Best way to give travel vouchers as a gift

ProudDUB

My family want to give a travel voucher (of some sort) to someone who has a big birthday coming up.

We will be giving it to the approx value of 500-1000 euros.

What is the best way to do this online, that gives the recipient the most flexibility on how he chooses to spend it?

He is a fan of going on city breaks to Prague/Barcelona etc, so an all inclusive package that includes both hotel and airfare would be great.

Alternatively, he goes to the US once a year to visit his kids, so something that would be redeemable on the major airlines would be a winner too, as we'd like him to be able to have as much freedom as possible, on where he chooses to go.

According to the Aer Lingus and Ryanair website, they only sell vouchers that are redeemable towards flights, not hotel and flight packages. As yer man is a big fan of Ryanair and heading off a El Cheapo 19.99 flights to wherever, getting him a flights only voucher seems a bit of a waste of money, when cheap flights to so many destinations, are already so easily available.

Are their any websites/travel agents in particular, that have a good reputation for this kind of thing?

Cheers folks.

killbillvol2

I think vouchers are a terrible gift. Whatever you choose he's tied into something with terms and conditions and restrictions. Aer Lingus and Ryanair vouchers are particularly bad.

ncmc

I have to agree with Killbill, I think vouchers are very restrictive. If you go for a tour operator or airline, it might mean they end up spending more than they would booking through a third party booking site. Same with hotel vouchers. My husband got one recently for a hotel chain and we would have got the same room cheaper on booking.com. Plus some vouchers have expiry dates or other penalties attached, for example one4all start to take a monthly fee after a certain length of time unused.

Would it be an option to give cash and tell him that it’s for a flight/holiday? I know it’s boring but cash is king!

Atlantic Dawn

Just give cash in an envelope marked "Use This For A Holiday", anyone over 12 should have the sense to be able to do this. Vouchers are far too restrictive compared to what can be done with cash.

solerina

I agree that this is a bad idea, we once got 450 euro on vouchers for Aer Lingus, the short time limit to use them was a real issue as was the fact that only one of our names was on the voucher and the named person must travel !!
Cash is king.

Cheshire Cat

There are nice ways to give cash as a present. Have a look at this:

https://www.geschenke.de/geldgeschenke/basteln/geldgeschenk-reise-basteln/

The recipient then knows what it's meant for and it looks pretty good. Bank notes are the most universal voucher ever.

Poochie05

Had this dilemma a few years ago and agree that vouchers are too restrictive, cash is best.
We got one of those passport covers you see in Mr Price or Dealz and made a sticker for the cover saying 'Mary's holiday fund'. Then put cash inside.

SimpleDimples

Get a large presentation cheque from the Bank, like the ones used for presenting to a charity after a fundraiser and make it payable to "Mick's Holiday Fund" and give him the cash afterwards.

Voucher are too restrictive

ProudDUB

Thanks for all the cash is king suggestions. Obviously, cash is the most flexible option. However, its not up to me. The decision has already been made to give the gift of a holiday, in some shape or form. So if any one has any tips or suggestions for the best way to do this, I'd appreciate it. Ta.