Anyone used onthebeach or loveholidays?

[sidsgranny]

They seem quite a bit cheaper than jet2 and Tui. I know there's "extras" to add on (luggage and transfers etc) but just wondered if others would recommend them or say to stay clear?

I’ve used Loveholidays and had no problems whatsoever.

Used Loveholidays for a trip to Italy last summer. They were fantastic. Very easy to book,good updates, cheaper than alternative travel agents for the same holiday.

I would use them again.

I’ve used loveholidays a few times and never had any issues!

I've used both and it's been fine. The only possible issue that I can see, depending on your destination, is that there is no company rep at your hotel or resort who can sort out any problems.

I’ve used both several times with no issues. I won’t use tui or jet2. Why pay more for the same holiday?

We used onthebeach this year. It is cheaper and i think that the hotels really reflect that price. Our 5 star definitely wasn't a 5 star. The star ratings dont seem to be quite as accurate as Tui for example. However, it wasnt bad and we enjoyed the holiday. The updates were great and we had no issues with the actual booking. "Extra" costs are a bit annoying but there is a luggage included option in the filters. We also used a private transfer through them due to our family size and it was brilliant, everything was organised and done for us.
I'd use them again for a cheap getaway.

Used both many times, no issues at all

I've used them both in the past with no issues but wouldn't use them again. Neither are ABTA registered - yes the majority of their trips are covered by the ATOL guarantee but you only have to read their reviews to see how both companies have declined.

Used both no issues. I usually check the hotel on trip advisor and other travel websites to make sure it's good. You don't get a holiday rep at the hotel but never had any issues.

I've just been looking at both those and thomas cook. The same hotel came in cheapest with thomas cook, then not much more with on the beach and love holiday, but nearly a £1000 more for jet2. I can't decide which would be best to go for (all flights etc similar).

Just be aware that neither are members of ABTA.

They just act as a booking platform for flights, hotels, transfer providers etc.

See this from Love Holidays - my bolding

"We operate a booking platform (online and via telephone) which enables users of our platform to search, compare, combine and book various travel services including, but not limited to, flights, hotels and transfers (“each a Travel Service”). We do not own or operate any of the Travel Services. When you search for Travel Services and make a booking on our platform, our service is only to obtain and provide information about those Travel Services, arrange for you to enter into a contract with the individual provider of the Travel Service in question (the "Service Provider") and to agree payment terms between you and that Service Provider. The Service Provider will be the party responsible for supplying the Travel Service to you."

Your contract is with the individual providers. You have to sort out any problems directly with them.

A couple of years ago we went to kefalonia with on the beach. The hotel was also used by jet2 and had a rep. At the end of our trip all the jet2 holiday makers had to get into a bus with a grumpy shouty bus driver, whilst we got into our lovely private transfer. They paid £1000 more of their holiday than we did. Jet2 always seem really expensive whenever I price them up. I just can’t do it. I’ll take my chances with the online travel agents.

though you do need to do more research yourself and probably more leg work if things don’t go right.

I'd love to book with some of the others but I'm hitting a brick wall (don't want to book with anyone that isn't abta and atol covered). I tried to book through thomas cook today but I have to pay before they'll tell me if the holiday is suitable for my disabilities (specifically a wheelchair) not anything out of the ordinary, and then wondered why I didn't want to book with them.

Have you tried Hays Travel? I phoned and an adviser gave me some very useful itineraries without charge.

I wasn't able to go in the end, due to personal circumstances, but I'd have been happy to book with them otherwise.