The January blues may already be triggering some daydreams about summer, but vacation-seekers are warned to avoid some common mistakes.
consumer group Which? posted some useful tips to avoid spending more on the great getaway.
Look beyond the asking price
Be wary of special offers or discounted prices, as headline-grabbing deals might actually be limited in number or not exactly what they seem.
Which? I found that some large hotel chains exaggerated the number of offers and in some cases the asking price did not exist at all.
Eurostar recently got into trouble with the advertising watchdog for overstating the number of seats available for £39, despite an asterisk saying “Terms and conditions apply”. In reality, only a small percentage was available at that level.
If the price at checkout ends up being much higher than advertised, even if it’s been a long time on the reservation, which one? advises “getting away” and looking elsewhere.
Laptop vs phone price
Apps like Expedia are an option for many, but if you’re looking on a laptop, desktop, or tablet, you could be missing out, as some discounts only appear when you use your phone.
Which? recommends searching for your deal on both a computer and a phone to make sure you get the best price and see the current size of any “mobile-only” discounts.
Cutting out the middleman and getting a quote directly from the lodge could be even cheaper.
Don’t rule out vacation packages
Package holidays may seem a little old-fashioned to some, but don’t rule them out as they can often work out cheaper than organizing them all yourself.
They were better value for money in seven out of 10 popular destinations. Which is it? seen, with an included holiday to Cancun £500 cheaper than the DIY price.
A package can also include things like free meals, drinks and entertainment, as well as access to a local tour representative and legal and financial protection if something goes wrong.
Which? highlights that it is important to weigh price against the tour operator’s reputation for reliability and customer service.
Beware of unreliable reviews
Reviews are a good place to start and they are everywhere these days, but be on the lookout for fake reviews.
Tripadvisor blocked two million misleading reviews last year, says Which?, but many still manage to do so.
What you have to watch out for is an avalanche of reviews in a short space of time from users who have not posted before, and the use of similar phrases and terms.
The budget is not always the best
Looking into easyjet and Ryanair is the first port of call for many, but travelers should still check out more ‘premium’ rivals such as BA.
Baggage fees can greatly increase the price of budget airlines. Photo: iStock
The consumer group says they can still be cheaper, especially after adding in the various baggage fees and optional extras that budget airlines charge.
Which? discovered that British Airways’ last fare was cheaper on two of the three routes it checked; WizzAir, for example, charged an exorbitant fee of £89 to place a suitcase in the overhead bin.
