Free Child Place Holiday 2026/2027: Compare Offer & Save
Anyone who’s priced a family holiday recently knows the sting of paying for a second room just for the kids. A free child place holiday sounds like the perfect fix — one child stays at no extra cost when two adults book — but the terms vary wildly between operators. This guide cuts through the small print to show you exactly what TUI, Love Holidays, Jet2, and others actually offer for 2026 and 2027, including the eligibility traps that catch most families.
Average saving per free child place: £200–£400 depending on destination and hotel · Number of major tour operators offering free child places in 2026: 5 (TUI, Jet2, Love Holidays, On the Beach, easyJet holidays) · Typical maximum child age for free place: Up to 11 years old (varies by operator) · Minimum number of full-paying adults required: 2
Quick snapshot
- One child stays accommodation-free when booked with two paying adults (TUI, the UK’s largest tour operator).
- Flights, transfers, and meals are extra unless stated. (TUI, the UK’s largest tour operator)
- Applies to selected hotels and room types only. (TUI, the UK’s largest tour operator)
- TUI – free child places available for 2026 and 2027 (TUI official site).
- Love Holidays – kids stay free on thousands of holidays (Love Holidays, online travel agent).
- Jet2 – Free Child Place Finder tool (Jet2holidays, UK package holiday specialist).
- On the Beach – free places for children up to 11 (On the Beach, UK beach holiday retailer).
- Minimum 2 full-paying adults (TUI terms).
- Child age limit usually 11 years (varies by hotel) (First Choice, TUI Group brand).
- Limited to specific room categories. (TUI terms)
- Use operator filters or dedicated pages (Jet2’s Free Child Place Finder).
- Book early to secure availability (First Choice advice).
- Check terms for deposits and cancellation. (Jet2’s Free Child Place Finder)
Five key facts about free child place holidays set the baseline for what families can expect.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Typical saving per child | £200 – £400 |
| Minimum adults required | 2 |
| Maximum child age (most operators) | 11 years |
| Common destinations | Spain, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Portugal |
| Advance booking recommended | Yes – free places often sell out months ahead |
What Does ‘Free Child Place Holidays’ Mean?
Typical terms and conditions
A free child place means one child shares the same room as two full-paying adults at no extra accommodation cost. TUI states that its offer applies to new bookings only and is subject to limited availability (TUI, UK’s largest tour operator, official terms). If you have more than one child, only one gets the free place — the youngest receives the benefit (TUI policy).
What is included and excluded?
- TUI says its free child place includes the flight, accommodation, food and drink, and transfers to and from the airport (TUI inclusions).
- EasyJet holidays includes flight tickets, transfers, luggage, and hotel costs; all-inclusive bookings also include meals and drinks (easyJet holidays, low-cost carrier’s tour operator division).
- Holiday Hypermarket confirms the free child gets the same return flights, hotel accommodation, luggage allowance, and airport transfers as the rest of the family (Holiday Hypermarket, UK travel agency part of On the Beach Group).
Difference between ‘free child place’ and ‘kids stay free’
The terms are used interchangeably by most operators. Both mean one child stays at no cost for the accommodation portion. The catch is that flights and meals may still be charged separately unless the offer explicitly states otherwise. Love Holidays states on its landing page: “our kids-stay-free offers mean for every 2 paying adults, 1 child gets a free hotel stay in the same room” (Love Holidays, online travel agent).
A family booking a free child place may still need to pay for the child’s flights, meals, and transfers unless the operator bundles them — always check the full price before assuming zero cost.
Which Tour Operators Offer Free Child Place Holidays in 2026 and 2027?
TUI free child places
- TUI offers free child places for selected hotels and room types, available for new bookings in 2026 and 2027 (TUI official page).
- The offer requires at least two full-paying adults and one child on the same booking (TUI terms).
- TUI says its free kids’ places apply to older children as well as little ones, with no specific maximum age published, but hotel-level restrictions apply (TUI statement).
Love Holidays kids stay free
- Love Holidays offers a free child place for every two full-paying adults, with low deposit options (Love Holidays, online travel agent).
- The offer is automatically applied when eligibility criteria are met at booking.
Jet2 free child place finder
- Jet2holidays says one child can holiday for no extra cost, including flights, return hotel transfers, and stay (Jet2holidays, UK package holiday operator).
- The dedicated Free Child Place Finder tool lets you filter by destination. Weather2Travel reports the child must be aged 17 or younger at time of travel (Weather2Travel, travel information site).
On the Beach kids stay free
- On the Beach offers free child places for children up to 11 on many Spain holidays (On the Beach, UK beach holiday retailer).
- The offer is typically seasonal, with peak summer dates filling up quickly.
Other operators (easyJet, First Choice)
- EasyJet holidays includes flight tickets, transfers, luggage, and hotel in its free child offers (easyJet holidays).
- First Choice says free child places are valid on selected holidays, with a child usually needing to be under 12, though some packages accept children up to 15 (First Choice, TUI Group brand).
The pattern: five major operators compete on free child places, but the age ceiling and what’s bundled vary significantly — TUI and Jet2 include more, while others may limit inclusions.
Families who book with the wrong operator for their child’s age could end up paying for a supposedly free place. Jet2’s 17-year age cap is the most generous, but it applies only to selected hotels.
How Can I Book Free Child Place Holidays from the UK?
Step-by-step booking process on TUI
- Go to TUI’s free child places page and search using the free child place filter (TUI filter).
- Select at least two adults and one child as passengers.
- Choose a hotel showing the free child place badge.
- Complete the booking — the discount is deducted automatically.
Step-by-step booking process on Love Holidays
- Search a destination and select two adults and one child (Love Holidays).
- The free child place is applied automatically to eligible hotels.
- Low deposit options are available at checkout.
Using comparison websites to find free child places
- Holiday Hypermarket lists free child place holidays with age filters (Holiday Hypermarket).
- Weather2Travel provides an overview of Jet2’s offers but directs users to operator sites for actual booking (Weather2Travel).
Tips for securing availability
- Book early — free child places are limited and sell out, especially for summer school holidays (First Choice advice).
- Be flexible with destinations: Spain offers the widest selection, but Greece and Turkey also feature prominently.
- Check the total price including flights and meals — some operators list the free place but add charges for the child’s flight.
For UK families, the booking method is straightforward once you know the filter exists. The real work is comparing the full package price across operators, because the “free” child place may hide costs elsewhere.
The trade-off: convenience of a single booking versus the hidden search cost of comparing five different operator policies.
What Are the Age and Eligibility Requirements for Free Child Places?
Age limits per operator
- Most operators set the maximum age between 11 and 15, depending on the hotel (First Choice).
- Jet2holidays accepts children up to 17 years old (Weather2Travel reporting on Jet2).
- Holiday Hypermarket says the age limit can go as high as 16, but many all-inclusive properties cap at 12 (Holiday Hypermarket).
Minimum number of adults
- At least two full-paying adults are required across all operators (TUI terms).
- Single-parent families may need to pay a supplement or book a specific operator that allows one adult plus one child.
Room type restrictions
- Free child place only applies to specific room categories such as family rooms or apartments.
- TUI says the offer applies to selected hotels, apartments, and villas (TUI accommodation types).
Single-parent and solo traveller options
- Most operators require two full-paying adults, meaning single parents may not qualify.
- Some operators may offer one free child place with one paying adult on specific promotions, but this is rare.
The catch: the highest age limits come with the strictest room and hotel restrictions. Jet2’s 17-year allowance sounds generous, but it applies only to a subset of properties.
Are Free Child Place Holidays Available in Europe?
Popular European destinations with free child places
- Spain is the most common destination for free child place offers, with major resorts in the Balearics and Canaries.
- Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus also frequently appear in offers across TUI, Jet2, and Love Holidays.
- Portugal’s Algarve is another regular inclusion.
Spain, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Portugal
- European offers often include all-inclusive or self-catering options.
- First Choice says free child place deals are often seasonal, with summer and school holidays particularly popular (First Choice seasonal note).
Long-haul destinations (rarely included)
- Long-haul destinations like the USA or Caribbean rarely offer free child places due to flight costs.
- No major UK operator currently advertises free child places for long-haul routes in 2026 or 2027.
The pattern: European short-haul dominates free child place offers — families wanting a free place for a child aged 12+ should focus on Jet2 or First Choice’s upper-range hotels.
Comparison: Free Child Place Offers Side by Side
Six operator policies side by side, one pattern: the advertised “free” child place varies in what it actually covers.
| Operator | Max child age | Includes flights? | Includes meals? | Min adults |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUI | Hotel-dependent (up to 15) | Yes | Yes (on selected board basis) | 2 |
| Love Holidays | Hotel-dependent | No (accommodation only) | No (unless all-inclusive) | 2 |
| Jet2holidays | 17 | Yes | No (unless all-inclusive) | 2 |
| On the Beach | 11 | No (accommodation only) | No | 2 |
| easyJet holidays | Hotel-dependent | Yes | Yes (all-inclusive bookings) | 2 |
| First Choice | 12 (up to 15 on select hotels) | Yes | Yes (on selected board basis) | 2 |
What this reveals: the “free” label hides significant variation in coverage, making it essential to read the fine print.
Timeline: Free Child Place Holiday Offers for 2026/2027
- : TUI and Love Holidays release free child place offers for summer 2026 (TUI release pattern).
- : Jet2 launches Free Child Place Finder for 2026 travel (Jet2holidays).
- : On the Beach announces kids stay free deals for peak summer (On the Beach).
- : Operators begin releasing free child place offers for summer 2027.
The timeline suggests that booking early in the release window gives families the best chance to secure free places before they sell out.
Clarity: What’s Confirmed and What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- TUI offers free child places for 2026 and 2027 on select hotels (TUI).
- Love Holidays provides a free child place for every two full-paying adults (Love Holidays).
- Jet2’s Free Child Place Finder includes flights, transfers, and hotel (Jet2holidays).
What’s unclear
- Exact age limits vary by hotel and operator; always check individual booking.
- Whether free child place applies to all-inclusive board basis varies by operator and hotel.
- Blackout dates and peak season exclusions are not always clearly published.
The overall picture: confirmed offers are robust, but the unclear aspects require families to verify age limits and inclusions at the point of booking.
What Families Say: Quotes from Operators
“Free child places are on offer for certain hotels and room types, and are dependent on availability.”
— TUI FAQ page (TUI, UK’s largest tour operator)
“Our kids-stay-free offers mean for every 2 paying adults, 1 child gets a free hotel stay in the same room.”
— Love Holidays landing page (Love Holidays, online travel agent)
“One child can holiday for no extra cost – they can fly, pack their favourite toys, enjoy return hotel transfers, stay and play for free!”
— Jet2holidays website (Jet2holidays, UK package holiday specialist)
For UK families planning a 2026 or 2027 holiday, the decision is clear: book with TUI or Jet2 if you want flights included, use Love Holidays or On the Beach for accommodation-only deals, and always verify the child’s age against each operator’s hotel-level restrictions before committing to a deposit. Otherwise, the free child place you thought you secured could cost more than a standard booking.
Related reading: **Best Places to Travel with Kids: Top Family Destinations 2026**
holidayhypermarket.co.uk, freechildplace.co.uk, weather2travel.com, easyjet.com
Frequently asked questions
Do free child places apply to flights?
It depends on the operator. TUI and Jet2 include flights in their free child place offers, while Love Holidays and On the Beach typically offer accommodation only. Always check the full price breakdown before booking.
Can I combine a free child place with other discounts?
Most operators prevent combining free child places with other promotions, such as loyalty discounts or special sales. Read the terms on the booking page to confirm.
Is there a minimum booking value for free child place holidays?
No operator publishes a minimum spend, but the free place is tied to specific room categories that are typically the more expensive family rooms or suites, so the effective minimum spend is the cost of those rooms.
Can I change the child’s name after booking?
Name changes are subject to the operator’s standard amendment policy. TUI and Jet2 allow name changes for a fee, but the free child place may be lost if the change affects eligibility.
Are free child places available for single parents?
Standard offers require two full-paying adults. Single-parent families may find limited options; some operators may offer one free child with one adult on specific promotions, but this is not guaranteed.
What happens if I have two children?
Only one child receives the free place per booking. TUI states the youngest child gets the benefit. The second child must be paid for at the standard rate.
Do free child places include meals and transfers?
Yes for TUI and Jet2 (on selected board basis). No for Love Holidays and On the Beach unless the offer explicitly states all-inclusive. Always check the inclusions.
Can I get a free child place on a last-minute booking?
It is possible but unlikely. Free child places are limited and tend to sell out months in advance, especially for summer school holidays. Booking early is strongly recommended.
More related posts
How Many Tablespoons in a Cup? US, UK & Dry vs Liquid
Panda Waste Price List 2025: Dublin Costs & Comparisons
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment: Symptoms, Red Flags, Surgery
Eye Test Near Me: Ireland Free Tests & Costs
Ring of Kerry Images: Best Photo Stops & Driving Tips
NYX Hotel Dublin Portobello – Reviews, Parking, Brunch
What Is the Capital of France? Facts, History & Food
Marks and Spencer Douglas: Hours, Location, Reviews & More
