Holidaymakers warned over 'misleading' Black Friday travel deals
12 November 2019, 13:06
Holidaymakers have been warned to be wary of potentially misleading Black Friday travel deals, with consumer group Which? saying many deals "aren't always what they appear to be".
The group said some of the deals advertised during the annual sales bonanza featured exaggerated or non-existent special offers.
It analysed promotions by major airlines and travel firms on Black Friday in 2018 - which fell on November 23 - and checked what prices were two weeks later.
Ryanair advertised a 25 per cent discount on one million seats purchased by midnight, but none of the flights Which? included in its study were more expensive if booked two weeks later.
The airline issued a statement insisting it "complies fully with UK advertising laws".
EasyJet's Black Friday sale claimed travellers could save £50 on 60,000 city breaks, although eight of 21 trips analysed were cheaper after a fortnight.
A three-night break from London Luton to Barcelona cost 13 per cent less if holidaymakers waited to book until two weeks after Black Friday, according to the research.
Airline Norwegian advertised discounts of "up to 30 per cent off short-haul fares and 15 per cent off long-haul fares", but the biggest saving found by Which? was just 10 per cent.
In response, Norwegian said the figures used in its promotion were based on fares excluding taxes and charges, but Which? claimed this was not clear when viewing the carrier's website.
This year's Black Friday falls on November 29.
Rory Boland, editor of magazine Which? Travel, said: "Nothing beats the feeling of saving hundreds on your next holiday, but that feeling can quickly turn to anger when you discover it would have been cheaper if you'd waited to book.
"Our research reveals that Black Friday travel deals aren't always what they appear to be. Avoid disappointment by comparing prices and approach attention-grabbing saving claims with scepticism."
