The start of summer is now just a few weeks away and most of us are hoping for a lengthy period of sunshine. Unfortunately, British weather is about as unpredictable as the England football team so many people will instead jet off to nations where fun in the sun is almost guaranteed in the next couple of months.
Going on holiday can be expensive, but with the right amount of planning you can enjoy a fun and memorable break without having to stretch your budget to breaking point.
Here we look at some of the ways you can save money when booking a holiday.
Be flexible
This may not be easy as many employers only allow their staff to take time off at certain points in the year, but if you can be flexible on dates then you stand to save a tidy sum. Typically the school holiday months of July and August are the most expensive times to go away, but if you can wait until, say, October or November, then you will get a much more favourable deal. If you don’t have kids yourself then this may actually appeal more to you anyway.
You can often save by making your own arrangements as well. Package holidays via large travel agents are great because everything is done for you, but the savings offered by booking your own flights and accommodation really shouldn’t be sniffed at. It is not as scary as it sounds, honest!
Be savvy and get a credit check
Using credit to pay for a holiday can be a good move providing you’ve done your homework. Many credit card providers offer periods where no interest is charged and you can use these to spread the cost of your break without running up a huge debt.
Before applying for a new card you should always get a credit check which are available from companies such as Credit Expert. The best deals out there are provided on a subject to status basis and any discrepancies on your report can block your access to them. By looking at your report, you can highlight any issues and have them corrected before submitting an application.
Once you’ve returned from your holiday, you should ensure that repayments are made on time as any missing one will lower your rating and stay on your credit report for six years or more.
Book early or late
Booking early can save you a small fortune. Often travel agents will offer deals to entice you and they can be secured with just a small deposit.
Booking late can also be a very prudent move. For obvious reasons, it is riskier than booking early, but around six weeks before departure, most airlines will begin offer discounts on places which have not been sold.
Consider alternative transportation
Without a doubt, flying is the easiest way to get around. However, it is not always the cheapest. If you’re a student on a gap year, or you merely want to see the world in a different way, you should consider travelling by train or ferry.
Shopping around and being flexible on departure times can throw up some real bargains and you’ll also get the chance to see more of a country as you pass through it.
Be careful when paying
Rather than getting currency exchanged you can use a credit card to pay for items and nights out, but be careful about hidden charges.
Some credit card providers levy as much as three per cent on each transaction you make overseas. This can quickly take you towards your spending limit and if you go over it can also have a detrimental effect on your credit report.
Try to find credit cards which are specifically designed for travellers and do not add any charges or currency conversion fees.