So who is safe to book with?

guzzbuzz · 17 May 2018 at 12:16AM

After reading the multiple threads about TUI on here (i was thinking about booking with them before i came on here!)

And after seeing the recent icelolly thread (again i was looking at their website recently)

Now im wondering who is actually safe and trustworthy to book a package holiday through?

Some of the prices seem great on places like TUI, Icelolly and holidaypirates but after reading the problems people are having with websites like these its got me reconsidering if its worth the hassle.

Are there any good ones that people can recommend please?

comeandgo · 17 May 2018 at 2:50AM

If ever we go on package holiday we use TUI and have never had a problem. But we usually do a holiday booking ourselves. Book our flights and then find accommodation using booking.com or find an apartment.

hollydays · 17 May 2018 at 7:43AM

Just avoid teletext

meer53 · 17 May 2018 at 8:49AM

Jet2 are good

richardw · 17 May 2018 at 8:52AM

Find a holiday on line then pop in to a TUI or Thomas cook shop and book it there.

ibizafan_2 · 17 May 2018 at 10:01AM

We book at least one holiday every year with Tui, and have no problems with them.

guzzbuzz · 17 May 2018 at 10:34AM

I have been looking at doing the flights + accommodation myself (this is how ive always done it tbh)

But when you factor in the need for a suitcase (if going away for 7-14 days). The airlines usually charge £40-£50 for this (20-25kg) and then you factor in the transfers from the airport to your hotel (some packages holidays do this for free) it seems to be working out cheaper for a package deal in many cases.

That's what had me looking at them to be honest. Plus i've never been all inclusive so that also had me interested. Which seems much more expensive if you just try and book with booking.com etc?

Didnt think about TUI in store, it does seem like most of the problems they'e had are with the online website. Might check out the nearest store for a deal.

Do they match the price you see online or even have better/different deals than online?

shopaholicz · 17 May 2018 at 10:38AM

We've been going away with TUI for years and have never had even one problem.

For a last minute hol this year our daughter booked us with Sunmaster as we didn't have any issues with them either.

Doshwaster · 17 May 2018 at 11:48AM

guzzbuzz wrote: »

I have been looking at doing the flights + accommodation myself (this is how ive always done it tbh)

But when you factor in the need for a suitcase (if going away for 7-14 days). The airlines usually charge £40-£50 for this (20-25kg) and then you factor in the transfers from the airport to your hotel (some packages holidays do this for free) it seems to be working out cheaper for a package deal in many cases.

That's what had me looking at them to be honest. Plus i've never been all inclusive so that also had me interested. Which seems much more expensive if you just try and book with booking.com etc?

I recently did my first ever All Inclusive package holiday and I must say it was an eye-opener. I've always done the DIY route and maybe I had been a little snobbish about packages in general and AI in particular. However, a couple of weeks ago I found myself with some unexpected time off and needing to book a last minute holiday. I found a late availability AI deal through Thomas Cook to Turkey which was just too cheap to refuse.

For the price I really couldn't complain at all - the transfers were flawless, the room much better than I expected (travelling alone I thought I would be dumped into the worst room in the hotel) and the food was perfectly adequate - plus the drinks were free :beer:
I only ate in the hotel a few times as I like to go out to explore but it was nice to have the option of free food and drink if you were feeling lazy.

I don't think AI is ever going to replace my DIY adventures around SE Asia or city breaks in Europe but I can see their attraction for a hassle free week in the sun for a price that is impossible to beat.

alwaysskint96 · 17 May 2018 at 12:04PM

shopaholicz wrote: »

We've been going away with TUI for years and have never had even one problem.

For a last minute hol this year our daughter booked us with Sunmaster as we didn't have any issues with them either.

LOL i came back froim a TUI holiday yesterday. The coach transfer failed to turn up at hotel so we had to get a taxi- 75 euros and then argue the point at the airport to get it refunded- which they did do after 15 min of discussion- unbfortuantely in euros cash, which to change back means me lose out . Also made it very tight on check in to make plane- granned a rep and got taken to sp[ecial assistance

NoodleDoodleMan · 17 May 2018 at 4:31PM

The big package companies, TUI, Thomas Cook and Jet2 are sound.

The latter are especially good - well organised check in at airport, ample legroom on aircraft, generous 23kg baggage allowance and (in many locations) resort check in for the return flight. You say goodbye (temporarily) to your luggage at the hotel and go straight to security on arrival at the departure airport.

DIY holidays are fine, however they do have drawbacks in certain circumstances - like the volcanic ash drama in 2010 when so many flights were cancelled.

We were in a hotel in Malta on a Thomas Cook package and were well looked after for the 4 extra days in the same room on same board basis until they chartered an Air Malta aircraft to get us back to the UK.

DIY clients in our hotel were not covered by such duty of care apparently.

So who is safe to book with?

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