Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 08:30 - 19:00 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
28 April 2015 08:43
Some passengers waste cash before getting on a plane, experts suggest
Sun-seeking Britons are throwing away hundreds of pounds before they have even boarded a plane, research reveals.
Foreign exchange expert FAIRFX has found that holidaymakers can unnecessarily part with £773 by making a number of silly mistakes, from overshooting baggage allowances, to last-minute currency dashes.
The cost of trips abroad can consequently spiral out of control, leaving travellers with less spending money.
'Wasteful Britons'
Travellers have been known to invalidate insurance policies by omitting a medical condition or a previous claim on their application, in the hope of saving a bit of cash to spend once they reach their destination.
But doing so means they are effectively wasting money, as the policy becomes invalid and therefore worthless. It can actually work out more expensive than not paying for insurance at all in the first place.
The fact that travel insurance is needed to cover against any potential mishaps makes this mistake even more costly.
Expensive errors
Checking in a bag that exceeds the baggage allowance is another expensive error that travellers make, as they have to pay extra, plus sloppy form-filling when booking a trip, such as spelling a name incorrectly, can also result in an unnecessary bill.
Then there is the 'cash dash'.
Ignoring the need for holiday cash until the last minute can be a massive blow to spending money, as exchange rates at airports can be worse.
Booking a getaway that coincides with a major event also leaves holidaymakers out of pocket.
'Rush to the crush', as FAIRFX calls it, can seriously ramp up the cost of flights and accommodation.
For instance, a bad time to visit Cannes is when the Cannes Film Festival is on.
The annual event sees thousands of people descend on the south of France for the best part of two weeks, making everything that bit more expensive.
04 November 2019
Head to the Southern Hemisphere for sun, sea and spectacles of the wild kind.
[more...]
As the nights draw in, we're turning our thoughts to the warmer climes of the Southern Hemisphere and treks in Patagonia that will put a spring in your step...
Escape the UK's shorter autumn days and head to the Southern Hemisphere for sun and sporting fun.
21 October 2019
Struggling for holiday inspiration? Let us inspire you with our list of book-themed breaks.
Check out our top recommendations to make the most of your time in Frankfurt, on the River Maine.
30 October 2019
What quirky customs await you on your travels this Halloween?
Look past the petrifying and discover a side to the Romanian region you never knew...
14 October 2019
Bucharest is the jewel of the Balkans crown - explore the city to find a host of hidden gems.
At the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe lies a country with a story to tell. Check out these must-see sites in Croatia to learn more.
07 October 2019
With Halloween on the horizon we look for destinations across the globe with a decidedly mysterious appeal...
What should you eat in Croatia? Good question. Unrumble that tummy with our rundown of our favourite Croat cuisine.
Where's the best beach in Croatia? We answer that question and more as we look at the Adriatic beaches you won't want to miss out on...