dealchecker.co.uk's guide to useful travel sites!
Flights
Ebookers
One of the original 'bucket shops', Ebookers has specialised in providing worldwide flights at excellent prices. A must on the list of sites to check when you are searching for a cheap flight.
British Airways
Claims to be the nation's favourite airline, perhaps with some justification. BA cover a wide range of destinations from several UK airports and although they aren't always the cheapest they guarantee that you won't be able to buy a BA flight cheaper anywhere else. Always worth checking.
Expedia
Perhaps the biggest website in the UK for online travel (although Lastminute would dispute that). Expedia have possibly the most reliable website in the flights sector, however, they are certainly not always the cheapest. Good site to use as a benchmark.
Ryanair
Fighting it out with Easyjet for supremacy in the 'low cost' sector Ryanair are the airline that many people love to hate. Whichever way you look at it though you can't argue with their prices. If getting a cheap flight is the most important thing to you then these guys are a must on the checklist.
Easyjet
Along with Ryanair these guys are the 'daddies' of the 'low cost' flights sector. Not quite the poor image of Ryanair but it has to be said not always offering the cheapest flights. The fact is that they don't both cover many of the same routes so checking both is always a great idea.
Cheap Flights, Vacations & Travel Deals
Flights & last minute travel deals - NetHolidays.ca - Your Canadian source for cheap flights, and travel services. You will find everything from cheap vacation packages to last minute travel deals, as well as discount prices on flights and hotel reservations.
One of the original 'bucket shops', Ebookers has specialised in providing worldwide flights at excellent prices. A must on the list of sites to check when you are searching for a cheap flight.
British Airways
Claims to be the nation's favourite airline, perhaps with some justification. BA cover a wide range of destinations from several UK airports and although they aren't always the cheapest they guarantee that you won't be able to buy a BA flight cheaper anywhere else. Always worth checking.
Expedia
Perhaps the biggest website in the UK for online travel (although Lastminute would dispute that). Expedia have possibly the most reliable website in the flights sector, however, they are certainly not always the cheapest. Good site to use as a benchmark.
Ryanair
Fighting it out with Easyjet for supremacy in the 'low cost' sector Ryanair are the airline that many people love to hate. Whichever way you look at it though you can't argue with their prices. If getting a cheap flight is the most important thing to you then these guys are a must on the checklist.
Easyjet
Along with Ryanair these guys are the 'daddies' of the 'low cost' flights sector. Not quite the poor image of Ryanair but it has to be said not always offering the cheapest flights. The fact is that they don't both cover many of the same routes so checking both is always a great idea.
Cheap Flights, Vacations & Travel Deals
Flights & last minute travel deals - NetHolidays.ca - Your Canadian source for cheap flights, and travel services. You will find everything from cheap vacation packages to last minute travel deals, as well as discount prices on flights and hotel reservations.
Hotels
Octopus Travel
This outfit aren't necessarily a household name but they certainly have a strong position in the UK hotel sector. Octopus have contracts with thousands of hotels around the world and are always worth a visit if you're looking for a hotel deal.
Intercontinental Hotels
The big guns in the brand name stakes these guys operate Intercontinental, Crowne Plaze and Holiday Inn among others. Certainly worth checking, however, they won't offer the choice that an aggregator will. Definitely one for the list.
Hotels.com
One of the original hotels aggregators, these guys can show you prices on a huge variety of hotels around the world. They are owned by the same company as Expedia so are similarly reliable in terms of how their site works.
Tripadvisor
Impossible to mention popular sites for hotels without mentioning Tripadvisor. They're not a retailer so you can't book a hotel through them but they are without doubt the world's most comprehensive resource for hotel reviews. A must if you have a hotel you need an opinion on.
Hotels in Istanbul Turkey
Istanbul hotels include the famous Topkapi Palace Hotel and the Ottoman Hotel.
This outfit aren't necessarily a household name but they certainly have a strong position in the UK hotel sector. Octopus have contracts with thousands of hotels around the world and are always worth a visit if you're looking for a hotel deal.
Intercontinental Hotels
The big guns in the brand name stakes these guys operate Intercontinental, Crowne Plaze and Holiday Inn among others. Certainly worth checking, however, they won't offer the choice that an aggregator will. Definitely one for the list.
Hotels.com
One of the original hotels aggregators, these guys can show you prices on a huge variety of hotels around the world. They are owned by the same company as Expedia so are similarly reliable in terms of how their site works.
Tripadvisor
Impossible to mention popular sites for hotels without mentioning Tripadvisor. They're not a retailer so you can't book a hotel through them but they are without doubt the world's most comprehensive resource for hotel reviews. A must if you have a hotel you need an opinion on.
Hotels in Istanbul Turkey
Istanbul hotels include the famous Topkapi Palace Hotel and the Ottoman Hotel.
Package Holidays
Thomson
One of the UK's top 4 tour operators that control much of the holiday stock available to British consumers. They specialise in package holidays, so unless you're looking for something off the beaten track this is a must in your search.
Thomas Cook
In exactly the same bracket as Thomson, these guys are one of the top 4 in the UK. Mainstream package holidays are their bag and they're very good at it. Another must in your holiday search.
First Choice
Slightly more specialised than Thomson or Thomas Cook these guys are another one of the top 4 tour operators in the UK. Package holidays are again the order of the day although they are now beginning to focus on a number of more specialised options.
Virgin Holidays
Virgin bring their own distinctive identity to package holidays. They specialise in USA and Caribbean mainly but do serve the Middle East too. Not always the cheapest option in the market, they do however offer good quality holidays.
Villas in Greece
Site provides information on yacht charters, Greece holidays and villas in Greece.
One of the UK's top 4 tour operators that control much of the holiday stock available to British consumers. They specialise in package holidays, so unless you're looking for something off the beaten track this is a must in your search.
Thomas Cook
In exactly the same bracket as Thomson, these guys are one of the top 4 in the UK. Mainstream package holidays are their bag and they're very good at it. Another must in your holiday search.
First Choice
Slightly more specialised than Thomson or Thomas Cook these guys are another one of the top 4 tour operators in the UK. Package holidays are again the order of the day although they are now beginning to focus on a number of more specialised options.
Virgin Holidays
Virgin bring their own distinctive identity to package holidays. They specialise in USA and Caribbean mainly but do serve the Middle East too. Not always the cheapest option in the market, they do however offer good quality holidays.
Villas in Greece
Site provides information on yacht charters, Greece holidays and villas in Greece.
Car Hire
Avis
One of the biggest brands in car hire Avis stands for reliability and trust. We have to say however that they are not likely to be the cheapest option, but they would always be in the list to check.
Hertz
Another of the big brands in car hire, Hertz is a brand to rely on if you are keen to book direct rather than with an aggregator. As with Avis they aren't likely to always offer the cheapest car hire but they do offer high quality and peace of mind.
One of the biggest brands in car hire Avis stands for reliability and trust. We have to say however that they are not likely to be the cheapest option, but they would always be in the list to check.
Hertz
Another of the big brands in car hire, Hertz is a brand to rely on if you are keen to book direct rather than with an aggregator. As with Avis they aren't likely to always offer the cheapest car hire but they do offer high quality and peace of mind.