Taking longer-duration holidays could help save money in a rare number of cases, according to research by Holiday Which?
The consumer champion analysed the prices of 400 package holidays in April from providers including easyJet holidays, Jet2, Love Holidays, On The Beach and Tui for August departures from London.
In 26 instances staying for 11 nights rather than 10 worked out cheaper overall.
Which? also found cases where extending a trip by one night would cost less than £5 extra per person.
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One example revealed that two people taking an all-inclusive, four-star package in Fuerteventura with Tui in August could save £1,188 by extending their stay from 10 nights to 11, a saving of 28%. The shorter holiday would have cost £4,148, but opting for an 11-night stay reduced the price to £2,960.
In another case with Tui, two people sharing a twin room with a balcony or terrace in Corfu on a bed-and-breakfast rate could collectively save £584, or £292 per person. This would cut the cost of the holiday by almost a third (31%), from £1,862 to £1,278.
In one case, for £1 more per person, two people could extend a 10-night stay in Crete with easyJet to 11 nights, bringing the total cost to £2,544 for two people sharing on a bed and breakfast rate versus a 10-night rate of £2,542.
A range of factors can determine the final price, but supply and demand – 11-day holidays are often less popular – and different flight dates can all play a part.
The consumer group admitted this type of bonus is fairly uncommon, but the savings can be substantial.
Which? Travel deputy editor Jo Rhodes said: “If you’re booking a holiday, it’s worth checking if you can save money by making some small changes to your travel dates and duration of your stay.
“While it seems counterintuitive, occasionally there are substantial savings to be made by extending your trip.”
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