The Smart Way To Get Away
Saturday 31 January 2009
The dark January days make the thought of lying on a sun drenched beach more appealing than ever. Travel industry research shows that January is the busiest time of the year to book a summer break . Here is the Consumer Council’s guide to booking your holiday and keeping it protected:
Booking your holiday
· Try to be flexible about the day and date you fly - you can save money by travelling mid week and off-season.
· Research your holiday fully. Would all-inclusive, half board or self catering suit your needs and pocket best?
· Consider the full cost of the holiday. Remember to include charges for check-in and baggage, travel insurance, airport parking, currency exchange rates and spending money.
Make sure your holiday is protected
· If you are booking through a travel agent or a tour operator (a company specialising in package holidays eg Thomas Cook) always check they have an ATOL licence (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing).This will ensure you will you not lose your money if the tour operator goes out of business before you fly.
· If you book a flight directly from an airline and airline goes out of business, you may not be able to fly and could lose your money or have to pay for another flight. Always make sure you have adequate travel insurance that offers you compensation if this happens.
Get insured
· Always buy travel insurance before you go on holiday. Shop around for the best deal - you can now get travel insurance from supermarkets, the Post Office and online. Make surethe policy covers cancelations, changes to your booking and if the tour operator or airline goes out of business.
A credit card offers further protection
· If you use a credit card to pay for a holiday or flight costing more than £100, you have added protection and can claim from the credit card company if the tour operator, travel agent or airline goes out of business. If you can, try to pay off the full balance of your credit card bill to avoid charges and fees.
For more information or your FREE copy of Plane Facts, the Consumer Council’s essential guide to air travel. Contact 0800 121 6022 or info@consumercouncil.org.uk
