Package holidays and linked travel arrangements
When you book a package holiday, or enter a linked travel arrangement, you are protected by consumer law.
A package holiday is one sold at an inclusive price and:
- includes at least 2 different types of travel services
- covers at least 24 hours or includes an overnight stay
- all from the same seller
A linked travel arrangement is when you book one travel service and are invited (usually through a website link) to book a second service on another website. You have less protection in the case of linked travel arrangements.
What is a package holiday?
Your holiday is a package holiday if it is:
- bought in one place
- ‘ready-made’
- sold at an inclusive price by a travel agent or tour operator
- made up of at least two of the following travel services:
- transport
- accommodation
- car or other vehicle hire
- other tourist activities that are not directly linked to the above but which make up a significant part of the cost and package (e.g. guided tours)
- covers at least 24 hours (or includes an overnight stay)
In order to be classified as a ‘package’, there must be either a single contract for all of the components, or separate contracts but one inclusive or total price, with all the components chosen before you pay.
Booking a package holiday
When you book a package holiday you are entering into a contract with the organiser – the travel agent or tour operator. The information in the holiday brochure or on their website must not be false or misleading. You should receive all the essential information about the holiday before you agree to the contract.
Before you are bound by any package holiday contract, the organiser or retailer should give you certain information about the holiday, including:
- the total price, including any taxes or additional fees
- arrangements for payment, including any deposit to be paid
- destination and duration
- the type of transport involved and departure times and places
- the location, type and category of accommodation
- meal plan, if any
- cancellation arrangements for the organiser (for example, if a minimum number of people need to book in order for the package holiday to take place) and for you
- details of any excursions or other services included
- the complaints procedure if the organiser fails to carry out their part of the contract
- the trading name, geographical address, telephone number and email address of the organiser and, if the package is sold through a retailer, the retailer where applicable.
- the contact details of the organiser’s local representative or contact point in case you need to contact the organiser for assistance while on the trip
- general information on passport and visa requirements, and vaccinations
- any insurance requirements
Top Tip
If the organiser offers to sell you travel insurance you don’t have to buy it from them. They can insist on you having travel insurance but you can buy it elsewhere and you may get a better price by shopping around.
Changes to your package holiday
If the organiser makes a significant change to the holiday (other than the price), or cancels the trip, they must offer you one of the following:
- a replacement holiday of equivalent or superior quality, if they can provide this
- a lower grade holiday, with a refund of the difference in price, if they can provide this
- a full refund
The organiser has the right to cancel a package holiday because of factors beyond their control. If this happens, you are still entitled to a refund or a replacement package as set out above. It is up to you to negotiate with the organiser which option you would prefer.
A significant change to your holiday includes changes to the dates, a shortening of your trip, or changes to the accommodation provided.
Price changes to your holiday are not allowed within 20 days of your departure date. However, before that, the organiser can increase prices only if there is an increase in:
- the cost of transporting passengers because of the cost of fuel or other power sources
- the level of taxes, fees and charges including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports
- exchange rates relevant to the package holiday
Top Tip
If the price increases by more than 8% you have the right to cancel and get a full refund.
Cancelling your holiday
If you cancel the holiday yourself, you need to check the terms and conditions of your contract. It should outline what happens in your situation. You may lose your deposit or have to pay a cancellation fee. Usually, the closer to your travel date, the greater the portion of the cost of your holiday you will lose.
If you want to transfer the package travel contract to someone else, you can do this before the holiday by giving at least seven days’ notice to the organiser. You may have to pay for any costs incurred by the organiser to carry out the transfer.
You also have the right to cancel your package holiday and get a full refund in the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances taking place at or near your destination which would affect your holiday, or your travel.
If things go wrong
If there are problems while you are on holidays, you should report issues directly with the local representative of the trip organiser. They are responsible if something goes wrong, even when another company is carrying out the service.
If you find that significant elements of the package are not as agreed, you should be able to get suitable alternative arrangements made for you at no extra cost. If any of the travel services you paid for are not properly performed, you are entitled to a price reduction.
If the issue has not been addressed to your satisfaction during the holiday, you can make a complaint to the operator when you return. You should do this within 28 days of the end of your holiday and include photos and/or videos as evidence.
Learn more about how to complain.
Top Tip
Your organiser is responsible for making sure your holiday runs smoothly, even when it includes services that are provided by other businesses as part of the
What happens if the organiser goes out of business?
Package holiday providers in Ireland must have arrangements in place so that if they go out of business your money and bookings are protected.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) authorises tour operators and travel agents in Ireland. See the full list of licensed and bonded travel agents and tour operators.
All organisers of packages must take out insolvency protection. This guarantee covers refunds and repatriation in case organisers go bankrupt.
What are linked travel arrangements (LTAs)?
Linked travel arrangements (LTAs) are when you buy two or more travel components (flights, accommodation, car rental etc) from different businesses as separate transactions. They are classed as linked when one business enables you to buy additional components as part of the same trip or holiday.
LTAs only apply if the combination of travel components is not a package holiday and the business:
1. Allows you buy more than one travel component in a single visit, e.g. during one visit to a travel agent or website, or
2. Invites you, by a targeted link (a link to another business website), to book a second component of your holiday which is booked within 24 hours.
Example of LTA
You book a flight with an airline and then receive a confirmation email offering car rental from another business. If, within 24 hours of your original flight booking, you avail of the offer booking the car rental, this is considered a linked travel arrangement.
Example of LTA
You book a flight through an airline or travel company and during the same visit to their shop or their website you also pay for, or agree to pay for, a hotel from a different company.
A combination of travel and tourist components
A combination of one travel component (for example, accommodation), and another tourist component (for example, a guided tour or a match), is only a linked travel arrangement if the additional tourist component is worth 25% or more of the overall value of the trip, or is an essential feature of the trip.
LTAs lasting less than 24 hours are not covered by the regulations, unless overnight accommodation is included.
An LTA is not a package holiday and you have less rights. Your rights for LTAs are limited to the provider of the first service going bankrupt. In this case you are entitled to your money back and, if necessary, to be brought home if stranded abroad.
What happens if the organiser goes out of business?
A business offering LTAs must refund all payments to you if they are unable to fulfil your booking if they become bankrupt. They must also ensure they can cover the cost of getting you home.
