Transfer Travel, an online marketplace dubbed the "Vinted for travel," is helping holidaymakers grab last-minute breaks for a fraction of the original price. The website allows users to buy holidays, flights, cruises, and accommodation that other travellers can no longer use, often with savings of between 40 and 70 per cent off the original price.
How it works
Similar to resale sites like eBay and Vinted, users can list parts of their trip they can no longer attend, whether that's flights, hotel stays, or an entire holiday package. The platform has gained popularity globally, with more than 162,000 users across over 170 countries. Its largest user bases are currently in the UK, United States, and Canada.
Maisie Blewitt, head of commercial at Transfer Travel, explained to the Daily Mail: "We've always said we're like Vinted for travel or eBay for travel. If you can't go on your holiday, you can just pop them on our platform and then resell them. There's well over a thousand listings on the website at the moment, well over a thousand different people who need to kind of recoup a bit of money or sell travel plans when things change."
Popularity surge
The website is free to join. Once a buyer purchases a trip, the original owner has 72 hours to complete the name change and send over the updated documents. After the transfer is complete, the holiday is officially in the new traveller's name, allowing them to enjoy the break at a much cheaper price.
The popularity of the service has surged, with marketplace listings increasing by 185 per cent year-on-year, suggesting more people are choosing to sell holidays they can no longer take.
Real-life savings
One traveller who benefited was Jorge Paiva, who saved thousands on a luxury cruise. Speaking to The Times, he explained that the cruise was originally priced at £9,000. Due to Transfer Travel, he was able to purchase the two non-refundable tickets for just £3,000. The original couple who booked the Silversea Cruise were unable to travel due to health reasons and listed the holiday on the site. The deal meant Paiva paid £1,500 per person for a two-week cruise visiting Portugal, Morocco, and Spain—saving around £6,000 compared to the original cost.
Another traveller visiting the UK from the US found a bargain, purchasing first-class train tickets from London Euston to Glasgow worth £240 for just £150.
Considerations and protection
However, as with other resale websites, buyers rely on the information provided by the seller, meaning there may be less detail available compared with booking directly through a travel company. Travellers can choose to purchase a holiday at the listed price or use the website's Make Offer feature to try and negotiate an even lower deal.
To protect both sides, Transfer Travel holds the buyer's payment until the trip details have been successfully transferred. If the seller fails to complete the process within 72 hours, the buyer receives a full refund.
