Subscribe to The Money StopNews Feed

Browse > Home / Featured / Should you opt for a package deal or a DIY holiday?

Should you opt for a package deal or a DIY holiday?

September 19, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Featured

Leave a Comment

Saving money on a holiday isn’t always an easy task, and whilst tour operators are doing their best to try and tempt customers in the current financial climate by lowering their prices for spectacular holiday deals the cost can often still be very expensive, and far more than many of us are willing or able to pay.

This is why many people over recent years have shied away from the traditional package holiday, deciding instead to utilise the power of the Internet to try and make up their own DIY holiday in order to save some money.

Anyone that is considering booking a holiday will need to consider whether to opt for a ready prepared package deal from the holiday company or whether to do some research themselves in order to find suitable and affordable flights, hotels, and car hire, and then book them all separately. There are pros and cons to both methods, and it is important to ensure that you weigh up these pros and cons so that you know exactly what the risks are and can decide whether or not you want to take them.

Packaged holidays

As the name suggests packages holidays are those that are already packaged together, and these usually include return flights to your destination, accommodation for the duration of your stay, transfers to and from the airport, and car hire where applicable. Booking a packaged holiday can be very convenient, especially for those that do not have the confidence to book their own separate flights, hotels, etc. With everything already included in the packaged deal you will find that you have to do minimal research, which can save you hours of trawling the Internet to find the best prices,

Another benefit with packaged holidays is that you are better protected in the event that something happens with the holiday company. With so many travel companies and airlines experiencing problems in the recession it makes sense to ensure that you have protection in the event that a company goes bust, and if you book a packaged holiday that is ABTA and ATOL protected.

On a bad note the cost of packages holidays can be expensive, and you may end up paying far more for these than you would if you booked your flight, accommodation, etc separately. For many people in the current financial climate this is a very important consideration that needs to be taken into account.

DIY holidays

The great thing about DIY holidays is that you have far more freedom. You can choose a flight from an airport and at a time that suits you, and you can choose from a far wide range of accommodation, finding something that really suits your needs and pocket rather than the limited choice available with package deals. Whilst this method may take longer, due to having to compare prices on separate components of your holiday it can save you a fair amount of cash as you can look for the best deals on flights, hotels, travel insurance etc.

However, it is worth bearing in mind that you do not get the same level of protection when you book separately compared to a package deal, so you may by in hot water if, for example, your airline went bust. However, you can increase the protection that you receive by using a credit card to make your booking, as you will then have the protection of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 even if you do not have ATOL and ABTA protection.

Tags: , , , ,

Related Entries

  • More protection for DIY holiday fans
    • Over the years an increasing number of people have started to book their own DIY holidays rather than opt for a pre-bundled package deal with a travel agent, and with the expansion of the Internet,
  • Consumer protection laws could fail to protect travellers
    • Over the past couple of years many people that have booked flights and holidays have been shocked to hear that the holiday firm or airline that they booked through has gone bust, leaving them wondering
  • What happens if your airline goes bust?
    • Over recent weeks two airlines have spectacularly gone bust, leaving many passengers stranded and many others wondering whether they will ever see the money that they forked out for their holiday again. The global credit
  • Are you protected if your airline goes bust?
    • Over the past couple of years the news has been filled with stories about airlines and holiday firms going bust, and whereas in the past many people would simply book the cheapest airline or holiday
  • Treasury Announces Investigation Of Travel Insurance Mis-Selling
    • By and large, Brits are a conservative consumer group.  As such, millions of us will gladly pay a relatively small premium to take-out a travel insurance policy before we go away on our holidays.  If
  • Long haul package holidays being slashed in price
    • With the global credit crunch still underway and soaring household bills and living costs impacting on consumers' budgets it is little surprise that many people have decided that they either cannot afford to take a
  • Is it worth going for a bundle with your broadband provider?
    • Many UK households these days have a wide range of television channels, a landline, and a broadband connection, but many people still take these services separately through different providers. However, it is worth considering whether you
  • More parents may take their kids on holiday during term time
    • The high cost of holidays outside of school term time is resulting in many parents threatening to take their kids out of school so that the family can afford to go on holiday. From the

Speak Your Mind

Tell us what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!