FAQ

How do I pre-book seats on my flight?

Depending on when you made your booking, there are a number of options on how to pre-book your seats. Most airlines now offer the choice to select your seat when you check in online, including easyJet and Ryanair. You will be given various payable options, including confirming seats with additional leg room. If you do not wish to pay for a seat, then one will be assigned to you automatically by the airline.

Please find below a list of the tour operators we work alongside for information on how to pre-book seats on an upcoming flight. You will need your airline reference number, which can be found on your booking confirmation email, and should not be confused with your booking reference. Once these details have been entered, you will be taken to a seating plan where you can begin to select your desired seats.

• Jet2 
• Ryanair Flights
• EasyJet

When do I receive my confirmation email?

In order to make sure we have processed your booking correctly, your booking confirmation email, and associated travel documentation may take up to 72 hours to come through via email.

What is the baggage allowance for my flight?

For those travelling on holidays, the baggage allowance will vary depending on which airline you are flying with, whether it is short haul or long haul, and may also vary depending on if you purchased a flight only or package holiday. Hotholidays.co.uk will, where possible, give you the option to purchase additional baggage allowance at the time of booking for free or an extra charge depending on the airline. If you would like to upgrade your hold luggage after booking, you can change your luggage allowance by calling us.

There may be an amendment fee applicable along with any charges imposed by the accommodation and flight provider. In order for us to assist you more efficiently, please have your booking reference number to hand when calling or include this in your email.

Airline Name	Maximum Hold Baggage Allowance*	Hand Baggage Allowance*
Aer Lingus	20kgs pp	5kgs pp
ASL Airlines France	20kgs pp	5kgs pp
Balkan	20kgs pp	5kgs pp
British Airways	23kgs pp	5kgs pp
Cosmos	15kgs pp	5kgs pp
easyJet	20kgs pp	5kgs pp
Jet2	30kgs pp	10kgs pp
Odyssey	15kgs pp	5kgs pp
Red Sea Holidays	20kgs pp	5kgs pp
Ryanair	20kgs pp	10kgs pp
Virgin Atlantic	23kgs pp	5kgs pp
Wings Abroad	20kgs pp	5kgs pp

If I book with you, how financially protected is my holiday?

Hotholidays.co.uk (a trading name of Online Travel Group Limited) holds membership number P6692 with the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers get the most from their travel experience and assist them when things do not go according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA's Code of Conduct.

In addition, some of our holidays are financially protected by an Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL) scheme to give you peace of mind. If the operator fails, then the ATOL scheme makes sure that the customer doesn't lose their money, or find themselves stranded abroad.

The ATOL scheme does not encompass accommodation only or flight only bookings.

For more information regarding the ATOL scheme and what it covers, visit the CAA website.

What are the differences between private and shuttle transfers?

A private transfer is a taxi or other vehicle reserved solely for your party. Private transfers will be waiting for you on arrival at the destination airport, and will take you directly to your hotel or apartment, without any stops on route. Private transfers are generally more expensive than a shuttle bus/coach transfer as they are quicker than a shuttle. They are a door-to-door transfer and exclusively reserved for you.

A shuttle transfer is usually a shared bus or coach, which sometimes can entail waiting for other passengers to get on, and making stops at additional locations en-route to your drop off. Occasionally, the transfer will involve collecting passengers from two or three flights. The waiting times will generally be kept to a minimum, but shuttle transfers do take longer than private transfers, which is reflected in the difference in price. All collection times given are an approximate guideline and are not always 100% accurate due to the general nature of shuttle transfers and the possible delays that can be encountered.

What is ABTA and what does this mean for me?

We hold ABTA membership number P6692 with the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA's Code of Conduct.

For further information about ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a complaint, please visit  www.abta.com

What is ATOL and what does this mean for me?

Many of the flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected.

Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.

Are flight meals included?

Low cost airlines do not offer the ability to pre book inflight meals, instead, they operate a trolley during the flight for you to purchase food. Charter airlines such as Thomson and Thomas Cook allow you to buy meals, if available, during the purchase process.  A meal/snack is included with scheduled flights such as British Airways and Emirates.

Are there any additional charges when booking online?

We believe in honest pricing and will always state what is included and not included in the holiday. However we depend on the tour operators, hotels and airlines to provide us with accurate information, which can change from minute to minute. We will, where we can, absorb these price changes but in some instances we will need to pass these on to our customers.

If you choose to pay for your holiday with a low deposit, you will incur additional charges. When paying with our Monthly Payment plan, there is an additional charge of £3.95 per transaction. When paying with a Low Deposit payment plan, there is an additional charge of £4.95 per transaction.

Please note that local taxes, such as city taxes and departure taxes are not covered within the price as these would be paid locally abroad.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, all passengers must have valid travel insurance that provides adequate cover for you both before you travel and whilst you are away. Any cancellations will always be subject to our standard terms and conditions and associated charges. If you have cancelled your booking and require a cancellation invoice, please email sales@onlinetravelgroup.co.uk

Travel insurance can cover you for a wide variety of things, including cancellations, lost baggage and flight delays. Specifically what is covered varies by insurance provider so it is always best to confirm with them directly if you have any queries.

Do my children need their own passports?

Yes, all children need their own child passport to travel abroad. It can take a bit of organising but the passport will be valid for five years, even though their appearance is likely to change incredibly.

The application forms are available from a post office branch that offers the passport check and send service. If getting to a post office with your baby is difficult, you can complete the application form online. It will be sent to you to sign and return with the supporting documents. Or you can request a form online and it will be sent to you in the post.

More information can be found by visiting the following government website link.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports/index.htm

The Home Office Identity & Passport Advice line can be contacted on 0300 222 0000. Their opening hours are stated as Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and on weekends 9am to 5:30pm. This may be subject to change.

Do you cater for disabled and less mobile passengers?

We want everyone to enjoy completely successful travel arrangements. If you, or any member of your party, have any disabilities or are less mobile passengers, it is extremely important that we make the necessary arrangements to make sure your holiday goes smoothly. In order to do this, please call our office on 01332 920 171 before completing any reservation to ensure compatibility for the holiday that you choose.

The information you provide will be treated confidentially, and will only be used to check that the transport, accommodation and facilities in the destination are right for you.

I am pregnant can I fly still?

Travel policies vary with each airline, so ask about restrictions when you book your flight but it is generally accepted that you can fly in your first and second trimesters. 

Note: an airline can bar you from travel if they are worried about how far along in your pregnancy you are. To avoid delays, and more importantly, to confirm it's safe for you to fly, get written permission to fly from your doctor or midwife. The letter should confirm your due date and state that you have been examined and are not likely to go into labour in the next 72 hours. 
Read more:  http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/isitsafeto/flyexpert/ 

Please check your travel insurance policy for any restrictions that apply to travelling whilst pregnant.

Do I need a visa for my holiday?

Visa requirements differ between countries. 
For information on passport/visa requirements and other general travel requirements, please go to the following website.  https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

We also recommend that you consult your destination's embassy website for further information. 
Please note. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the correct documentation to allow entry, and travel to and from, the country you are visiting.