SAVE MONEY ON YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY!

Getaways are firmly back on the map, but it’s easier than ever to pay over the odds when you book. Here’s how to avoid costly errors

Finally we can book trips again, and considering 35 per cent of the British public said holidays were the thing they missed most during the pandemic, that’s great news. But with a rise in plane and hotel fares and the lingering confusion around Covid, holidays could be significantly pricier than the last time you jetted off. With many of us feeling a little rusty about travelling, it’s easy to pay over the odds, so we asked the experts to help us keep our 2022 holidays hassle-free and wallet-friendly…

GET COVID-PROOF INSURANCE

With many insurance companies refusing to pay out for cancellations or issues arising due to Covid, many people have found themselves out of pocket, paying for policies that don’t cough up – but that doesn’t mean you should travel without it. “Always take out insurance when booking a trip,” says consumer expert Helen Dewdney, from

The Complaining Cow (Thecomplainingcow.co.uk). “The very minimum it should cover is Covid cancellation, medical fees and repatriation [bringing you home].” Likely to forget about travel insurance? Buy it annually. “If your family travels a few times a year, annual family insurance makes things much cheaper than single-trip policies,” says Cat Jordan of travel deals provider, TravelZoo. You could receive free healthcare in some places with a UK Global Health Insurance Card [UK GHIC] which replaces the old European Health Insurance Card [EHIC]. “Check you’ve applied for one via the NHS website once your GHIC expires,” says Cat. “It takes just a few minutes and arrives within a few weeks, and lasts several years.”

PLAN TESTING

Rules around testing are constantly changing so it’s easy to get caught out, says Helen. “Check the FCDO [Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office] website regularly for entry requirements to the country you’re visiting and be sure to research airline rules, too. Incorrect information can be costly – for example, some countries won’t accept self-administered

PCR tests or lateral flows.” Interestingly, research from MoneySavingExpert.com found tests are often cheapest via airlines and tour operators, since they’re able to negotiate big discounts with providers. Watch out, though, warns Cat. “Many of the rules around testing apply to the time you enter a country, not when you leave the UK. So if you fly to the UAE on an overnight flight for example, the 48-hour testing window means you need to test much closer to the time of departure than you might think.” Also check the airline’s current policy on masks, as some only accept travellers wearing a medical-grade FFP2 mask. You can buy five for £9.99 at Boots or get them much cheaper in bulk from Ukmeds.co.uk, and always check for a discount code before paying.

TRAVEL ON CHEAP DAYS AND CONSIDER DRIVING

“Flights are often cheaper on a Tuesday and Wednesday,” says Cat. “And cities that see a lot of business traffic, like Washington or Milan, often have much better rates at weekends – staying on a Sunday can bring the price right down. Driving to Europe can be cheaper than flying – so sign up for sale alerts from Eurostar, DFDS Ferries and Brittany Ferries. Don’t rule out the European train network either – it’s cheap, efficient and sustainable.”

If driving, ensure you’ve got paperwork, such as your driving licence and car insurance. You might also need your vehicle log book (V5C), an international driving permit (IDP) or a UK sticker for your car – check Gov. uk for details. “If hiring a car, explore comparison websites, search for discount codes or use cashback sites to make savings,” Helen adds. “Pay by credit card for extra protection and always take a video of hire cars when you return them to record the condition accurately.”

SHOP AROUND

Looking for a last-minute deal? “Do your research, looking at both the hotel and travel agent’s websites”, says Cat. “Then try calling the hotel to see if they can better an online price.” Remember there are fees for tapping your debit card when you’re away – research from banking app Ziglu shows nearly one in five people don’t know that using their bank card abroad involves extra charges.

Online banks Starling and Monzo don’t charge you, or you can use a pre-paid travel card like Revolut, which charges no fees on foreign spending and offers free cash withdrawals of up to £200 per month.

Prefer to change your money before you go? More than six million Brits don’t shop around for the best currency deals

– use MoneySavingExpert’s comparison tool to help convert your cash ahead of time to get the best rates.

AVOID EXPENSIVE ROAMING CHARGES

As a result of Brexit, European roaming charges are coming back for mobile phone networks, including Vodafone, EE and Three, which could mean using your phone abroad is much pricier. “Check whether your provider charges and from when,” says Helen. “If in doubt, turn ‘roaming’ off when overseas – most smartphones will try to connect to any signal, so you could be paying without even realising. Instead, use free wi-fi where available (such as hotels, bars and cafés) and if you need to phone someone, use Skype or FaceTime, which are free over wi-fi.” It pays to think ahead, she adds. “If you plan on listening to music or audio books when away, download everything before you go on your own network.”

CHECK YOUR PAPERWORK

Haven’t travelled lately? Finally, ensure everything is up to date, especially your passport. Now we’ve left the EU, you’ll need to have at least three months left on it to visit Europe. If you’re renewing it months early, remember rule changes mean you now lose any remaining months (previously time remaining was added to your new passport). Happy holidays!