Booking Guidelines for DIY Travel

This is the small print but it is very important. If you take heed of our guidance here you are less likely to experience problems relating to your holiday. That is not to say things won ’t go wrong. But if they do you will be well advised to deal with them.

Do your homework. A little effort investigating your choices will pay dividends. The Internet is a useful tool. After all you are using it to book your holiday! Make use of the wealth of information available on destinations and resorts. You may also find comments from people who have visited these places before. Remember though, if they seem to be negative, it may only mean that the holiday didn’t work for them. It may be the ideal resort for your needs. Weigh up your options. Check out the Foreign Office website for up to the minute travel advice.

Is your Passport Valid? Everybody needs one to leave the country and more importantly everyone needs one to get back in. You need your own passport. It needs to be in good condition and is usually required to have a minimum of 3 months validity from the date of your return. Some countries require 6 months. If your passport is not British other rules may apply. Even children require their own passports. Consult The Passport Office for up to the minute information.

Your name must match. Please make sure that you enter the correct names of every member of the group into your booking. Your name must match your passport. If you are known by a different name because your real one embarrasses you, prepare to be embarrassed. Name changes can be costly.

Do not make changes. Unless you really have to. Ensure everyone concerned is in agreement with the details of the holiday. Do not book it if there is a possibility that you may have to make changes. Wait until you are sure. Changes can result in anything from an administration fee to a full blown cancellation and rebook. This is costly and unlikely to be covered by Insurance.

Insurance is Important. Protect yourself and one another. Travel Insurance is peace of mind. Make sure your policy is going to work for you. Not all policies cover for skiing or diving with sharks. Visit our Insurance page to obtain a quote and again read the small print. Make sure that the policy covers you for long enough particularly when your return flight is overnight or a transatlantic flight, meaning you land the day after you take off. Make sure the policy covers the value of your holiday and to avoid incidence please leave the Tiffany jewellery behind!
Always check out your policy for medical requirements, particularly if you have a recurring condition or have had/due to have any medical treatment. Withholding information now will render any claims invalid at a later stage.
Most importantly, when you have got your insurance, still be careful. Be even more cautious than you would at home. Any incident in a foreign country can be confusing and complicated. Please take care.

Your holiday may change. Whether you booked your holiday a year in advance or a week in advance the Operator still may change some criteria of your holiday. Each supplier will have their own set of booking conditions detailing their policies regarding any changes they may make. A change of flight times for example will only be compensated if the change is of more than 12 hours. Be prepared. Take something to amuse yourself in the event of delay. If any changes are made to accommodation you should expect to be allocated accommodation of the same or higher standard. Most changes are identified in advance and you are usually offered the option of cancelling at no charge. If things are changed try and go with the flow.

Discounts and pricing. The DIY method of booking allows you to select from a large database of available flights and accommodations. This method helps to keep costs down, as overheads are low. Remember that low prices do not always represent the best value and you still need to do your homework. If price is still your guide try to avoid school holidays or other peak periods. Weigh up all the pros and cons.

Is it better to book Online? There is no denying that booking online appears to be a quick and efficient way of reserving your holiday. It is available 24/7 and as mentioned before a large amount of information can be found. However we do obviously believe that as a reputable Travel Agency with nearly 200 years worth of combined Travel Industry experience we can offer a service unrivalled by the Internet.

You are covered by ABTA when you book a package holiday through an ABTA affiliated Travel agent. This means that if things go wrong your money is protected. This is called bonding. When you start putting the components together yourself you need to look out for other ways your money might be covered, for example with a flight inclusive holiday you need to look for an ATOL number. Never assume that you are covered. Particularly when using no-frills airlines. This is where booking through an agent comes into its own. We look after you and your money!

Do be wary of offers. If it looks too good to be true, it usually is. There are genuine offers out there but most offers are there to lure you in. Follow the Travelux motto. Never assume. ( It makes an ass out of u and me )
If you want a holiday that offers good value and reliable quality, speak to one of our agents who can offer you unrivalled advice.

If you have reason to complain. Make sure you are complaining with just cause. If there is merely only a blown light bulb then afford the owners the benefit of the doubt, but if the cupboards are hanging off the wall and there are cockroaches in the bath then you need to take reasonable action. Your first stop must be your local representative. They are there to help and should make reasonable steps to assure the quality expected. The problem may be easily rectified and be prepared to thank anyone who is prepared to help. Do not suffer in silence. Do document any communications and take photos if appropriate. If the problem persists and nothing is done to resolve the problem then you will have to pursue it on your return. Write a concise letter documenting everything and provide evidence (photos etc). If you receive an unsatisfactory conclusion then there are higher powers who can intervene, e.g ABTA. Complaints are again another advantage of booking through a Travel Agent. They can act as a mediator and have experience dealing with problems. They know when a company is being reasonable or evasive.

Your holiday starts here. Congratulations! If you have read this far you are now much better equipped to book and enjoy a holiday to your level of satisfaction. You will find below links to companies that can offer advice or services mentioned above. If you still are unsure about any aspect of a DIY holiday please call Travelux of Tenterden who will happily discuss your requirements and make a holiday reservation for you.

Contact Travelux of Tenterden
Insurance
Holiday Extras
Foreign Advice
Passport Office
ABTA
Civil Aviation Authority