On the beach

[ChocoChocoLatte]

Has anyone booked with these guys? Am tempted but don’t have the money to throw away if it all goes wrong!

Someone told me one was horrendous but I can’t remember if it was these guys or ice lolly….

It’s any company who act as a middle man. It’d this is what you’re thinking of doing, you might be better off / find it cheaper to book flights & accommodation independently because that’s what companies like on the beach etc are doing anyway

They're cheap and have terrible customer service. They have at least now rejoined ABTA, but I still wouldn't use them.

The trouble with this is that you don't have legal package holiday protection like you do when you buy flights and accommodation together. Agents are not necessarily more expensive.

Them and Love Holidays - stay clear. A ‘proper’ Tour Operator is much safer. For instance Easyjet Holidays, I’m ex travel company staff (think big one who went bust) and now book with Easyjet Holidays whose prices come in lower than Tui and Jet2 (who if cheaper would be by number 1 choice).

I have used these 3 times and never had a problem also going with them again this june

I'd normally book independently - flights / hotel etc but even I can't match the prices being offered in this instance.

My main concern is the horror stories I've heard about not being able to check in online with Ryanair etc if booked via a third party.

Honestly I've always checked in fine no issues and had Ryan air there and back this year I'll be easy jet out Ryan air back, everything is managed on my bookings on the on the beach app

Used them and love holidays 6 times now over last few years with no issues.

I've used them for 6 holidays, not once had a problem.

That's no longer true. If you use a company to book components it counts as a package no mind who they then book with.

Maybe that's why they're now ABTA registered

Do you mind me asking why you'd steer clear of On The Beach and why the other companies you mention are safer? Not questioning your knowledge just looking to understand whether it's a risk I'm willing to take.

I usually book with Jet2 or Tui as previously I've always found On the Beach works out more expensive when bags and transfers are added on. We're tied to school holidays so budgets don't go a long way! However, this year OTB is working out quite a bit cheaper for comparable accommodation (same hotel in some instances). I'm only looking to book a cheap and cheerful package holiday to a resort I know fairly well.

Also, if I do decide to go with OTB does anyone know how the flight booking works? I believe they send you a code and link to book your own flights, so does that mean there's a risk the flight could book up before you have a chance to use them or is there some sort of reservation system? Obviously I wouldn't be planning to wait ages before booking flights but there are quite a few of us travelling and I know seats can sell quickly for popular times.

I would never consider them as their advertising suggests people who have different ideas of what is a good holiday.

OP, your main concern should be considering Ryanair be it directly or via a third party. I don't condone the behaviour of Michael O'Leary and neither should you.

Avoid at all costs. Ex travel agent here.

I’ve used them for all my abroad holidays in the past 5years, couldn’t fault them to be honest! The prices are great and we’ve never had a problem.

I’ve only used them once during tail end of Covid and had a positive experience.

I usually use Love Holidays but went with On The Beach in October, absolutely no problem with either. Flight checking in has been no problem, flown with Ryan Air, Tui and SunExpress through 3rd party bookings and no issues.

Sites like OTB and Loveholidays claim to tailor the holiday for you but elements are booked separately and they are not ABTA registered so you are covered in the same way if things go awry.

The package I'm looking at does not involve Ryanair. I know what you mean about the annoying advert but I'm familiar with the area I'm looking at booking and I know it's suitable for us.

On the Beach says it is ABTA registered (it looks like they registered or re-registered last year) does that mean they are safe?

Can you give a reference for "no longer true" ?

I know it was under discussion, but can't find a reference to its implementation.

I'm not sure what OP is hoping to get out of this thread. Anyone reading it who has had a bad experience with this company will say avoid. Some people who have only had good experiences will say it was all fine, others won't bother because people who have had good experiences tend to be less vocal.

Most people do fine with most companies. That's how they stay in business. When I read threads bashing Ryanair I smile because their turnover goes up 10% or whatever every year, so clearly it can't be as bad as the disappointed people make out.

I would suggest going to Trustpilot or Tripadvisor and choose one of the top three rated companies in the sector. The wisdom of crowds and all that.

OTB is an online Travel Agent. Tui and Jet2 are actual package holiday companies. You always get the best protection (if you want it) with a package holiday company.

I've used them twice. No issues. Second time I had a bit of a wobble reading about people with second hand experiences of a friend or relative who turned up at the hotel to find they had no booking, but I emailed the hotel to confirm and it was all fine.

With regards booking flights, I can't remember them emailing a code, but I think it did put us through the airline's booking system as part of the holiday booking.

Our last holiday we originally booked with a national travel agency but I found the same flights and hotel, with a better room, for much cheaper with OTB. Even forgoing our deposit it was a saving of over £1k.

We just came back from Christmas and New Year in Turkey booked through On The Beach. Absolutely no problems. Transfers worked perfectly. Flights all OK (Sun Express). Oh, and it worked out £1800 cheaper than Jet2 for the same hotel and dates!

Find an independent travel agent and work with them. For example https://juliemacdonald.notjusttravel.com/. Full disclosure - I know Julie and she is excellent. You give her your budget and what you’re looking for and she finds the right deals (she gets a commission from the travel companies and it costs you nothing). Plus she’s passionate about travel. I’m sure there are lots of ‘Julies’ out there that you could work with.