All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 Episode 1

    • January 8, 2013
    • BBC One

    Today the team unravel the costs and complications of checking-in airline baggage, and meet a couple who battled their insurance company for three years after a terrifying incident abroad that left them thousands of pounds out of pocket. Plus, the holidaymakers furious about being asked to pay a cancellation charge when it wasn't them that cancelled their trip, a company whose prices may end up more than you'd bargained for, and unexpected costs after buying a caravan.

  • S01E02 Episode 2

    • January 9, 2013
    • BBC One

    Today the team investigate how holiday emergencies are resolved, spending a day with the British Consulate in Tenerife, and meeting a family struggling to find anyone to take responsibility for a devastating accident that's changed their daughter's life forever. Plus, how a couple's dream honeymoon at sea ended with the bride in hospital, the difficult choice you may face if a disaster like superstorm Sandy hits your holiday destination, and why it could be you that ends up paying the costs of a stolen phone abroad.

  • S01E03 Episode 3

    • January 9, 2013
    • BBC One

    Today, how one of the world's best known airlines sent one passenger backwards and forwards around the world after a missed connection that wasn't his fault, and a couple furious that they weren't told how bad the building works would be at their Vegas hotel. Also on the programme, how to protect yourself if the airline you're booked onto suddenly goes bust, and - which day of the week is the best to book a bargain air fare? Plus, invaluable advice to stop you getting caught out by unexpected laws while driving in France.

  • S01E04 Episode 4

    • January 11, 2013
    • BBC One

    Today, a family left devastated by the truth about an investment that wasn't what they thought, why many travellers hiring a car abroad have ended up paying for the same thing twice, and the confusing regulations and costs if you want to take a pet on holiday too. Plus, why Ryanair's unique approach to customer service hasn't proved bad for business, and the 'holiday tax' bumping up the cost of your flights.

  • S01E05 Episode 5

    • January 14, 2013
    • BBC One

    Among today's stories, the holidaymakers being harassed by a hotel for money they do not owe, and how one couple's holiday company left them stranded in the middle of the night after booking them into a resort that had been closed for months. The team also investigate why customers booking on one particular website paid hundreds of pounds for flights but were never sent the tickets. Plus, how you could end up being charged for a holiday essential you can easily get for free.

Season 2

  • S02E01 Episode 1

    • January 7, 2014
    • BBC One

    In the first of the series the team hear how a hotel lost a couple's passports then tried to say it was nothing to do with them. So should you hand over your passport if asked to at check-in? Plus, the team unpick who should pay if you find yourself stranded abroad through no fault of your own, and hear of a desperate battle for survival - on a holiday without insurance. And, travel expert Simon Calder has money-saving tips for one of Europe's most popular cities.

  • S02E02 Episode 2

    • January 8, 2014
    • BBC One

    The team hear of the families who struggled to escape a terrifying hotel fire - were the alarms working as they should have been? And, with more airlines encouraging passengers to take only hand luggage on board, what happens to your bag and your valuables if they won't fit into the cabin? Plus, travel expert Simon Calder has tips on visiting one of the world's top family destinations; disabled travellers reveal how their holidays have been ruined by easily avoidable mistakes; and there's advice on what to do when a holiday doesn't live up to what was promised.

  • S02E03 Episode 3

    • January 9, 2014
    • BBC One

    The team hear of the websites promising to help you get a new passport but after taking your money, may have done nothing of the kind; the hotel that wouldn't relax its cancellation rules in even the most tragic circumstances; and, how even in Europe you could find yourself hit with huge bills for medical treatment you'd thought you were getting for free. Plus, the timeshare resale promise that could leave you hundreds of pounds out of pocket, and Simon Calder has advice on visiting one of Europe's best-loved cities.

  • S02E04 Episode 4

    • January 10, 2014
    • BBC One

    The team meet people querying a big name company's price promise, and reveal how your mobile bills can rack up costs of hundreds of pounds while abroad. Plus, holidays with prices that keep on changing, how booking your trip a certain way may leave you unprotected if things go wrong, and Simon Calder has scam-busting advice about visiting one of the top package holiday destinations.

  • S02E05 Episode 5

    • January 13, 2014
    • BBC One

    Among the stories - how airlines can get off the hook paying out after lengthy delays, the five star retreat that guests couldn't wait to leave, and the Amazon cruise that didn't go to the Amazon. Plus, shocking examples of coach drivers putting passenger's safety at risk, and Simon Calder has money saving tips for a favourite holiday destination.

  • S02E06 Episode 6

    • January 12, 2015
    • BBC One

    The team look at the holiday homes booked online that turn out to be a con.

  • S02E07 Episode 7

    • January 13, 2015
    • BBC One

    The team unpick who decides whether hotels really deserve the star ratings they advertise.

  • S02E08 Episode 8

    • January 14, 2014
    • BBC One

    The team investigate travel disasters that happen en route to or from destinations.

  • S02E09 Episode 9

    • January 15, 2014
    • BBC One

    The team investigate what happened to money handed over for bookings at a Blackpool hotel.

  • S02E10 Episode 10

    • January 16, 2015
    • BBC One

    The team meet families who arrived on holiday to find no record of their bookings.

Season 3

  • S03E01 Episode 1

    • January 5, 2015
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville return with a new series investigating viewers' holiday and travel disasters, with unmissable advice to avoid being caught out the same way. The series takes off with extraordinary stories about flights and airlines, including the couple who say their honeymoon was ruined by a catalogue of problems with one of the world's biggest names. The team conduct an experiment to find out why it is that so many of us say we feel unwell after getting off a plane. Plus, a revolutionary decision with huge repercussions for the entire holiday industry, the dangers of making a mistake with your details when booking a flight ticket and travel expert Simon Calder has money-saving tips for one of the most popular long-haul destinations.

  • S03E02 Episode 2

    • January 6, 2015
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville discover why, after an emergency abroad, a big-name insurer refused to pay the £24,000 bill that followed. Plus, a hard lesson in security that left a couple's holiday in tatters, the families who spent their life savings on dream homes in the sun that still remain unbuilt and the bewildering car-hire terms that can leave you paying much more than you bargained for. There's also more from the Rip Off Britain pop-up shop and advice from travel expert Simon Calder on a favourite weekend destination.

  • S03E03 Episode 3

    • January 7, 2015
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford uncover some of the unexpected costs of taking a cruise, meeting holidaymakers all at sea over prices they don't think are always clear and a mum-to-be horrified at how much she'd have to pay to take her baby on board. Also, the gift vouchers some say don't always give the value you thought they would, and forget about the cost of phoning home from abroad on a mobile - why it could be the humble phone box that sets you back the most. Plus travel expert Simon Calder has tips on how to save money when visiting New York.

  • S03E04 Episode 4

    • January 8, 2015
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville hear from a man whose holiday company wouldn't let him cancel his booking, despite the terrible circumstances that meant he couldn't go and a family booked into a room completely unsuitable for their needs by one of the biggest names in travel. Plus, why hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers may end up paying double or even three times the typical cost of travel insurance thanks to illnesses they say are firmly in the past. Travel expert Simon Calder has money-saving tips for visiting Portugal.

  • S03E05 Episode 5

    • January 9, 2015
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville hear about the holiday club where membership came with a clear-cut money-back guarantee. So why have members not had it? Plus, a family grounded by someone else's extraordinary mistake, a man who took his battle with one of the biggest names in travel to court and won, and a couple who only discovered the money they'd paid for their safari hadn't been passed on when they were out in the wilderness. Plus advice from travel expert Simon Calder on a favourite weekend break destination.

  • S03E06 Episode 6

    • January 12, 2015
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville investigate the holiday homes booked online that turn out to be a con, the family who discovered too late that their long-awaited holiday had never existed in the first place, and the camera scam that led to thousands of pounds being stolen from the accounts of two sisters visiting Tenerife. Plus the mystery of why so many people booking a holiday in the same caravans never got what they'd paid for, and unmissable advice to stop you being fleeced of your cash next time you go away.

  • S03E07 Episode 7

    • January 13, 2015
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville unpick who decides whether hotels really deserve the star ratings they advertise and hear a cautionary tale guaranteed to make you think twice about where you leave your luggage when checking out of a hotel. Plus, the UK timeshare a couple can't even give away, a dream wedding in the sun that wasn't as straightforward as the bride and groom had hoped, and travel expert Simon Calder has money-saving tips and advice for visiting Las Vegas.

  • S03E08 Episode 8

    • January 14, 2015
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville investigate travel disasters that happen en route to or from your destination. Among the stories, a cross-channel journey with a tragic end. Have the ferry companies got it right when it comes to carrying pets? Plus, with millions of Brits now driving their own cars to Europe, how many really have the right insurance or are aware of the surprising laws that could get you into trouble? And, the team find out why advance rail fares may not always be the bargain they might seem and visit the airport where some drivers claim the parking restrictions are unclear and unfair. Are they right?

  • S03E09 Episode 9

    • January 15, 2015
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville try to unpick what happened to the money handed over for coachloads of bookings at a Blackpool hotel and investigate a company taking thousands of pounds for flights and holidays that never happened. Plus a woman is shocked to discover that the holiday apartment she bought in Turkey had never in fact legally belonged to her.

  • S03E10 Episode 10

    • January 16, 2015
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville look into situations where viewers don't feel they've had what they expected from the travel agents or companies they booked their holidays with. They meet families who arrived at their destinations to find no record of them ever being booked in, or who weren't told anything about it when vital details of their trips were changed. Plus unmissable advice for anyone booking a trip at home or abroad, and an industry bigwig is grilled about why so many people's holidays continue to go wrong.

Season 4

  • S04E01 Episode 1

    • January 4, 2016
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville return with a new series of investigations into viewers' holiday problems, with invaluable advice on how to avoid being caught out the same way. Among the stories in this programme, the lifesaving piece of kit that airlines don't always carry, and after a new threat from mosquitoes is exposed, a test reveals the best way to ensure you don't get bitten. Plus why you won't necessarily be able to change your plans if there's an unexpected disaster in the destination you're heading to, the seaside businesses worried about tough new rules on cleanliness at British beaches, and travel expert Simon Calder has advice on visiting the increasingly popular Mexican resort of Cancun.

  • S04E02 Episode 2

    • January 5, 2016
    • BBC One

  • S04E03 Episode 3

    • January 6, 2016
    • BBC One

  • S04E04 Episode 4

    • January 7, 2016
    • BBC One

  • S04E05 Episode 5

    • January 8, 2016
    • BBC One

  • S04E06 Episode 6

    • January 11, 2016
    • BBC One

  • S04E07 Episode 7

    • January 12, 2016
    • BBC One

  • S04E08 Episode 8

    • January 13, 2016
    • BBC One

  • S04E09 Episode 9

    • January 14, 2016
    • BBC One

  • S04E10 Episode 10

    • January 15, 2016
    • BBC One

Season 5

  • S05E01 Episode 1

    • January 2, 2017
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville return with another series of investigations into viewers' travel and holiday disasters, with unmissable tips to keep your next trip on track and on budget. The team is in Barcelona, with exclusive access to how police are tackling the city's reputation as the pickpocketing capital of Europe. And, as a group of friends explains how a weekend away was ruined when thieves broke into their hotel room, surprising truths are revealed about what you are entitled to if the same thing happens to you. Plus tips for saving money on a trip to Paris from travel expert Simon Calder and advice on making sure you have the right travel insurance.

  • S05E02 Episode 2

    • January 3, 2017
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville investigate the jaw-dropping tale of how a company sent one family to a succession of villas it turned out they had no right to stay in, with the family only discovering the truth when one of the owners asked them what they were doing in his house. Plus, as one woman reveals how a pilgrimage to Graceland ended with a stay in the heartbreak hotel when her wheelchair was damaged by the airline, the team explores what should happen if similarly vital possessions don't finish the journey in one piece. Simon Calder has the lowdown on destinations that are exotic but affordable, and viewers who invested their life savings in dream properties near the Red Sea try to uncover why - five years on - their homes have yet to be built.

  • S05E03 Episode 3

    • January 4, 2017
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville get to the bottom of why if you suddenly have to cancel a holiday the travel company so often refuses to refund a penny - even if there is still plenty of time to sell it to someone else. As a couple reveals how even the most devastating diagnosis didn't allow them to cancel without losing out, a man who took on the industry and won explains how he did it. The team also examine why a family that spotted a mistake with their flights just minutes after booking still ended up with a whopping charge to change them, and travel expert Simon Calder has tips for exploring the Greek islands.

  • S05E04 Episode 4

    • January 5, 2017
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville investigate viewers' holiday disasters. As a group of unconnected travellers come together to share extraordinary footage of the conditions at their hotel, why have their complaints been treated differently by the holiday company when they went through the same experience? A company's boasts of being the best are questioned by disappointed customers, including a pair of pensioners who felt they had no choice but to pack up and go home almost as soon as they arrived. Paralympian Steve Brown meets people who say even the biggest holiday names are getting it wrong when it comes to disabled travellers. And travel expert Simon Calder has tips on visiting Croatia on a budget.

  • S05E05 Episode 5

    • January 6, 2017
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville investigate problems viewers have had with flights, meeting families furious that even after paying for guaranteed seats together, that's not what they got when they arrived at the plane. So what are the rules on how families are supposed to be seated? Also in this episode is a look at the vital travel documents you may not know you need - but which you won't get anywhere without, and a woman makes a last-ditch attempt to cure her fear of flying. But will it work? And travel expert Simon Calder chooses once-in-a-lifetime trip if money weren't an issue.

  • S05E06 Episode 6

    • January 9, 2017
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville continue the new series of holiday investigations by examining the cleanliness of British hotel rooms. As lab tests prove there's a lot more to hotel hygiene than meets the eye, will booking into a more expensive hotel guarantee you'll end up with a cleaner room? Also today, with complaints that some five star hotels don't quite meet the high standard you'd expect, the team unravels what exactly determines how any stars a hotel deserves. Plus, travel expert Simon Calder has money-saving tips for visiting the USA.

  • S05E07 Episode 7

    • January 10, 2017
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville investigate health-related holiday disasters, getting to the bottom of why couples who've had to cancel holidays because of the rapid spread of the zika virus haven't been able to get their money back. Also today, could the ease with which pets can now travel abroad be the reason why a disease that's deadly to dogs has now suddenly appeared in the UK? Plus, travel guru Simon Calder reveals three top holiday destinations you've probably never heard of, but where you'll get much better value for money than more familiar favourites. And, with even the cleanest of British beaches still occasionally covered in things you might not expect to find yourself swimming in, there's advice on how to tell if your trip to the seaside could be affected.

  • S05E08 Episode 8

    • January 11, 2017
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Gioria Hunniford and Angela Rippon hear dramatic stories of how viewers' holidays were scuppered by unexpected disasters, with advice to ensure the same won't happen to you. As one family reveals the terrifying fall-out from a fire in the French chateau they were staying in, could you fall foul of the same law that saw then hit with the bill for its repair? Also today, families caught up in extreme weather and hurricanes question whether the holiday companies looking after them did enough to keep them safe, travel expert Simon Calder has invaluable advice on sailing through the various extra charges on cruises, and the experience of two mums-to-be exposes surprising complications of travelling when pregnant.

  • S05E09 Episode 9

    • January 12, 2017
    • BBC One

    As consumer champions Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville investigate problems viewers have run into at the airport, a surprising – and costly – problem you might face with your passport is revealed. Also today, behind the scenes at airport security, to unravel continued confusion over what you can and can't take on board. Plus, travel expert Simon Calder revals holiday destinations that will appeal to all generations, and a mum test out whether a new initiative to help travellers with hidden disabilities will make travelling with her autistic son any easier.

  • S05E10 Episode 10

    • January 13, 2017
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville investigate problems viewers have had with some of the biggest names in the business, hearing how one man's home was being rented out to holidaymakers without him knowing anything about it – and it seemed there was little he could do to stop it. Also today, the hidden charge adding hundreds of dollars to American hotel bills, travel expert Simon Calder has advice on avoiding holiday scams, and the team unpicks whether ATA protection means quite what you might assume.

  • S05E11 Episode 11

    • January 16, 2017
    • BBC One

    As they unpick the latest audacious holiday scams, Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford are on the trail of the airport meet and greet companies that promise safe and secure parking, but instead leave cars in fields or by the side of the road. Also today, the bogus travel businesses out to steal your cash are revealed, and Simon Calder has tips and advice to steer clear of trouble when driving abroad. Plus, one man's desperate search to see if a holiday villa really exists: only if he can prove it's a scam will his credit card company give him his money back.

  • S05E12 Episode 12

    • January 17, 2017
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford, and Julia Somerville tackle more of the stories viewers have asked them to investigate, including a life-changing accident in Cuba that's left one group of friends asking who's responsible when disaster strikes on a trip abroad. Also today, a nine hour wait for a life-saving operation in Mexico – all because the insurance company back home couldn't confirm it would cover the cost. Plus, travel expert Simon Calder has money-saving tips for exploring the Balearic Islands, and why the laws that apply on a cruise ship may not always be those of the country you'd expect.

  • S05E13 Episode 13

    • January 18, 2017
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville discover how airlines are working to stop drunk passengers disrupting flights, meeting a small boy caught in the crossfire, and the bouncers recruited by airports to tackle the problem once and for all. Plus, the surprising explanation for why a hotel sold as 'adults-only' could still be full of children, travel expert Simon Calder reveals the island paradise that needn't break the bank, and the booking mix-ups that left one single traveller wary of travelling alone again.

  • S05E14 Episode 14

    • January 19, 2017
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Gloria Hunniford and Angela Rippon reveal the unwelcome guests said to be scuppering more holidays than ever. As bedbugs return with a vengeance, the team is out with the sniffer dogs hunting them down in hotels and on planes. But could you unwittingly be giving the creatures a lift back to British shores? Travel expert Simon Calder has advice on staying safe abroad, and, with reports that jellyfish are on the rise, what's the truth about the threat they pose – and the best way to avoid being stung?

  • S05E15 Episode 15

    • January 20, 2017
    • BBC One

    In the last of the series, Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville expose secrets of the airline, testing out if it's really true that airlines are snooping on your flight searches in order to hike up fares. Also today, how you might experience the biggest delays by flying on a smaller airline, and why, if it turns out your flight isn't on the airline you booked with, you could end up hundreds of pounds out of pocket if things go wrong. Plus, Simon Calder has tips on visiting Dubai.

Season 6

  • S06E01 Episode 1

    • January 2, 2018
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville explore the impact some of the travel stories dominating recent headlines will have on travel plans for 2018, from disastrous weather to airlines going bust. There is also a look at how the cost of trips abroad could go up as the industry acts to rein in false claims of hotel food poisoning. Simon Calder reveals some of his must-visit destinations for the new year, and holidaymakers share experiences that led to them being thrust into the spotlight- and the news bulletins - in 2017.

  • S06E02 Episode 2

    • January 3, 2018
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville look at shocking examples of trips that have gone disastrously wrong. With most airlines now routinely overbooking flights, there is the story of one woman who was split up from her family and refused the seat she had paid for. Paralympian Libby Clegg exposes the hotels breaking the law by telling guests their guide dogs can't stay and, after hearing from families whose holidays were drastically altered at the last minute, there is advice on how major a change has to be before you are entitled to get some money back. Simon Calder has money-saving tips on visiting Barcelona.

  • S06E03 Episode 3

    • January 4, 2018
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford tackle more of the travel and holiday problems viewers have asked them to investigate, including a terrifying accident that occurred around the hotel pool. Why is no-one taking responsibility for what happened? And after one couple was hit with a huge restaurant bill very different than the price they had seen on the menu outside, how much is too much when it comes to eating out in tourist hotspots? Plus the homeowners furious that the big name who let out their property seems much less interested if guests end up damaging it. And Simon Calder clears up the confusion on how much to tip when abroad.

  • S06E04 Episode 4

    • January 5, 2018
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford look into difficulties that can arise en route to or from a destination. Among the stories is a traumatic and costly experience for one family which highlights the very different ways that individual airlines treat passengers with an allergy to nuts. Plus the airlines still breaking the rules on how and where to seat families, with parents placed at opposite ends of the plane from their children, tips on how to cut costs in notoriously expensive Venice, and how the spiralling cost of airport parking has caused chaos in some neighbourhoods as drivers try to avoid the charges altogether by parking on residential streets nearby.

  • S06E05 Episode 5

    • January 8, 2018
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Gloria Hunniford and Angela Rippon get to the bottom of a fresh collection of scams designed to trick people out of hundreds of pounds. In Tenerife, the team is on the trail of fake lawyers claiming to help with timeshare problems, while back in the UK, fraudulent flight companies offering non-existent seats are exposed. Holidaymakers tell of their horror on discovering they had booked villas that don't exist, and Simon Calder has more tips on 2018's top travel destinations.

  • S06E06 Episode 6

    • January 9, 2018
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville investigate holiday disasters that can occur before people have even reached their destination - and that are totally outside their control. Among the stories is that of the holidaymakers left thousands of pounds out of pocket after being denied boarding thanks to an issue only the airline saw as a problem. Plus why lost luggage could be close to becoming a thing of the past, and the airport transfer company that left passengers stranded without the cars they had booked and paid for. And travel expert Simon Calder has tips on visiting increasingly affordable and accessible Shanghai.

  • S06E07 Episode 7

    • January 10, 2018
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville tackle more of the travel problems viewers have asked them to investigate, hearing how, for one couple, a ruined holiday couldn't have had more significance. Plus a look at a company that has failed to deliver the trips coachloads of passengers booked and paid for, and how hiring a motorhome ended up costing some holidaymakers a lot more than they bargained for. Simon Calder has more money-saving holiday tips.

  • S06E08 Episode 8

    • January 11, 2018
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford look at how people can ensure they are protected if something goes wrong while on holiday. A surprising exclusion from many travel insurance policies is revealed, and there is a look at whether those with mental health conditions are discriminated against when taking out insurance. Additionally, Simon Calder has tips for visiting St Petersburg.

  • S06E09 Episode 9

    • January 12, 2018
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville expose some surprising issues viewers have had with apparently 'free' cancellations and investigate whether the raft of companies offering to help claim compensation for flight delays are worth bothering with. An unexpected route to solving travel problems is revealed, and Simon Calder has more trips on visiting a top holiday destination.

  • S06E10 Episode 10

    • January 15, 2018
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville unravel some of the mysterious charges viewers have been hit with either during or after their holidays. Among the stories, the surprising loophole that means that even now data roaming charges have been scrapped in Europe, you could still end up with a much higher than expected mobile phone bill next time you pop over the Channel. Also, the hidden costs of hiring a car abroad, and, after returning holidaymakers have received threatening letters - and even FINES - from courts overseas, what to do if you find yourself caught up in a foreign legal system, through no fault of your own. Plus travel expert Simon Calder has money-saving tips for an increasingly popular city-break choice.

  • S06E11 Episode 11

    • January 16, 2018
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville investigate problems viewers have experienced around some holiday essentials, getting to the bottom of which countries are ones where it is, or isn't, safe to drink the tap water, and testing out the most effective ways to beat travel sickness. Also, as travellers reveal how they have ended up out of pocket thanks to pre-paid currency cards, there is advice on how to avoid ending up in the same position. And Simon Calder has advice on visiting California.

  • S06E12 Episode 12

    • January 17, 2018
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Gloria Hunniford and Angela Rippon investigate stories to do with staying safe on your travels, revealing how the shortage of a vital health jab could lead to holidaymakers planning to visit some top destinations having to pay increased costs. Also, with cases of illness spread by insect bites rocketing across Europe, the team identifies what to do to avoid getting bitten. Simon Calder has tips and advice on visiting South Africa, and a bumper crop of viewers' problems are tackled at the programme's pop-up advice clinic.

  • S06E13 Episode 13

    • January 18, 2018
    • BBC One

    Problems with big-name airlines are the focus of this edition's investigations from Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford, and Julia Somerville. They reveal why, months after Monarch went out of business, some of the passengers left stranded overseas are still hundreds of pounds out of pocket. Also, after a landmark ruling leaves holidaymakers unprotected if a bird hits the plane, the airport teams whose job it is to stop that happening demonstrate their tactics. Plus travel expert Simon Calder has money-saving tips for anyone visiting the Canary Islands, and viewers unhappy with airline loyalty schemes discover how to get the most from their points.

  • S06E14 Episode 14

    • January 19, 2018
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville investigate whether the great deals advertised for holidays are always quite what they seem - or if they are even available at all. With viewers furious atwhat has happened when they have tried to bag the bargain prices they have seen, there is a test to see just how much the costs can rocket. Also, why thousands of cruise passengers could be setting sail without the vital protection they need, and the hotel booking sites under official scrutiny to see if the way they try and push you into making a decision is unfair. Plus Simon Calder has tips for saving money when visiting the theme park capital of the world, Orlando in Florida.

  • S06E15 Episode 15

    • January 22, 2018
    • BBC One

    As big holiday companies announce the end of their traditional brochures, Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford hear how one family's trip abroad was ruined by a reality very different from the glossy photos the brochure had shown, and there is a test into the new ways people will be encouraged to book their travels in the future. The programme also hears from the families furious that their apparently all-inclusive holidays ended up costing a lot more than they bargained for, travel expert Simon Calder reveals his pick of the undiscovered destinations people should consider for 2018, and there is a look at how travellers with disabilities can still find themselves booked into accommodation that doesn't match their needs.

Season 7

  • S07E01 Episode 1

    • January 7, 2019
    • BBC One

    The team looks into problems that can arise even before the holiday has begun, and one woman reveals how her choice of valet parking company ended up costing her her car. Plus the new airport drop-off charges that caused chaos at the exit barriers and the online currency provider that turned out to be a dureau de short change, and travel guru Simon Calder has hints on how to enjoy the Indian Ocean without breaking the budget.

  • S07E02 Episode 2

    • January 8, 2019
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville hear how viewers' travels were ruined by life-threatening events and disasters, including how an urgent dash to hospital left one man facing a pile of unexpected medical bills and a lifetime of debt. A couple reveal the costly consequences of fleeing their idyllic island retreat when it was hit by an earthquake. Plus the favourite destination that suddenly became a bit too much of a walk on the wild side for some families, and travel expert Simon Calder has tips on visiting movie locations at home and abroad.

  • S07E03 Episode 3

    • January 9, 2019
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Julia Somerville and Angela Rippon return with a guide to staying safe, sound and solvent on holiday. The team investigates how changing attitudes are affecting trips abroad and why in some cities it seems tourists are no longer quite so welcome. Plus why some of the biggest tour companies are bidding farewell to some of the traditional excursions and adventures involving animals, and the risks of a new kind of holiday home investment are exposed, as viewers reveal how they have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket.

  • S07E04 Episode 4

    • January 10, 2019
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford investigate more viewers' holiday nightmares, looking at problems with flights and planes. Including the big-name booking site that forgot to tell customers their tickets were cancelled, and the truth about why airline seats are shrinking is revealed. Travel dilemmas are resolved by the experts at the Rip Off Britain pop-up shop, and travel expert Simon Calder has invaluable advice on avoiding visa and passport horrors.

  • S07E05 Episode 5

    • January 11, 2019
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford are back with more stories of viewers' holiday horrors, investigating situations where the dream is very different from the reality - and how the timing of the trip could make all the difference. Among the stories are the holiday home that was a house of horrors, the perfect beach ruined by a mountain of seaweed and the families who say their day trip to Santa's home in Lapland was a festive flop. Travel expert Simon Calder has tips on visiting the best waterfalls at home and abroad.

  • S07E06 Episode 6

    • January 14, 2019
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford report on viewers' holiday horrors, investigating new developments affecting people who dream of their very own place in the sun. On the island of Tenerife, Angela goes on the trail of a company that has been cold-calling timeshare owners with an offer that sounds too good to be true. Back at home there is the story of people who bought static caravans but had a huge shock when they wanted to sell up, and Simon Calder has a guide to the culture, cuisine and landscapes of Russia.

  • S07E07 Episode 7

    • January 15, 2019
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville return with another look at viewers' travel woes, focusing on the frustrations of complaining. Among the stories are the passengers who found themselves sitting on the floor of a plane all the way home, and why hundreds of people are sending in bailiffs to get money they are owed by big-name airlines. Plus the swarm of wasps that drove a family out of their holiday home, and Simon Calder celebrates the resurgence of coach travel

  • S07E08 Episode 8

    • January 16, 2019
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville present another look at viewers' real-life holiday horror stories - and with more and more people opting to stay at home, this episode looks at the growth of the 'staycation'. Featuring a grand country house which turned out to be pretty shabby, and the sorry state of a once-beloved chain of holiday camps. Plus the mystery tour that was anything but magical, and Simon Calder's insider tips to avoiding the crowds and cost of Amsterdam.

  • S07E09 Episode 9

    • January 17, 2019
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Julia Somerville and Angela Rippon investigate more of the pitfalls that could scupper holiday plans, looking at the strange phenomenon of disappearing deals. Among the people revealing how they didn't get what they paid for is the short term rental customer unexpectedly thrown out of the New York apartment they had booked, and the passengers shocked to suddenly have their flight tickets cancelled. Plus the website taking bookings for a non-existent hotel, and Simon Calder has tips on how to enjoy the great outdoors within American cities.

  • S07E10 Episode 10

    • January 18, 2019
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Julia Somerville and Gloria Hunniford open the lid on the travel world with top tips from a team of travel experts, and this episode uncovers some surprises about air travel. Featuring the one word on a ticket which should ring alarm bells and the flight disruption that left one couple stranded for a week. Plus the four-legged friend helping passengers with fear of flying, and Simon Calder looks at the best Gulf stopover choices

  • S07E11 Episode 11

    • January 21, 2019
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Julia Somerville and Angela Rippon investigate more viewers' holiday horror stories, looking at some of the things that can go wrong on cruises. Among them are a trip to Cuba that went seriously off course and the couple whose possessions were ruined in a cabin deluge. Plus how builders on board nearly sparked a passenger mutiny, and Simon Calder has tips on how best to deal with long-haul flights.

  • S07E12 Episode 12

    • January 22, 2019
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Julia Somerville and Angela Rippon reveal more tips and secrets to ensure people get the best and avoid the worst when it comes to holidays. Among the stories is the sunshine resort that suddenly started turning away guests who had booked and paid for their stays and, as guest reporter Martyn Ashton investigates plans to make travel more accessible for everybody, he discovers the very different ways that airlines and airports deal with people in wheelchairs. Plus the passengers told they couldn't take vital medical equipment on board a flight, and Simon Calder presents a guide to experiencing the northern lights.

  • S07E13 Episode 13

    • January 23, 2019
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford battle to resolve more viewers' holiday problems, taking a look at the changing face of 21st-century travel. Including how the actions of one of the industry's biggest names resulted in one family being hit with £14,000 in cancellation fees, and the e-visa mix-up that led to an 82-year-old woman being deported from India before her holiday even started. Plus the campaign against single-use plastics in tourism, and Simon Calder's top tips on what happens if someone misses a flight.

  • S07E14 Episode 14

    • January 24, 2019
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville get to the bottom of more viewers' holiday problems, focusing on some of the difficulties people experience while flying. As one family explains why missing their outbound flight was just the start of some very costly troubles, an unexpected problem that could well affect a journey home is revealed. And after one couple had to pay hundreds of pounds for an overweight piece of hand luggage, the astonishing variation in airline baggage rules is exposed. There is advice on what to do if an airline goes bust, and Simon Calder has tips on where to enjoy the best walking holidays.

  • S07E15 Episode 15

    • January 25, 2019
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Gloria Hunniford and Angela Rippon look at some of the risks that travelling could present to someone's health, or even their identity, with advice to limit the dangers from the ones that can be avoided. As families reveal how their trips were ruined by infectious diseases, what responsibility does the hotel or tour company have if someone suddenly falls ill? And after an experiment reveals the hidden dangers of taking boarding pass selfies, there is a look at why people's most valuable personal details could be vulnerable. The team's experts tackle more holiday disasters at the programme's pop-up advice clinic, and Simon Calder has an introduction to some of the latest tourist destinations to emerge from the former Soviet Union.

Season 8

  • S08E01 Episode 1

    • January 6, 2020
    • BBC One

    How sickness or injury on holiday can be devastating, even if you have insurance.

  • S08E02 Episode 2

    • January 7, 2020
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville hear from people who found themselves grounded and out of pocket when their airlines let them down.

  • S08E03 Episode 3

    • January 8, 2020
    • BBC One

    The team look into the disturbing cases of people whose holidays were left in tatters when almost imperceptible damage to their passports meant they weren't allowed to fly.

  • S08E04 Episode 4

    • January 9, 2020
    • BBC One

    How life's milestones, both happy and sad, can interfere with our travel plans, including shocking accounts of travellers being turned away from cruises because they are pregnant.

  • S08E05 Episode 5

    • January 10, 2020
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville look at the perils of flying and why it is still so challenging for disabled travellers.

  • S08E06 Episode 6

    • January 13, 2020
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville hear about a villa rental fraud so sophisticated that even a former police detective fell for it. At our pop-up shop in Manchester, our experts help the victims of fake flight websites and overpriced American visas. And the people being chased for thousands of pounds by solicitors after their no win, no fee claims for holiday sickness turned sour.

  • S08E07 Episode 7

    • January 14, 2020
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville hear from the travellers with allergies who risk their lives each time they fly. Are travel companies doing enough to make sure they’re safe? Plus the shocking story of a mum who says she was turned away from a flight with her twin babies because the airline couldn’t cope. And how do you see the world when you’re blind? Guest presenter Amar Latif shows us how new technologies and old-fashioned manners can open up the world to anybody.

  • S08E08 Episode 8

    • January 15, 2020
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville continue their investigations into your consumer woes. Today, it's the collapse of Britain’s oldest tour company, Thomas Cook, and what it might mean for our future travel planning. Will the boom in online bookings spell the end of the high street travel agent and the traditional package holiday? Plus the shocking story of the online travel agent whose cut-price trips to Disneyland Paris turned out to be too good to be true, leaving dozens of customers in the lurch and their dream trips in tatters. And a host of travel hints and tips you won't want to miss.

  • S08E09 Episode 9

    • January 16, 2020
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville reveal the crazy case of the £99 mystery weekend break that wasn't quite the bargain customers were hoping for, and the flights to Nigeria that turned out to be trips to nowhere. And visitors to our pop-up shop tell us about their dodgy holiday digs, including the five-star hotel with stunning views of the neighbouring building site.

  • S08E10 Episode 10

    • January 17, 2020
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville focus on those little add-ons that are supposed to make our travel smoother and our conscience clearer, but which sometimes turn out to have unexpectedly negative consequences for travellers. They hear from the drivers left stranded abroad despite having paid for what they thought was comprehensive foreign car breakdown insurance, and from the cruise passengers hit by a drinks bill that was ten times higher than they’d bargained for. And carbon offsetting of flights - is it a great way of saving the planet or just a load of old greenwashing?

Season 9

  • S09E01 Episode 1

    • January 4, 2021
    • BBC One

    How well do companies respond to events they could not have foreseen or prevented? Passengers whose dream cruise was knocked off course by a fire on board are furious at missing the highlight of the trip. Also, the customers who paid top dollar for comprehensive travel insurance, only to find they couldn’t make much use of it because of the pandemic, and now it’s too late to get a refund. And travel guru Simon Calder gives us his top tips for travel after Brexit.

  • S09E02 Episode 2

    • January 5, 2021
    • BBC One

    It is every holidaymaker’s nightmare – arriving at your hotel only to find it’s closed. Plus the customers left stranded at the airport and thousands out of pocket because their Covid test results arrived too late to let them board the plane. And after airline customers were left waiting six months or more to get their money back for flights cancelled in the pandemic, how you can speed up your refund process.

  • S09E03 Episode 3

    • January 6, 2020
    • BBC One

    Coming from the seaside town of Bournemouth, the programme asks who is responsible when passengers’ valuables are stolen from a coach – after one Italian driver, supposed to be guarding the group’s belongings, popped out for a burger. There’s the bride and groom left waiting at the airport after their connecting flight was cancelled without anyone telling them. And at our pop-up shop, the airline passenger who can’t get his money back after having to fork out £400 for a taxi back home to Manchester when his flight was cancelled.

  • S09E04 Episode 4

    • January 7, 2021
    • BBC One

    The holidaymakers left footing the bill after insurers refused to cough up for their medical emergencies, the travellers sent to stay in hotels that they found out didn’t actually exist., and how our legal expert helped one couple escape from a timeshare contract, as well as getting back nearly £8,000 paid to a rogue law firm.

  • S09E05 Episode 5

    • January 8, 2021
    • BBC One

    The disappointed music fans stuck with tickets for concerts abroad that were cancelled due to coronavirus, the static caravan owners whose holiday havens are headed for the junk yard, and, as the rise in staycations means more dog owners take their four-legged friends on holiday, there’s expert advice on how to be sure that your hotel or cottage is genuinely dog-friendly.

  • S09E06 Episode 6

    • January 11, 2021
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville investigate more holidays that went wrong. Today, they focus on the cons that have wrecked your getaways, including the motorhome scammers selling non-existent vehicles to unsuspecting customers. We tell you how to make sure you can spot the tell-tale signs. We also take a look at the cyber criminals who hijack bookings for holiday rentals, and our experts are on hand to help a visitor to our annual pop-up shop get back thousands of pounds after she realised too late that the ski chalet she had paid for was a sham.

  • S09E07 Episode 7

    • January 12, 2021
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Julia Somerville and Gloria Hunniford expose the scammers who trick would-be travellers out of their money by intercepting our favourite social media sites. Also, the roadside recovery service that left a group of pensioners stranded on the verge despite the fact they had valid cover. And, after wild campers trashed the British countryside in the summer of 2020, guest presenter Amar Latif shows a family of volunteers how to do it the right way by spending a night under the stars.

  • S09E08 Episode 8

    • January 13, 2021
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford help you put the gloss back on your dream holiday. Just how watertight is your consumer protection when things go wrong and your travel company lets you down? The bike riders with cycling listed on their travel insurance who found out they weren’t fully covered for theft or accidents when they went holiday - how you can make sure the same doesn’t happen to you? And the villa rental company that insisted you could still go on holiday, even though the government said foreign travel was out of the question.

  • S09E09 Episode 9

    • January 14, 2021
    • BBC One

    In the latest of their series of investigations into your holiday issues, Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville focus on the huge impact coronavirus has had on travel, including the insurance company that refused to pay out after one couple’s grand tour of South America came to a grinding halt. Also, the customer forced to turn to local police for help after her online travel agency failed to answer its 24-hour emergency helpline, and the sad tale of the holidaymakers whose trip to the Lake District was ruined by mountains of rubbish.

  • S09E10 Episode 10

    • January 15, 2021
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville continue their investigations into your travel woes. In today’s programme, the travellers still fighting for refunds months after their holidays were cancelled – including one family charged £1,200 as an administration fee and a couple asked to pay out for a transatlantic flight to a cruise that never took place. Also, the story of the customers given false hope after an insolvent coach holiday company was brought back to life by new owners, and food and travel blogger Kacie Morgan finds out how hotels and restaurants are working to keep customers safe during the pandemic.

Season 10

  • S10E01 Episode 1

    • January 17, 2022

    Gloria, Angela and Julia look at UK breaks, investigating complaints about dirty caravans.

  • S10E02 Episode 2

    • January 18, 2022

    A team of experts advise a disabled passenger who couldn't access any excursions on her cruise, and we get some aircrew insider tips on the best things to pack for your holiday.

  • S10E03 Episode 3

    • January 19, 2022

    The team investigate the unstoppable rise of the villa rental scams catching out unwary customers, and travel guru Simon Calder goes west with his guide to a trip along the USA's legendary Route 66.

  • S10E04 Episode 4

    • January 20, 2022

    The perils of booking online as experienced by a stag party left with nowhere to stay, and Simon Calder gives us his guide to a magical break on the River Fowey in Cornwall.

  • S10E05 Episode 5

    • January 21, 2022

  • S10E06 Episode 6

    • January 24, 2022

  • S10E07 Episode 7

    • January 25, 2022

  • S10E08 Episode 8

    • January 26, 2022

  • S10E09 Episode 9

    • January 27, 2022

  • S10E10 Episode 10

    • January 28, 2022

Season 11

  • S11E01 Episode 1

    • January 2, 2023
    • BBC One

    Presenters Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville are based at the Eden Project in Cornwall. In this first episode, they report on the heartbreaking case of the woman faced with a large medical bill which her travel insurer won't cover, because she had not declared past migraines when she took out the policy. Also, the travel company hard sell that has left viewers with no holiday to show for their cash. And plenty of travel tips from experts in our virtual advice clinic.

  • S11E02 Episode 2

    • January 3, 2023
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville throw the spotlight on big name holiday companies you say are letting you down. The team report on the shocking story of the hotel infinity pool which collapsed, washing swimmers out onto the beach. Also, the families whose long-planned breaks were changed at the last minute for something far less satisfactory; and Simon Calder has advice on how to save money sightseeing.

  • S11E03 Episode 3

    • January 4, 2023
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford report on the holidaymakers who arrived at their hotels, only to discover they'd been closed for years and their tour operators didn't seem to know. Also, the airline with a bad reputation that has left a trail of dissatisfied customers. And in our holiday clinic, we help one customer get out of her timeshare contract.

  • S11E04 Episode 4

    • January 5, 2023
    • BBC One

    The Rip Off Britain team go behind the scenes at one of the UK's biggest airports to find out just how much luggage goes missing. There is expert advice on how to keep tabs on your precious holiday cargo and globe trotter Simon Calder reveals why Luxembourg may be a cheaper break than you might expect.

  • S11E05 Episode 5

    • January 6, 2023
    • BBC One

    From caravans that didn't live up to the marketing material to world cruises that proved tricky to insure, the team investigate why things went wrong, so you can avoid the same perils. Also, there is plenty of advice in our travel clinic and top tips on how to travel safely.

  • S11E06 Episode 6

    • January 9, 2023
    • BBC One

    Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville are back to help sort out more of your travel traumas.

  • S11E07 Episode 7

    • January 10, 2023
    • BBC One

    The Rip Off Britain team are here with more advice to keep the sun shining on your holidays. In this programme: visa chaos – how one switch of the rules left many with their trips hanging in the balance. Plus, passport confusion - the holidaymakers who were refused travel when their passport was actually perfectly valid. And don't miss globetrotting travel legend, Simon Calder, sharing his top budget breaks.

  • S11E08 Episode 8

    • January 11, 2023
    • BBC One

    Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford are back to help keep your holiday on track. Shrinking cabin luggage - which airlines are being stingiest with their free allowance? Plus, how a delayed flight could lead to your hire car being cancelled while you're still airborne – forcing you to shell out again for a replacement. And more top holiday tips in our advice clinic.

  • S11E09 Episode 9

    • January 12, 2023
    • BBC One

    Rip Off Britain: Holidays looks at unexpected problems that threaten to knock your travels off course, including the double-booking nightmare that put a real dampener on the holidays of two families. And, beware the small print! A travel insurance shock for one man might make you reach to check your own policy. Plus, the team of experts help a driver whose car was left damaged by an airport meet and greet service in the advice clinic.

  • S11E10 Episode 10

    • January 13, 2023
    • BBC One

    Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville explore disasters that derailed some holidays before they'd even begun. Including the disruptive passengers whose drunken behaviour on board caused problems for all their fellow passengers. And transfer trouble - how a whole holiday can be ruined when even the smallest parts of the trip go wrong. Plus, the last in the series of top advice in the virtual advice clinic.