Holidays: Beat the latest package traps

HOLIDAYMAKERS will have to study prices in travel brochures even more carefully after tour operators "unpackaged" package holidays.

Airtours, Thomsons and Thomas Cook are all dividing up the cost of holidays and operating a system where you pay extra for "frills".

These extras include transfers to the resort, bigger luggage allowances, meals on flights - even the privilege of sitting with your family. Other shocks include paying more for high-season flights. Thomsons is charging an extra pounds 210 for a family of three to fly to Majorca.

Holiday Which? says the best advice is for families to shop around. And if you are flexible about dates and choice of resort, you should wait until January to book a summer holiday as there are always discounts after Christmas.

Be aware that sometimes there are better discounts on the more expensive deals than the lowest priced package, and if self-catering it can be cheaper to classify children as adults. And remember to buy travel insurance as soon as you've booked, so you are covered against cancellation.

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