Over-65s’ anger at extra holiday fees
OLDER people are being increasingly deprived of holidays because of hefty surcharges, a consumer watchdog has claimed.
A Which? investigation found that they are often hit with sky-high insurance and car hire rates, as well as extra charges for booking by phone.
And alarmingly, researchers who analysed more than 100 annual travel insurance policies found that specialist providers such as Age Co and Saga worked out more expensive.
Shrinks
Typically, a 15-day travel insurance premium doubles from £30 for a 64-year-old to more than £60 for someone aged 70, even if they have no health issues to declare.
And when it comes to annual European policies, researchers found that travellers over 80 pay more than six times what those aged 50-54 are charged, with an average cost of £355 compared to £54.
Policy choice rapidly diminishes with age, too.
A customer turning 70 could theoretically choose from 86 per cent of the annual policies examined, but by the time they reach 80 this shrinks to just 30 per cent.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “While many 70-year-olds accept they have to pay more for their travel insurance than someone who is 25, perfectly healthy older people are missing out on travelling in their golden years due to spiralling premiums.
“The travel industry must urgently address this problem and stop penalising older generations, who are more active and more determined than ever before.”
In Britain, over-65s are the most likely age group to holiday abroad, but despite age discrimination laws, they often pay through the nose for bog-standard travel insurance and other holiday essentials.
The Which? report found that some travellers had not been allowed to hire cars abroad because they were too old – although statistically, 70-year-olds are far less likely to have an accident than someone aged 20.
But rising premiums are pricing many older holidaymakers out of the car hire market anyway.
Researchers looking at the cost of hiring a car in Alicante found that Firefly wanted to charge £6.95 extra a day for anyone over 70 while Dickmanns demanded an astonishing premium of £20 a day, with a minimum charge of £55 for anyone aged 75 or over.
Discrimination
More subtle forms of discrimination also exist for older people.
Ryanair and Tui add a £20 surcharge to any bookings made over the phone, while easyJet will charge £15 and British Airways £10 – penalising those who don’t book online.
Mr Boland added: “If you’re struggling to find travel insurance or the quotes you are getting are too high, try using a broker.
“They will search the market to find the right policy for you at the most competitive price available.”