When you’re standing in your kitchen at 8 p.m. on a Friday, realizing you need out of town by Saturday morning, Love Holidays pops up in your search results. It promises cheap flights, last-minute hotel deals, and no hassle. But before you click ‘Book Now,’ you ask: Is it safe to book with Love Holidays? The answer isn’t just yes or no-it’s about knowing what you’re signing up for, how they operate, and what actually happens when things go wrong.

What Is Love Holidays?

Love Holidays is a UK-based online travel agency that specializes in last-minute package deals. They don’t own hotels or airlines-they partner with them. Their main draw? Discounted flights and stays booked just days before departure. You’ll find deals on places like Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and even Florida, often with flights from London, Manchester, or Birmingham.

They’ve been around since 2009 and are part of the Travelopia group, which also owns other travel brands like TravelSupermarket. That means they’re not some random website scraped from a back alley. They’re backed by a larger company with established financial systems and customer service teams.

But being established doesn’t mean they’re perfect. Their model is built on speed and low prices-which means compromises. You won’t get the flexibility of booking directly with a hotel. You won’t always know which exact resort you’re staying in until you get your voucher. And if something breaks, you’re dealing with their support team, not the hotel’s.

Are They ATOL Protected?

This is the biggest safety question. In the UK, if you book a flight and accommodation together as a package, you’re legally protected under ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence). Love Holidays holds an ATOL licence (number 11462). That means if the company goes out of business before your trip, the Civil Aviation Authority will either refund you or get you home.

But here’s the catch: ATOL only covers package holidays. If you book a flight-only deal with them, you’re not protected. Always check the booking summary. If it says “package holiday” and lists both flight and hotel, you’re covered. If it’s just a flight, you’re on your own. That’s a common trap-people assume all bookings with Love Holidays are safe, but they’re not.

How Do Their Deals Actually Work?

Love Holidays doesn’t lock in inventory weeks in advance. They buy unsold seats and rooms at the last minute from airlines and hotels trying to fill empty spots. That’s why prices drop so dramatically-sometimes under £100 for a 3-night trip to Malaga.

But that also means you get what’s left. Your hotel might be 4-star on paper, but it could be a 20-year-old property with no pool, no air conditioning, or located 20 minutes from the beach. You’ll see a star rating and a name like “Hotel Costa Del Sol,” but the exact location and condition? That’s a surprise.

Real travelers report mixed experiences. One person got a beachfront villa in Crete for £89. Another got a room next to a construction site in Alicante with no windows. Both were booked through Love Holidays. It’s a lottery.

Customer Service: What Happens When Things Go Wrong?

Most people who book with Love Holidays never have an issue. But when something does go wrong-flight delayed, hotel closed, wrong dates-you’re dependent on their support team. Reviews on Trustpilot show a split: 65% give them 4 or 5 stars, but 25% give them 1 star.

The 1-star reviews often mention long wait times. One customer waited 11 days for a refund after their flight was cancelled. Another had to email 12 times before they got their hotel voucher. Their phone line is only open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. UK time, Monday to Saturday. No 24/7 support. If your flight gets cancelled at 2 a.m. on a Sunday, you’re out of luck until Monday.

They do have a claims process for flight delays or cancellations under EU261 rules. But you have to file it yourself. They won’t chase it for you. If you’re not familiar with airline compensation laws, you might miss out.

Hidden Costs and Fine Print

Love Holidays is upfront about the price. But they’re not always upfront about what’s included. You might see a deal for £129 including flights and 4 nights in a hotel. Sounds great. But:

• Baggage isn’t included-you pay £25 per bag at checkout.
• Seat selection? Extra £10-£20 per person.
• Travel insurance? Not included. You have to buy it separately.
• Some hotels charge resort fees you didn’t see until you checked in.

One family booked a trip to Cyprus and ended up paying £180 extra in fees they didn’t know about. They thought the price was all-inclusive. It wasn’t. Always read the small print. Look for the “What’s Included” section on the booking page. If it’s unclear, call them before you pay.

Who Should Book With Love Holidays?

Love Holidays isn’t for everyone. But it’s perfect for some:

• You’re spontaneous and want to get away fast.
• You’re flexible on dates and destinations.
• You don’t mind a basic hotel and just need a bed and a flight.
• You’re okay with risk-for the chance of a huge discount.

It’s not for:

• People who need specific resorts or exact dates.
• Families with young kids who need pools, cribs, or kids’ clubs.
• Travelers who want luxury, consistency, or peace of mind.
• Anyone who hates surprises.

If you’re booking for a romantic weekend and want a nice spa, book directly. If you’re a solo traveler who just needs to get out of the house for 3 days and don’t care if the room has a view of a parking lot? Love Holidays might be your best bet.

How to Book Safely

If you decide to go ahead, here’s how to do it right:

1. Only book package deals (flight + hotel), never flights alone.
2. Check the ATOL number on the booking page and confirm it’s active on the CAA website.
3. Read the hotel description carefully. Look for keywords like “basic,” “no pool,” “no air conditioning.”
4. Buy travel insurance from a third party-never rely on their optional coverage.
5. Take screenshots of your booking confirmation and voucher before you leave.
6. Keep all receipts for extras you pay on-site in case you need to claim later.

Also, book with a credit card. If something goes wrong, you can dispute the charge under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. That gives you legal protection even if ATOL doesn’t cover you.

Alternatives to Love Holidays

If you want similar deals but more control, try these:

• Jet2holidays - More reliable, fixed hotels, better customer service. Slightly pricier.
• Expedia Last Minute - More transparency on hotel ratings and locations.
• Hotels.com - Book hotels directly with free cancellation options.
• Travelocity - Good for last-minute flights + hotel combos with clearer reviews.

None of these are as cheap as Love Holidays, but they’re less of a gamble.

Final Verdict: Is It Safe?

Yes, it’s safe-if you understand the risks. Love Holidays isn’t a scam. They’re licensed, they pay out refunds, and they’ve been around for over 15 years. But they’re not a luxury travel company. They’re a discount broker that sells uncertainty.

If you’re okay with surprises, you’ll love the deals. If you need control, comfort, or certainty? Look elsewhere.

The safest way to use Love Holidays? Treat it like a lottery ticket. You might win a 3-night escape to the Costa del Sol for £99. Or you might get a noisy room and a 4-hour flight delay. Either way, you’ll remember it. Just make sure you’re not betting your whole trip on it.