Is there still time to book a summer holiday in 2022?

The quick answer to the above question is yes!

But, talking of quick, that’s exactly what you need to be. Earlier this month, holiday operator TUI reported that summer holiday bookings from UK customers are up 19% on pre-pandemic levels. The higher demand for holidays may mean that at this stage you are unable to book the exact holiday that you would really like.

So it’s advisable to get something booked as soon as possible if you want to go away this summer. Particularly if you have limited flexibility on dates, for example through work commitments or being tied to school holidays. Whether you plan to travel abroad or to find somewhere in the UK, demand is high in the peak season and you don’t want to miss out.

Even if you are not normally tied to school holidays, there is an additional demand factor to be aware of. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee double Bank ­Holiday (Thursday 2nd /Friday 3rd June) could enable you to have a 9 day holiday and only have to take 3 days off work. So if you want to take advantage of that opportunity, it would be advisable to book somewhere sooner rather than later.

In this article we take a quick look at:

• How to find the perfect holiday for you.
• When and how will you need to pay for your summer holiday?
• What kind of travel insurance do you need?
• What’s the latest situation on vaccinations?

How to find the perfect holiday for you

Whether you prefer to research holiday destinations online, visit a travel agent, or ask friends and family for recommendations, there are three main considerations that can help you to find the perfect holiday for you and everyone travelling with you:

• What does everyone want to do?

Planning a holiday is much easier if everyone wants to do the same kind of things. For example a lazy beach holiday, busy sightseeing tour, ambitious road trip, or an activity holiday. This helps to narrow down your search right from the start. But if there are differing requirements you need to find somewhere that caters for everyone in your party.

Also take into account the length of time you will be on holiday for. For example, if you are planning to stay in the same place for a fortnight, then hopefully everyone will be able to do the things they really want to. But if you are having a shorter holiday, compromises may need to be made.

• Get intelligence on your destination

Once you have started to narrow down the kinds of places that you would like to travel to, you need to gather as much intelligence as you can. For example:

• Check Gov UK for the latest Foreign Office travel advice. Even though most Covid-related restrictions have now been lifted, things can change quite quickly and, if there is any doubt in your mind about the situation in a particular country, it could be better to choose somewhere else this time.
• Check the weather. Weather patterns vary enormously between different hemispheres and countries. So find out the situation in the country you are interested in, just to make sure you are not planning a break in what might be their monsoon or hurricane season.
• Read reviews from other travellers. These can not only give you ideas as to possible places to stay, but they can also be a useful source of advice about holidaying in that country in general.

• What is your budget?

Of course, one of the key considerations is how much money you have to spend on your holiday. It’s important to have a clear and realistic holiday cost in mind before you even start looking, as it’s very easy to get drawn into spending more money than you can really afford.

When and how will I have to pay for my summer holiday?

The three things you need to know are:

• When to pay?
• How much to pay?
• How to pay?

• When to pay?

The timing of your payment will depend on how far in advance your holiday is. 

If you book a holiday either through a travel agent or holiday company, which is over 12 weeks away, you will only need to pay a deposit for each person travelling. The remaining balance is then due 12 weeks before you go. 

However, if your holiday departure date is within 12 weeks, you will usually be asked to pay the full cost of the holiday at the time of booking.

• How much to pay?

The amount of your deposit varies according to the type of holiday, but you can generally expect to pay around £200-250 per person. Some holiday companies may be able to arrange for you to pay this in a couple of instalments rather than all at once.

• How to pay?

If you have a credit card, it can be a good idea to use this for your deposit or holiday payment. It means that your payment will be covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, which gives you financial protection on your purchase. This could be invaluable if anything goes wrong with your holiday booking.

If you need extra funds to secure your holiday booking, a short term loan from Loans 2 Go may be able to help.

What kind of travel insurance do you need?

Many people are still cautious about booking a holiday in case it is then affected by Covid. But if you book either a package holiday or flights that your travel company then has to cancel due to Covid-19 or other serious problems, you would be entitled to a full refund.

Similarly if you have booked a holiday rental property that then has to be cancelled, the company should offer you either a refund or a credit voucher for another holiday.

But it’s also important to arrange good travel insurance at the same time you book your holiday. This ensures that you are covered for everything right from the start.

A good travel insurance policy should cover you for:

• Cancellation or travel disruption

Always look for a policy that will cover you for cancelling the holiday for any reason, including illness, bereavement, other family circumstances or job loss. 

But it is also wise to check whether your policy includes specific cover for Covid-19 risks. For example, if you have to quarantine whilst abroad. 

• Medical costs and emergencies

The recommended amounts of insurance cover for medical costs and emergencies are £2 million for Europe and £5 million worldwide. 

Also check what other related expenses would be covered, for example either bringing you and your family back to the UK or meeting the costs of having to stay longer abroad. 

• Loss, theft and damage

Most travel insurance policies will reimburse you for some or all of the cost of items that are lost or stolen, although it is worth taking out additional insurance for any very expensive items.
If an item is stolen you also need to report this to the police, as the insurers are likely to need evidence that you have done this.

Travel insurance usually also provides some kind of compensation for delayed or damaged baggage.

If you lose money or documents, some travel insurance will cover the cost of sorting out a new passport or credit card. Your policy may cover the loss or theft of some cash, but probably only up to a certain limit. 

The final point to make about travel insurance is to check whether there is an excess clause. If so, you would have to pay this part of the cost of your claim. Be aware that sometimes the insurance company may ask for this amount up front. If you are not able to do this it could affect your insurance policy or even result in them not paying.

What’s the latest situation on vaccinations?

Holiday vaccinations are nothing new, but there are now two categories of vaccinations to consider. One is those specific to the country you are travelling to, and the other is Covid vaccinations.

• Country specific vaccinations

Depending on the country you are planning to visit, you may need to get some travel vaccinations before you go. There may also be a specified period before travel within which you must have the vaccinations.

You can check the latest country specific vaccinations on the NHS Fit for Travel website.

• Covid vaccinations

It is also important to check the latest situation regarding Covid vaccines in the country you are travelling to. Some countries may require evidence of vaccination and / or a negative Covid test before you are able to enter. 

You can find the latest information for the country you are visiting on the Gov UK foreign travel page.

At the time of writing you still need to complete a passenger locator form 48 hours before your return to the UK. 

If you are not fully vaccinated, you need to take a lateral flow test within 48 hours before returning to the UK and book and pay for a PCR test after you arrive.

Covid travel requirements are subject to regular change, so check the latest guidance on the Gov UK website.

We hope that the above information helps you to find and enjoy the perfect summer holiday for you and your family in 2022.

For more lifestyle and financial tips check back here with us soon at Loans 2 Go.