Cut-price travel companies have been accused of "misleading" customers with cheap internet prices by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI).
Cut-price travel companies have been accused of "misleading" customers with cheap internet prices by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI).
The TSI has criticised firms for advertising holidays at prices that do not include must-have extras, such as taxes or fuel supplements.
The TSI has criticised firms for advertising holidays at prices that do not include must-have extras, such as taxes or fuel supplements.
The TSI has urged the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to halt the practice.
The TSI has urged the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to halt the practice.
Travel industry group ABTA said its code included rules not to mislead but some low-cost operators ignored them.
Travel industry group ABTA said its code included rules not to mislead but some low-cost operators ignored them.
'Unrealistic prices'
'Unrealistic prices'
We have a code of practice, which means charges must be included in the price Sean Tipton, ABTA
We have a code of practice, which means charges must be included in the price Sean Tipton, ABTA
A random check of online travel firms found several examples of vast differences between the advertised and actual price.
A random check of online travel firms found several examples of vast differences between the advertised and actual price.
For example, one firm advertised a seven-night holiday in Benidorm from £59 per person but after compulsory extra charges were included, such as fuel supplements, the cost of the holiday rose to £266 for two adults.
For example, one firm advertised a seven-night holiday in Benidorm from £59 per person but after compulsory extra charges were included, such as fuel supplements, the cost of the holiday rose to £266 for two adults.
"This misleading and illegal cocktail of confusion is being allowed to flourish and consumers are clearly being enticed to check out particular holidays and flights with unrealistic prices," Bruce Treloar, TSI lead officer on travel said.
"This misleading and illegal cocktail of confusion is being allowed to flourish and consumers are clearly being enticed to check out particular holidays and flights with unrealistic prices," Bruce Treloar, TSI lead officer on travel said.
"Travel firms are adding the word 'from' - as in 'Lanzarote, from £75' - and then think it is acceptable to fail to offer any holidays which even come close to that magical figure, once must-pay supplements are added in," he added.
"Travel firms are adding the word 'from' - as in 'Lanzarote, from £75' - and then think it is acceptable to fail to offer any holidays which even come close to that magical figure, once must-pay supplements are added in," he added.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) told BBC News that it supported the TSI's call for a clampdown on misleading adverts.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) told BBC News that it supported the TSI's call for a clampdown on misleading adverts.
"This has been an issue for a number of years, with no-frills companies advertising very low rates, attracting customers to their websites and then charging them more.
"This has been an issue for a number of years, with no-frills companies advertising very low rates, attracting customers to their websites and then charging them more.
"We have a code of practice, which means charges must be included in the price. Not everyone has signed-up to this code and we need to see some action," Sean Tipton, ABTA spokesman, said.
"We have a code of practice, which means charges must be included in the price. Not everyone has signed-up to this code and we need to see some action," Sean Tipton, ABTA spokesman, said.
Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.
Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.
Your comments
Not all agents who advertise on the web are out to mislead you Jatinder Singh, London, UK
I work for a business travel agency in London, and offer flights on the web, the advert would say for example London to Delhi £299.00 plus taxes. The reason we don't show the tax is simply because, they are based on the rate of exchange and also fuel prices so the tax today could be £50.00 but tomorrow could be £70.00. Not all agents who advertise on the web are out to mislead you. Jatinder Singh, London, UK
Recently booked a holiday for 2 advertised for £324pp. After additional charges the total cost was £802. The additional charges were £40pp fuel supp and 1.5% Credit card charge. This negated any original discounts.Mr Cardoza, Leicester
I recently complained to the Advertising Standards about online advertising of a product, and received the reply that they could not do anything about internet advertisements, despite the fact that the ad was on a .co.uk site, aimed at UK consumers. Small print, and hidden T & C's are allowing advertising standards to drop, and consumers to be to become vulnerable!Charlie Stott, UK
Taxes and fuel charges should automatically be included in the price Moonli Christian, Cardiff, UK
It is not only travel agents that advertise misleading prices but airlines as well. For example stating a flight to Paris is only £39, the final price ends up being closer to £70! Taxes and fuel charges should automatically be included in the price because what is the point of advertising a price when there is no way that consumers will be able to purchase the product at that price?Moonli Christian, Cardiff, UK
My partner and I saved for a holiday over Christmas. We looked online and saw a 14 night, all inclusive trip to Mexico for £1100 each. We figured - we've saved hard and want to treat ourselves so why not. The actual figure we paid after all the "extras" were added on and the "no rooms in that hotel but we've got you another" was £1500 each which is a hell of a lot to add on to a price advertised for a holiday.Ben, Sandhurst, UK
We are an internet travel agency and an ABTA member. We'd much prefer to show the price inclusive of all the extras, but ABTA turns a blind eye when their tour operating members distribute 'basic' prices and add all the extras on afterwards.Antony Bradley, Croydon, England
The practice of "hidden" supplements is so frustrating and importantly time consuming. Holidays often include additional supplements for meals, resort transfers, ticket on-collection, late booking fees, fuel supplements, under-occupancy (even when you get to the resort and there isn't a spare bed to speak of), travel insurance (which you have to opt out of instead of opt-in if you already have it), credit card payment surcharge etc.
The other frustration is when you get to the price stage and then have to call up a phone number (rather than book online) and then find out that holiday is no longer available and the option is one more expensive.Darren Sharp, London
