On the beach.com vs TUI

[thaisweetchill]

Hey!

Has anyone booked through onthebeach and would recommend using again? Looking to book our honeymoon which is on TUI & OTB, however, it’s £500 more with TUI! I would rather book TUI as I’ve used them in the past and had no issues. I’ve never booked through OTB, unfortunately I have heard some bad reviews but their Trustpilot is 4.4*!?

Obviously this holiday will be very special so just want to be as stress free as possible! I’m considering calling TUI tomorrow to see if they will price match but unsure if they will do this?

Is luggage and transfers included in the On The beach quote? We’ve booked to go with them in May as it was much cheaper than other companies or doing it ourselves. So far the booking process has all been straightforward but we’re haven’t actually been yet.

I’ve used OTB for 5/6 years, never had any issues.

We just cancelled a booking we made with a high street travel agent and booked the same holiday with on the beach instead. Even though we lost our deposit we still save over £1k.

We used both TUI and on the beach in the past and both are fine.

An OTB holiday isn’t an ABTA protected package so if one element goes tits up (flight or hotel) you’re not necessarily covered for the other. We got stung in 2021 when our resort was in severe Covid restrictions and our hotel closed. OTB offered us a crap alternative or a hotel refund and refused to budge. The flight still flew (two thirds empty) and we lost hundreds by not going. Had that been a proper package we’d have got it all back.

I would call TUI to see if they can help, but I’d much rather pay more and feel reassured that help is on hand if needed.

Yes, similar experience to starlight.

we have used OTB a few times and if nothing goes wrong, it’s fine.

but if something does go wrong, you’re on your own.

we got stuck in Greece about 10 years ago. I can’t remember now what the issue was, but other people, booked with Thomas Cook etc, were looked after by them. Whereas we had to trawl around trying to find alternative accommodation and then sort our own replacement flights home. It was all quite difficult and stressful.

But there is no denying the prices are very good. And as I say, on the holidays when nothing went wrong, it was all fine.

otb is not ok
don’t book with them

When our flight was cancelled with OTB due to Covid times they made it so hard to get a refund we never got it, I got Covid and became it ill to deal with them awful awful company

I’ve booked with them several times without issue. A couple of years ago we went to Kefalonia and paid £1000 less than it would have cost with jet2. We had a lovely private transfer back to their airport and they had a bus with a grumpy driver.

they can be hard to get hold of. One year they messed up our baggage allowance and I needed to contact them. I couldn’t get through on the phone at all and was worried until I messaged them on Facebook messenger. They sorted it all out straight away once I messaged them that way. They also won’t give you as much support if things go wrong. Though I have heard some horror stories about Tui too so there’s no guarantees.

this years holiday is booked through loveholidays. Similar company to on the beach. I’m just sucked in by the cheaper prices and hope that nothing goes wrong.

Ex travel agent here strongly recommend NOT booking with OTB. They’re okay until they’re not then you’re fucked. Don’t risk a honeymoon with them.

My brother booked with OTB to go to Morocco last year.

All went well until he got to the hotel and found out the company OTB had used to book the hotel had gone bust.

He had to pay for his hotel room again for the night, and spent the following days trying to sort it on the Web chat. Ruined the first few days of his holiday.

He was a solo traveller and his phone could connect to OTB. They wouldn't talk to me either. Such a stress, he wouldn't book with them again.

Thank you all for your replies! Following your responses I tried my luck and rang TUI to see if they would price match… they did! Glad I rang them as they were very helpful, I now feel much more at ease and ABTA protected 😊

Make sure they know it’s your Honeymoon and email the hotel before you go too. They usually offer an upgrade or some fizz in your room