Summer holidays are coming and there has been a surge in online bookings for holiday packages compared to offline channels (local tour operators).
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According to MakeMyTrip, an online travel operator, mobile app and website site bookings have witnessed a year-on-year increase, surpassing bookings from offline channels.
Here are some tips to get the most out of online tour packages.
Determine a holiday destination within your budget
What sort of a holiday are you looking for? Do you wish to go for a spa or spiritual holiday? Is it a beach resort or a hill station that you seek? Deciding your type of holiday and travel style before reaching out to online tour operators is crucial for several reasons.
“Destinations and accommodations vary in cost, so making these decisions beforehand helps you establish a realistic budget,” says Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip, an online travel company.
“Targeted research helps you find options aligned with your holiday aspirations – whether it’s a beach vacation, a hill station retreat, a pilgrimage, or any other type of experience,” says Jasmeet Singh, Senior Vice President, Holidays & Experiences, MakeMyTrip. Moreover, it helps tailor the itinerary to your preferences. This includes choosing destinations that are either less explored and niche, or popular and mainstream, or selecting themes such as relaxation, wellness, adventure, etc.
Singh adds: “By determining factors like private versus group tours, budget stays versus luxury accommodations, and personalised activities versus standard excursions, travellers can estimate the budget required more accurately.”
The cheapest can be the worst
Only focusing on the cheapest holiday packages is not recommended by tour operators. “These budget options may mean that you end up with basic accommodation and miss out on important services or perks,” says Pittie. Furthermore, there could be hidden fees that you don’t notice until after booking. “Cheaper packages often have strict rules about changing travel dates or itineraries, and you might not get a refund,” Pittie adds.
If anything goes wrong during your trip, such as a cancelled flight or a medical emergency, getting help quickly might be a challenge as cheaper packages often come with limited customer support.
“The cheapest holiday package might also compromise on elements such as meal inclusions, on-ground services, and duration of the trip,” says Singh.
Indeed, a lowest-cost approach may lead to one missing out on enjoying a destination to the fullest.
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Know the exclusions
One must be aware of the key exclusions when considering holiday packages. “There might be additional charges such as taxes, resort fees, or surcharges that are not factored into the upfront package price,” says Pittie.
Also, there may be additional costs if you participate in optional activities mentioned in the itinerary. For instance, if you travel to Rishikesh and opt for adventure sports such as river rafting, bungee jumping, etc., there would be additional costs that you need to factor in.
Similarly, you need to be prepared for dining expenses if you have not opted for a meals-included package.
“Also, it’s important to determine whether travel cost to the destination and airport pickup / drop is included in the package. Particularly for international travel packages,” explains Pittie.
If travel insurance is not part of the package, customers should consider purchasing it separately to safeguard against unexpected events or emergencies, like delayed flights. Especially if you are travelling in a large group where cancellations, modifications, loss of luggage, etc., are a possibility. Online travel portals now offer customised travel insurance plans, where you pay a little extra for a lot more flexibility. It makes sense to opt for these.
Review the holiday package offered
Examining online packages or seeking advice from acquaintances can be helpful before booking. “Engaging with tour operators via phone or video calls provides valuable insights and enables travellers to grasp the package thoroughly,” says Pittie. Additionally, comparing the package with similar options in the market ensures an informed decision, allowing you to select a package that suits your preferences, budget, and expectations, thereby enhancing your overall travel experience.
Look out for discounts and offers from co-branded credit cards
Look out for sales organised by online travel operators to avail of good discounts. For instance, MakeMyTrip organises events such as monthly price-drop days, during which travellers can benefit from significant discounts if they complete their booking within the specified period.
Travellers should also look out for booking deals, promotional codes, and exclusive discounts, which can be helpful. “Moreover, investigating offers provided by co-branded credit cards or affiliated bank cards can yield additional advantages,” says Singh. By actively seeking out these opportunities, travellers can take advantage of potential savings and enhanced benefits.
“If you are travelling in a group, then negotiate for a group discount with the travel operator,” says Bharatt Malik, Senior VP, Flights and Hotel Business, Yatra, an online travel company.
He adds that online travel operators consider a group to be nine people or more travelling together with the same itinerary. For instance, you can get discounted prices from a travel operator for air tickets, as airlines count nine or more people as a group. Similarly, if you are booking more than four rooms at a hotel, it is considered a group booking and you can get a discounted price for your accommodation.
Savvy holiday planners also tend to use their credit card points to book tickets and hotels.
Avoid Holiday Now, Pay Later schemes
Online travel operators are wooing travellers with Holiday Now, Pay Later schemes by partnering with fintech lenders and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs). Here, the traveller needs to pay 15-20 percent of the cost of the holiday package upfront, and the balance after returning from their vacation. If the entire remaining amount is paid in a lump sum to the lender, there are no additional charges. But if you opt to pay in equated monthly instalments (EMIs), then the lender will charge interest.
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But Aparna Ramachandra, Founder-Director of rectifycredit.com, has a word of caution. “Consumers must know that all these fintech lenders are providing expensive personal loans by packaging them in different ways.”
