When planning summer holidays in 2024, consumers should be cautious in several key areas of the travel industry. Based on the experience of consumers contacting the European Consumer Centre Czechia with their disputes against traders, here are some tips on what to look out for and how to protect yourself from potential problems.

Before booking a hotel or apartment, read reviews from previous guests on various intermediary platforms or search engines. If specific services (e.g. air conditioning, Wi-Fi, parking, fridge) are important to you, check in advance that they are actually available and included in the price, especially if they are not explicitly mentioned in the description of the accommodation, which elsewhere normally includes these services.

Make sure you understand the cancellation policy and that deposit requirements are clearly defined. One Czech family did not travel to Austria for a winter break because an unexpected ‘service charge’ of €20 per person per day appeared on the invoice sent to them in advance, so the price offered on the intermediary’s website increased by 150%. Both the accommodation provider and the platform claimed that the consumer had been informed of the optional services that needed to be booked two weeks in advance, which however had not happened. Moreover, from the beginning, these services were not defined at all. The dispute is now being resolved by the European Consumer Centres Network.

Flight changes and delays are not uncommon, so keep track of your flights through the various apps designed for this purpose. Find out about passengers’ rights under EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, which provides compensation and assistance in the event of delays, cancellations or denied boarding, for example at europeanconsumer.cz.

Read the car rental companies’ terms and conditions carefully, especially regarding insurance, requirements for returning the car with a full tank, mileage limits, extra surcharges, etc. When taking the car, do a thorough inspection, note any existing damages and make sure they are noted in the rental company’s documents.

A Czech consumer ordered insurance for damages to the bodywork without any potential extra charge. The rental company charged him approx. 160 euros, even though they told the consumer in writing after the incident was reported that there were going to be no additional charges. The consumer had kept careful documentation of the damage to the car, the insurance and the communication with the company, thus creating a strong evidential position for the ensuing dispute.

Recently, one of Europe’s largest travel agencies, FTI, declared insolvency. It is always advisable to enquire not only about reputation, but also whether and how the CK is insured against insolvency. Also check the cancellation and change policy. In the event of any problems, contact the local delegate immediately and, where appropriate, the company’s head office.

By following these tips you can better protect your rights and minimise the risk of problems during your summer holiday.

This text was published in dTest 08/2024.