Family on holiday (Image: Millions of Brits are planning their summer escapes )
With the summer holiday season upon us, millions of Britons are plotting their escape from the daily grind. Yet, with prices on the rise from check-in to check-out, everyone is feeling the pinch. In April, the Office for National Statistics showed airfare prices rising a staggering 27.5% month-on-month, up from just 6.5% month-on-month a year ago – the second-highest monthly rise for an April since records began.
They’ve dropped back a bit since, thankfully, but that doesn’t help those who booked a getaway in the spring. To make some money back, here are a few quick and easy wins for those gearing up for trips abroad. Firstly, currency. Never change your money at the airport. It’s almost always the worst rate you’ll get. Instead, shop around online before you travel, or use a fee-free travel card that gives you the real exchange rate.
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Many digital banks like Monzo or Starling let you spend abroad with little or no extra fees. If you are paying by card, always choose to pay in the local currency rather than pounds.
I recently spoke to TSB’s everyday banking expert, Surina Somal, who said: “If you pay in sterling, you could be charged higher exchange rates.” If you end up with any leftover foreign currency, again shop around for the best currency buy-back schemes.
Online sites typically offer better rates than those of banks or the post office; however, it’s important to factor in postage costs, as this could eat into some of the savings.
Don’t overlook travel insurance. Buy it as soon as you book your trip, not the day before you fly, so you’re covered if anything goes wrong before you even leave the country.
You can use an online comparison tool to find the cheapest insurance, search on Google – the Money Saving Expert website has a good one.
Be sure to check the conditions of your policy too, as you may find some providers won’t cover you in certain circumstances, such as when drinking alcohol or partaking in extreme sports.
If you can snag a cheap airport lounge pass, it may cost less than buying a meal, drinks, and snacks at the terminal.
These are often priced from £20 and provide access to free food, drinks and WiFi. Look for deals on sites such as Lounge Pass or Holiday Extras, and check for discount codes and offers.
No1 Lounges and Stansted Airport offer 10% and 15% off when you sign up for their newsletters, respectively.
Also, some credit cards or bank accounts include free lounge access, such as Barclays and NatWest Premium, so make sure to check this too. A little effort goes a long way, so plan ahead, use the right cards, and watch out for hidden costs.
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DEAL OF THE WEEK
Zopa, the UK-based digital bank, launched its first current account this week, aiming to shake up the banking market with a mix of cashback and competitive interest rates.
The account, Biscuit, pays 2% annual interest on all balances and offers 2% cashback on household bills paid by direct debit, capped at £1,500 of direct debits per year.
According to its calculations, this would allow customers to earn up to £256 p.a. in combined rewards. Biscuit also gives access to a regular saver paying a competitive 7.1% interest on deposits up to £300 per month.
The account can be opened in minutes via the Zopa app, and offers instant virtual cards and access to link external accounts for easier money management.
Zopa holds a full UK banking license, meaning deposits up to £85,000 are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
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More than seven million households need to submit an energy meter reading by the end of the month to fully benefit from lower energy rates starting July 1.
If you’re on a standard variable tariff, this applies to you. When the energy price cap changes in July, average usage is expected to be £63 – down from £113 in June.
However, without a smart meter or timely meter reading, some of your usage may still be charged at the higher June rates. To save even more cash, consider switching to a fixed rate tariff.
The comparison site Uswitch highlights Outfox the Market as the cheapest deal at the time of writing, offering average savings of around £145 a year compared to the July price cap.
