Dreaming of summer already? Pitfalls to avoid when booking your getaway
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The January blues might already be causing a few daydreams about summer - but people browsing for holidays are being warned to avoid some common pitfalls. Consumer group Which? has put out some handy tips to avoid overspending on the big getaway. Look beyond the sale price.
Exercise caution over special sale or discounted prices as headline-grabbing deals might actually be limited in number, or not quite what they seem. Which? found some big hotel chains exaggerated the number of bargains and in some cases, the sale price did not exist at all.
Eurostar recently got in trouble with the advertising watchdog for exaggerating the number of seats available for £39, despite an asterisk saying "T&Cs apply". Only a few per cent were actually available at that level. If the price at checkout ends up a lot higher than advertised - even if you have spent ages on the booking - Which? advises "walking away" and looking elsewhere.
Budget blamed as job cuts hit 'four-year high' and price hikes loom. Money blog: Average price of a shop at UK's top eight supermarkets ranked. Montgomery-backed Local TV swoops on Lebedev's London Live licence. Laptop vs phone price. Apps like Expedia are a go-to for many, but if you are searching on a laptop, desktop or tablet you could be losing out as some discounts only show up when using your phone.
Which? recommends looking up your deal on both a computer and a phone to ensure you are getting the best price and to see the true size of any 'mobile-exclusive' discount. Cutting out the middle man and getting a quote direct from the hotel could prove even cheaper.
