Bonded Coach Holidays

Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) is the recognised financial protection scheme for UK Coach package holiday Operators to be compliant with the UK Package Travel Regulations.

BCH is a consumer protection scheme exclusive to the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Members and it has been managed by ABTOT since 2021. ABTOT is a government approved body authorised to run a regulated bonding scheme.

Who does BCH Membership apply to?

Coach Members of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) who have an Operating (O) Licence and:
- who sell multi-day holidays which include coach travel and accommodation in the UK or overseas, and are required to comply with the UK Package Travel Regulations.

BCH financial protection is for non-flight coach holiday packages
If you sell coach holidays which include flights, you need to have an ATOL. You can apply to ABTOT for the ATOL Franchise or directly to the CAA.

Coach Operators who are not CPT members have to join CPT before they can apply to BCH. Alternatively, they can choose to apply to ABTOT direct.

Benefits of BCH Membership

In addition to CPT Member benefits, BCH Members enjoy:

A dedicated coach bonding scheme for CPT Coach package holiday Operators to comply with the UK Package Travel Regulations and give their customers confidence that their money is protected.

BCH Members can use all the services of ABTOT Membership from Associate services, free webinars to in-person events.
A 24/7 free legal and emergency helpline.
An arbitration scheme to help with customer complaints.

Why consumers trust the BCH Logo

For many consumers, paying for a coach holiday upfront can feel risky. BCH gives them reassurance that their money is safe. BCH is a long-standing, recognised industry mark and signals:

that the coach operator is financially checked.
that they are legally protected and compliant.

BCH Coach Operators are proud to display their BCH logo.

BCH ABTOT Bonding

For Coach Organisers requiring insolvency protection to comply with the UK Travel Regulations they need to have either a bond through an approved body like BCH, a Financial Failure Insurance policy or a Trust.

BCH accepts a bank bond or an insurance backed bond.

When you provide a bond from your bank you may be asked to put cash security against the amount of your bond. An insurance backed bond tends to be unsecured and you are charged an annual premium based on the financial strength of your company, as illustrated in your latest Year End Accounts and Management Accounts.

BCH chooses to use bonds backed by a shortfall policy – this means a lower overall bond can be set, as the shortfall policy will cover any gap in claims in the event of a failure. All BCH Members contribute to the shortfall policy cost and the contribution is based on the size of the Member’s bond.

When a coach operator applies to join BCH, the BCH team provides hands-on assistance throughout the process:

They guide applicants through the bond application and evaluation stages.
They provide support in completing paperwork and submitting financial projections.
They help operators understand the required standards in the BCH Rules, Trading Charter and Code of Conduct, including how to use the BCH logo and wording correctly in brochures and websites.

Join the BCH scheme / Application process

How to Apply

Contact the BCH team to discuss eligibility
Complete the straightforward application and provide financial statements
Application reviewed by the Independent Applications Committee
Provision of the bond and payment of fees
Membership approval and onboarding

What does BCH cost?

The cost varies depending on the operator’s size and risk profile.
You pay:

an annual BCH Membership fee and shortfall insurance contribution, and
the cost of your bond, which is based on your projected turnover.

For most operators, BCH is considered one of the most cost-effective ways to meet financial protection requirements for coach package holidays.

How is the BCH bond amount calculated?

The bond is calculated as a percentage of your forecast turnover for the protected coach holidays you sell. Financial information from your application helps BCH assess:

business scale
financial strength
type of products offered

How long does BCH approval take?

Approval is usually quick, depending on how promptly you supply the required documents.
Most applications are processed within:

10–20 working days for straightforward cases
Longer if financial information is incomplete or requires more review

BCH guides you through every step to help keep things moving smoothly.

Is BCH the same as ABTOT Membership?

No — it is a specialist scheme for Coach package holiday Operators, but BCH is delivered through ABTOT.

BCH is the coach-industry-specific financial protection scheme, created exclusively for CPT members.
ABTOT administers the scheme but also has its own separate Membership scheme, its 400+ members cover travel organisers in every sector, not just coach.
Costs and requirements differ under the two different schemes.

Can I switch from another scheme?

Yes.
You can transfer into BCH from another bonding or insurance scheme provided you are already a member of CPT or you are intending to join CPT.
BCH will work with your previous provider to make the switch smooth and ensure that your customers remain continuously protected throughout the process.

Do I need separate insurance?

Yes – you require public liability and employer’s liability insurance. However, you do not need separate financial failure insurance when you are bonded under BCH – the bond itself provides the required protection for insolvency as required by the Package Travel Regulations.

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