How to Find Cheap All-Inclusive Holidays: Money-Saving Tips & Tricks

All-inclusive holidays offer the perfect stress-free getaway for both families and couples. With accommodation, meals, drinks, and often activities all wrapped up in one price, they provide excellent value and convenience. However, finding truly affordable all-inclusive deals requires some savvy searching and insider knowledge.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore proven strategies to help UK travellers secure the best all-inclusive holiday deals to destinations worldwide, along with money-saving tips that can make a significant difference to your holiday budget.

When to Book Your All-Inclusive Holiday

Early Bird vs Last Minute: Which is Better?

Early Booking Advantages (10-12 months ahead):

• Wider choice of resorts and room types
• Early booking discounts (often 10-25% off)
• Time to spread payments with low deposits
• Better flight times and direct options

Last Minute Benefits (8 weeks or less before departure):

• Potential for deep discounts as hotels aim to fill empty rooms
• Great for flexible travellers without specific destination requirements
• Particularly effective during shoulder seasons (May-June and September-October)

The Best Booking Windows by Season

• Summer holidays: Book by January for the best family-friendly deals
• Winter sun getaways: Book by July for Caribbean and long-haul destinations
• School holiday periods: Book 10-12 months ahead for peak dates
• Shoulder season travel: Consider May, June, September and October for the best value

Destination Selection for Maximum Value

Some destinations consistently offer better value for all-inclusive holidays due to local costs, competition, and flight accessibility from the UK.

Top Value All-Inclusive Destinations

• Turkey – Outstanding all-inclusive value with high-quality resorts
• Bulgaria – Budget-friendly Black Sea resorts
• Tunisia – Affordable North African beaches with year-round sun
• Dominican Republic – Excellent Caribbean value with competitive pricing
• Mexico (Cancun/Riviera Maya) – Premium experience at reasonable prices
• Egypt – Red Sea resorts offering great winter sun value
• Greece – Particularly the less touristy islands like Kos and Corfu
• Spain – The Canary Islands offer year-round value

Insider Tip: For family holidays, destinations with shorter flight times (3-4 hours) like Spain and the Canary Islands often provide better overall value when considering the total travel experience.

Smart Booking Strategies

Use Price Comparison Sites Effectively

One of the most powerful tools for finding cheap all-inclusive holidays is using price comparison websites. These platforms allow you to quickly compare offers from different travel providers.

Recommended Comparison Sites:

• Alihoco (www.allinclusive.co.uk) – Specialises in comparing all-inclusive deals from major UK tour operators
• TravelSupermarket – Comprehensive price comparison across multiple providers
• Icelolly – Good for package holiday comparisons
• Kayak – Useful for comparing flight and hotel combinations

How to use Alihoco effectively:

1. Enter flexible dates if possible
2. Compare multiple departure airports within reasonable travel distance
3. Use the filters to specify exact requirements (e.g., beach proximity, star rating)
4. Sign up for price alerts on specific searches
5. Look for their exclusive flash deals that aren’t available elsewhere

Consider Package vs DIY Approach

While all-inclusive packages are convenient, sometimes building your own holiday can save money:

• Traditional packages: ATOL protected, convenient, often better for popular destinations
• DIY approach: Book hotel and flights separately, can be cheaper for less touristy destinations
• Hybrid method: Book flights directly with airline and accommodation through a deal site

Leverage Loyalty Programs and Memberships

• Sign up for hotel chain loyalty programs
• Join airline frequent flyer programs
• Use cashback websites when booking (TopCashback, Quidco)
• Check if your employer offers travel discount programs

Timing Your Purchase for Maximum Savings

Key Sales Periods

• Black Friday/Cyber Monday (November) – Increasingly important for travel deals
• Boxing Day and January Sales – Traditional time for summer holiday bookings
• Travel Tuesday (first Tuesday after Thanksgiving) – Less known but excellent for deals
• Tour operator “sunshine sales” – Usually January and February

Day of Week Booking Tactics

Research suggests that booking on certain days can yield better prices:

• Tuesday – Often the best day for new deals
• Sunday – Typically the most expensive booking day
• Wednesday – Good for last-minute deals

Money-Saving Tips Once You’ve Booked

Securing a cheap all-inclusive holiday is just the first step. Here’s how to save even more:

Upgrade Strategies

• Wait until 24-48 hours before arrival to enquire about upgrades
• Email the resort directly about special occasions (anniversaries, birthdays)
• Consider upgrading after arrival if you see a room you prefer

Excursion Savings

• Research and book independent excursions rather than through the hotel
• Look for multi-excursion passes
• Combine with other guests to negotiate group rates

Avoiding Hidden Costs

• Check exactly what’s included in “all-inclusive” (premium drinks, speciality dining?)
• Investigate Wi-Fi costs before booking
• Research resort fees and tourist taxes
• Confirm airport transfer arrangements

Making the Most of Your All-Inclusive Experience

What to Pack to Avoid Resort Expenses

• Reusable water bottle (many resorts provide filtered water stations)
• Insulated cup (keeps drinks cold longer by the pool)
• Basic medications (resort shop prices are typically high)
• Snorkelling equipment if water sports are included

Timing Activities for Best Value

• Book any supplementary experiences early in your stay
• Ask about happy hours or special event nights
• Inquire about complimentary classes or activities that require sign-up

Final Booking Checklist

Before confirming your all-inclusive booking, run through this checklist:

• ✓ Compare at least three different travel agents
• ✓ Check the hotel directly for any exclusive offers
• ✓ Read recent reviews (within last 3 months)
• ✓ Verify exactly what’s included in the all-inclusive package
• ✓ Check cancellation policies and insurance requirements
• ✓ Look at extra costs (tourist taxes, resort fees)
• ✓ Confirm airport transfer arrangements
• ✓ Research peak season crowds for your destination

Finding a cheap all-inclusive holiday isn’t just about scoring the lowest headline price—it’s about securing the best value for your specific needs and preferences. By strategically timing your booking, comparing options thoroughly using sites like Alihoco, choosing value destinations, and leveraging money-saving tactics, UK travellers can enjoy significant savings on their next all-inclusive getaway.

Remember that flexibility with dates, destinations, and departure airports will always yield the best results. Start your planning early, keep an eye on sales periods, and use price comparison tools effectively to unlock truly exceptional all-inclusive holiday deals.

This article was last updated on February 2025 to reflect current travel trends and offers.