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.
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.
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…
