Watchdog slams online travel giants
Travel giants have bowed to pressure over hidden charges following a report by the BBC’s Watchdog programme.
In last night’s programme, online travel agents and airlines were criticised for slipping things into customers baskets without them noticing.
Lastminute, Expedia and Opodo all came under fire for automatically adding insurance into their packages, leaving the customer with the responsibility of ‘de-selecting’ it.
Meanwhile, Thomson and Flybe were criticised for doing the same with baggage.
In the report, Martin Lewis from www.moneysavingexpert.com told viewers how the European Union now has rules in place to prevent companies engaging in this practice.
He said UK companies were expected to be brought under these EU rules later this year, but were being urged by the CAA to adopt the same policies now.
Later in the programme, he said that since making his report, Expedia and Thomson had agreed to change their policies.
“But there are other companies still doing it,†he told BBC viewers.
“By opting you in, unless you check the terms, they’ll be jacking up your price. If you don’t make sure to de-select your extras at this stage, you could end up paying more. It can happen to anyone and it’s not acceptable. It’s against EU law.â€
Lastminute and Opodo said they were concerned about the number of customers who travel uninsured and argued that they give customers plenty of opportunity to de-select it.
Flybe said it complies with all EU Regulations in relation to its online booking transparency.
by Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026