Travel experts at Which? explain common mistakes people should avoid when booking their holidays
Which? warns travellers not to be seduced by ‘too good to be true’ deals(Image: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)
With Christmas and New Year over, many of us will be looking longingly at holiday brochures and travel websites for inspiration on where to go for our summer holidays or spring breaks. Lots of people book their sunshine breaks during the January gloom, and with good reason: there are excellent deals to be found this month, and summer flights are often the cheapest when booked in January.
However, according to consumer champions Which?, travellers should beware of being “seduced by too-good-to-be-true holiday deals” at this time of the year. They have outlined a list of common mistakes people make when booking their holidays in January, which we have summarised below.
Booking a hotel using your laptop
Which? says booking hotels using your computer means you could be paying over the odds for your stay. They said a number of travel companies offer “mobile-only discounts on selected hotels—promising up to 40% off—but only if the booking is made on a smartphone”. Using this trick on one travel website, they reportedly slashed £270 off the price of an apartment in Amsterdam.
Which? added: “These mobile-only prices are only visible if you’re using your phone. If you always browse on a laptop, tablet or desktop, you’ll have no clue they exist. We recommend always comparing booking site deals on your computer and mobile phone (preferably with a loyalty account).”
Believing the sale price
Another common mistake people make, according to Which?, is “believing the sale price”. Which? said they found major hotel chains “exaggerating the number of bargains in their promotions”. After collecting thousands of rates, they found that in some cases, “the sale price didn’t exist at all”.
The consumer champion said: “Not only does this cynical price practice frustrate and disappoint consumers, it can boost sales for retailers. It’s known as the ‘commitment and consistency’ principle: consumers are far more likely to buy – even at the higher price – if they’ve already invested time and effort in the purchase.
“Don’t take the bait: if you can’t find a deal at the price you’ve been promised, be prepared to walk away and shop elsewhere.”
Thinking budget airlines are always cheaper
Which? argues that travellers shouldn’t be seduced by headline fares, because “prices quickly skyrocket” with cabin bags and other extras. British Airways reportedly worked out cheaper than low-cost providers on two out of the three routes Which? checked.
According to the consumer champion, on a return flight from London to Malaga, a low-cost provider’s basic price was £36 less than BA. But when they added a cabin bag to put in the overhead locker – and chose a seat with the low-cost provider – BA ended up £25 cheaper. The lesson, according to Which?, is “always take extras into account when booking a flight”.
Ruling out a package holiday
While you might presume that a DIY holiday where you organise separate flights and hotels might be cheaper, Which? claims it is cheaper to book an all-inclusive holiday “in seven out of 10 popular destinations”.
The consumer champion said: “A three-star all-inclusive holiday to Cancun, Mexico, for a family of four worked out at £1,389 in our spot checks – more than £500 cheaper than the DIY price.
“Entertainment, kids’ clubs and transfers are usually thrown in, as well as three buffet meals a day. Just bear in mind that some travel companies are more generous than others when it comes to perks. Find out which in our guide to choosing the best all-inclusive holidays.
“Cost isn’t the only consideration: package holidays also give you financial and legal protection. If something goes wrong, your travel company has to resolve the issue, offer an alternative or provide a refund. You’re also protected if the company goes bust.”