A travel expert has revealed the number one mistake to avoid in 2025 (Image: Getty)
A expert has revealed the number one holiday pitfall to avoid in 2025 – and it’s something that catches hundreds off-guard each year.
After a hectic – but hopefully enjoyable – festive season thoughts for many Brits turn to booking a trip away to warmer climes.
But those in the know have now issued a stark warning to holidaymakers eager to get their next break booked in.
Julia Brookes, travel doctor and consumer expert for , says that not being aware of holiday firms that charge deposits that on the face of it seem small, is one of the most important things to look out for when booking a trip next year.
Tourists often can’t believe their luck when handed a modest-sized deposit for a sunny week away in – before later learning that the payment was only the first installment of a spread-out programme, comprising as little as 30% of the total cost.
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Marbella is a popular holiday spot among Brits – but they could be paying more than they think (Image: Getty)
Unknown installment deposits especially hit holidaymakers when they try to cancel their trips, only to be told they’re liable for the whole, sometimes much higher, amount.
“The Competition and Markets Authority has repeatedly said deposits should only be a small proportion of the price of a holiday to cover admin costs,” Julia added.
“If a customer cancels, they shouldn’t be hit with large cancellation fees, and if a holiday is resold then the original customer should receive most of their money back.
“But it’s taken no action against the hefty deposits charged by some travel companies – which insist that the terms and conditions are fully explained to customers before they pay – so it’s essential to read the small print to understand what you’re signing up for.”
Customers claims that companies including Loveholidays and TUI have been known to employ the tactic in the past.
TUI customer Michelle Simons claimed that she made what she viewed as a budget deposit of £150 on a family holiday to Bodrum in Turkey earlier this year – and said that while she only skimmed the T&Cs, the holiday agent hadn’t explicitly told her it was only the first installment of several.
When she cancelled the trip amid fears of high temperatures in the area, she thought she’d only lose the £150 she had paid upfront, but was informed that she was actually liable for a £800 deposit – £650 more than she’d initially shelled out.
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Travellers have been urged to read the fine print when booking trips (Image: Getty)
“They should have clarified it at the time of booking,” Michelle told consumer champion Which?. “You don’t take a deposit and then another deposit, it doesn’t make sense.”
First installments of travel deposits can also misleadingly be called “low deposits” – not meaning, as you might expect, that it is lower in price, but that it is different to a full deposit payment.
“After looking at how various holiday companies present low-depost offers, we found not all clearly sign post that consumers are liable for the remainder of the deposit amount at the point of sale,” Which? wrote.
“Instead, this information is sometimes buried in the terms and conditions.”
The Express has contacted TUI and Loveholidays for comment.