Consumer advice – travel tips – travel news

Consumer Advice: As travel consumers we all like to save on our holidays and short breaks, so let us guide you through the maze of travel offers and help you pick the right one for your budget and destination.

Like any good travel story lets start at the begining: Before you even start searching for holidays, decide where you want to go, what dates and how much you are willing to spend. Importantly consider where you want to fly from.

• The deals from London and Manchester make look cheaper but you have to get there..
• Look at the options, self catering can be more expensive than a hotel..
• Price’s will and do vary considerably from week to week so be flexible if you can.
• If you have children look at the prices both in school holidays and outside.

A recent survey suggested that parents were better off by over £500, even taking into account the fine for taking your child out of School during term time. By booking outside of the School holidays.

Options: We all know about the big boys – Thomson, Thomas Cook and Firstchoice, but how about considering Jet2holidays they depart from Northern Airports only, or Monarch (Cosmos), plus Alpharooms who can put together flights and accommodation for you at discounted prices..

Dont panic: If all else fails save up for the holiday you really want. If you plan ahead and save your money like people did in the ‘olden’ days, you can have the holiday you want, where you want and when you want – even in the school holidays.

Buy a package

Here is a little known tip: If you are booking a flight and a car, or flight and accommodation, by packaging the two deals together, direct with the tour operator, who can often offer a much better deal than if you were to book separately. Call it creative accounting if you will, but it can save hundreds of pounds on a long-haul deal..

Book late

I sounds obvios but by booking late. If there are unsold seats and hotel rooms, you can grab a bargain with a few clicks of the mouse.