The January blues might already be causing a few daydreams about summer – but people browsing for holidays are being warned to avoid some common pitfalls.
Consumer group Which? has put out some handy tips to avoid overspending on the big getaway.
Look beyond the sale price
Exercise caution over special sale or discounted prices as headline-grabbing deals might actually be limited in number, or not quite what they seem.
Which? found some big hotel chains exaggerated the number of bargains and in some cases, the sale price did not exist at all.
Eurostar recently got in trouble with the advertising watchdog for exaggerating the number of seats available for £39, despite an asterisk saying “T&Cs apply”. Only a few per cent were actually available at that level.
If the price at checkout ends up a lot higher than advertised – even if you have spent ages on the booking – Which? advises “walking away” and looking elsewhere.
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Laptop vs phone price
Apps like Expedia are a go-to for many, but if you are searching on a laptop, desktop or tablet you could be losing out as some discounts only show up when using your phone.
Which? recommends looking up your deal on both a computer and a phone to ensure you are getting the best price and to see the true size of any ‘mobile-exclusive’ discount.
Cutting out the middle man and getting a quote direct from the hotel could prove even cheaper.
Don’t write off package holidays
Package holidays may seem slightly old-fashioned to some but do not write them off as they can often work out cheaper than putting it all together yourself.
They were better value in seven out of 10 popular destinations Which? looked at, with an inclusive holiday to Cancun £500 cheaper than the DIY price.
A package may also include things such as free meals, drinks and entertainment, as well as access to a local tour rep and legal and financial protection if something goes wrong.
Which? stresses it’s important to weigh up the price with the tour operator’s reputation for reliability and customer service.
Beware dodgy reviews
Reviews are a good place to start and they are everywhere these days – but keep an eye out for fake write-ups.
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Tripadvisor blocked two million misleading reviews last year, says Which?, but many still make it through.
Things to look out for are a flurry of reviews in a short space of time by users who have not posted before, and the use of similar phrases and wording.
Budget isn’t always best
Searching easyjet and Ryanair is the first port of call for many, but travellers should still check more ‘premium’ rivals such as BA.
The consumer group says they can still work out cheaper, particularly after you tot up the various baggage charges and optional extras charged by the budget carriers.
Which? found British Airways’ final price was cheaper in two of the three routes it checked – with WizzAir, for example, charging an eye-watering £89 return to put a bag in the overhead locker.
