Beware Of 'Hurry' Holiday Sales This January Here's Why

Don’t be fooled by ‘hurry’ deals, warns consumer watchdog Which? – you may be worse off.

A Which? travel investigation reveals misleading ‘hurry’ deals could be tricking customers into overpaying for their holiday.

Over the summer of 2017, the watchdog tracked 30 time-limited deals, many urging customers to ‘book now’ alongside a countdown clock. Over 50% of the offers stayed the same or even became cheaper after the ‘sale’ had ended.

Trips to Paris are often subject to flash sales

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Which? found the price of a Sandals Resorts seven-night, all-inclusive break to Jamaica dropped a further £50 per person the day after its ‘Summer Mega Sale’ ended. ‘So no need to hurry at all,’ said the watchdog.

A Virgin ‘Holiday Sale’ selling seven nights in Florida fell a further £115 per person a day after the 17 August deadline. The advertisement promised the offer wouldn’t ‘last forever’, which it didn’t. Unfortunately for the buyers, it would have been better to hold off.

The price of a trip to Florida continued to fall even after the ‘sale’ had ended

Which? warns that many travel companies including Virgin, Kuoni, Inghams, Expedia, Sandals Resorts and Lastminute could be in breach of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, having caused people to rush into a buying decision they wouldn’t otherwise have taken.

In response, tour providers say that they would never knowingly mislead customers. But holidaymakers should remember that it’s always best to shop around before booking.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.