If I pay the deposit on a fairly expensive holiday by credit card, but the remaining 80% by cheque (thus avoiding the 3% surcharge), does the entire holiday benefit from the card company's consumer protection?
Yes it does. The only requirement is that the total value of the goods and services is �100 or more.
"The claim is not limited to the amount of the credit card transaction. Customers can claim for all losses caused by the breach of contract or misrepresentation. And this applies even if all they paid by credit card was the deposit."