Anyone Need a Holiday?

I don’t know many people who, when asked ‘do you need a holiday’ would answer ‘no’. Even if they didn’t feel like they actually needed one, I am sure they would happily agree they would like one. So in this post I am going to take a look at the many and varied opportunities there are, from month to month of winning a holiday. I have only ever won one holiday, a couple of years ago. It was a weeks’ family accommodation at a very upmarket holiday unit in Port Stephens. It was right on the water’s edge not far from the main attractions, restaurants and sightseeing activities. As it was a voucher I gave it to my daughter and her family who needed the break more than me at the time. I don’t win holidays as I don’t enter many except occasionally in me daughter or son’s name.

I do, however, keep an eye out for them and refer the good ones to friends. Just recently I noticed quite a number of competitions promoting a new schedule of Carnival Legend cruises out of Sydney next summer. Most of them are closed now but there seems to always be a number of cruises up for grabs all through the year.

A quick search through this site brought up Carnival Cruises (youradventure.com.au) that have a monthly draw to win a cruise with three friends. It could be worth checking out if a cruise would suit your holiday plans. Aside from checking out and entering any of the holiday competitions on this website, if you are more of a landlubber and like train trips it is worth keeping an eye out for competitions run by Great Southern Railway (greatsouthernrail.com.au). They regularly offer prizes of trips on the Ghan. Also if you are a member of your state motorist association (NRMA in NSW or RACV in Victoria etc) always scan their monthly magazines for competitions and other offers.

Then there are the motel and hotel chains, like Best Western (bestwestern.com.au) and Hotel Club (hotelclub.com.au) or camping and caravanning sites like BIG4 Holiday Parks (big4.com.au). Finally it makes sense to register with as many Tourism Organisations as possible. This might mean you will be bothered in your inbox from time to time but it could be worth it. I would subscribe to both Aussies ones (like destinationqueensland.com or discovertasmania.com.au) and anything overseas that takes your fancy.

One of the reasons I don’t enter many competitions with holiday prizes (apart from the fact that I am restricted with travel due to health issues) is that there is invariably only one prize – the main one. With so many people after a free holiday this means that there will be a huge number of entries especially if it is an easy entry and a random draw. Even if the entry does involve a bit of work, the chances of winning the main prize are a lot lower than other competitions with less interesting prizes but more of them. However, I find the biggest drawback to winning a holiday is the fine print. Before entering one it is important to read the terms and conditions carefully. If you do win there are sometimes strict stipulations as to how you can take it and what exactly is included in the prize.

Here is an example:- “Money, transport to and from departure and arrival points, transfers, drinks, incidentals, mini-bar, laundry, room service, telephone calls, activities, gratuities, services charges, travel insurance, pre and post accommodation, optional activities or excursions and all other ancillary costs. A credit card imprint or cash deposit may be required from the winner at check-in to the hotel, for all incidental charges. Holidays are subject to flight and booking availabilities. Travel insurance is not included in the prize but is highly recommended”. If the prize involves a trip outside Australia (even a cruise) you will need a passport and of course be available to take it before it expires. Most holiday and travel prizes are non-transferable or able to be exchanged for cash. A travel voucher may be a better option. So winning an unwanted holiday may not be as good as an unwanted car that you can sell but if you are always ready and willing to go why not give it your best shot.

I’m off now on a holiday myself. See you in a week or so!