An investigation by Look Into has uncovered concerning practices among some of the UK’s biggest holiday companies, with travellers reporting unexpected price increases on trips they’ve already booked and paid deposits on.
We surveyed over 2,000 UK holidaymakers and found that nearly one in five had experienced a price hike after booking. In some cases, families were asked to pay hundreds of pounds more , or forfeit their deposit.
What we found
Our investigation revealed that several major tour operators have clauses buried deep in their terms and conditions that allow them to increase prices after booking, citing rising fuel costs, currency fluctuations, or increased taxes.
While some price increases are permitted under the Package Travel Regulations 2018, consumer groups argue that many companies are pushing the boundaries of what’s legally acceptable.
Your rights
Under UK law, holiday companies can only increase prices if the contract explicitly allows for it, and only to reflect specific cost increases such as fuel, taxes, or exchange rates. Any increase of more than 8% of the total package price gives you the right to cancel with a full refund.
If you’ve been affected, we recommend contacting your holiday provider in writing and keeping copies of your original booking confirmation and price. If you’re not satisfied with their response, you can escalate your complaint to ABTA or take it to the small claims court.
What holiday companies say
We contacted the five largest UK tour operators for comment. Three said their pricing practices were fully compliant with regulations, while two did not respond to our requests for comment.
Look Into is calling for greater transparency in holiday pricing and clearer communication when prices do change after booking.