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Thu, 20 Aug 2026

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 Illegal 'drip pricing' could add thousands to the cost of your holiday

The UK's consumer watchdog has opened an investigation into Trainline, RED Driving School, and Virgin Holidays.
This practice involves adding extra costs to holiday bookings, such as insurance or car hire, without clearly disclosing them upfront. As a result, customers may end up paying significantly more than they initially agreed to. The BBC's findings suggest that this practice is widespread in the travel industry, with some companies making hundreds of thousands of pounds from "drip pricing" each year. Some consumers have reported being charged extra costs after booking their holiday, without being told about them beforehand. This can make it difficult for customers to compare prices and make informed decisions when booking a trip. Consumer groups are calling for greater transparency in the travel industry, with some urging regulators to take action against companies that engage in "drip pricing".