HOLIDAY deals sold during Black Friday promotions might not be as good value as they’re made out to be according to Which? Travel.
The consumer champions said that they were able to find cheaper holidays for companies including Ryanair and easyJet.
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Which? Travel said some of the deals advertised during the annual sales bonanza “aren’t always what they appear to be”.
It analysed promotions by major airlines and travel firms on Black Friday in 2018 – which fell on November 23 – and checked what prices were two weeks later.
Ryanair advertised a 25 per cent discount on one million seats purchased by midnight, but none of the flights Which? included in its study were cheaper compared to when they were price-checked on December 7.
Instead, Which? said that two flights, London Stansted to Oslo and London Stansted to Lanzarote – were actually £5 more expensive on Black Friday.
A Ryanair spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: ““Ryanair has the lowest fares in the UK – with an average fare of just £37 – and we continue to cut air fares, so there’s never been a better time to book and fly with Ryanair.
“Ryanair complies fully with UK advertising laws. We expressly advertise that sale fares are subject to availability so it is not surprising that, by the time Which eventually got around to checking the sale prices, some of the sale prices were no longer available”.
EasyJet’s Black Friday sale claimed travellers could save £50 on 60,000 city breaks, although eight of 21 trips analysed were cheaper after a fortnight.
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A three-night break from London Luton to Barcelona cost 13 per cent less if holidaymakers waited to book until two weeks after Black Friday, according to the research.
Travel firm Tui offered discount codes worth £100 or £150 off selected bookings, but they did not work on two of the five holidays Which? analysed.
A Tui spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: ” Holiday pricing is very complex and there are many variables which have to be taken in to account.
“These can contribute to price fluctuations from year to year or even throughout the year. We offer exceptional value for money and wherever possible, we offer discounts to our customers throughout the year, even in peak periods, as an incentive to book.
“All codes are subject to minimum spend values in order for them to be applicable.”
How to decide whether your Black Friday travel deal is a good one
Which? Travel advised:
- Don’t assume that the deal on offer is good value just because of an attention-grabbing saving.
- Don’t feel pressured by time-limited offers, such as Black Friday deals. Which? research shows that prices are the same – or even lower – at other times of the year.
- Try to compare prices elsewhere – like Skyscanner for flights.
- Read the small print to make sure there aren’t any additional payments you will need to make.
- Plan ahead and do your research.
Airline Norwegian advertised discounts of “up to 30 per cent off short-haul fares and 15 per cent off long-haul fares”, but the biggest saving found by Which? was just 10 per cent.
In response, Norwegian said the figures used in its promotion were based on fares excluding taxes and charges, but Which? claimed this was not clear when viewing the carrier’s website.
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This year’s Black Friday falls on November 29.
Rory Boland, editor of magazine Which? Travel, said: “Nothing beats the feeling of saving hundreds on your next holiday, but that feeling can quickly turn to anger when you discover it would have been cheaper if you’d waited to book.
“Our research reveals that Black Friday travel deals aren’t always what they appear to be. Avoid disappointment by comparing prices and approach attention-grabbing saving claims with scepticism.”
Which? Travel also recently found that Ryanair had the dirtiest plane cabins.
The consumer champions previously found that airline add-ons were “inferior yet expensive.“
While hotel companies have been slammed for duping consumers with its pressure selling tactics.
Sun Online Travel has contacted easyJet and Ryanair for comment.
