This post was highlighted on the ASA (Advertising Standards Agency) websites as recent advertiser that fell short of its responsibilities as an advertiser. A full transcript is available at ASA website. Follow the link at the bottom of the page. Please note this is not our finding but that of the ASA.
A website for Cheap Flights Corner, included a page headed "Welcome to Cheap Flights Corner Travel Tips" which stated "Financial Protection ... Travel Trust Association is a travel trade organization that enables us to provide you with the best possible financial guarantee. It provides a 100% financial protection for you and your family when flying with us. Click Here for more Information". A box on the right of the page also stated "Book Cheap Flights With Confidence ... 100% Money Protection".
Issue
The complainant, who understood that the advertiser was not a member of the Travel Trust Association (TTA), challenged whether the ad was misleading.
Response
Emaan Travel Ltd t/a Cheap Flights Corner did not respond to the ASA's enquiries.
Assessment
Upheld
The ASA was concerned by Emaan Travel Ltd's lack of response and apparent disregard for the Code, which was a breach of CAP Code (Edition 12) rule 1.7 (Unreasonable delay). We reminded them of their responsibility to provide a response to our enquiries and told them to do so in future.
The ad stated that Cheap Flights Corner was a member of TTA and that as a result there was 100% financial protection for customers booking through them. We had not seen any evidence that Cheap Flights Corner were a member of the TTA and when their name was entered on the relevant 'Verify TTA Member' page of the TTA website they were not listed. We therefore concluded that the references to the TTA and 100% financial protection were misleading.
The ad breached CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 3.1 (Misleading advertising), 3.7 (Substantiation) and 3.50 (Endorsements and testimonials).
Action
The ad must not appear again in its current form.