Travel agents are playing a price game – don't fall for it!
Our research shows that two-thirds of the travel offers we investigated are incorrect. The price changes during the booking process, mandatory fees are added during or after the booking process, or important information is missing. Because travel providers are still not complying with legal regulations, the Consumers' Association will summon providers.
Want to report a misconduct? Visit Meldpunt Eerlijk (Fair Reporting Point) https://www.consumentenbond.nl/acties...
We checked 250 travel offers from 10 different providers to see if they could be booked at the advertised price. At Prijsvrij / D-reizen, KLM Holidays / Transavia Holidays, and Expedia, none of the offers were correct. At The Travel Club, the price of 8% of the offers we investigated was also the final price. At TUI, this was 16%, at Dé VakantieDiscounter 26%, and at FTI just over half. At ANWB Reizen (72%), Sunweb (72%), and Corendon (92%), the advertised price was most often bookable at that price.
Improvements promised
We conducted a similar study in early 2023, and at that time, 83% of the offers reviewed by the Consumers' Association were found to be incorrect. All the travel organizations inspected then promised to improve. Sandra Molenaar, director of the Consumers' Association: "We submitted several cases to the Advertising Code Committee last year, and they consistently ruled in our favor. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) also warned the travel providers. Yet, we still see countless misleading advertisements. We find it truly disappointing that so little improvement has occurred in a year."
ANVR's weak response
The Consumers' Association has shared the research results with the ACM and asked them to enforce the regulations. The ACM indicates that several cases are currently underway to compel travel providers to display clear prices. Molenaar: "We have also informed the trade association ANVR that we expect them to firmly address this matter with their members." But the ANVR only advises travel providers to follow the rules 'where applicable.' With such a weak response, little improvement is expected in the short term. That's why we're taking legal action. Travelers must be able to rely on the accuracy of their travel offers.
Fair Reporting Point
Consumers who encounter misleading travel offers can report them to the Consumers' Association's Fair Reporting Point. This gives the Consumers' Association a better understanding of which travel providers are making mistakes and how. https://www.consumentenbond.nl/acties...
00:00 Intro
00:39 Introduction to the research
01:31 Package travel legislation
02:00 Price increases
03:24 ACM & Consumers' Association
05:35 Trips unavailable
06:32 Tempted to book
07:36 Incorrect information
10:32 Hidden costs
11:53 Regulations on stating costs
12:16 Booking fees
13:16 Foreign airports
14:31 Who is the Advertising Code Committee? 2:58 PM Last year's research
3:23 PM ACM share
3:56 PM Improved providers
4:12 PM Lawsuits over misleading practices
4:50 PM RCC rulings
5:08 PM Travel providers to court
5:51 PM ACM fines
6:16 PM The next step
6:55 PM Tips on what you can do yourself
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In recent years, the Consumers' Association has grown into a platform with a diverse range of products and services. Our guiding principles are that we are not-for-profit and are not influenced by political or commercial interests. The interests that matter are those of the consumer, and all revenues benefit our work for consumers. We are therefore transparent and honest about all revenues. Visit our website: https://www.consumentenbond.nl
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