MONEY TALK By Bruce Treloar Trading Standards Institute

Bruce Treloar monitors the travel industry for the TSI

How do you stop your summer break from turning sour? Bruce Treloar, the Trading Standards Institute's senior officer on the holiday and travel industry, offers some advice.

It is about this time of year that consumers are looking forward to their summer break.

However it is becoming increasingly obvious that consumers are being mislead by those very tempting offers that are so often available as website deals.

The deals are so complex that in most cases consumers don't realise that they are being hoodwinked.

So what should you watch out for before booking your holiday over the internet?

Surprise extras

The lack of transparent pricing is a seduction technique most of the industry use to tempt consumers to buy holidays.

Always check that the advertised price on the first screen is the price you pay

It takes the form of failing to include 'mandatory extras' in the price offered to consumers.

Some operators wait until the moment payment is requested to add extras like taxes, security levies and credit card charges - when there is no other payment option.

This is all misleading and illegal.

In short, always check that the advertised price on the first screen is the price you pay, or you are informed at an early stage that extra charges apply.

Insurance

Beware the 'hard-sell' for holiday insurance.

Some operators make insurance compulsory, for example skiing operators, for good reason.

But do not be pressured into buying insurance without thoroughly reading the exemption clauses and always shop around for the best deals.

Dynamic packaging is billed as offering infinite choice and value but it may not be the panacea that it at first glance seems.

Nowadays there are a lot of internet insurers but there are also supermarkets, post offices and household names offering similar products.

Hidden risks

'Dynamic packaging' is very much the latest thing in online travel.

A traditional package holiday will offer a choice of hotels and different car hire options, but will normally do so under the umbrella of one operator.

However, internet dynamic packaging allows you to choose all the components of your holiday from many operators.

It means you may fly with a major airline, stay in a hotel owned by a large holiday operator but hire a car from a small local firm.

Holiday do's and dont's Don't stand for last minute price additions Don't be pressured into taking out insurance Do book with an ATOL or ABTA bonded firm Do beware dynamic packaging Source: Trading Standards

Dynamic packaging is billed as offering infinite choice and value but it may not be the panacea that it at first glance seems.

Some operators are failing to spell out how your money is protected - if at all - if one of the operators running a component part of the holiday goes bust.

Savings can cost

All in all, lots of consumers think it is cheaper to cut out the tour operator. However, cutting out the middle man does have hidden dangers.

If you book the components of your holiday separately, you may have no guarantee of protection like that given by travel industry trade bodies such as ATOL and ABTA.

In reality, it is not always the cheaper way of booking holidays that ensures a happy and carefree holiday.

The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not held by the BBC unless specifically stated. The material is for general information only and does not constitute investment, tax, legal or other form of advice. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation.