When it comes to UK travel, booking flights and hotels is only half the journey. Savvy travellers know that airport parking, lounges, transfers, and travel insurance can make or break the trip. That’s where platforms like Holiday Extras come in. But with several UK competitors—such as SkyParkSecure, TravelSupermarket, Looking4Parking, and Airport Parking Shop—is Holiday Extras still the number one choice?
This article breaks down the features, pricing, and convenience of Holiday Extras compared to its rivals, so you can decide which provider is the best fit for your next holiday.
Why Holiday Extras Leads the Market
Founded in 1983, Holiday Extras has become a trusted name in UK travel add-ons. Their platform goes beyond just airport parking: it covers airport hotels, travel insurance, car hire, lounges, transfers, and attraction tickets.
Key strengths include:
- Partnerships with over 70 UK airports.
- A lowest price guarantee on many services.
- Exclusive “Never Beaten on Price” promise.
- Millions of customers served annually.
But competitors are catching up, offering niche benefits, cashback perks, and bundled deals. Let’s see how Holiday Extras stacks up.
Holiday Extras vs Competitors: Head-to-Head
Comparison Table: Holiday Extras vs UK Competitors
| Feature | Holiday Extras | SkyParkSecure | Looking4Parking | Airport Parking Shop | TravelSupermarket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 70+ UK airports, hotels, insurance, lounges | 30+ UK airports | 25+ UK airports | 35+ UK airports | Aggregator with multiple providers |
| Price Guarantee | Yes – “Never Beaten on Price” | Often price-matched | Limited | Varies by supplier | Varies by supplier |
| Services Offered | Parking, hotels, lounges, transfers, insurance, car hire | Parking, hotels, insurance | Parking, hotels, lounges | Parking comparison only | Parking, hotels, insurance, car hire |
| User Experience | Sleek app & website, quick booking | Simple search engine | Website-focused, less app-friendly | Comparison-based, less personalised | Aggregator interface |
| Discounts | Loyalty offers, student discounts, voucher codes | Cashback deals | Occasional vouchers | Price comparison only | Flash sales & codes |
| Refunds & Flexibility | Free cancellation on many bookings | Free cancellation (selected) | Often strict cancellation | Depends on supplier | Varies |
| Extras | Airport transfers, theatre tickets, attractions | Focused on parking/hotels | Limited add-ons | Purely parking-focused | Wide but shallow range |
Strengths of Holiday Extras
- Wider Coverage
With 70+ UK airports, Holiday Extras beats most competitors in reach. Whether you’re flying from Heathrow, Gatwick, or smaller hubs like Exeter, they have options. - More Than Parking
Competitors often stop at parking and hotels. Holiday Extras branches into theatre tickets, theme parks, insurance, transfers, and even car hire. - User-Friendly Technology
Their mobile app makes booking, cancelling, and managing reservations seamless—a clear edge over more website-focused competitors. - Guarantees & Flexibility
Their Never Beaten on Price guarantee and widespread free cancellation policies add reassurance.
Where Competitors Shine
While Holiday Extras has broad coverage, its competitors hold their own in some areas:
- SkyParkSecure: Often wins on niche parking deals, with heavy use of cashback offers.
- TravelSupermarket: Great for price-conscious travellers who want to compare across multiple providers quickly.
- Airport Parking Shop: The purest comparison site, sometimes surfacing cheaper deals.
- Looking4Parking: Competitive on European coverage, useful for frequent EU travellers.
Detailed Feature Comparison
Pricing & Discounts
Holiday Extras positions itself with a best-price promise, but competitors like SkyParkSecure sometimes undercut by using cashback partners (Quidco, TopCashback). TravelSupermarket’s aggregator model may reveal cheaper niche options, but booking direct with Holiday Extras often adds perks like flexible cancellation.
Range of Services
Holiday Extras is the only UK competitor offering a complete suite: parking, hotels, insurance, lounges, and tickets. Competitors mostly specialise in parking + hotels. If you want a one-stop shop, Holiday Extras is unmatched.
Convenience & Flexibility
Holiday Extras’ mobile app and free cancellations make it the easiest to use. Competitors like Looking4Parking and Airport Parking Shop may require direct supplier contact for cancellations, making them less flexible.
Rewards & Loyalty
Holiday Extras occasionally partners with airlines, student discounts, and loyalty schemes, whereas SkyParkSecure leans heavily on cashback users.
Key Advantages of Holiday Extras
Here’s why UK travellers still choose Holiday Extras:
- Wider Selection than competitors.
- One-Stop Travel Shop: Not just parking, but lounges, hotels, insurance, and attractions.
- Flexible Policies: Free cancellation on many bookings.
- Trusted Reputation with decades in the market.
Another Comparison Snapshot
| Advantage | Holiday Extras | Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Wider Selection | ✅ Yes | ❌ Limited |
| One-of-a-Kind Add-Ons | ✅ Lounges, tickets, transfers | ❌ Mostly parking/hotels |
| Faster Tech | ✅ Mobile app + instant bookings | ❌ Often web-only |
| Unified Shopping | ✅ All add-ons in one place | ❌ Multiple providers needed |
Is Holiday Extras the Best UK Choice?
If you’re looking for a reliable, all-in-one platform for your UK travel extras, Holiday Extras outperforms most competitors. While SkyParkSecure and TravelSupermarket may save a few pounds on niche bookings, Holiday Extras provides peace of mind, flexibility, and variety that others can’t match.
For UK travellers who value convenience, trust, and broad coverage, Holiday Extras remains the top pick in 2025.
