Icelolly/Low Cost Holidays

mandi

adam_sunbayholidays wrote: »

Although the main risk of this is that if one element falls through, you may be stuck with the others. The single biggest risk in self planning travel is the possibility of the domino effect. One component collapses, the others could follow. Whilst having an option B isn't always necessary, knowing what those options are is always a great thing.

adam_sunbayholidays wrote: »

Also even though this can happen whether you book yourself or as part of a package, if one element of a (true) package falls through you'll be entitled to a refund of everything. That's the difference.

That said ,

Low Cost Holidays & many other online holiday company's don't offer true package holidays . They simply put all the components together which is easy enough to DIY then charge you to do it . Instead they lull customers into thinking they've booked a true package when in fact the company has only acted as an agent & hide it in the small print .

In the event of any complaints they will go on to state that the holiday maker did not buy a package because they don't sell them , this is known in the industry as a " dynamic Package " Indeed many websites LCH included will take you through the options ie , flight , hotel , transfers etc .

That said if a person books a holiday thinking they have booked a " Package " then it is in fact a package .

http://www.holidaytravelwatch.com/alerts/the-crows-nest/the-caring-face-of-the-so-called-diy-package-holiday



Confusing or what :whistle:

adam_sunbayholidays

Mr_Wang wrote: »

Every single day there are posts on this forum about people that have been screwed over by travel agents. Honeymoons ruined, last minute price increases, hotel changes, fees to sit together etc etc etc the list is endless.

You talk about falling through, but I don't know what you mean? I have flown tens of thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of miles and stayed in hundreds and hundreds of hotels and have never found myself in a situation where something has ruined my trip? A hotel has overbooked? Go to the one next door. A flight is cancelled - Get on the next flight.

The only major instance where you could face potential issue is connecting flights with different airlines, so slip a day in between. Or airline insolvency, so do your research.

As has been said before, a fortnight in Benidorm last minute is fine, for everything else you will get screwed.

My main point I was trying to get across, was the financial security that comes with a package. This is very important to some people. I totally understand that not everybody holds this as important, but many people do.

I also understand that many people are treat unfairly, however I cannot speak for other companies.

Booking flights/accommodation directly does not give you any financial protection whatsoever. Therefore even processing a 'build your own' holiday through an agent is beneficial in that sense.

adam_sunbayholidays

mandi wrote: »

That said ,

Low Cost Holidays & many other online holiday company's don't offer true package holidays . They simply put all the components together which is easy enough to DIY then charge you to do it . Instead they lull customers into thinking they've booked a true package when in fact the company has only acted as an agent & hide it in the small print .

In the event of any complaints they will go on to state that the holiday maker did not buy a package because they don't sell them , this is known in the industry as a " dynamic Package " Indeed many websites LCH included will take you through the options ie , flight , hotel , transfers etc .

That said if a person books a holiday thinking they have booked a " Package " then it is in fact a package .

http://www.holidaytravelwatch.com/alerts/the-crows-nest/the-caring-face-of-the-so-called-diy-package-holiday



Confusing or what :whistle:

Correct, however even with those not classed as packages still offer forms of financial protection of which otherwise would not be available when booking directly.

The EU regs on Package Travel aren't very clear, but I'd expect them to become clear soon.

Mr_Wang

adam_sunbayholidays wrote: »

Booking flights/accommodation directly does not give you any financial protection whatsoever. Therefore even processing a 'build your own' holiday through an agent is beneficial in that sense.

I have payment payment protection for payments from my credit card, I think this is automatically applied to purchases on most credit cards over £100, then there is travel insurance.

You may sit and speak with naive individuals/families and think you can screw them over a few extra quid by upselling or telling them scare stories of this and that but on this forum you are amongst very experienced travellers who generally, know much better than that.

You stick to ripping off unsuspecting families, it's what TA's are good at. Think about it, any title with agent in the title basically means you are a go between, and you want your cut.

Cut out the middle man.

peachyprice

adam_sunbayholidays wrote: »

My main point I was trying to get across, was the financial security that comes with a package. This is very important to some people. I totally understand that not everybody holds this as important, but many people do.

I also understand that many people are treat unfairly, however I cannot speak for other companies.

Booking flights/accommodation directly does not give you any financial protection whatsoever. Therefore even processing a 'build your own' holiday through an agent is beneficial in that sense.

Is there really as much financial security in tying all your money into a package holiday through a tour operator months before you go as percieved?

The only element paid upfront for most DIY holidays is flights, direct to the airline, where you are at the front of the queue when it comes to rescheduling, way way in front of anyone who happens to be on the same flight booked as part of a package holiday, who can't deal with the airline direct and is batted backwards and forwards from one to the other.

You reach your destination and find the hotel is closed/overbooked/awful/on fire. If you DIY you haven't spent a penny on that hotel, so as Mr Wang says, you go next door, job done, sit back and enjoy. Turn up at the same hotel booked as a package holiday and you have the choice of being at the mercy of the travel agent 'rep' to find you a suitable alternative (which rarely are) or you walk away and lose all the money you've paid, with a fight to get it back when you get home.

I know where I feel my finances are more secure. In my pocket to do with as I wish, not in the hands of a tour operator who just wants to be rid of a problem.

tamiami

Lowcostholidays moved to Spain in November. Therefore you are no longer covered by ATOL. If all goes well with the holiday then fine, if it goes pear shaped you have no UK law to help you and you would need to travel to Spain to take them to court.

tamiami

Booking online is a risk I always think. Many companies will call you back the next day to say your holiday has gone up! If you are going to book online only use a reputable company and not one of the tin pot ones that come at the top of Google for "cheap holidays." Check reviews on Sunmasters, Holiday Gems, On The Beach etc.

mandi

adam_sunbayholidays wrote: »

My main point I was trying to get across, was the financial security that comes with a package. This is very important to some people. I totally understand that not everybody holds this as important, but many people do.

I also understand that many people are treat unfairly, however I cannot speak for other companies.

Booking flights/accommodation directly does not give you any financial protection whatsoever. Therefore even processing a 'build your own' holiday through an agent is beneficial in that sense.

No adam .You and all the other travel agents are "cashing " in on the " Beat My Quote "

Seriously I think MSE has overlooked looked this , and I'm surprised that your all getting away with it

moneysavvy35

OK....Can I just clarify something. I am in the process of DIY my holiday (so no travel agent involved)

I plan to book my flights very soon, and book my hotel when I see any deals for the area of where I'm staying (going turkey - not sure where yet)

So say if I book flights with a company called Onur Flights (never heard of them till a travel agent told me about them) and they go into liquidation and I pay with my Credit Card, would I not be covered?

If I book my hotel with say travel republic and when I get thier the hotel has overbooked could I claim by money back if I paid by credit card?

Not disrespecting travel agents, I'm just honestly trying to figure out what is the point booking with them...apart from the fact that they will do it all for you - which is fine if thats what you want!! Is thier really any financial security in booking with them if I would plan to pay over £100 on my credit card on separate transactions anyway?

Mr_Wang

moneysavvy35 wrote: »

OK....Can I just clarify something. I am in the process of DIY my holiday (so no travel agent involved)

I plan to book my flights very soon, and book my hotel when I see any deals for the area of where I'm staying (going turkey - not sure where yet)

So say if I book flights with a company called Onur Flights (never heard of them till a travel agent told me about them) and they go into liquidation and I pay with my Credit Card, would I not be covered?

If I book my hotel with say travel republic and when I get thier the hotel has overbooked could I claim by money back if I paid by credit card?

Not disrespecting travel agents, I'm just honestly trying to figure out what is the point booking with them...apart from the fact that they will do it all for you - which is fine if thats what you want!! Is thier really any financial security in booking with them if I would plan to pay over £100 on my credit card on separate transactions anyway?

Yes, booked over £100 gives you cover.

Try using skyscanner to find cheap flights. Just put UK - Turkey on or around your dates, or the whole month.

Also look at using Kayak, and ITA matrix if you can.