Has Anyone Had Any Dealings With Abta?

[bev888]

We have a dispute with a holiday company as we feel that they have misrepresented what we booked, and we could have saved a lot of money by booking a cheaper alternative with no loss of facilities.
We have had a lengthy communication exchange with them with no result, so we submitted copies of all the letters to ABTA and eventually all ABTA said was that we could go to arbitration or court, without expressing an opinion on whether we have a case or not. Is this the usual outcome?
Thanks for any advice.

[Buenchico]

That would seem to be standard procedure.

Quote: "We must stress that ABTA doesn’t award compensation or make a decision on your case".

Source:
https://www.abta.com/help-and-complaints/customer-support/resolving-disputes

If you're sure you've got a good case, fork out the £108 fee to go to independent arbitration. If you win, you'll get that back plus appropriate compensation. If you lose, you'll have to pay a further £108. (I've assumed that your claim isn't for more than £7500).

[bev888]

Thanks Buenchico. My claim is for £1035. I realise that they won't make an actual decision, but I did think they would at least express an opinion otherwise why did they want copies of all the communications? They have said nothing at all except go to arbitration or court.
The problem with the arbitration service is that there are so many bad reviews of the service.