The Money Saving Expert founder has shared his advice with Britons following the recent chaos of passport delays and ahead of a busy summer holiday season.
The money-saving guru has warned “it has never been more important for your pocket to be prepared” before traveling abroad given the current cost of living crisis.
Writing in the latest MoneySavingExpert newsletter, Mr Lewis said: ‘The cost of living crisis may now be firmly in play, but millions of people had already booked summer holidays earlier in the year. ‘year.
“Around 60% of the 60,000+ who responded to my Twitter poll last week said they were planning to leave UK shores and holiday abroad this year (or have already done so).
“So with the first big post-lockdown holiday season fast approaching, it’s never been more important for your pocket to prepare.”
What happens if you miss your flight due to delays?
Martin Lewis’s best travel tips this summer?
Mr Lewis has released 10 key tips for those going on vacation this summer to help them save on costs.
1. Check the expiration date of your passport
The UK’s departure from the European Union means more countries now require UK passports to have months remaining to be allowed entry.
According to the rules of the Schengen area, passports must be less than 10 years old on the day of your entry and be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.
If you need to renew your passport, you should do so as soon as possible as processing times are currently long, with the Home Office warning that passport renewals could take up to ten weeks.
2. Check hotel prices
Travelers should keep an eye on hotel prices to try and get better value.
If your hotel price has dropped and you get free cancellation with your reservation, you can simply rebook for less.
If you have to pay for the cancellation, calculate if you would still save money if you factored in the cancellation fee against the new price.
3. Check EU roaming charges
Vodafone, EE and Sky have all reintroduced roaming charges for customers who are abroad in the EU, with each company now charging £2 a day for using your UK allowance.
Three and Voxi are set to bring roaming charges back from May 23, with both also charging £2.
However, you may be able to save costs by purchasing a package, depending on how long you’ll be away.
4. Check that you have a valid GHIC or EHIC card
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is replaced by the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). These cards give you access to public hospitals or general practitioners in EU countries for the same price as a local.
If you have an existing EHIC, it will remain valid until the expiration date expires. After that, you will need to apply for a GHIC card.
Non-UK nationals living in the UK before 1 January 2021 can still apply for an EHIC.
5. Find the cheapest currency
Always compare prices online to ensure you get the best exchange rate, for example using MoneySupermarket.
Mr Lewis warned you might find it cheaper to use a specialist travel card abroad rather than exchanging money before you go.
He said: “The best choice today is, exceptionally, a debit card.
“Chase Bank, a new free-only app, has this near-perfect exchange rate, lets you withdraw £700/month from ATMs with no fees, and as it pays 1% cashback on most UK spending and overseas, it’s unbeatable.”
6. Check if you need a Covid test
You no longer need to test when you return to the UK, but you should always check what rules apply at your holiday destination.
Many countries, including the United States, New Zealand and Japan, still require travelers to take a Covid test to enter.
You can check the latest overseas travel advice for your destination on the Gov.uk website.
7. Check if you have to pay for a seat
Mr Lewis has warned that a family of four could pay up to £240 extra to ensure they sit together on return flights, but some airlines, including easyJet and Norwegian, will allow you to sit together for free, provided you wait until you check in.
Ryanair always places groups separately and on a ‘random’ basis, unless you pay for the seats.
8. Check car rental prices
According to MoneySavingExpert, booking car rental prices as early as possible is normally the best way to get the cheapest prices.
He said: “We can find car hire in August for around £35/day in various Spanish destinations.
“Our guess from previous models would be that if you leave it much closer to daytime it could go up to £80.”
9. Be aware of car insurance sales
Most car hire companies include basic insurance when you hire a vehicle from them, but some may try to sell you ‘excess’ cover when you collect the car, which costs up to £25 per day.
Instead, self-driving car rental ‘excess’ insurance can cost just £2 a day if you book online for a separate company.
10. Check airport parking rates
By comparing airport parking prices and booking as far in advance as possible, you’ll avoid having to pay expensive same-day fees.
Mr Lewis said: “Show up at Manchester Airport long term car park and it’s £350/week, but pre-booked on the day, parking and driving is just £58/week.
Each airport website has information about its parking fees.
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-05-06 23:00:00