I saw a TV interview with an ATOL or IATA rep where they were discussing XL, and he said his advice to people who were concerned about firms going bust was to book by credit card. He said he was going out on holiday soon with Easyjet - but wasn't bothering with a CC for them as there was no danger to them - but said he was coming back with a different company, whom he declined to name, and he had used his credit card 'just in case'.

Pretty candid for someone in his position.