Summer may be a while off, but many of us are probably already desperate for a holiday. Whether you’re looking for a city-break, a fun-filled family escape, or just a relaxing beach holiday where you can forget all your troubles, here are some tips to help you save money booking summer holidays.
While last-minute bargains are a good option for many, you’re more likely to get the exact holiday you want for a good price, if you book earlier. Have a destination in mind. You’ll have the advantage of greater choice, which means you won’t have to accept the first price you see.
It also means you can take advantage of early booking deals. For example, several of the larger holiday companies currently have ‘kids go free’ deals to encourage early bookings.
Booking early also means you can get your other bookings sorted, like your airport parking, car hire or any day trips, early on. t allows you to plan and find good deals for every aspect of your holiday. You may also take advantage of early bird discounts, saving even more money. The website MoneySavingExpert says that booking car hire early can make a big difference to price. Booking ahead can mean you pay £5 a day or less, compared to £27 a day just before, and more when there.
If you’re not set on a particular holiday hot-spot and you just want sun and sea, then it could be worth going to a destination that’s fallen from popularity. Don’t be a sheep!
For example, the comparison site TravelSuperMarket says that demand has fallen for holidays in Barcelona, with searches down 62% compared to the year before. Nearby Costa Brava and Costa Dorada have also seen a fall in bookings and there are week-long summer packages there for as little as £108 each.
And by being flexible on where you go, you can really find a great deal.
If you’re booking a package deal then checking different dates, flight times and even departure airports can make a huge difference to the price.
But if you’re booking the flights yourself then a little extra work can make an even bigger difference. Here are a few quick tips on finding cheap flights:
Speaking of getting a good value flight, don’t let your browsing cost you money. Many of us visit and revisit the same flight details as we try to work out which one is cheapest or most convenient.
If an airline can record your searches then there’s a risk they will increase the price when you finally come to pay because they know you really, really want that flight. Either turn on private browsing or delete your cookies before you book.
If you’re booking your break yourself rather than a package then, just as with flights, you can save a lot by doing a little extra work.
Once you’ve chosen a hotel or destination, it’s worth looking at the room via comparison sites such as Trivago, TripAdvisor and TravelSuperMarket, to see if you can find a lower cost.
Far too many of us don’t buy travel insurance until the holiday is nearly here, but that means you’re not getting the full value. By taking out a policy as soon as you’ve booked your break, you immediately protect your plans.
That way, if something happens before you leave that disrupts them then you are covered.
If you are a regular traveller, consider the better value option of an annual policy rather than single trip cover.
Cashback websites like Quidco and TopCashback earn money if you book via their websites and they pay a portion of that money straight back to you. By booking your travel through one of these sites you can easily earn tens of pounds back on your payment.
There’s no charge for doing so and so there’s no reason not to.
There’s pressure on people to blow a small fortune on a ‘holiday of a lifetime’, especially if children are involved. But new research from Admiral Loans has shown that more than half of us feel pressured into taking a holiday, by society and family. What’s more, 15% spend more than a year paying off their ‘dream holiday’.