As summer holidays approach and millions of Brits prepare to travel abroad, a potential jet fuel shortage is casting uncertainty over the travel industry. Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, is urging holidaymakers to avoid a common booking mistake that could cost them hundreds or even thousands of pounds if flights are cancelled.
The Booking Mistake That Could Cost You
In a video shared on his official TikTok account, Martin Lewis explained that the way you book your holiday significantly impacts your consumer rights. Get it wrong, and you could be left paying for a hotel you cannot reach, especially with the Government now working on consolidating flights to prevent a fuel crisis.
When asked if you are guaranteed a refund for a hotel booking if flights are cancelled, Martin was unequivocal: “No, no – and this is what I think people need to be very aware of.”
Package Holidays vs. DIY Bookings
He elaborated: “If you have booked a package holiday, where you booked everything in one, under the Package Holiday Regulations and rules and protections, generally, if your flight went, you will get everything back. So actually, at the moment, package holidays give you a certain level of extra surety that you wouldn't get if you did a DIY booking – where you book your hotel and flight separately.”
Martin then highlighted the risk with DIY bookings: “Because the point is, if you lose your flight in your DIY booking, there is nothing wrong with your hotel. The issue is you can't get there. Your hotel is still there. It's not faulty. It's not cancelling. So you don't get those consumer rights.”
Credit Card and Travel Insurance Limitations
Many travellers assume credit card or debit card protection would help in such situations. Martin dispelled this myth: “It won't work, because there is nothing faulty – and that's just giving you the same rights that you'd have with a retailer.”
As for travel insurance, Martin revealed that he checked 40 policies. “Of those, only a few would have covered you for the knock-on eventuality of your flight being cancelled due to jet fuel, and then your hotel costs. Only about three or four – most of those were packaged bank accounts where it is linked to your bank account. Only one standalone provider. So we need to be blunt: at the moment, there is a big risk in those circumstances.”
Practical Advice for Travellers
Martin advised: “If you are booking, you want something with free or limited cancellation quite short before, so you could just cancel it. You should always talk to the provider and ask.”
He added: “If you are in that position, once you understand you have no right, and then they say, 'Well, we will give you a voucher and you can come back in six months,' you suddenly realise you are doing well, not badly – right – if you didn't have free cancellation.”
With the Government stating there is no jet fuel shortage at the moment but working on consolidating flights, Martin warned: “People's hotel costs – if they booked separately – and other knock-on costs are potentially at risk.”
A spokesperson for travel experts Lapland Famille commented: “With summer holidays here and fuel shortage fears adding uncertainty, travellers should keep an eye on the news and plan ahead. Don't stop travelling – but be smart with how you book. Consider packaged deals where possible, and always check cancellation terms before you pay.”
Martin’s advice underscores that protecting your holiday money comes down to understanding how you book – and that a voucher may end up being a better outcome than you think.
