but sometimes these are charged extra and it depends on your hotel. We are more than happy to provide you with all these details before your departure and to check what your travel provider includes with all inclusive.
What if I have made a Special Request?
Special requests are generally not guaranteed and will not be on your booking confirmation. Pool or sea views, low level rooms or parties being close to each other will be provided wherever possible. Special requests such as disabled rooms should be made at the time of booking and may incur an additional charge. If you particularly want a specific request to be guaranteed it is often possible to pay a supplement.
Can the hotel make local charges for services?
Yes, sometimes this happens and is usually for services such as a safety deposit box, mini bar, air conditioning, hair dryer, electrical equipment such as TV's and use of the spa and/or gym. Sometimes a hotel or accommodation facility may ask for a refundable security deposit against breakages or damages and this is returned on your departure. It is also possible that a hotel may ask for your credit card details to be left which will be used as payment for any additional charges, such as room service, if you require these during your stay.
Can the hotel withdraw or close advertised facilities?
Yes, this is entirely at the discretion of the hotelier.
What do I do if I have a problem with my hotel?
The first step to take if you have a problem at your accommodation is to report it to the Hotel Manager and reception. They will endeavour to try and correct the problem you have but if they are unable to help then you should go to the travel provider's local office, which is detailed on your accommodation voucher. Should a problem be on-going, we, as your agent can help you, and we will contact your travel provider in the UK, our emergency number is listed in the contact details paragraph.
What do I do if I have an accident or become ill whilst abroad? If you or a member of your party is involved in an accident or becomes ill during your stay, it is vital you inform the Reception who will, by law, put a report in the accident book. It is necessary that you complete an accident report to the local representative of your travel provider. It is also necessary for you to inform us using the emergency number listed in the Contact Details paragraph. As well as your personal insurance, if travelling to an EU country we advise you to apply for your free EHIC card (which replaced the E111 form), this will allow you to be reimbursed for emergency treatment.
Do I have a representative whilst abroad?
No, as we are agents you will not receive any representatives from us, but you will be provided with an emergency number so you can contact us if you require assistance, this is detailed in our Contact Details paragraph. In addition telephone numbers are on your documentation for the local office of the travel provider who can arrange for a representative to meet with you. Please note these emergency numbers are only available during normal office hours.
Booking Conditions
How can I view the Terms and Conditions that govern my booking?
The Terms & Conditions of your booking are displayed by each travel provider's website, or at Terms.aspx. If you prefer, you can receive these by post or by fax but this service will incur an additional charge of £10.00.
Car Hire / Car Parking / Insurance
Car Hire
Ola Holidays can arrange your car hire and if this is the case you must make sure that you have a valid car hire voucher before you collect your car. You will also need a full driving licence both parts are needed with photo ID and a credit card. The credit card is swiped and used as security deposit and for payment if you require any extras additional to those booked. Debit cards are not accepted.
Car hire companies usually promote cars by group type and not model type and your booking will be a car within that group rather than model but they are usually of the same size and similar type. It is possible to collect the car from the airport or another collection point, but these will depend on several factors like arrival time and depends on the supplier used. Local charges may be incurred like petrol, insurance excesses, additional drivers etc. If you require a child seat please ensure you request this at the time of booking as it may not be possible to have one when you arrive. At the time of collection, please ensure you are made aware of whether the car should be returned with or without a full tank.
Our liability is limited to the terms and amount paid at the time of booking.
Car Parking
If you have booked car parking, please ensure you show your car parking voucher as you might be asked to pay again on your departure. You should receive this voucher with all your other documentation and it is your responsibility to check you have this before your departure. Your car parking arrangements can be either at the airport or off airport premises; this will depend on your requests at the time of booking.
Holiday Insurance
You are required to have sufficient insurance cover to protect against things such as cancellation, medical emergencies, flight delays, loss or theft of belongings. It is your responsibility to check your insurance policy cover and to make sure you have adequate cover for your requirements. You must advise the insurance company of any pre-existing medical conditions as in the event of making a claim, you may not be covered if you haven't advised this. It is possible, depending upon the condition, that you may have to pay a supplement or you may be able to exclude such conditions from the policy. You can make your own travel insurance booking but you must advise us of your insurance policy number so we can note this on your travel documentation. Ola Holidays are not responsible for any insurance cover not provided by us.
Check in Times, Baggage and Hand Luggage
What is the check-in procedure?
We advise 3 ½ hours minimum check in for long haul flights, 2 ½ hours for short haul flights, 1 ½ hours for low cost airline flights and for TOD please allow 2 ½ hours.
What is my luggage allowance?
Your luggage allowance is determined by your travel provider and the type of ticket purchased. Allowances vary so check your documentation carefully in order to have the correct allowance. It is sometimes possible to pre-book extra allowance and is usually less expensive than paying the excess baggage fee at the check in desk.
Are there any restrictions on my hand luggage?
Your hand luggage allowance is determined by your travel provider and the type of ticket purchased. The size of your hand luggage is important so please check the travel provider's terms to verify this. Toiletries and liquids over 100ml are not allowed in hand luggage. Please carry any small toiletries or liquids in a small transparent re-sealable plastic bag and show them to the Security Staff at the x-ray scanner.
Complaints Procedure
What is the complaints procedure?
Any complaint you wish to make must be received by our office within 28 days from your return date. It must be made in writing and when writing a complaint you must make sure full details are given as well as photographic and/or documentary evidence. We are not obliged to act on a verbal complaint. For further details please see the Contact Details paragraph
Customer Documentation
How and when will I receive my paperwork?
You will receive confirmation within 72 hours to the email address that was given when the booking was made, all subsequent paperwork following the booking will go to this address. Sometimes mail goes to the spam box so keep checking this just in case. Once the balance has been paid in full you will receive an e-ticket to the email address given. Paper tickets will be sent by post and scheduled tickets will be sent by recorded delivery. You should not receive your tickets later than 7 days before your departure but if you don't receive anything in this time delay, please contact our Administration Department. If tickets are not being despatched by email, a charge of £10.00 will be added for postage of tickets.
Do I have to check my paperwork? What if there is a mistake on it?
It is the lead passenger's responsibility to check your paperwork upon receipt and all necessary documentation is received. Should there be an error or omission it is your responsibility to inform Ola Holidays immediately as we do not accept any responsibility, inconvenience or costs if you try to travel with incorrect documents. Ola Holidays reserves the right to withdraw details based on errors or omissions.
What documentation do I need to bring with me?
You must bring your ticket and/or voucher. Ola Holidays will not accept any liability for subsequent inconvenience or costs incurred as a result of travelling with incorrect or incomplete documentation, it is your responsibility to make sure your documentation is correct before travel.
What is a Ticket on Departure (TOD)?
A Ticket on Departure (TOD) is usually for last minute bookings and a supplementary charge is made for this at the time of the booking. You will collect your tickets from the airport on the day of departure after checks have been made to verify payment.
What does +1 mean on my flight tickets?
Generally a +1 on your tickets show that you depart one day but do not arrive at your destination until the following day. If travelling across time zones, especially on long haul flights it is possible that your arrival date can be up to 2 days each way of departure date.
Flights
What if my flight is delayed?
In accordance with EU Legislation 2005 if your flight is delayed you will be assisted and cared for at the departure airport by an airline representative. To verify this Legislation you can view the Air Passenger Rights at http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/transport.
Please be aware that if you have booked your accommodation with Ola Holidays please advise us of any flight delays so we can contact the accommodation to advise them and so that they do not rebook your room.
What if my flight is cancelled?
It is rare that flights are completely cancelled, but should this happen due to bad weather or aircraft problems it is beyond the travel provider's control. In accordance with EU Legislation 2005 if your flight is cancelled you will be assisted and cared for at the departure airport by an airline representative. To verify this Legislation you can view the Air Passenger Rights at http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/transport.
Should a cancellation occur please advise Ola Holidays so we can contact the accommodation to advise them if you still intend to travel. If you decide not to travel you may be able to claim via your Travel Insurance Policy, depending on the type of cover.
What if I miss my flight?
You must inform Ola Holidays as soon as possible if you miss your outbound flight as some travel providers will cancel your return as you will be classed as a "no show". It is our responsibility to inform your travel provider of your alternative travel arrangements in order to protect your return journey at the end of your holiday. If you miss your flight home, it is imperative that you contact us via the emergency number so we can make alternative arrangements on your behalf. Ola Holidays are not responsible for bearing the cost in either of these situations.
Can I pre-book my seats/extra leg room/excess luggage?
Yes this is possible but it depends on your airline. We suggest you contact us and we will find out on your behalf and check prices so we can inform you.
What if I have a specific dietary requirement?
Special meal requirements may be possible and we will inform the airline who will do their best to meet your requirements. Please advise us at the time of your booking if you require diabetic, vegetarian, vegan, halal or if you have any specific allergies like a nut or fish allergy.
What if I am pregnant?
Up to 28 weeks pregnant you are permitted to travel, but if you wish to travel between 28 - 32 weeks, permission must be obtained from the airline and you must provide a doctor's note stating that you are fit to travel before the date of travel. After 32 weeks you are not permitted to travel.
What if I have infants travelling with me?
Infants are not allowed to fly under 2 weeks of age, but must be less than 2 years of age by the return date of travel. Infants will be issued with a ticket but will not be allocated a seat, or have any luggage allowance.
What if I am disabled?
Please advise us at the time of your booking of any special requirements necessary for a disabled traveller. We can make the necessary arrangements for assistance at the airport, particularly for wheelchair users boarding the aircraft. If you require an adapted room with grab rails, low WCs etc. it is vital that you inform us at the time of booking. Some hotels are not accessible by people who have restricted mobility or wheelchairs so again, please make us aware of this.
Do I have to reconfirm my flights?
No, this is not necessary as your travel provider will inform us of any changes to your flights. However because last minute changes can arise during your holiday some travel providers do request that you confirm your inbound flights. This will be stated clearly on your documentation.
Late Payment Charges
We will follow up any outstanding balance by letter, informing you to make your payment immediately. If we still do not receive payment we will add £20.00 to your balance and a second letter will be sent advising you of this. A third letter will be issued with a further £40 added to your balance and you will be notified that unless payment is received immediately your booking will be cancelled. This means you will incur full loss of any previous money paid.
Making a Booking
How can I book?
We have made our booking system extremely easy, you can make a booking through our website on www.olaholidays.com or alternatively you can call one of our experienced Travel advisers on 0800 091 0303 (Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday 08:00 to 23:00)
How can I pay?
All major cards are accepted (card charges apply) or you can arrange a BACS transfer (details of our bank account are available on request). We accept cheques for balance payments (but not for deposit payments). If paying by cheque please ensure that the surname of the person who booked the holiday, the departure date and your booking reference are written on the reverse of the cheque. We do not accept post dated cheques.
Can I pay a deposit?
Unfortunately this is not always possible as it depends on several factors like how far in advance of your holiday you are booking, the type of fare and the type of ticket. Low cost airlines, and many scheduled flight providers require full payment at the time of booking however please feel free to contact a member of our experienced travel advisors for more information.
What is the low deposit scheme?
This scheme is designed to secure your booking on a lower deposit than is actually required. The payment as agreed, will be taken from your card at the time of booking, the balance must then be paid 2 weeks later, with the exact date being identified by you at the time of the booking. The balance will be taken automatically from your card so you don't need to worry about meeting the deadline. However, if you should change your mind and cancel the booking, you are responsible to pay the travel provider the full deposit amount, less the amount already paid on the low deposit scheme.
When is the balance due?
10 weeks prior to departure the balance is due, as will be detailed on your paperwork. It is imperative we receive the balance either by or on this date otherwise you may incur late payment charges. If the balance is not paid this can result in cancellation of your holiday.
Will I be sent a receipt?
Ola Holidays do not send receipts, however if you would like one please advise at the time of booking and we can email you with confirmation that payment has been received. You can also send us an SAE and we will post you a receipt.
What payment types do we except?
We accept all major credit and debit cards, transaction fees apply as below
Credit Cards: 2.5%
Debit Cards: 1.25%
Visa Electron: FREE
Please note that these charges will apply each time the card is used as a method of payment.
Can I Book without an email address?
Ola Holidays charge £10.00 when bookings cannot be processed with the clients email address.
Amendment / Cancellation Charges:
To make amendments or to cancel, Ola Holidays are obliged to charge an additional amount of £35.00 per person, on top of the travel provider's costs. If you decide to make an amendment to your flight services (such as seats, pre-booked meals or an upgrade) we charge £5.00 on top of the travel provider's costs.
No Frills Airline's
What if I have booked with a no frills airline?
Ola Holidays are authorised to act as your agent, being the go-between you and the No Frills Airline, please note that these flights are not protected by ATOL or the CAA. You should be aware that your card details and email address will be entered directly on the low cost provider's website and therefore, Ola Holidays will have no further association with you. Subsequent emails and correspondence will come from the low cost provider direct. This can include amendments such as flight changes and if this is the case it is your responsibility to inform us so we can make the necessary changes to any of your arrangements.
Luggage usually has to be pre-booked if checking it in, and paid for in addition to the flight, and you should be aware that the luggage allowance is usually lower than other travel providers.
With a low cost airline you will not receive a ticket, your boarding pass will be sent via email, you will need to print off your boarding pass and then if you have just hand luggage you can usually go directly through to departures. You and your hand luggage will go through the security screening prior to departure. Please be aware you MUST have your boarding passes when checking in, if you don't the airlines may charge you.
Low cost airlines insist on full payment at the time of booking and you should be aware that if you cancel you will lose all the payment you have made.