BLACK FRIDAY is on the horizon and airlines and travel companies have already started to offer discounts on 2022 holidays.
But the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is warning consumers to check deals carefully to make sure there’s financial protection and no hidden costs involved.
Buyers should check for crucial details like ATOL protection and hidden costs and make sure to book by credit card where possible, or risk being left out of pocket.
Read on for their top Black Friday travel tips:
Check for hidden costs
- Does it include baggage allowance? How much is additional luggage?
- Is it actually a good deal? Check other providers and remember, holiday deals often carry on through the festive period and into January.
- Look for where the seller is based – If it’s abroad and the deal is in a foreign currency, make sure to check how much they are charging in pounds before booking to ensure you get a good rate, and double check your bank’s fees for paying in foreign currency.
- Is there any flexibility in the booking? Can parts of the holiday be amended if needed without incurring any extra costs?
- Research COVID-19 restrictions in your destination to make sure you understand entry requirements, testing costs and social restrictions.
Check for ATOL protection
Every travel company that sells package holidays in the UK is required to hold an ATOL, which stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence. The scheme also applies to some flight bookings.
If a travel company with an ATOL ceases trading, the scheme protects customers who have booked package holidays with them, making sure they don’t get stuck abroad or lose money.
Some non-UK travel companies will be advertising their deals over the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales period, but these may not be ATOL protected.
Before booking, you should always check that your travel provider is a legitimate ATOL holder, you can do this on the UK Civil Aviation Authority website.
Use a credit card when booking
Using a credit card allows consumers to benefit from enhanced purchase protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
This means if you pay for your flight or hotel with a credit card and something goes awry, in many cases your credit card issuer should provide you with your money back (as long as the purchase is between £100-£30,000).
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