Package holiday and ski trip rights: surcharges, the 8% rule and cancellations

What's happening

Winter sun breaks and ski trips are being booked and paid off now, and many are packages: a flight or train plus a hotel or chalet, sold together. If yours is a package, the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 decide what happens if the price goes up, the trip changes or it's cancelled. Some of the most useful rules are about surcharges, including the 8% limit.

At a glance

• Price rises are only allowed if the contract says so, and only for fuel costs, taxes and fees, or exchange rates.
• No surcharges in the last 20 days before you travel.
• If the price goes up by more than 8%, you can cancel without a fee and get a full refund.
• If the organiser cancels, or makes a significant change, you can cancel and get your money back within 14 days.
• Flight-inclusive packages should come with an ATOL certificate, protecting you if the company goes bust.

Surcharges and the 8% rule

Regulation 10 says the organiser can only put the price up if your contract expressly allows it, and only because of changes in fuel or power costs, taxes or fees such as airport charges, or exchange rates. It must tell you clearly, explain the calculation and give you notice no later than 20 days before the start of the package. Contracts that allow increases must also give you the right to a reduction if those costs fall.

If a price rise is more than 8% of the total, regulation 11 applies. You can accept it, cancel without paying a termination fee, or take a substitute package if one is offered.

Significant changes and cancellations

Under regulation 11, if the organiser has to significantly change a main part of the trip, such as the resort, the hotel standard or the flight times, you get the same choice: accept, cancel for a full refund, or take a substitute.

If the organiser cancels, regulation 13 says you get a full refund. It can only cancel for too few bookings if your contract sets a minimum and it tells you in time: at least 20 days before a trip of more than six days, seven days before a trip of two to six days, and 48 hours before a shorter trip. Regulation 14 says refunds must be paid within 14 days.

If you cancel for your own reasons, regulation 12 lets the organiser charge an "appropriate and justifiable" fee, and it must justify the amount if you ask. If there are "unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances" at the destination that significantly affect the trip, such as a natural disaster or serious unrest, you can cancel for a full refund without a fee.

ATOL and insolvency

ATOL protects packages that include a flight. If the company fails, it helps get you home or refunds you, and you should get an ATOL certificate when you pay. Packages without a flight, such as a coach or train ski trip, should still have insolvency protection under the 2018 rules, so ask how yours is protected. ATOL doesn't cover ordinary cancellations or complaints.

Changes coming in 2027

New amendment regulations take effect from 6 April 2027 and only apply to bookings made after that date. ABTA says they scrap "linked travel arrangements", turning some of them into packages, and give organisers new rights to recover refunds from suppliers. They don't change the rules for trips you book this winter.

A worked example

This is an illustration. Tom books a £2,400 ski package to France for February. In early January, the organiser says the cost of fuel has risen, adding £150. That's 6.25%, so if his contract allows surcharges, he has to pay it, but he can ask for the calculation.

If the surcharge was £220 instead, that's 9.2%, over the 8% threshold. Tom could cancel and get the full £2,400 back within 14 days. If the organiser tried to add a surcharge 15 days before departure, it would be too late.

What to do now

1. Check whether it's a package. Your booking confirmation should say so.
2. Read the surcharge clause in your booking terms.
3. Check your ATOL certificate if a flight is included, or ask how a non-flight package is protected.
4. If you get a surcharge or change notice, reply in writing within the deadline the organiser gives.
5. Chase refunds after 14 days, then complain to ABTA if the firm is a member, or use Section 75 if you paid by credit card.

Questions

Can I cancel because there's not enough snow?

The regulations don't mention snow. A free cancellation needs circumstances that significantly affect the trip, so don't count on it. Check whether your organiser has a snow policy, and what your travel insurance covers.

Does a cancellation fee have to be fair?

Yes. It must reflect how close to departure you cancel and what the organiser saves, and it must justify the amount if you ask.

Is my holiday a package if I booked flights and hotel separately?

Not usually, if you booked them separately with different companies. The rules on bookings made through one site are changing from April 2027.

Ways to save

We list current codes for Jet2holidays and easyJet holidays, and for ski specialists Skiworld, Netski and CateredSkiChalets.com. Check what's included and how your trip is protected before you book.

Sources: Package Travel Regulations 2018, regulation 10, regulation 11, regulation 12, regulation 13, regulation 14, ATOL: What ATOL protection means, Package Travel (Amendment) Regulations 2026, ABTA: Upcoming changes to the PTRs