Travel checklist: 10 things to tick off before booking a holiday
Found the perfect hotel and already picturing yourself by the pool? Before booking your holiday, it’s worth doing a few quick checks first.
From passport requirements and hidden costs to travel insurance and ATOL protection, here are 10 things to tick off before you press ‘book’.
1. Check the destination is right for you
It’s easy to fall in love with a beautiful hotel or beach online but take a few minutes to make sure the destination actually suits the holiday you want.
Consider:
- How long the flight is
- How far the hotel is from the airport
- What the weather is usually like when you’re travelling
- Whether you’ll need to hire a car
- How easy it is to get around using public transport
It’s also worth checking the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for information on safety, entry requirements and health risks.
2. Check your passport and entry requirements
Before you spend any money, make sure you’ll actually be able to travel.
Different destinations have different rules around how long your passport needs to be valid for. You may also need a visa or other documentation to enter the country.
Checking this before you book is much easier than discovering a problem when your holiday’s only a few weeks away.
3. Work out the real cost of your holiday
Found an amazing deal? Before you press ‘book’, check what’s included in the price.
Look out for extra costs such as:
- Checked baggage
- Airport parking
- Seat selection
- Airport or hotel transfers
- Food and drink
- Local charges or resort fees
- Charges for changing your booking
A holiday that looks cheap at first glance might not always work out that way once you’ve added everything you need. ATOL recommends checking for hidden costs before booking.
4. Decide how you want to book
Do you want to book a package holiday or organise your flights, accommodation and other parts of the trip separately?
There are pros and cons to both, so think about what matters most to you, from flexibility and convenience to the protection that comes with your booking.
Not sure which option suits you? Read our guide to package holidays vs flight only.
5. Check whether your holiday is ATOL protected
If you’re booking a package holiday that includes a flight, check that your travel company holds a valid ATOL and that your trip will be ATOL protected.
You can use our Check for ATOL tool before booking to check the company’s details.
If your trip is ATOL protected, you should receive an ATOL Certificate as soon as you pay any money towards it, even if you’ve only paid a deposit. Your certificate tells you what’s protected and who’s providing that protection, so keep it somewhere safe.
6. Check who you’re booking with
Before handing over your money, take a moment to check the company you’re booking with, particularly if you haven’t heard of them before.
Before you pay:
- Check the website address carefully
- Search for information about the company
- Look at independent customer reviews
- Be cautious of unexpected deals sent by email, text or social media
- Be wary if a deal looks too good to be true
- If something doesn’t feel quite right, give yourself time to check before paying.
7. Read the cancellation and amendment terms
Plans can change, so it’s worth knowing what your options would be before you book.
Check what would happen if:
- You need to change your travel dates
- Someone in your group can’t travel
- You need to cancel the holiday
- You need to change a name on the booking
- Nobody books a holiday expecting to cancel it, but understanding the terms now could prevent an unwelcome surprise later.
8. Think about travel insurance now, not later
Travel insurance can be one of those things that’s tempting to leave until your holiday gets closer, but it’s worth considering appropriate cover as soon as you book.
Depending on your policy, travel insurance can protect you against certain problems that happen before you travel, as well as things that happen while you’re away.
Remember, ATOL protection and travel insurance aren’t the same thing. They’re designed to protect you in different circumstances, so one doesn’t replace the other.
9. Think about how you’ll pay
How you pay for your holiday can give you another layer of financial protection.
Where possible, consider using a credit card. Qualifying purchases costing between £100 and £30,000 may receive additional protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
Whatever payment method you use, make sure you’re confident you’re paying the genuine travel company before entering your details.
10. Do one final check before pressing ‘book’
Nearly there! Before you make the payment, give your booking one last sense check.
Check that:
- Your travel dates are right
- All names match the passports
- You’ve selected the right departure airport
- The hotel, room and meal options are correct
- Baggage is included if you need it
- Transfers are arranged if required
- The final price is what you expected
It might only take a couple of minutes, but checking everything now could save you a lot of hassle later.
Then, once everything looks right, you can get back to the fun bit: looking forward to your holiday.
Before you book
A little preparation can go a long way. Taking a few minutes to check the details, understand your financial protection and make sure everything adds up will help you book with more confidence.
And if you’re booking a flight-inclusive package holiday, don’t forget to check that your trip is ATOL protected before you pay.
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