How can I get a good summer holiday deal?

Question:

I am already thinking about where to go on holiday next summer but always find this a daunting task. As soon as Christmas Day is over I am consumed by the need to get the family a break we deserve. Can you offer practical tips on how to get a deal and how to go about sorting my much needed summer holiday?

Answer:

By Bob Atkinson, travelsupermarket.com

Don’t worry; you are not alone in this quest. TV adverts appear on our screens pretty much as soon as the Queen has delivered her festive speech and many families go into a frenzy about where to go and when.

In between hunting for bargains in the post-Christmas sales brochures by the armful, that new laptop is pressed into use surfing endless travel websites and we take the opportunity at family gatherings and with our friends to learn where they went in 2011 and what they think they will do in 2012.

While this is all helpful in its own way, it is wise to have a plan of attack and to get organised. Here are my tips to make this easier and how to get the holiday you want for less money.

1. Start with your dates. Get your preferred dates organised and plan your time off across the year. This ensures you have breaks to look forward to and get the dates you need. Remember to book these at work as soon as possible.

2. Set a budget. What can you afford for your holiday? Ensure you calculate a total cost, not forgetting all those things that add up – airport parking, spending money and travel insurance to name a few.

3. What does the holiday need to do for you? Pure rest? Activities to keep the family on the go? Shopping or sightseeing? We are all different so it is important to consider what each of you need and to try and ensure you can cater for your entire holiday group when you travel. This will keep you all happy so make a list of the things that are important and keep those in mind as you search for the right breaks.

4. Start the research. A good place to start is travel brochures and the internet. You can use them for inspiration on where to go and to sense check that you can do what you want for the budget you have set. Ensure you check out review sites such as TripAdvisor, tourist boards and tour operators for great ideas. And if you are really stuck then why not visit your local travel agent for advice.

5. The advice you really trust. We all chat to friends and family about where we have been and what we have enjoyed. So it’s good to sense check your holiday ideas by speaking to those we trust or use facebook to look for tips and advice from those you trust.

6. Check availability. You know where you want to go so check out availability and up to date prices. Price up both packages and DIY holidays with separate flights and accommodation. Also think about the right board basis for you, self catering through to all inclusive. Use price comparison services such as TravelSupermarket.com to compare options.

The average saving we have found when comparing holidays is £150 per person, so you should be able to save something here. We can often find the same holiday far cheaper when booked with a different holiday company to the first one you checked. And if you can be flexible with your dates you could save even more. Keep an eagle eye out for early booking offers, low deposits and discounts, however always compare the total price, and don’t just focus on money off deals and discounts.

7. Re-check that final price. When booking make sure you know what is included in the price. Check that you have costed in all items such as luggage, transfers and airline food so you are comparing like with like.

8. Take the plunge. Confirm the holiday you have chosen, using low deposit schemes where you can to ease the cost of securing your break. Follow our three golden rules;

Ensure you check that the holiday is either ATOL protected or has a scheme in place to ensure that if anything goes wrong with your airline or accommodation there is financial protection.
Pay by credit card or with a Visa or MasterCard debit card to benefit from financial protection
Take out a travel insurance policy straight away to give you cancellation cover and ensure this includes End Supplier Failure cover.
Finally, print out a picture of your holiday and pop it somewhere at home or work to constantly remind you of what you have to look forward to

9. Begin saving. Starting early to save makes it easier. You may have to pay the balance of your holiday in a few months plus you will need spending money as well as things for your break. Maybe even a new wardrobe!

10. Plan ahead and save even more. Check out your passports and EHIC cards are in date. Pop diary notes in place for when to book airport parking, when to order your travel money and when to arrange your car hire. Use price comparison for all of these and you can save a small fortune, enough for a mini break later in the year!