There’s no such thing as a free lunch and this saying is especially true when it comes to holidays, especially ones that claim to only cost you £20. While this is not a scam in the strictest sense as you should get what you pay for, it is a case of be aware that there are probably hidden costs.
This post is spawned from an e-mail I received from EV Holidays claiming that I had been awarded a holiday to Italy worth £600. Given that I have not entered any competitions or registered on a site with them my suspicions were immediately raised which were boosted when reading through the e-mail about things not included in the holiday and that I would have to pay a £20 admin fee first.
Issue 1: Transport and Accommodation paid for but what about food?
Issue 2: Extra Charges May Apply
Issue 3: Optional Tours
Issue 4: £20 Booking fee and other charges
Curious about this I went to the European Vacations website and checked to see how much this would cost and on the terms and conditions page I found the following.
Optional Fixed Date and Seasonal surcharge (£108-£148), Local departure point supplement (£18-£45p.p.), Optional excursions from £30p.p., Half board meal plan (£140p.p. 5xdinner & breakfast), Single room supplement (£115p.p). Fuel surcharges may apply. If opting for a non fixed date then a refundable deposit of £150p.p. is required at time of booking and will be refunded on day 2 of the tour.
This means that as a minimum you have to initially give them £170, though you should get £150 refunded on the tour. Assuming you want to eat at the hotel(s) however, you will need to spend £140 and the cost for other features of the tour will increase the cost as well. If you don’t want to depart from Dover you will also probably have to pay more as well. So while in theory you can get a holiday for a net cost of £20 you will probably end up spending much more than that though the total cost will probably be down to you.
Unfortunately you cant find out exactly how much it will cost until you give them £20 and they send you a booking pack which is probably how they make their money from people who send them £20 and then find out the total cost and back out. As for whether the holidays are worth the cost you end up paying I am not in a position to judge and it may well be that they are. Given that they claim that the holiday is worth £600 you will probably end up paying around £450 if you take all the options; Less than £600 but much more than £20.
From: EV Holidays [mailto:entertainment@acq.ccemails.net]
Subject: You have been awarded a holiday to Italy worth 600 poundsEmail images not behaving? You can see them here <http://ase.emv3.com/HM?a=A9X7CkJHjX8psOVLluRUWVHhCQ>
Following your successful registration.
CONFIRMATION, you have now been allocated a holiday with a £600 value
HOLIDAY CLAIM: ITALY
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NEW TOUR FOR 2009/2010
A 6 Day Italian Highlights Holiday for two persons awaits you -
with transport and accommodation PAID IN FULL !
We are delighted to offer you this opportunity to take advantage of a new and exciting holiday destination from European Vacations.
Included for you and a partner:
* Transportation in a luxury coach as per itinerary.
* 6 nights in hotel Accommodation in a double room.
* Sightseeing programme as per itinerary.
* Services of an experienced English speaking tour guide.
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Click above to learn more and to register for this holiday
Itinerary for 6 Day Italian Highlights Holiday
<http://vornet02.co.uk/1846/venice_250.jpg> Day 1: Join your coach in Dover or at your pick-up point (extra charges may apply, see below), cross the channel to Calais. Travel through France and Switzerland and arrive at your hotel for an overnight stay in the Lake Garda area.
<http://vornet02.co.uk/1846/garda_250.jpg> Day 2: Relax in your hotel or join our optional tour taking in a leisurely boat trip on Lake Garda and a guided tour of Verona with its Roman theatres and of course Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’s’ famous balcony (Romeo, Romeo where art though Romeo).
Day 3: Today join us on an optional tour through the endless scenery of the Dolomites and the fairy tale Brenner Pass taking in a visit to the 17th Century town of Vipiteno, and the Ice Mummy Museum (See attachment) en-route.
<http://vornet02.co.uk/1846/brenner_250.jpg> Day 4: Today we offer the chance to join us on a ‘not to be missed’ optional tour to Tuscany taking in a walking tour of Florence and Pisa before returning to our hotel.
<http://vornet02.co.uk/1846/vernazza_250.jpg> Day 5: Today our coach takes you to the Adriatic coast to the boat station in Venice from where you can explore the town on your own or join our optional cruise and tour of Venice including a private boat and the main sights. In the afternoon we shall travel back through the most beautiful and fascinating countryside and side roads of the Veneto surrounded by the Pre Alps to arrive back in your hotel in the Lake Garda area.
Day 6: Today it is time to leave beautiful Italy. We cross the Alps, Switzerland, Germany and France to Calais for the ferry crossing back to Dover.
These Familiarisation holidays are given to specially selected valued individuals so that they can experience new destinations, holidays and cruises. After enjoying hotel, cruise accommodation, sightseeing and activities, we are confident that you will not only travel with us again but recommend our holidays to others. We have found that this “Word of Mouth” recommendation is our best form of advertising. This is an exclusive offer from European Vacations.
Act now to secure your booking
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To process your application a £20 Administration & Booking fee is required that covers all administration costs related to confirming your booking for travel, plus hotel room accommodation. This administration fee also covers: notification of schedule for optional higher season dates available for your holiday, confirmation of booking of any optional extras selected i.e. excursions and half board meal plans. Plus confirming after booking and payment of any optional extras for excursions and tours, processing and delivery of final ticketing. You are also provided with a National rate telephone line with a full customer service staff to handle any queries. Supplements and refundable deposit may be required, simply click the link above to see full details.
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