Cancellation service n°1 in Spain
Opodo is a well-established online travel agency that has been operating in the UK market since 2001. As part of the eDreams ODIGEO group, one of Europe's largest online travel companies, Opodo provides customers with access to flights, hotels, car hire, and holiday packages from numerous airlines and accommodation providers worldwide. The platform aggregates travel options from various suppliers, allowing consumers to compare prices and book their travel arrangements in one place.
The company operates primarily as a digital intermediary between travellers and service providers such as airlines and hotels. This means that when you book through Opodo, you are often entering into contracts with multiple parties - both Opodo itself and the underlying travel suppliers. This arrangement can sometimes create complexity when it comes to cancellations, refunds, and customer service, as responsibilities may be shared between different organisations.
Opodo's business model includes both standard bookings and a membership programme called Prime. Understanding the distinction between these services is crucial for consumers, as they carry different terms, conditions, and cancellation procedures. The company is registered in Spain, with its head office located in Madrid, which means that while it serves UK customers, it operates under both Spanish company law and relevant EU consumer protection regulations that continue to apply through transitional arrangements.
For UK consumers, this international structure has important implications. When you need to cancel services or memberships, you may be dealing with a company based outside the UK, which can affect response times, communication methods, and the applicable legal framework. Therefore, understanding your rights and the most effective cancellation methods becomes particularly important when dealing with Opodo.
Opodo Prime is a subscription-based membership programme designed for frequent travellers. The service promises members access to exclusive discounts on flights, hotels, and other travel services. When you sign up for Opodo Prime, you pay an annual membership fee in exchange for these benefits, which the company markets as potentially saving members significant amounts on their travel bookings throughout the year.
The membership typically includes benefits such as discounted flight prices, reduced hotel rates, priority customer service, and flexibility with certain booking changes. However, consumers should be aware that the actual savings depend entirely on how frequently you travel and whether the discounted rates genuinely represent better value than alternatives available through other channels or directly from suppliers.
| Membership Type | Annual Fee | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Opodo Prime | Approximately £49-59 per year | Flight discounts, hotel savings, priority support |
| Standard booking | No membership fee | Standard prices, regular customer service |
It is important to note that Opodo Prime operates on an auto-renewal basis. This means that unless you actively cancel your membership before the renewal date, your payment method will be automatically charged for another year of membership. Many consumers find themselves unexpectedly charged because they forgot about this automatic renewal or were not fully aware of the terms when they initially signed up.
Understanding the common reasons people cancel their Opodo services helps contextualise the importance of knowing your cancellation rights. Many customers initially sign up for Opodo Prime during a booking process, sometimes without fully realising they are committing to an annual subscription rather than a one-time discount. As a result, they discover the membership fee on their statement and wish to cancel immediately.
Other consumers find that the promised savings do not materialise in practice. After comparing prices across multiple platforms, they often discover that the \