FAMILIES are kicking off 2024 with plans to jet away, as travel operators slash prices by hundreds of pounds.
Jet2 saw bookings increase by 150 per cent over the past two weeks, compared to before Christmas, while Hays Travel had its best ever trading day on Saturday.
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More than 80 per cent of travellers are keen to visit somewhere new this year, according to travel site Skyscanner, but one in five are struggling to decide where.
With so many options available, it can be hard to spot the true bargains.
Harriet Cooke shows you how to find the best deals . . .
THE CHEAPEST PLACES TO GO
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DESTINATIONS off the beaten track are often less expensive.
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TravelSupermarket names Alanya in Turkey, Hammamet in Tunisia, Marrakech in Morocco, Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife, and Bourgas Area in Bulgaria as cheaptest picks for 2024.
A family of four flying London to Alanya for a week in August would pay at least £2,210 per person for an inclusive break in a three-star hotel, or £2,680 in Majorca. Anita Naik, at VoucherCodes, says: “Holidaying in a lesser-known place can save a third of your budget.”
PACKAGE OR DIY?
PACKAGE holidays are not necessarily cheaper than booking your flights and accommodation separately, but come with vital protections for your holiday pounds.
Packages – where you buy a flight and hotel, apartment, villa or one other element – come with ATOL protection, the government-backed scheme that kicks in if any company involved in your break goes bust.
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Tour operators and travel agents selling ATOL-protected packages also provide support and help when things go wrong, such as delays or cancellations. Check the company you are booking with has an ATOL licence at atol.org.
You should receive a certificate as soon as you pay any amount towards your trip.
Guy Hobbs, Which? travel expert, says: “Booking a package offers you greater protection if something goes wrong.
“Just make sure that you check the small print for any nasty surprises, such as cancellation fees or elements you would expect to be included but aren’t.”
Separate holiday regulations also mean travellers are legally protected if the package is not as described, for example if the food is inedible or you don’t get the room you were promised.
Your travel organiser will give you a number to call for support.
Going all-inclusive is almost always cheaper if you’re going to be eating and drinking in your resort, but for city breaks it might be better to buy meals separately.
Be sure to check the small print before you buy.
HUNTING DEALS
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AIM for ten quotes on your chosen destination and dates, starting with big operators such as Jet2, Tui and BA Holidays.
It’s also well worth checking out price comparison sites such as Kayak, which will let you search for package deals.
Remember to filter the holidays in price order, rather than by recommended deals, and choose well-known and reputable providers. Flash sale sites such as Travelzoo, HolidayPirates and Secret Escapes are great for highlighting big discounts, especially on last-minute breaks, but you’ll need to be flexible.
Also ask high-street travel agents if they can get you a better price than what you’ve found online.
Agents may price-match but big operators won’t let them undercut, though at least you’ll get the support and expertise of a travel expert.
BLAGGING DISCOUNTS
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TRAVEL firms currently offer a vast array of discounts to entice people to book.
Ryanair’s summer sale has flights available from £29.99, to destinations including Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Milan, and Venice
Tui is offering £300 off selected long-haul summer package holidays, and thousands of free kids places.
Jet2holidays has discounts of £50 per person on all holidays, and customers with a MyJet2 account gain £60 per person.
Supermarket loyalty schemes such as Tesco Clubcard and Nectar also have partnerships with holiday companies and hotels, to allow you to convert your points into trips. And if you’re booking a holiday online, always check if there is cashback available.
Topcashback offers four per cent on Expedia bookings, while new members of hotels.com can claim 25 per cent off stays booked up to January 31, and an extra ten per cent cashback.
This could get you a £1,114 four-day stay in Santorini, at Santorini Dreams Villas, for £609.30.
But whatever the advertised discount or offer is, make sure to focus on the total price of the holiday, including extras such as airport transfers and car hire, when comparing to other deals.
DIY BOOKING TIPS
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IF you’re not booking a package, ask the hotel if they can offer you a cheaper price than your online quote.
Even if they can’t, the hotel might throw in a perk such as a bottle of wine or room upgrade. Use your charm when booking.
When it comes to flights, check out the price with the airline rather than using an travel agent.
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Which? found that booking with an online agent such as Gotogate, Kiwi or Opodo could inflate an air fare by more than £100.
When the consumer watchdog looked at return flights from London to Orlando, eDreams initially came out cheapest at £556. But once hold luggage and seat reservation were added, the price shot up to £814 – £100 more than making the same booking directly with the airline, British Airways.
PITFALLS TO AVOID
SORT TRAVEL INSURANCE EARLY: Do this when you book your holiday so you’re covered in case of an emergency, like the death of a close family member. It may also avoid being hit by huge medical bills while abroad should someone fall ill. Check what the policy covers.
READ REVIEWS: Check these out for multiple sites before you book, but do be wary of fake reviews – telltale signs include repetitive phrases or language and a lack of detail.
BE WARY OF LOW-DEPOSIT HOLIDAYS: These can be good for spreading the cost of a holiday over multiple payments, but do be sure to check the terms and conditions before you book. If you cancel, you may be liable for the full cost of the holiday.
READ UP ON CANCELLATION RIGHTS: Check whether you can cancel your booking without charge. That means if the price drops, you can cancel and rebook at a cheaper price.
SEATING SAGA: If you need to pay for airline seats together, remember most major carriers will automatically put you with the people you booked with. For easyJet, the figure was 93 per cent, while for Jet2 it was 90 per cent.
CAR HIRE: Don’t leave booking your rental to the last minute – especially if travelling during peak season or to a country such as Italy, Portugal or Spain where hire cars are in high demand. It’s usually £30 to £50 cheaper per week to pay when you book, instead of on arrival.
