Martin Lewis warns holidaymakers over booking mistake that could cost thousands amid Iran war disruption

Martin Lewis has warned British holidaymakers that a common booking mistake could leave them hundreds or even thousands of pounds out of pocket this summer.

The MoneySavingExpert founder said travellers who book flights and accommodation separately risk having no protection if their flights are cancelled.

With millions of Britons preparing for trips abroad, and the Government taking steps to manage flights amid concerns over potential jet‑fuel shortages, Mr Lewis said many people underestimate the risks of DIY travel arrangements.

“No, no, and this is what I think people need to be very aware of,” he said, explaining that package holidays offer far stronger consumer protections than booking each element individually.

Under package‑travel rules, customers are generally entitled to a full refund if their flight is cancelled.

The problem with separate bookings, he said, is that accommodation providers are not responsible if a traveller cannot reach their destination.

He said: “If you lose your flight in your DIY booking, there is nothing wrong with your hotel… it’s not faulty, it’s not cancelling, so you don’t get those consumer rights.”

This means holidaymakers could still be liable for hotel costs even if they are unable to travel.

Mr Lewis also warned that payment protections such as Section 75 are unlikely to help in these circumstances. “It won’t work, because there is nothing faulty,” he said.

He added that travel insurance often provides far less cover than people assume.

After reviewing 40 policies, his team found only “three or four” would cover hotel losses caused by flight cancellations linked to jet‑fuel disruption — most of them packaged bank‑account policies, with only one standalone insurer offering such protection.

Mr Lewis urged travellers to prioritise flexibility when booking accommodation.

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“You want something with free or limited cancellation quite short before, so you could just cancel it,” he said, advising people to speak directly to providers before committing.

He also said travellers should not dismiss goodwill gestures if disruption occurs.

“Once you understand you have no right, and they say, ‘We will give you a voucher and you can come back in six months,’ you suddenly realise you are doing well, not badly, if you didn’t have free cancellation.”