Families are starting off 2024 with plans to go on vacation, as travel operators slash prices by hundreds of pounds.
Jet2 has seen a 150% increase in bookings over the past two weeks compared to before Christmas, while Hays Travel had its most successful trading day on Saturday.
Families are starting off 2024 with plans to go on vacation, as travel operators slash prices by hundreds of pounds – here we look at how to find the best deals
According to travel site Skyscanner, over 80% of travelers are eager to visit new places this year, but one in five are struggling to decide where to go.
With so many options available, it can be difficult to find the true bargains.
Harriet Cooke shows you how to find the best deals…
THE CHEAPEST PLACES TO GO
Head off the beaten track for great deals in destinations such as (clockwise from top left) Alanya in Turkey, Hammamet in Tunisia, Marrakech in Morocco and Bulgaria's Bourgas Area
Lesser-known destinations are often less expensive.
TravelSupermarket recommends Alanya in Turkey, Hammamet in Tunisia, Marrakech in Morocco, Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife, and Bourgas Area in Bulgaria as the cheapest picks for 2024.
A family of four flying from London to Alanya for a week in August would pay at least £2,210 per person for an all-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 they come with important protections for your holiday budget.
Packages – which include a flight and hotel, apartment, villa, or another element – come with ATOL protection, a government-backed scheme that kicks in if any company involved in your trip goes bankrupt.
Tour operators and travel agents selling ATOL-protected packages also provide support and assistance when things go wrong, such as delays or cancellations. Make sure the company you book with has an ATOL license at atol.org.
You should receive a certificate as soon as you make any payment towards your trip.
Guy Hobbs, travel expert at Which?, says: "Booking a package offers you greater protection if something goes wrong.
"Just make sure that you check the small print for any hidden fees or missing elements."
Separate holiday regulations also provide legal protection for travelers 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 organizer will give you a support number to call.
Going all-inclusive is almost always cheaper if you plan to eat and drink in your resort, but for city breaks, it might be better to buy meals separately.
Be sure to read the terms and conditions before you make a purchase.
HUNTING DEALS
It’s also worth checking out price comparison sites such as Kayak, which will let you search for package deals
Try to get at least ten quotes for your chosen destination and dates, starting with big operators like Jet2, Tui, and BA Holidays.
It's also worth checking out price comparison sites such as Kayak, which allow you to search for package deals.
Remember to filter the holidays by price order and choose well-known and reputable providers. Flash sale sites like Travelzoo, HolidayPirates, and Secret Escapes are great for highlighting big discounts, especially on last-minute trips, but you'll need to be flexible.
It's also worth asking high-street travel agents if they can offer you a better price than what you found online.
Agents may price-match, but big operators won't let them undercut, although at least you'll get the support and expertise of a travel expert.
BLAGGING DISCOUNTS
Hunt around and you could find a discounted trip to Santorini
Travel companies currently offer a wide range 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 receive £60 per person.
Supermarket loyalty schemes like Tesco Clubcard and Nectar also have partnerships with holiday companies and hotels, allowing 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 cashback on Expedia bookings, while new members of hotels.com can claim 25 per cent off stays booked up to January 31, plus an extra ten per cent cashback.
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