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The top 7 online travel agents for the best holiday deals

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Online travel agents are plentiful, but which ones offer the best deals and are actually trustworthy? Here’s our expert view…

As the world opens up again, many of us are already packing our bags and seeking out our next adventure. However, with so many online travel agents – literally hundreds – it’s tricky to know where to start.

Whether you’re looking for a city break, a far-flung adventure or a package beach holiday, there’s something out there to suit all tastes and budgets.

Consider whether you want to build your own break or simply pick a destination, book and go, before following our handy guide to the best online travel booking websites and online travel agents.

Why we rate it:  Expedia is a household name in the travel world and probably one of the most popular online travel agents thanks to its build-your-own approach to booking a break. You can use it to book stays, flights, packages, cars and things to do – often with more flexibility than some other sites as you’re not tied to one airline, for example.

Let’s say you’re booking a city break – you select your room, then your departing flight and finally your return flight, with plenty of accommodation types and flight options to choose between – meaning you can go when and where you want. That said, the sheer range of choice can be overwhelming, so travellers who want more guidance and support should perhaps look elsewhere.

Top tip: Join the Expedia Rewards programme and earn points to access benefits such as special prices and earn points, which you can redeem on future bookings.

ATOL protected: Yes

READ MORE: The best UK websites for travel deals & holiday discounts

2. On The Beach

Why we rate it: More than two-thirds (68%) of people rated their experience with On The Beach as excellent on Trustpilot and in 2017 the website won the Feefo Trusted Service Award. The website offers a basic set of booking tools for short and medium haul flights and hotels in Europe.

Its search isn’t as sophisticated as some, as filters are quite basic and the ‘view on map’ option is hidden away in the top right-hand corner of results, so On The Beach is perhaps best for those who know what they want, rather than anyone looking for inspiration. However, it does let users select regions to travel from, such as northwest England instead of just Manchester and Liverpool, for example.

Top tip: One key benefit offered by On The Beach is the option to pay for your holiday in instalments after putting down a low deposit. It also offers extras such as insurance, car hire, airport lounge booking, transfers and parking. 

3. Hays Travel

Why we rate it: Founded in the back of a Co Durham store in 1980, Hays Travel is now the UK’s largest independent travel agent having bought all of Thomas Cook’s stores in 2019. Once only found in the northeast of England, there are now about 450 branches across the UK. Its website offers a range of deals to popular holiday destinations, although its search function is pretty simple.

Hays Travel prides itself on providing good value and low-cost holidays, and offers a Peace of Mind Guarantee that offers free amendments up to 14 days before your departure date. If Hays Travel has to cancel your trip for any reason, it promises a refund within 14 days. It’s also got a network of customer service advisers who can be reached by phone.

Top tip: If you’re looking to travel on a flight within 48 hours, contact a member of the sales team directly by phone on 0808 231 2545.

READ MORE: 30 secrets travel agents know that you don’t

4. Jet2holidays.com

Why we rate it: Jet2holidays.com gets an impressive 4.5 / 5 score on Trustpilot and offers a range of European package holidays, city breaks and villa stays, as well as flights from 10 regional airports across the UK. You can also book direct flights through Jet2.com, although remember you won’t be ATOL protected if you book a hotel separately.

The company prides itself on providing VIP customer service and has been awarded for it too. Jet2holidays.com also claims to have more in-resort customer helpers than rivals and includes baggage, transfers and reasonable flight times. It also lets you pay in full, part pay or pay monthly – whatever suits you.

Top tip: People travelling on their own will appreciate the solo-traveller discount. Jet2holidays.com also offers some adults-only resorts.

5. Trailfinders

Why we rate it: Trailfinders describes itself as ‘The Travel Experts’ and it’s 5-star rating on Trustpilot would indicate that plenty of customers agree with that moniker. This is the agency to go to for more tailor-made trips to far-flung places – be it driving across the Rockies, snorkelling on the Gold Coast or going on safari in Kenya.

If you’re looking to book all of your trips online, this isn’t the service for you. However, it’s great for inspiration before you call to speak to one of its expert travel consultants. Trailfinders trips aren’t as budget-friendly as some of its rivals but the service is worth it.

Top tip: Sign up to its newsletter to receive the latest offers and inspiration and if you do book a trip, download its Viewtrail app to have all the relevant information at your fingertips.

Why we rate it: Opodo is part of ODIGEO, one of the world’s largest online travel companies and serving 18 million customers across 46 countries. It’s been praised for being the best airline booking site and as an online travel agency with several awards.

One of the best things about this site is it allows you to split your journey across different airlines to ensure you get the best deals – and there are hundreds of airlines to compare, meaning you’re unlikely to miss out on a bargain.

Top tip: Download the Opodo app and get £10 off with the code OPODO10.

7. Lastminute.com

Why we rate it: A trusted booking service since 1998, you can also book flights, hotels, packages, theatre trips, experiences and Eurostar journeys through Lastminute.com .

Lastminute.com describes itself as Europe's travel-tech leader in package holidays. There are plenty of pictures and the hotel selection tool using the map is pretty funky, although it can be a bit slow to load. Be wary if you need to use its hotline to speak to someone in person as it’s 13p a minute, plus any access charge.

Top tip: The site also offers ‘top secret’ hotels deals , with discounts of up to 40%. You won’t know which hotel you’re booking until you’ve paid, but will be guaranteed a certain level of service (usually 4 or 5-stars) and offered an indication of where it’s located.

ATOL Protected: Yes

Lead image:  Martin Valigursky/Shutterstock

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The Pros and Cons of Booking Through Online Travel Agencies

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You’re likely already familiar with online travel agencies, even if you don’t travel often. These companies — such as Priceline , Expedia and Orbitz — act as intermediaries between you and a travel provider.

Booking your travel through an OTA can be a good idea in some circumstances, but you’ll want to be wary of its pitfalls. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of online travel agencies, so you’ll know what to use to book your next vacation.

Pros of booking through online travel agencies

There are certainly advantages booking through online travel agencies, though you’ll find different experiences whether you’re using public OTAs — such as Kayak — or private ones like those offered by your card issuer, such as the Chase's travel portal .

✅ It may be cheaper

When searching for flights online, you may see different prices for the same routes that vary across websites. Although it may be a result of fare type — for example, some search results may not clarify that a fare is basic economy rather than main cabin or economy — other times, the difference comes down to competition for your business.

Online travel services will often offer slightly lower prices on flights in an effort to entice you as a customer. This is true for both hotels and airlines.

» Learn more: Best credit cards for online travel-booking websites

✅ It can earn you more rewards

Have you ever heard of shopping portals ? By logging into a shopping portal, you can earn rewards for purchases made with many online merchants. Some hotel chains, such as Hilton , Marriott and IHG , can be accessed through shopping portals while still booking directly on the hotel website. In this way, you can earn rewards with the hotel directly as well as with the shopping portal.

The same isn’t true for shopping portals and most airline sites. However, many public online travel agencies are accessible through shopping portals, which can then earn you rewards for airfare bookings. By opting to book in this way, you’ll be able to earn points or cash-back rewards through the shopping portal that you’d otherwise miss.

Some card issuers will also reward you heavily when using their online travel services. Clear examples of this can be seen with Capital One and Chase. With the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , for example, you’ll get 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel .

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is similar. With this card, you can get 10 Ultimate Rewards® points per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Chase's portal.

While these numbers are high, it’s important to remember that there are trade-offs when booking through an OTA rather than directly with a hotel or airline. We’ll get into that a little later.

Online travel agencies offered by your card issuer may not feature the same prices as booking directly; you’ll want to compare these before committing to a purchase.

Some card issuers will go so far as to give your points more value when redeeming through their online travel agencies.

This is true with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . When redeeming points on Chase's travel portal, you’ll get 1.25 cents in value per point rather than 1 cent elsewhere.

» Learn more: How much are your airline miles and hotel points worth this year?

Cons of booking through online travel agencies

There are several downsides when it comes to using online travel services for booking travel. It mainly comes down to the fact that travel providers prefer that you book directly with them — and offer more perks to woo your business.

❌ It can be harder to change a booking

Ever needed to change a flight after it's booked? No matter the reason, attempting to alter or otherwise cancel a flight can be a hassle — especially if you’ve booked through a third party.

Generally speaking, rather than offering you direct assistance, both hotels and airlines will recommend you contact the online travel agency you’ve booked with in order to make any changes.

While you may be able to make changes or get refunds with the travel agency, airlines and hotels can — and will — offer much more flexibility when you’ve booked with them directly. You may also be subject to additional fees charged by the online travel agency, which can erase any savings you’ve received.

❌ You may not receive elite benefits

This is the real kicker for anyone wanting elite status. Although airlines will almost always recognize your elite status and allow you to earn miles even for bookings made through an online travel agency, hotels and rental car companies will not.

This is especially important for hotel chains. Earning elite status with hotels generally relies on elite night credits. Although these can be earned in a variety of ways — including having complimentary status by holding certain credit cards — the main method of acquiring elite night credits is by spending nights in hotels. Rooms booked through an online travel agency do not count toward elite status as elite night credits.

Additionally, you will not receive any of the benefits of your existing elite status if your booking is through a third party. This can mean the loss of perks such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and even free Wi-Fi.

» Learn more: The best airline and hotel rewards loyalty programs this year

❌ It may be more expensive

Did you know that many hotel chains have best price guarantees? Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and IHG all have a guarantee that’ll give you either points or a discount if you find a better rate elsewhere.

These guarantees are generous; Hilton, for example, will match the rate and then discount it by a further 25%.

Although you’ll need to file claims for these guarantees and they face limitations — such as a 24-hour window from when you made the booking — you can save a lot of money on your stay if your request is approved.

Online travel agencies can be hit or miss

There are two sides to every coin and this is no different, as there are several benefits and limitations of online travel services. Depending on your needs and loyalty program status, you’ll want to choose whether to book directly with a travel provider or rely on OTAs to do the job for you.

Booking travel through credit card portals from issuers like Chase and Capital One can earn you big rewards. But if you anticipate altering your travel plans or aim to earn elite status instead, booking directly is the way to go.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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Value Beyond Price

Your time is one of your most precious commodities, so you should spend more of it in the destination, not driving between places. We design tours that spend the fewest hours on the coach. One-night stays are a rarity. This is your trip, and you shouldn’t feel rushed. With choice, flexibility, and free time, take it all in – this is your tour.

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Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

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The Complete Guide to Booking Travel Online

What is an online travel agency, and what are the best sites and apps to use to search for hotels and flights we break it all down for you..

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There’s a lot to navigate when researching and booking travel online.

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My first travel adventure was to Venezuela. I booked the ticket with a travel agent over a pay phone. The agent searched a dozen flight itineraries over a few days, all so I could save $15.

Times have changed. Today, flight searches start online , often on your mobile device. Passengers book either directly with the airline or hotel or with online travel agencies. Rarely do we get on the phone. In fact, American Airlines and United Airlines charge $25 to make a domestic flight booking by phone. And pay phones hardly exist anymore.

So, what is the best way to book online? Here is our complete guide to online travel agencies, search tools, and the variety of booking options available on both mobile devices and desktops.

What is an OTA?

An online travel agency, or OTA, is a website or mobile app that allows users to search for and book travel services such as flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and activities. The booking is made directly with the online travel agency but confirmed by the service provider, such as an airline or a hotel. As a customer, your relationship is with the OTA.

What are the main OTAs?

Many online travel agencies nowadays are owned by two main companies: Expedia and Priceline. The Expedia Group is the largest online travel agency in the United States with 70 percent market share, according to travel data firm Phocuswright. Expedia Group operates Expedia.com , Orbitz, Hotels.com , Trivago, CheapTickets , Hotwire , Vrbo , and Travelocity .

Priceline is a major competitor to Expedia, with global revenues larger than the Expedia Group. The company owns Priceline.com, Booking.com, Cheapflights, Momondo, and Kayak—the latter two being metasearch engines (more on that below).

There are also independent newcomers such as Hopper (a mobile-only booking tool) and Kiwi.com (which allows you to book flights on air carriers that don’t normally have a commercial relationship).

Are OTA fares lower than booking directly?

Generally, no. The fares that are displayed by an OTA will be similar if not slightly more expensive when compared to an airline’s website. They’re usually only a few dollars higher or lower. The OTAs charge a booking fee to the airlines, and often that fee is passed directly to consumers. For example, Lufthansa tacks on an additional $18 to any booking made through an OTA for Lufthansa flights. The same flights are exactly $18 cheaper on the airline’s website.

Where you can score a good travel deal through an OTA is when booking a last-minute hotel and flight package. Many OTAs have cut agreements with airlines allowing last-minute travelers to access lower rates than are typically available when passengers book a flight alone.

Are all airlines available to be booked through OTAs?

No. Many OTAs do not display flights from some of the low-fare leaders. For example, Southwest and Allegiant flights are not available through OTAs; the same goes for Ryanair in Europe. And, earlier this year United Airlines threatened to pull out of Expedia altogether, only recently signing a multi-year agreement to stay in. The airlines would rather not lose any margin to online travel agencies in an already low-margin industry and would rather maintain a direct relationship with the customer.

Are smaller OTAs safe to use?

Expedia and Priceline are the two largest players in the online booking space, but there are dozens of independent OTAs, such as CheapOAir, OneTravel, JustFly, and SmartFares. Confusingly, you might actually stumble on ads for these OTAs while using Expedia or Priceline sites. That’s because the larger OTAs earn revenue through advertising, sending passengers to smaller OTAs and charging those OTAs for the favor.

Buyer beware: some of these lesser-known OTAs are masters at hidden fees. For example, a flight search on JetBlue allows for free seat selection in many instances. If you perform the same search on FlightNetwork, an independent OTA, and select a seat, you will be charged an additional $25—despite the fact that JetBlue doesn’t charge a seat selection fee if you book directly.

What if you need to change your itinerary?

Itinerary changes are often a pain. If your plans change, it won’t matter whether you’ve booked directly with an airline or with an OTA—you’re going to pay fees for the privilege, if you can even change your ticket at all.

For example, CheapTickets.com, which is part of the Expedia Group, charges $25 to change or cancel a ticket if that change is requested after 24 hours of making the booking—it is free if you do so within 24 hours of booking. However, the fees go up from there. JustFly, an independent OTA, charges a $75 fee for changes to domestic flights in addition to airline change fees, plus the difference in fare, for tickets that can be changed. For an international trip, the fee rises to $200. That means to change an international flight with Delta (which charges a $100 change fee) booked through JustFly, you’ll be assessed $300 in fees, plus the difference in fare. At that rate, you may as well book a new flight. FlightNetwork indicates in its terms of service that changes may incur a change fee but doesn’t specify what those fees are. That hardly makes the few dollars you saved by booking with the OTA in the first place worth it.

What is an OTA price match policy?

To assure travelers that they are getting the lowest fare possible, many OTAs have a price match policy. The rules vary and so do the benefits.

For example, if you book with Orbitz and find a less expensive flight, car rental, or activity on any U.S.-based website within 24 hours of your booking, Orbitz will refund you the difference you paid. And it works: I have personally found a flight in the same class, on the same airline, for the same origin and destination cities, and requested Orbitz to refund the difference of around $35. Within a few weeks, I received a check in the mail. A similar program applies for CheapOAir, but there’s a catch—the price difference must be found on a major OTA such as Expedia or Travelocity.

Expedia has a particularly good price match policy, but you have to pay extra for it at the time of booking. Expedia offers the price match option as an add-on that costs between $5 and $30 when you book. With the price match applied, if the airfare on Expedia drops between 120 days of the flight and up to six hours before the flight, Expedia will automatically refund you the difference in fare. Unfortunately, fares generally do not drop substantially as the travel date approaches, so while this might give you peace of mind, it’s probably not worth the expense.

How do Google Flights and other travel metasearch engines work?

Frequent fliers are likely familiar with websites such as Google Flights, Kayak, Momondo, or Skyscanner. On these websites, passengers search on the site but are redirected to the service provider to complete the booking, such as an airline, rental car company, or hotel.

Metasearch started with a product called ITA Matrix, which is a tool for searching airfares online but not for actually booking online. ITA Matrix allows for multi-city searching, such as setting two different departure or arrival airports, and for offering a calendar view of fares for easier comparison. That company was acquired by Google in 2011, and savvy travelers swear by it to help find the least expensive fares online. Most consumers are more familiar with Google Flights, which has gained traction more recently not least because it has the benefit of being displayed first in search results on Google.

Metasearch engines receive distribution fees from the airlines for sending traffic to the supplier websites. There are no additional hidden fees for using a metasearch engine because you’re booking directly with the airline or hotel.

A major benefit of the metasearch engines is their price tracking tool, which lets users know whether the displayed fares are low, average, or high for the flight, allowing travelers to make a more informed decision on whether to book a flight or not . Google Flights and Kayak, for instance, both have price tracking tools.

Why not just book directly?

The airlines would definitely much rather you book directly with them. Over the past five years, they have gotten much better at marketing and selling their product directly to consumers online and through mobile sites and apps. But in the past, they weren’t so good at it. In fact, Delta, Northwest, United, American, and Continental got together to invest $145 million to launch Orbitz in 1999 to counter the threat from Expedia. Now Orbitz is owned by Expedia.

The airlines also try to encourage customers to book directly so that they can maintain a closer relationship with them. It allows carriers to connect bookings with loyalty programs and create special offers and discounts catered to individual passengers.

There is another benefit to booking directly. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires carriers to hold a reservation at the quoted fare for 24 hours without payment or allow a reservation to be cancelled within 24 hours without penalty, so long as the booking is made at least seven days before travel. The law applies, however, only to U.S. and foreign air carriers that have websites marketed to U.S. consumers. This means that, in theory, an online travel agency does not have to offer such a policy, although most OTAs do.

What are the options for booking on your mobile device?

Airlines and the major OTAs all have apps to help you book and manage your trip on your mobile device, but their functionality is lacking compared to these websites’ desktop editions. For example, Expedia’s app doesn’t allow you to view flights on a month-view calendar. Kayak has an app with more bells and whistles and a better user interface, including a month-view calendar with color-coded pricing. It also has a handy “augmented reality” function to help you see if your carry-on bag will fit in the overhead bin (a feature originally developed by KLM). Point your phone’s camera at the luggage, and it’ll give you the dimensions.

While apps are improving and gaining in popularity, you still might find it easier to locate the best deals on flights and hotels by using your desktop, where you can have multiple tabs open and have all the available search tools at your disposal. Apps are fine for booking directly with an airline once you know which flights you want to book.

If you’re determined to use your mobile device, you may want to look into Hopper. Hopper is a mobile-first flight booking tool that has a solid price prediction tool. You can research travel options and book directly on the app. Another benefit of Hopper: Of its team of 300 employees, nearly half are dedicated to customer support and are based in Canada versus some OTAs and airlines that outsource much of their customer service further afield.

The bottom line?

Like many travelers, I enjoy a flight deal as much as the next person, but I also don’t like any added hassle. I typically start my travel searches using the ITA Matrix or Google Flights to get a general sense of the fares. It helps to know what is a good deal and what is expensive for a particular route. I do my research, typically on a desktop computer. When I’m ready to book, I’ll book directly with the airline. I’ve found that customer service is better when booking directly with the service provider. But I’ve also saved money by using OTAs and have booked with them, too. Whichever way you choose to book, you can be safe in the knowledge that finding and purchasing travel online is a lot easier today than searching for a deal with a travel agent on a pay phone.

>> Next: How to Get the Best Last-Minute Travel Deals

7 types of travel agents around the world

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

Travel agents are an important part of the tourism industry. There are several different types of travel agents. The different types of travel agents vary according to the service they provide and the products that they offer. In this article I will teach you about the different types of travel agents and provide some examples too.

What’s a travel agent?

High street travel agents, business travel agents, call centre travel agents, internet travel agents, independent travel agents, multiple travel agents, miniple travel agents, types of travel agents: to conclude, further reading .

A travel agency is a private retailer that sells travel-related products and services to consumers. This includes package holidays as well as individual holiday elements such as hotel rooms, flight tickets and travel insurance.

Travel agents typically use global distribution systems (GDS). These systems enable to travel agent staff to receive real-time updates on availability and prices and to make bookings.

Travel agencies typically take a percentage of the overall fee that a consumer pays, known as commission. Commission rates vary depending on the product and/or service that is sold. It is for this reason that consumers will sometimes pay more for a holiday booked through a travel agency than they would if they booked it directly with the suppliers.

Did you know that you can set up your own travel agency business and earn from your sofa? Find out how here!

The different types of travel agents

There are four main types of travel agents in the travel and tourism industry: high street, business, callcentre and Internet. I will explain how each of these types of travel agents work below. BUT before you read on, hit play on my new YouTube video below!

High street travel agents have been around for a long time. Up until only a few years ago, high street travel agents were the most popular and themes common types of travel agents.

High street travel agents are typically found in major shopping areas, such as local high streets or in shopping malls.

High street travel agents typically have an area where holiday brochures are displayed and desks for consumers to sit at and talk than travel agent. Travel agent staff are generally very knowledgeable about the products and services thatchy are selling and offer high standards of customer service.

Many people continue to prefer house high street travel agents because they enjoy the face-to-face interaction.However, fewer and fewer people have been using travel agents in recent years. This has led to the closure of many high street travel agents.

High street travel agent examples: TUI, Hays Travel, Cooperative Travel

Business travel agents specialise in planning and booking travel for business purposes. Business tourism is one of the largest types of tourism . As such, this is an important type of travel agent.

Business travel agents do not always have a visible high street presence. Instead, they may be tucked away in office blocks or in quiet locations.This is because they do not tend to have walk-in business.

Business travel agents typically work with companies to organise business travel. Stays tend to be shorter than ordinary holidays. Business travel agents are popular because they help to save organisations timed money, given that they are able to quickly plan itineraries and book travel the best prices.

Business travel agent examples: Crystal Corporate, Click Travel, Kanoo Corporate

A call centre travel agent is a travel agent which is based in a call centre.

Call centre travel agents provide advice and guidance on booking your holiday via the telephone. Many major travel agencies will have call centres as wells high street shops.

Call centres have lower overheads than high street retailers because they do not have to pay premium prices for their offices- they have the flexibility to be based anywhere.

Some companies even choose to base their callcentres in developing countries, where wages and overhead costs are lower. However, this has been known to have a detrimental impact on the service offered due to language barriers and cultural differences.

Call centre travel agent examples: Flight Centre, Virgin Holidays

Internet travel agents are travel agents theatre based the Internet. This includes major travel companies as wells independent travel agents who are working from home.

Internet travel agents are the most popular types of travel agents nowadays. Many people prefer to book online.

Just like high street travel agents, Internet travel agents take a commission from the money paid by the consumer.

The rise of the Internet travel agent has been so significant in recent years that there is now a lot of competition in the marketplace. This helps to drive down prices and to make holidays more affordable to customers.

Internet travel agent examples: Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda

Types of travel agent businesses

The types of travel agents can also be distinguished by their business model. There are three major business models that are used: independent, multiple, miniple. I will explain what each of these are below.

An independent travel agent is an agent is a unique company. There is only one branch and it is not associated with any other travel agency stores or companies.

Independent travel agents are commonly found in small towns and villages. They are usually locally-run businesses. Because of scales of economy, independent travel agents are often not able to compete with the lower prices offered by larger types of travel agents.

Independent travel agents do not necessarily need to have physical travel agency. There are many people who are running their own, successful travel agency businesses from home. These are Internet travel agents who are operating on an independent basis.

Since COVID-19, many organisations have reduced their business travel requirements, opting instead for Zoom calls and webinars facilitated by the shut-in economy . It is predicted that this change will be irreversible and therefore that the need for business travel agents will be permanently reduced.

A multiple travel agent is one which has a chain of branches. They are typically large organisations with a strong high street presence.

Multiple travel agents did have a monopoly of the market for many years. However, they have struggled to compete with the Internet travel agents, who have fewer overheads and are more conveniently located- on a consumer’s computer/smart device!

Miniple travel agents are travel agents that have several branches. These are usually mid-sized companies. They are often regional.

As you can see, the travel agency market has changed a lot in recent years. We have moved away from the traditional multiple on the high street towards an Internet-based approach when researching and booking our holidays. Nonetheless, there does continue to be a desire for travel agents, albeit largely online.

If you’re studying travel and tourism then I highly recommend the following texts to support your learning:

• The 10 Major Types of Events
• The 8 Major Types of Cruise
• 150 types of tourism! The ultimate tourism glossary
• 20 Popular Types of Hotels Around The World
• 21 Types of Tourists Around The World

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What is ‘peaks’ and why do travel agents sell a lot of holidays during this period?

• April 25, 2023

While peak season for the lay holidaymaker might mean ‘the busiest time of year in a destination’, within the travel industry, it’s a specific term that refers to the ‘peak selling season’. 

What is Peaks?

It’s a time of the year when tour operators and travel suppliers launch campaigns and offer amazing deals to compete with the January high-street sales and encourage travellers to book their holidays early. For travel agents, it can be the most lucrative time of year and the upward trajectory in bookings and enquiries led the industry to nickname the period ‘peaks’. 

Peaks falls immediately after Christmas and runs from Boxing Day through to the end of February – even though over the past couple of years, there is a tendency for it to extend into March. 

At this time, travel agents typically sell four times more holidays compared to the rest of the year, according to The Travel Franchise/Not Just Travel co-founder Steve Witt .

He advises anyone looking to set up business as a travel agent to be prepared for this ‘peak season’ and says some of its consultants sold £300k-£500k-worth of holidays in January 2023 alone. 

So what sort of deals are around? Many operators offer low deposits, free child places, free upgrades and early booking discounts. Some offer book now, pay later deals. 

 In 2023, easyJet holidays launched its biggest-ever trade campaign for the 2023 peaks period, including a sale on all holidays and some unmissable prizes for agents.

The package holiday provider’s Big Orange Sale saw savings of up to £300 applicable on all holidays booked up to 11 pm by 31 January 2023. Travel agents could offer unbeatable value for their customers, with a discount of £300 when they spent £3,000, £150 when they spent £1,500, and £100 when they spent £700. 

As well as offering incredible value to customers, easyJet holidays also ran several competitions on their Facebook page in the New Year for travel agents to get their hands on some travel prizes. These included a daily giveaway and a weekly bumper holiday prize to a favourite destination or hotel. Finally, the tour operator crowned a ‘Final Perfect Peaks’ winner, who received a luxury holiday for two!

Remember, while getting a good deal is important, a travel agent’s role isn’t just about finding the cheapest price – it’s also about service and matching the right holiday to the client.

How does peaks affect holiday booking?

For travel agents, the January-March peaks season is a critical period that requires adequate preparation and resource allocation to handle the increased demand. With travel providers, tour operators and cruise lines offering impressive deals and big discounts to pass on to customers, it’s the busiest time for travel agents. 

The first Saturday in January, known as Sunshine Saturday, is typically the most popular day of the year to book a foreign trip, according to Huffpost . 

Mark Tanzer, Abta’s chief executive , said: “The start of the year usually brings lots of enthusiasm for booking holidays and we know many people will be really looking forward to getting away […]. People’s appetite for holiday taking has remained remarkably resilient despite the ongoing pressure on people’s finances, though there’s definitely a strong focus on securing great value for money.”

Which are the popular destinations sold during peaks?

According to the Independent , Spain, Greece, and Turkey emerged as top choices in January 2023. Internet search data revealed a significant rise in interest for Cape Verde as a beach destination, while Dubai and Amsterdam were the favourite city destinations, with their search statistics seeing a considerable boost in January. 

EasyJet holidays identified Spanish islands as the frontrunners. Tenerife, Palma, and Lanzarote were the most booked beach destinations, with most wanting holidays in June. For city breaks, Amsterdam, Paris, and Iceland attracted the most bookings with the highest number of reservations for March. Over half of the beach breaks were all-inclusive holidays, reflecting customers’ preferred holiday style.

How travel agents prepare for peaks

Travel agents need to make the most of this annual booking frenzy while providing their customers with a seamless and enjoyable holiday booking experience. To avoid last-minute stresses, it’s advantageous to evaluate your services and itineraries ahead of time. Many home-based travel consultants choose to work longer hours and even seven days a week in January to make the most of this lucrative time.

Ensure that your website is up-to-date with all guidelines and terms and conditions. Additionally, your social media accounts can be a powerful tool for keeping your customers informed and engaged. Make sure peak special offers and fantastic discounts are highlighted and prominently placed on your pages.  

But there are several other strategies that many travel-related businesses employ too.  

Personalised travel

Travel agents can make personalised email suggestions influenced by the customer’s previous booking history.

By offering a uniquely tailored search experience, you save potential travellers hours of research and discourage them from leaving your website to continue their search with a competitor. 

Weather envy

Displaying the current weather in exotic destinations can often entice individuals to make bookings, particularly during the winter when many are keen to flee the UK’s bleak weather.

Incorporating real-time weather updates is an excellent strategy to induce ‘weather envy’. These updates are ideally highlighted in emails and websites during the January booking peak.

Limited-time offers

Nothing spurs customers to finalise their plans like the fear of missing out on a great deal. 

Using limited-time and availability offers on your website, social media and email marketing can spark interest, increase engagement and spur holidaymakers to jump on peak special offers. 

How do travel agents ensure the best deals for customers during peaks?

Travel agents are adept at securing the best deals for their customers, especially during peaks, the busiest booking period of the year.

Most travel agencies begin negotiations with suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, and tour operators, well in advance. Given the volume of bookings they’ll bring, agents can often secure exclusive rates and perks. This could include discounted airfares, free hotel room upgrades, or bonus experiences, such as a free city tour or spa treatment. Even travel insurers are jumping on the bandwagon and offering special deals.

Some big travel agencies negotiate exclusive offers with key trade suppliers, which their agents can then pass on to the agent’s customers. Not Just Travel home-based travel agents often get exclusive offers from the company’s 45+ key trade suppliers, which include well-known UK brands from TUI to Kuoni.

Bundling flights, accommodation, and sometimes meals or activities often allows travel agents to provide better deals. These packages are typically cheaper than booking everything separately and offer the convenience of having all elements of the trip coordinated together.

Harnessing the peak momentum in the travel industry

Harnessing the peak momentum in the travel industry is crucial for businesses looking to maximise success. This pivotal time impacts travel agents’ operations, sales, and customer service strategies. It is a period marked by heightened activity, with customers eager to secure the best deals for their upcoming vacations. For travel agents, this time presents countless opportunities.

Travel agents who can successfully manage the demands of peaks and secure the best deals for their clients will achieve immediate sales and foster lasting customer relationships. These relationships can lead to repeat business and referrals, extending the benefits of the peak season throughout the year.

Peaks can be a challenging time in the travel industry, but with the right strategies, it can also offer significant opportunities for success.

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How to Sell Vacation Packages

Last Updated: July 8, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Greg Guiteras . Greg Guiteras is the CEO of Lorraine Travel, LLC, one of the largest privately-owned travel management companies in Florida founded in 1948. With over 34 years of experience, Greg's specialties are in corporate travel management, sales and marketing, contract negotiations, strategic partnerships, and luxury hotel sales. Greg holds a BS in Marketing from Florida State University. Greg has also created WhataHotel!, a website offering exclusive perks on hotel bookings, and CabinMate, an app that matches single cruise travelers with potential cabin matches "in the same boat" to avoid traveling solo on a cruise. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 55,814 times.

Not everybody finds the process of planning a vacation enjoyable. That's where you come in. As a travel agent or salesperson in the tourism industry, you can help your clients get where they want to go by asking specific questions about what kind of trip they're looking for, then laying out a few different options to find one that suits their preferences. After making a successful sale, follow up with an email to thank your client for their interest and increase the likelihood of earning their business again in the future.

Pitching the Right Package

• Start with a broad opener like, "What kind of weather do you enjoy?" before narrowing your focus to more a directed line of inquiry such as, "Would you prefer a hip resort with all the trappings, or a quiet, secluded bed and breakfast?"

• Some people might be looking for a sunny Caribbean cruise, while others may be more interested in an extended stay in the rustic European countryside.

• From here, you can eliminate options that don't meet your client's financial criteria.
• Avoid making statements that might be seen as invasive or judgmental, such as “I think a less expensive package would be a better choice in your case.” You don't want to risk alienating the person you're supposed to be working for.

• Let your client know about packages that feature optional upgrades, such as first-class airfare or a larger cabin.
• Be sure to mention if transportation isn't included, as this will create additional expense for the client.

• Adventurous souls might be tempted by a guided hike to a volcano or a ziplining adventure in the treetops, while those who are seeking some peace and quiet will likely get more satisfaction from a night at the opera or a day pass to a modern art exhibit. There's something for everybody!

Closing the Deal

• Be flexible. If there's something you can change about a package to make it more agreeable, offer to do it.
• Try not to treat your client's concerns as insignificant. This won't help you sell more packages—it will just show that you're placing your own interests ahead of theirs.

• When a client is on the fence, giving them a heads up about how fast available bookings are being snatched up may give them the motivation they need to commit.
• You don't want your client to feel pressured, but you also don't want them to wait so long that they lose interest. If they tell you they need some time to think, ask them to get in touch with you the following day. [7] X Research source

• Setting a friendly tone to your correspondence can increase the likelihood of the client coming back to you for future trips.
• Be sure to include all your important contact info in the signature of your email, including the email and phone number where you can be reached most reliably, a link to your professional website, and any related social media accounts.

Stepping up Your Sales

• Always include a clear call-to-action that tells the client what you want them to do, such as, “Call me back at your earliest convenience,” or, “Let me know what you think about that 2 week all-inclusive Aruba trip we talked about.”
• Ask your client what hours are best to call during the day so you don't phone at an inopportune time.

• Try dropping subtle hints that point to your experience, like, “I've been in the business for 12 years, and I'm proud to say that I've never had a client walk away unhappy.”
• Anyone can quote a price. A true salesperson sells themselves as much as the product they're representing.

• If the client is particularly fond of Key Largo, for instance, you might mention the fact that your family has been vacationing there since you were a child.
• Be careful not to let your observations come across as forced. It may make you seem like you're trying too hard to be relatable.

• These days, more and more people are turning to the convenience of the Internet over travel agencies and other traditional booking services. To avoid losing a potential sale, the key is not to but to treat it like a bad thing but use it as a tool for promoting your own business.

• If you don't work for an agency, get creative when it comes to digging up leads. You might call up new residents in the area that fit your target demographic, or try advertising your services on social media.
• Use community events as an opportunity to network. This is a great way to get partnered with local businesses for a little affiliate marketing. [13] X Research source

Expert Q&A

• Always be transparent with your clients about any options and amenities that might add to the cost of their package. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Let your enthusiasm show in your tone. If you're not convinced that the vacation you're selling is the trip of a lifetime, your client won't be either. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Respond directly and honestly to any questions you're asked. Attempting to give someone the runaround in order to make yourself look better tends to have the opposite effect—it damages your credibility and leaves them with a bad impression. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Insights/Before-selling-a-vacation-agents-should-sell-themselves
• ↑ Greg Guiteras. Travel Specialist. Expert Interview. 18 September 2020.
• ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/306649
• ↑ https://www.vrmb.com/phone_sales/
• ↑ https://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/25/my-top-10-sales-tips/
• ↑ http://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Trending/6-Tips-for-Selling-More-Group-Travel/#.Wmf4AqinHIU
• ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/219582
• ↑ https://www.inc.com/guides/find-new-customers.html

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Anish Bhardwaj

Oct 11, 2019

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The score is based on a calculation of the total value of the shares on the index.

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On the flip side, property listings website Rightmove is down nearly 6% this morning. It comes after the company cut its advertising revenue growth estimates in a trading update.

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On the currency markets, £1 buys $1.25 US or €1.16.

Sainsbury's is running a scheme that allows some shoppers to earn easy Nectar card points. 

To earn extra points, shoppers just need to spend £1 across multiple transactions at Sainsbury's this month. 

The supermarket says the scheme is available to "millions" of customers, though all it would say about the eligibility criteria is that it's "based on a range of factors".

Check if you're eligible

Log into your nectar card app and check to see if you have this message...   

Make sure you opt in once you see the message. 

From there, you simply need to spend £1 or more five times - earning extra points each time. 

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The offer runs until 4 June. 

Britain is not just out of recession. 

It is out of recession with a bang.

The economic growth reported this morning by the Office for National Statistics is not just faster than most economists expected, it's also the fastest growth we've seen since the tailend of the pandemic, when the UK was bouncing back from lockdown.

But, more than that, there are three other facts that the prime minister and chancellor will be gleeful about (and you can expect them to be talking about this number for a long time).

First, it's not just that the economy is now growing again after two quarters of contraction - that was the recession. 

An economic growth rate of 0.6% is near enough to what economists used to call "trend growth", back before the crisis - in other words, it's the kind of number that signifies the economy growing at more or less "normal" rates. 

And normality is precisely the thing the government wants us to believe we've returned to.

Second, that 0.6% means the UK is, alongside Canada, the fastest-growing economy in the G7 (we've yet to hear from Japan, but economists expect its economy to contract in the first quarter).

Third, it's not just gross domestic product that's up. So too is gross domestic product per head - the number you get when you divide our national income by every person in the country. After seven years without any growth, GDP per head rose by 0.4% in the first quarter. 

And since GDP per head is a better yardstick for the "feelgood factor", perhaps this means people will finally start to feel better off.

But this is where the problems come in. 

Because while this latest set of GDP figures is undoubtedly positive, the numbers that came before are undoubtedly grim.

GDP per head is still considerably lower, in real terms, than it was in 2022, before Liz Truss's disastrous mini-budget, or for that matter lower than in early 2019.

Raising another question: when people think about the state of the economy ahead of the election (and obviously these new figures are likely to increase the speculation about the date of the election), do they put more weight on the years of economic disappointment or the bounce back after them?

Do they focus on the fact that we're now growing at decent whack or on the fact that their income per head is, in real terms, no higher today than it was five years ago?

These are the questions we will all be mulling in the coming months - as the next election approaches. One thing is for sure: this won't be the last time you hear about these GDP numbers.

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