Booking everything separately?

[SpecialKRocks223]

I've only ever booked holidays using Travel Republic, they've always been good but I'm finding it might be cheaper this time (October 2020) if I book flights directly through the airline and then using Hotels.com for the accommodation. Shuttle service isn't really necessary as the hotel is near the airport so I'll flag a taxi.

Does anyone else book holidays this way? I'd email the hotel afterwards to make sure my reservation is confirmed...

[TheFlis12345]

We always book separately, haven’t done a package for at least ten years and don’t know anyone who still does other than an elderly relative.

[ShirleyPhallus]

I always book separately, always find a package that looks good (ie virgin holidays) then shop around to fit it elsewhere

Even the really shonky looking stores are fine imo

Just make sure you have good insurance in case flights are cancelled

[Frenchfancy]

I always book separately. But rather than booking through hotels.com or booking.com try booking the hotel directly. You will almost always get the same or a better deal as sites like that take a 15% commission. Book on a credit card to get the most protection.

[stucknoue]

Just make sure you have end supplier failure insurance because you have no package protection.

[SJane48S]

Separately, always. Use a bit of the couple of hundred to a couple of thousand depending on where you are going on some decent travel insurance

[Linguaphile]

I have actually never booked a package holiday! I personally enjoy the freedom of booking exactly what we want, down to the amenities a hotel offers and the flight times that work best for us. And yes, it is always cheaper. Instead of booking a solid 7 days, for example, it may be a few hundred cheaper to book the flights yourself and leave on a Sunday instead of a Saturday. Lots of deals to be had on hotel discount sites like Luxury Escapes. Booking on your own can save thousands!

[fussychica]

Separately always as we often tour on the way to our destination if taking our own car and usually stay away longer than a package would allow. But we even do it for short breaks.
Make sure you have insurance with suitable cover, use a credit card for extra protection and you'll probably find your money goes a lot further.

[SpecialKRocks223]

Thank you everyone x

[rookiemere]

You might get a better rate if you book the hotel directly through their website.

[lovelyupnorth]

Always book separately

Use a credit card to get the section 75 cover.

The only time worth considering a tour operator is when a popular destination that lots of brits holiday in. As they book in bulk and maybe cheaper.

[fuzzyduck1]

We do both depending on the holiday.
Euro Caribbean holidays are normally cheaper with agents.
City breaks Asia are better diy.

[BarbaraofSeville]

I really liked the search functionality of On the beach which sells 'DIY packages' but I did find the same flight and accomodation combination slightly cheaper by booking directly with the airline and through booking.com.

[BarbaraofSeville]

And definitely pay by credit card. You could always transfer the balance to a 0% deal if you need to spread the cost, which is one reason why a lot of people say they use packages, you don't normally have to pay for your holiday until a few weeks before departure.

We got all the money back for new more expensive flights when Monarch went bust 2 days before we were due to travel with them.

Anyone paying by debit card would have had to suck up the extra cost of more expensive short notice flights themselves or face losing their holiday.

We did have scheduled airline failure cover on our travel insurance, but that only covered the return journey if you'd already travelled out, so no use to us.

[SJane48S]

Scheduled Airline Failure cover varies company by company - generally the cheaper the policy the crapper the cover so it’s worth paying a bit more for better protection and reading the Terms closely

[BarbaraofSeville]

The annual travel insurance policy we had wasn't cheap - over £100 pa for a couple for Europe only and was bought mainly because it was supposed to be good for sporting activities and it has been good in that respect - we had to cancel a holiday where DP chose not to go due to illness from preventing him doing the activity that was the main focus of the holiday and they paid up in full without quibble.

I did read the SAF cover both before and after Monarch went bust - I had an inkling it was going to happen and was getting my ducks in a row as it were. It was clear as mud as to what it actually covered, but the headline on their website made it sound like we were covered.

[SJane48S]

We’ve used Norwegian this year who are having a rocky financial time so I went through about 20 different insurers policies looking specifically at SAF terms. They do vary quite widely and the more expensive they got, the better & without all the multiple multiple clauses. We ended up going with Puffin which looked pretty water tight.

[Whatsitlike]

Not booked a package for over 20 years at least.

As long as you feel confident organising it yourself why not.

But I always book direct with airlines/accommodation and don't use 3rd party company's. So if anything goes wrong, or changes have to be made I know who I am dealing with.

And if booking flights make sure you have enough wriggle room for transfers etc. esp if your booking more than one flight (but not all on the same ticket) it could save you money, but just be aware

[SJane48S]

True! Transfers can save a lot of money but less than 2 hours if your plane is delayed and you have to go through security in the country you’re transferring in, it can all be very very stressful pelting through an airport with DC!

[rookiemere]

Also maybe a bit niche but for ski holidays I now either book a package or at least a deal where transfers are included after the experience of trying to fit snow chains for the first time in the snow on the way to the airport.

[SooticaTheWitchesCat]

We always book everything separately as it saves us money.

[Branleuse]

i always book seperatly. You often save hundreds

[Daddylonglegs1965]

I have done both we mostly book separately but last year it worked out cheaper booking a package with Jet2 than booking direct with the hotel we wanted even with a 10% discount.
Booking directly with the hotel rather than a third party usually works out cheaper but not always but you can ask for and have more chance of getting a particular room/floor view etc.
If going SC their isn’t often much of a cost saving but you have a much more spacious, more plush higher spec apartment than opting for SC with a tour operator.

[rookiemere]

Jet2 holidays seem well priced and I've used them for a city break.

[sansou]

Normally DIY except for skiing where accommodation & transfers are booked via a niche operator.