Last year I booked my summer holiday in January but then found that there were some really good late deals around. Should I hold off booking until later in the year?
If you have a family and are restricted by school holidays then you should book now to ensure that you get the resort and destination that you want. If you are more flexible on your dates and destination then you could probably afford to hold off.
I've read reports that there are fewer holidays on sale than usual this year. Is this just another way of tour operators trying to get us to book now?
The four big tour operators have cut capacity by up to 20 per cent for this summer due to a downturn in demand following 11 September. Such drastic cuts haven't been seen since the Gulf war. This means that there are around one million fewer package holidays on sale for summer 2002. If you live in Northern Ireland and Scotland and are restricted on your holiday dates you are advised to book as soon as possible. A large chunk of the cuts in capacity have been from Belfast and Scottish airports.
A 50 per cent discount on my next summer holiday sounds great. But is it too good to be true?
Discounts of up to 50 per cent are available but only on a selected number of holidays. Some of the deals will be for harder-to-sell properties and resorts. Make sure you end up buying the holiday you want and are not just lured by the size of the discount.
Are the big travel agent chains just promoting the holiday companies they own themselves?
They will be doing so more than ever this January, because of the downturn in bookings after 11 September. This means that the best discounts will inevitably be for the travel agent's own operators. For example, Lunn Poly is only offering '50 per cent off' deals for Thomson Holidays and Skytours. Discounts on rival operators won't be as high.
And there are thousands of free child places too. That can't be bad?
Yes, it sounds good. There are certainly more than normal this year but tour operators don't count a child staying for free as an occupant in an apartment and will charge extra if the apartment is not full. Be careful of other extra charges such as flight supplements, airport transfers and kids' clubs.
This year Thomson and Airtours have introduced a £7 supplement to cover increased airline and airport security charges following the 11 September terrorist attacks, while First Choice now charges £5.
When is the cheapest time to go on holiday this summer?
The best deals are available before the schools break up in May and June and after they go back in late September and October.
Big sporting events tend to be the kiss of death for tour operators so watch out for some good late deals during the World Cup between 31 May and 30 June, particularly if England and Ireland do well.
I'm planning to hire a villa in France rather than opt for a beach holiday in the Med. Do I have to book early?
It may be wise to do so this summer. Self-drive destinations such as France are expected to do particularly well this year as Brits and other nationalities such as Germans and Dutch stick closer to home. Don't expect hefty discounts for booking late either. France isn't served by the big charter flight operators so there won't be the same kind of late deals available.
If you don't want to drive to France, the flight options are due to expand this summer with low-cost airline Buzz (0870 240 7070) launching services to nine new French destinations such as Rouen, Dijon, Bergerac and Toulon-St Tropez from 31 March. Book early to get the best deals.
Are the 'free insurance' deals all they are cracked up to be?
Shop around for travel insurance. High-street travel agents don't necessarily offer the best deals. If you do get offered 'free insurance' check the policy carefully to ensure it will cover you for all your holiday requirements. Many policies now offer only very basic cover.
Travelcare which is currently offering free insurance with many discounted holidays, normally charges £25 per person for two weeks in the Med.
How long will the discounts be available?
Most of the deals finish by the end of January.
Sample deals
First Choice (0870 750 0001) is offering 'buy one, get one free' deals on selected First Choice and Unijet holidays to more than 84 properties in 24 destinations. A family of four can stay at the three-star Barcelo La Galea Apartments in Lanzarote for £679, instead of the brochure price of £1,298. This includes departures from Gatwick on May 9 and transfers.
Lunn Poly (0870 165 0076) has up to 50 per cent off holidays with sister operators Thomson and Skytours. A 14-night stay at the Paraiso Apartments in Majorca with Thomson Holidays costs £856 for two adults - valid for departures between 18 July and 6 August from Gatwick.
Travelcare (0870 902 0033) is offering up to 50 per cent off holidays with First Choice, Thomson, Airtours and JMC along with free insurance.
