Guide

Questions to Ask Before You Confirm Your Umrah Quote

A checklist for UK pilgrims · Updated for 2026

Once you've submitted an enquiry, one or more agencies will usually get in touch within 24 hours with a quote tailored to what you asked for. Before you say yes to any of them, it's worth running through a short checklist — not because agencies in our network aren't trustworthy, but because a good agency will happily answer every one of these questions, and that's exactly how you tell the difference.

1. Is the agency ATOL protected, and can they give you the number?

Any UK agency selling a flight-inclusive package should be able to give you an ATOL number on request. Ask for it, then check it independently rather than just taking their word for it — see our guide to ATOL protection for exactly how. If an agency is vague or reluctant about this, treat it as a red flag.

2. What exactly is included in this price?

"Package" can mean very different things between agencies. Ask them to confirm, in writing, whether the quote includes: return flights, visa processing, airport transfers, the specific number of nights in Makkah and Madinah, and any Ziyarat tours. Two quotes that look similar on price can represent very different value once you see what's actually bundled in.

3. Which exact hotels will I be staying in?

A quote based on a "3-star" or "5-star" tier isn't the same as a confirmed hotel name. Ask for the specific Makkah and Madinah hotels, and if they're not yet confirmed, ask when they will be and what happens if availability changes closer to your dates.

4. What's the cancellation and refund policy?

Ask what you lose if your plans change — a family emergency, a delayed visa, a medical issue. Get the cancellation timeline and any non-refundable portions confirmed in writing before you pay anything, not after.

5. How and when do I actually pay?

Payment should always go directly to the agency, never to UmrahCompare — we're a comparison and referral service and don't process any payments ourselves. Ask whether they expect a deposit now and the balance later, and get a receipt for anything you pay.

6. What happens if something changes on their end?

Flight schedules shift and hotel allocations occasionally change, even with reputable agencies. Ask what they do if your booked hotel becomes unavailable — do you get an equivalent or better alternative, and who decides what "equivalent" means?

A good agency answers all of this without hesitation. If you're getting vague answers or pressure to decide immediately, that's worth paying attention to.

If more than one agency gets in touch

It's common to hear back from a couple of matched agencies rather than just one. Use this same checklist for each quote — it makes comparing them properly straightforward, rather than just comparing the headline price.

Still working out what you want?

Compare real packages from UK agencies, or design your own from scratch — free, no obligation, and every agency in our network is ATOL protected.

Compare Packages Build Your Package

FAQs

Yes, if you can. Comparing two or three quotes for the same dates and rough hotel tier is the fastest way to tell whether a price is genuinely good value or missing something the others include.

Yes, a deposit to secure your dates before full confirmation is standard practice. What matters is that the agency is ATOL protected and gives you a clear written breakdown of what the deposit covers and what happens if you need to cancel.

No. UmrahCompare is a comparison and referral service — we never take payments. Any deposit or payment goes directly to the ATOL-protected agency you choose to book with.