Can you pay for a hotel with vacation vouchers?

In some cases, budget constraints can be a hurdle to affording a vacation. Fortunately, there is a way to stay in a superb hotel on the Île de Ré without breaking the bank: using vacation vouchers. Issued by the National Agency for Vacation Vouchers (ANVC) since 1982, these vouchers allow beneficiaries to pay for part of their stay in the country and within the European Union. How can you pay for a hotel with vacation vouchers? How do you obtain them? Where can you use them?

Vacation Vouchers: how to get them?

All companies, regardless of size, can offer vacation vouchers to their employees, though it is not mandatory. They are particularly useful for low-income families because they provide an effective way to minimize the cost of their holidays. Valid for two years, including the year of issue (thus those issued in 2022 are valid until December 31, 2024), they are available in denominations of 10, 20, 25, and 50 euros. However, some companies offer digital vouchers that are only usable on partner sites for reservations over 20 euros. Currently, more than 10 million people (employees, civil servants, and families) benefit from vacation vouchers.

Where can vacation vouchers be used?

Vacation vouchers can be used to pay for holidays and leisure activities at over 200,000 acceptance points across the country. These include hotels, holiday camps, cottages, as well as carriers, monuments, museums, restaurants, and amusement parks. The list of acceptance points that take vacation vouchers can be found on the ANCV website. Vacation vouchers are also accepted in European Union countries, provided they are used by a professional in France. Besides service offerings, vacation vouchers also provide at least 20% discounts and extras like free lunches.

What should you do when a vacation voucher is about to expire?

When a vacation voucher is about to expire, it can be replaced with a new one, valid for 2 years. For vouchers that expired on December 31, 2022, you can exchange them by visiting the ANCV website before March 31, 2023. You will then need to send the expired vouchers to the agency with a return receipt requested. The new vouchers are usually sent within a month.