Travellers of a certain age being forced to pay more to go on holiday, as older groups are facing "hidden costs" when purchasing essentials like transport and insurance, new research has found.
Rising age can become a risk factor that can push up insurance premiums, but new data from Which? shows since the pandemic, the amount older travellers are paying for holidays has disproportionately risen in comparison to other age groups.
While prices cannot be expected to remain the same, and age discrimination is lawful in some situations, the consumer expert is concerned that recent price increases for older groups are "unfair".
Findings showed insurance policies for those aged 25-54 have risen by 33 per cent since 2019. In the same time, those aged 85 and over saw a staggering 169 per cent increase. Similarly, the 75-84 bracket have seen their policies jump by an average of 60 per cent.
Holidaymakers on existing insurance policies can find themselves without cover when they reach a certain age, usually between 70-75. In a separate examination of 199 policies by Which?, it was discovered 95 per cent set a maximum age threshold for new customers.
Many car hire companies allocate age restrictions, burying them deep within their terms and conditions. As well as this, they often impose daily fees for older drivers, leaving them short-changed.
Which? also found evidence of older travellers being charged more due to digital exclusion. Those in older age groups who may not be tech savvy are penalised for using traditional communication methods.
Airlines like British Airways, Ryanair and EasyJet all charring customers to amend reservations by phone, while Ryanair passengers will have to pay an extra £55 to check in at the airport than those who do so online.
Travellers looking to cut costs are advised to research different insurance companies and compare what each can offer for older age groups. The same goes for car hire as some businesses will charge staggeringly more than others.
Guy Hobbs, Editor of Which? Travel, explained: “Legally, companies are often within their rights to adjust their prices and policies on the basis of age, if they have a justifiable reason, but we’re increasingly seeing cases where the outcomes for older customers seem disproportionate and unfair.’
“If you are an older traveller, it’s important to shop around and compare the rates on offer, as there’s likely to be a great deal of variation between providers, both for insurance and car hire. It’s also worth seeking out firms that offer preferential rates for the older traveller.”
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