Can You Choose the Dates for Wowcher Mystery Holiday?
Wondering if you can pick your travel dates for a Wowcher mystery holiday? In 2025, Wowcher has updated their booking process to give customers more control over their travel dates.
We’ve put together this complete guide about how the £99 mystery holiday works, what’s included, and how to make the most of this opportunity without breaking the bank.
Key Takeaways
- Selecting Travel Dates: You can now choose your preferred travel dates during the redemption process with Wowcher’s updated system for 2025.
- Understanding the Process: Learn about how the mystery holiday works from purchase to destination reveal and what costs are included in the base price.
- Flexibility Matters: Discover why flexibility with dates may get you better destinations and how to avoid extra costs when booking your mystery trip.
Can You Choose the Dates for Wowcher Mystery Holiday?
With Wowcher’s updated process for 2025, customers can now select their desired travel dates during the redemption process after purchasing a voucher. This new feature provides more control over your mystery holiday experience while still keeping the destination a surprise.
When redeeming your voucher online, you will be asked to provide your preferred travel dates. The holiday provider then draws your destination at random based on these dates. This means you have some control over when you travel, but not where you’ll be going – that’s the mystery part that makes these holidays so popular!
From market research and customer feedback, there are a few important things to know about selecting dates:
Your date preferences are subject to availability with the travel provider. Popular travel periods may have fewer destination options available. You might need to pay extra for certain date combinations if cheaper flights aren’t available. And remember that peak summer dates (July and August) cost more initially (£129pp vs £99pp) according to Wowcher’s official website.
How Does Wowcher Mystery Holiday Work?
The Wowcher £99 mystery holiday is a travel deal where you pay a fixed price without knowing your destination in advance. It follows a structured process: you’re buying a voucher from Wowcher, not an actual holiday yet. After purchasing, you redeem the voucher online following the instructions in your confirmation email.
We found the process works this way:
You purchase your mystery holiday voucher (£99pp or £129pp during peak periods). Then you receive a voucher code and redemption link via email. Next, you redeem your voucher and select your preferred travel dates on their booking platform. After completing the required booking information, the holiday provider contacts you within 5 working days to reveal your destination. You then confirm your booking and pay any additional costs if needed. Finally, you receive your final travel confirmation with all the holiday details.
The deal includes a hotel stay and return flights to one of 100 worldwide potential destinations for 2025. According to ABTA’s Travel Trends Report, these types of mystery packages are growing in popularity as more people seek unique travel experiences. Destinations range from city breaks in Venice, Rome, and Amsterdam to beach holidays in Crete, Ibiza, and Malta, and even long-haul adventures to places like the Maldives, Barbados, and Las Vegas.
Is the Wowcher Mystery Holiday Legit?
Many people wonder is the wowcher mystery holiday legit before taking the plunge. The simple answer is yes, it’s a legitimate travel promotion.
The holiday is provided by reputable travel companies and is financially protected under ATOL licence, giving you peace of mind that your money is safe. According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, ATOL protection ensures you won’t lose money or be stranded abroad if your travel company collapses. Thousands of people have taken these mystery trips, and while experiences vary, most find the value worthwhile.
One important thing to remember is that wowcher mystery holiday destinations are drawn at random based on your selected dates. This means that while some lucky travelers end up in Dubai or New York, others might get a short city break to Budapest or Amsterdam. That’s part of the thrill that makes these deals so popular!
Wowcher Mystery Holiday Can You Pick Dates: The Details
While you can choose your preferred travel dates, there are some important details we’ve found through our research:
If you’re very restricted by specific travel dates and flight times, a mystery holiday might not be the best money-saving option. In those cases, you might want to look at other package holidays where you can choose every aspect.
Also, once your destination is revealed, if you decide you don’t want to go, you’ll likely forfeit your money. The mystery element means accepting whatever destination you’re given or paying extra to change it. We’ve seen on various review sites that this is where some customers feel let down, so it’s worth keeping in mind before booking.
What’s Included in the £99 Mystery Holiday Price?
For your £99 (or £129 during peak times), we found the package typically includes:
Return flights from major UK airports to your surprise destination Accommodation for at least 2-7 nights (duration depends on destination) ATOL protection for financial security The thrill of a surprise destination
What we noticed is NOT included when we looked at the terms and conditions:
Airport transfers to get you to and from your hotel Check-in luggage (only hand luggage allowance is included) Meals and drinks during your stay Activities and excursions at your destination Travel insurance (essential to arrange separately) Any visa costs that might be required
Popular Mystery Holiday Destinations
The mystery holiday destinations vary widely and are typically grouped into three tiers based on what we’ve seen from past deals:
Tier 1: European City Breaks
Popular options for city breaks include Budapest in Hungary with its stunning architecture and thermal baths, Amsterdam in Netherlands for its canals and museums, Rome in Italy for its ancient history, Prague in Czech Republic with its fairytale castle, Krakow in Poland known for its charming old town, Porto in Portugal famous for its port wine, and Madrid in Spain with its vibrant culture and food scene.
Tier 2: Beach Holidays
Sun-seekers might get sent to beach holidays destinations like Costa del Sol in Spain with its stunning Mediterranean coastline, the Algarve in Portugal for its golden beaches and dramatic cliffs, Malta with its crystal clear waters, Crete in Greece for its mix of beaches and history, Cyprus with its year-round sunshine, or Ibiza in Spain for its beautiful coves and lively atmosphere.
Tier 3: Long-Haul Adventures
The luckiest travelers might bag the most sought-after unknown destination like Dubai in the UAE with its incredible skyscrapers and luxury shopping, New York in the USA for the ultimate city experience, Las Vegas in the USA for gambling and entertainment, Barbados for Caribbean paradise, the Maldives for overwater bungalows and perfect beaches, Mexico for its ancient ruins and vibrant culture, Thailand for amazing food and beautiful islands, or Bali in Indonesia for spiritual retreats and surfing.
How to Get the Best Deal on Your Mystery Holiday
For those looking to improve their chances of getting a great mystery holiday deal, several strategies may prove effective:
Be flexible with travel dates – providing multiple date options can increase the range of destination possibilities. Consider avoiding peak travel times as more exotic destinations are typically available during off-peak periods. The £99 mystery holiday rate only applies when two people book together, making a travel companion essential for the best value. Keep watch for promotional codes as Wowcher occasionally offers additional discounts through their newsletter. Most importantly, budget for those inevitable extra costs like luggage, transfers, and meals.
According to Money Saving Expert, planning for these additional expenses in advance can save a significant amount once at the destination.
Extra Costs to Consider
When booking a wowcher £99 mystery holiday, travelers should prepare for several extra costs that commonly arise:
Luggage fees represent a significant additional expense – only hand luggage is typically included, so checked bags will pay extra. Airport transfers constitute another cost as transportation to and from the hotel isn’t included. The basic package includes the cheapest flight times, which often mean very early departures or late arrivals, and upgrading to better times costs more. Solo travelers should expect a single supplement fee. And finally, while accommodation is included, the hotels are typically basic 3-star options, and upgrades require additional payment.
The Money and Pensions Service recommends creating a holiday budget that accounts for all these potential extras to avoid any financial surprises.
How to Book Your Mystery Holiday
To book a wowcher mystery holiday:
Visit the Wowcher website and find the current mystery holiday deal (they change regularly). Choose between standard (£99pp) or peak season (£129pp) options depending on when you want to travel. Purchase two vouchers since the deal is based on people sharing a room. Wait for the voucher codes to arrive by email – they usually come through quickly. Redeem your vouchers online where you’ll select your preferred travel dates. Complete all your booking details and then await the destination reveal. Pay any additional fees if required for your specific trip. Then prepare for your mystery trip!
According to Which? Travel, booking through promotional deals can save significant money, but always ensure the financial protection is in place – which Wowcher’s ATOL protection provides.
Overall
The Wowcher £99 mystery holiday offers an opportunity to travel somewhere new at a competitive price. The 2025 update allowing customers to choose their preferred travel dates is a significant improvement to the system. The destination still remains a surprise until after booking, which is what creates the appeal of these mystery holiday offers.
For spontaneous travellers who appreciate uncertainty and want to save money, this approach provides a way to discover new places without excessive costs. Remember to factor in potential extra costs, maintain flexibility with expectations, and embrace the mystery element of the experience.
With appropriate planning and a favourable draw, travellers could secure an exceptional holiday for a fraction of the usual price – perhaps even a beach break in the Maldives or an exciting opportunity to see the northern lights in Iceland!
