Why Booking an ABTA-Protected Package Holiday Is Better Than Booking Separately

When planning your Orlando holiday, you're faced with numerous options—should you piece together your trip by booking your villa, flights, car hire and attractions separately, or opt for a package holiday?

While the flexibility of booking independently might seem appealing, choosing an ABTA-protected package holiday offers several significant advantages that can make your trip not only more convenient but also safer and more financially secure. Here’s why opting for an ABTA-protected package holiday is often the better choice.

Convenience and Peace of Mind

Planning your escape to the sunshine state can be stressful. A package holiday takes the hassle out of planning. Everything from your flights, villa, car hire and attraction tickets are arranged for you in one go. This means less time worrying about logistics and more time looking forward to your holiday.

Moreover, if something goes wrong, such as a flight delay or cancellation, your package provider is responsible for ensuring that your travel plans are amended accordingly. When booking separately, you would need to sort these issues out on your own, often at an additional cost and significant inconvenience.

Here is an example:

Situation One Dave booked his Orlando package holiday through Debbie's Villas. When his flight to Orlando was cancelled by the airline, he was relieved to know that his ABTA-protected package allowed him to contact Debbie's Villas directly to arrange alternative flights and ensure his holiday could continue as planned.

Situation Two Emily, on the other hand, chose to book everything separately for her Orlando holiday. She secured her villa through Debbie's Villas but booked her flights and other arrangements independently. Upon arriving at the airport, her flight was cancelled, leaving her to deal with the airline on her own to rearrange her travel. Although she eventually managed to reschedule her flight at an additional cost, she lost a day at her Orlando villa. Had she booked a package, she could have turned to Debbie's Villas to sort everything out, minimising the disruption to her holiday.

Examples of what you would be covered for if you have booked a package:

• Adverse weather conditions in the UK means flights are unable to depart. Your travel company will need to re-arrange your flight or will offer you a refund for the whole package.

• You have booked a package holiday and the organiser of your package goes bust two days before you are due to travel. The organisation in charge of the financial protection, such as ABTA or the ATOL, will ensure that you get a full refund of the money you paid for the package.

• FCDO advises against travel to your destination, which means you cannot travel there. Your travel company will need to re-arrange your holiday or will offer you a refund for the whole package.

Cost-Effectiveness

While booking independently might sometimes seem cheaper at first glance, package holidays can offer excellent value for money. Debbie’s Villas work with airlines, management companies, and local service providers, allowing us to pass on those savings to you. Additionally, because you’re paying for everything upfront, it’s easier to budget for your trip, avoiding any unexpected costs that might arise if you were booking each element independently.

Legal and Regulatory Support

ABTA membership also means that the company you’re booking with adheres to a strict code of conduct. This code ensures that you receive a high standard of service and that your rights as a consumer are protected. If something does go wrong, you have access to ABTA’s dispute resolution services, which can help you resolve issues without needing to go through lengthy and expensive legal processes. This kind of support is not available when you book everything separately, leaving you more vulnerable to poor service or unexpected problems.

Safety and Security

In an increasingly unpredictable world, safety during travel has become a top priority. Package holidays often have established procedures for emergencies, such as natural disasters, political unrest, or pandemics. Travel companies are more likely to have contingency plans in place to ensure your safety, including repatriation if necessary. When booking separately, you’re responsible for making your own safety arrangements, which can be daunting and complicated in a crisis.

Simplicity in Amendments and Cancellations

Plans can change, and when they do, it’s much simpler to amend or cancel a package holiday than a trip with separate bookings. Most package holiday providers offer flexible booking policies, and you only need to deal with one company rather than several. This can save you both time and money if you need to change your travel dates or cancel altogether.

While the appeal of customising your holiday by booking separately can be tempting, the benefits of choosing an ABTA-protected package holiday are hard to ignore. From financial protection and convenience to cost-effectiveness and legal support, booking a package holiday provides peace of mind that allows you to focus on what really matters—enjoying your time away. So, when you plan of booking your Orlando holiday, consider the many advantages of booking a package deal, and rest easy knowing you’re covered by ABTA's comprehensive protection.