Best company to book with for Spain/Tenerife 2021

edssb4

Sorry if this has already been covered but I can't see it. I'd like to book a family holiday for next year before they're all gone or too expensive. I know nothing is certain, but given all the problems with travel companies and those folding or shedding staff, I wondered which is the best to book with? Or is it more important just to get good travel insurance? We're either thinking a week in Spain in the Summer or Tenerife in October half term (2 adults, a 15 yr old and an 11/12 yr old - depending on when we go!)
Thanks

waamo

I wouldn't bother until things are more certain. Let's face it any company could go belly up or travel advice could change.

Currently any option is a gamble so if you are determined to book you may as well gamble with anyone. Sadly nobody has a working crystal ball so your guess is as good as anybodys.

Sharon87

I would wait a while. There's not much availability now because not everything has been released. Wait until you  know which airlines and hotels survive before booking anywhere. Also a lot of travel companies have showed they're terrible at issuing refunds when things go wrong. I personally book each thing separately - hotel through a reputable site like Expedia/hotels.com or the hotel's own website (free cancellation room) and the airlines own website. Most travel companies have non refundable admin fees - even if it gets cancelled. I've booked flights for next year, but I'm waiting to book hotels until I'm sure I can travel (flights were cheap - I can afford to lose it/change it).

Westin

I would book with one of the main tour operators (TUI, Jet2 Holidays etc) to ensure there is ATOL Protection plus assurance that if the situation changes on travel restrictions just before or during your holiday then you and your family will be looked after.   

NoodleDoodleMan

Westin said:

I would book with one of the main tour operators (TUI, Jet2 Holidays etc) to ensure there is ATOL Protection plus assurance that if the situation changes on travel restrictions just before or during your holiday then you and your family will be looked after.   

Agree 100%.

Make sure you book a complete package holiday, flights + tansfers + accommodation.

We have a separate flight and hotel accommodation booking through TUI for later this year - not recognised as a package.

edssb4

Thanks for your replies. I'll look at the main operators as suggested Scary to think we might still be unsure of effects this time next year but i think this year has shown us that nothing is certain!

NoodleDoodleMan

Avoid DIY bookings or going through some of the less dependable OTAs - there are some horror stories of punters being fobbed off for refunds etc.

MATTR5

Book a package with an ATOL bonded Tour Op and your money is safe as said above. And don't forget to try the Beat the Travel Agent thread to make sure you have the best price still booked with Jet2holidays, TUI etc 
(I'm a Travel Agent and I respond on that thread) 

Sharon87

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Avoid DIY bookings or going through some of the less dependable OTAs - there are some horror stories of punters being fobbed off for refunds etc.

Or if you do DIY - book refundable rooms, I've had no issues getting back rooms that had free cancellation when I booked. If your flight is cancelled well it's dependent on the airline. I've not been left out of pocket for my cancelled Ibiza holiday this year. Got the Easyjet refund - about 5-6 weeks after applying for it, hotel was cancelled for free and that's all I had booked.

I prefer DIY still as tour operators can go bust - we've seen it happen a lot recently. If an airline goes bust that's major news and less likely than tour operators going bust, if a hotel goes bust - well if it's free cancellation and you've not paid it yet, no problems there. DIY is safe if done smart.

Only time I ever use travel agents is for work flights as they get good last minute deals/free bags or other perks.