Holiday Pirates travel deals: an honest review of how it works, real savings, pitfalls, and tips to book cheap flights and hotels.
Holiday Pirates is an authentic travel deal website that is worthy of being added to your email list, provided you have flexibility with your travel dates and are capable of making fast decisions. However, if you are looking for low-cost airfare, hotel accommodations, and/or package vacations and do not wish to spend hours searching through multiple booking sites each evening, then it could potentially provide significant savings. Therefore, Holiday Pirates travel deals warrant further investigation. Before you book any flight, it also helps to read an honest airline guide like “Caribbean Airlines Review: The Truth Every Flyer Must Know” so you know what you are paying for.
I didn’t think this way initially.When I first heard the name, I wondered, “Pirates? What kind of travel site is that?” What’s that all about?” This is probably some kind of scam where they wear an eye patch.” A few years later, I made bookings that would otherwise have been out of my budget and missed out on several bargains because of how long it took me to act. That experience is why I now read pieces like Caribbean Airlines Review: The Truth Every Flyer Must Know before I choose an airline, not just the cheapest fare.
What Are Holiday Pirates?
Holiday Pirates is a travel deal site that searches out discounted travels and then distributes these deals to their users. Think of Holiday Pirates as the person you know that always seems to find out about a flight deal before anyone else does. This company started off in the German-speaking area of the world but has expanded into other countries as well; therefore, depending on what country you live in, will determine the types of deals available to you.
The most important thing to know is that Holiday Pirates don’t sell tickets to you. Rather, they are a very knowledgeable signpost. You can find the deals on their site, and once you have decided which one you would like to purchase, you will be able to book directly with the airline, hotel, or other partners.
What Deals Can You Find?
The core of Holiday Pirates’ travel offers is that you first look for bargains on travel and then use those bargains to help determine where you go. These can include anything from discounted airline tickets to “error” fares; these are fare errors that will disappear quickly and may come with risks to hotel accommodations, package vacations, and sometimes cruise trips.
Are Holiday Pirates Available in Your Country?
Holiday Pirates only covers part of the world. It operates in about 10 countries throughout Europe and North America with an individual edition for each country. Therefore, before getting excited about Holiday Pirates, determine whether or not there is an edition for your home country. Even though you can’t access all of the deals available on Holiday Pirates if you don’t live in a large European city, you can find some deals that might be of interest to you.
How It Works
- Choose your home airport.
- Browse for deals or sign up for alerts.
- Open a deal and read the fine print.
- Click through to the booking partner.
- Book quickly, because good deals disappear.
As is the case with many other shopping site partner programs, Holiday Pirates receives commission on the items you purchase through their affiliate links. There will be no additional charge to you for doing so. However, consider Holiday Pirates a quick way to find deals, rather than an unbiased third-party to help you determine which deal is best; therefore, before completing your transaction, check to see if you can get the same deal at a lower price elsewhere.
My First Deal
Picture a gray and wet Tuesday. I was partly working and partially dreaming about the sun, so on a sudden impulse, I went to the website. And there it was: a return flight to a sunny European city for less money than I spent in one weekend for takeout food.
I didn’t make the booking. I was looking at prices in a second browser window for 20 minutes being smart, when I went back to look at the same product, it had increased in price.
The first lesson is that if a deal seems legitimate, then you should move quickly and avoid overthinking. On my second attempt, I was able to book in less than 10 minutes. This is where my Holiday Pirates travel deal obsession started.
What I Check Before Clicking “Book”
The cost of a flight is only part of the equation when shopping for airfare. Therefore, I spend approximately two minutes reviewing the details associated with a low-priced offer. These include the specific dates of travel, the departure airport, and the inclusions in the offered price. After reviewing these items, I review the same information directly from the airline’s website. In most instances, the price found via third party travel sites will be consistent with the price displayed on the airline’s site. However, occasionally the prices do differ, which makes checking the airline’s site a worthwhile exercise.
Is Holiday Pirates Legit?
I think so. The links lead to actual airlines, hotels and partners, and I have made real bookings through those links. However, just because it is legitimate does not mean there are no risks involved.Here’s how I stay safe:
- I book on the provider’s official site.
- I read the baggage and cancellation terms.
- I never book non-refundable extras until the airline confirms the error fare.
You’re going to purchase something from a local recommendation of a market stand. Although you’re confident that the recommendation was accurate, you’ll still be examining the quality of the product.
Pros and Cons
The best part is that you get to save money, get new ideas and it does not cost anything to search. The worst part is that deals go away fast, you have to have some flexibility on when you travel and the time of your flight or how much baggage you can bring may make those savings disappear.
How to Get the Best Deals
- Turn on alerts for your home airport, and actually read them.
- Stay flexible on dates and destinations.
- Know your “yes” price before you browse.
- Add up the total cost, including bags, seats, and airport transfers.
The Mistake That Cost Me
I had a moment of being “travel-smart” when I quickly made an airline reservation. When I looked at the fine print, I realized it said “hand luggage only” and my backpack would not fit the dimensions required. The charge for checking my bag was about the same amount as my flight. It was similar to purchasing a beautiful couch and finding out after you get it home that it will not fit through your front door.
Now I check baggage, departure airport, and cancellation terms before booking.
Final Verdict
Is Holiday Pirates a good resource? I would say yes, however, with some limitations. Holiday Pirates does not provide magic solutions for travel; however, it has provided me with a different way to look at traveling. I am now able to travel more often, find destinations that I would have otherwise never looked up, and save money. The pirate theme used by Holiday Pirates is fun and quirky; however, the “treasure” offered on their site can be found if you follow their directions.
Choose your favorite airport, turn on notifications, and then book a flight when you find an incredible deal. If you miss a deal, there will be many more to come. Enjoy the search for deals on travel at Holiday Pirates.
Useful Resources
- HolidayPirates Group: Company page, how do you find deals and who do you book with.
- Error Fares Guide: What are Error Fares and What Happens When Airlines Cancel Them?
