Travel agency Trip Support Inc. has closed, says TICO

Trip Support Inc., a travel agency located in Thornhill, ON, voluntarily terminated its registration under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 effective November 4, 2024, said the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) on Wednesday (Nov. 6).

The company operated under the same name with the website www.tripsupport.ca and sold air only and vacation packages. It also had a Book Now Pay Later program.

TICO has issued a Closure Advisory to inform customers who have been impacted.

For consumers with bookings, TICO advises to verify their travel arrangements:

Consumers who purchased travel services from Trip Support Inc. and who are in possession of their airline tickets are asked to contact the airline(s) and/or tour operators involved to confirm their travel arrangements. This includes consumers who began their travel prior to the closure of the travel agency and who may still be in destination.

Who can file a claim with the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund?

Standard Claims: Consumers who have not travelled and/or have an outstanding refund.

Consumers who purchased future travel services from Trip Support Inc. and who do not have confirmed bookings, or have not received a refund for cancelled travel services, may request a claim form from TICO.

Trip Completion Claims: Consumers who began their travel services prior to November 4, 2024, and are in destination.

Consumers who incur expenses in destination (transportation, accommodation and meals) to complete their travel plans due to travel services not provided as a result of the closure of Trip Support Inc. may have an eligible Trip Completion Claim. Consumers may request a claim form from TICO.

There is a legislated six-month filing deadline for claims on the Compensation Fund. The filing deadline is Monday, May 5, 2025.

Claims received by TICO after the filing deadline date will not be valid.

Compensation Fund

For filming a claim against the Compensation Fund: Ontario legislation requires claimants to explore all other possible options for reimbursement as part of the claims process, TICO says.

Claimants who paid by credit card and who were charged by Trip Support Inc. for their travel services not provided, are required to do the following:

• Contact your credit card company and dispute the Trip Support Inc. charge and request a refund (credit/reversal of the charge on your account).
• If your credit card company refuses to provide you with a credit refund, you will be required to obtain a letter from the credit card company stating that a credit refund will not be provided.
• The letter from the credit card company must be submitted with your claim against the Compensation Fund.
• If you are unable to obtain a refund (chargeback) from your credit card company or obtain all the documentation required to substantiate your claim in a timely manner, please submit your claim form to TICO prior to the filing deadline date.
• Any additional documentation that is required to complete the claim can be sent to TICO when it is obtained.

Those who are uncertain how to proceed are advised to contact TICO's Claims Department at 1-888-451-8426 or email tico@tico.ca.

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