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Holiday Packages: Are They Worth It for Australian Travellers?
Planning a holiday should be exciting, but it can quickly turn into an exercise in juggling browser tabs. Flights on one website, accommodation on another, airport transfers somewhere else, followed by tours, meals and all the extras that can make a holiday memorable.
This is where holiday packages can be worth investigating. Rather than booking every component separately, a package can combine several elements of a trip into one booking. Packages may also include extras that might otherwise add considerably to the final cost.
But does a holiday package necessarily represent good value? Not always. Like any travel purchase, it pays to look beyond the headline price and understand exactly what you're getting.
What Is Included in a Holiday Package?
There isn't one standard definition of a package holiday. At its simplest, it might combine flights and accommodation. More comprehensive packages can include airport transfers, meals, tours, activities, resort credits and other extras.
Australian-owned online travel agency TravelOnline, for example, specialises in packaged holidays and currently offers packages across Australia, the Pacific and Asia. Depending on the particular offer, packages can combine flights and accommodation with transfers and additional inclusions such as meals, tours and activities.
The important thing is to compare the whole package, rather than being distracted by the advertised price alone.
When Can a Package Be Good Value?
One of the attractions of package holidays is convenience.
Booking flights, accommodation and transfers individually means comparing different suppliers, keeping track of several confirmations and making sure everything fits together. Bundling some of those arrangements can simplify the process considerably.
Value can also come from the extras.
A package that initially appears slightly more expensive could turn out to be the better option if it includes airport transfers, breakfast each day, resort credits or an activity you were already planning to book.
Likewise, a cheaper package isn't necessarily better value if you'll need to pay separately for everything once you arrive.
Before booking, work out what you would realistically use and compare the total cost.
Look Beyond Flights and Accommodation
Flights and a beautiful hotel might grab your attention first, but some of the less glamorous details can make a significant difference to a holiday.
Transfers are a good example. Arriving somewhere unfamiliar and knowing that transport to your accommodation has already been arranged can make the beginning of a trip considerably easier.
Breakfast is another inclusion worth calculating properly. The cost of buying breakfast every morning at a resort can add up surprisingly quickly, particularly for a family.
Depending on the package, other useful inclusions might include meals, resort credits, tours, activities, room upgrades or complimentary nights.
The question isn't simply, "How much is this holiday?"
A better question is, "What will this holiday actually cost me by the time I've included everything I want?"
Package Holiday or Book Everything Yourself?
There are times when booking independently makes perfect sense.
If you're creating a complicated itinerary, staying in several locations or enjoy researching every element of a trip yourself, individual bookings may give you greater control.
Packages can be particularly appealing when the holiday itself is relatively straightforward . Perhaps a week at a resort in Fiji, a relaxing Bali escape, a Queensland island holiday or a tropical break where you'd prefer most of the arrangements organised before you leave.
TravelOnline's packages are customisable, so travellers aren't necessarily restricted to a completely fixed itinerary. Depending on the booking, flights, accommodation and additional extras can be combined to suit individual requirements.
Having a Real Person to Contact Still Matters
One interesting development in online travel is the combination of digital booking with traditional travel-agent support.
TravelOnline has operated since 1994 and is wholly Australian owned and operated, with its head office in Brisbane. Although travellers can research and arrange holidays online, the company also provides travel consultants who assist with bookings and coordinate elements including flights, accommodation, transfers and tours.
For travellers who like the convenience of researching online but still appreciate having a person to contact, that combination can be appealing.
What Should You Check Before Booking?
Before committing to any holiday package, take a few minutes to check the details carefully.
Look at exactly what is included, the accommodation category and room type, flight arrangements, baggage allowances, transfers and any restrictions attached to complimentary extras.
Cancellation and amendment conditions are particularly important. If you're booking well ahead, understand what happens if your circumstances change.
It's also worth comparing the package against the approximate cost of arranging the major components yourself. You don't necessarily need to spend hours doing this because a quick comparison of flights and accommodation can give you a useful benchmark.
Most importantly, don't choose a holiday simply because the discount percentage looks impressive. Choose the holiday that suits where you actually want to go, how you like to travel and what you want to do when you get there.
Where Could a Package Take You?
For Australians looking for a warm-weather escape, package destinations currently available through TravelOnline include favourites such as Fiji, Bali, Thailand and Vanuatu, along with Australian destinations including the Hunter Valley, Queensland's islands and Tropical North Queensland.
There are options designed around couples, families, groups and solo travellers, as well as all-inclusive holidays where many of the usual holiday expenses are incorporated into the package price.
Rather than choosing a destination simply because there's a deal available, start with the kind of holiday you want. Beach and pool? Food and culture? Family activities? Complete relaxation?
Then see what packages are available.
The Bottom Line
Holiday packages aren't automatically the cheapest way to travel, and they're not the right solution for every trip.
What they can offer is convenience, simplicity and potentially very good overall value, particularly when useful extras are bundled with flights and accommodation.
The trick is to compare what is actually included rather than focusing solely on the advertised price.
For travellers who would rather spend their time looking forward to their holiday than coordinating every individual component, a well-chosen package may be worth considering.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a booking through one of these links, Sydney Chic may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
