CAN YOU AFFORD A HOLIDAY?
Sometimes you need to get away on holiday whether you can afford it or not! Some of us can afford to splash out, but the majority are cash-strapped and may feel it is a waste of money. Here are some tips to help you get a holiday without too much money being wasted. The recession may have caused us to tighten our belts, but it has caused fierce competition in the travel industry and therefore there are some good value-for-money deals being offered.
Obviously you need to plan ahead and hopefully you will have some money saved, but don’t forget all the extras you may need after you have put your deposit down. Booking a car space at the airport in advance may save you hassle and money and there are several good companies (like www.airportparkingcompared.com) that can save you money by pre-booking your airport hotel and Gatwick parking all at the same time.
By booking off season (i.e. not during Easter, Christmas and the summer holidays) you can make significant savings. Everyone who has children know that holidays are more expensive at these times, but if you are able to be more flexible and are able to book online, you may find good deals around, especially as airline and hotels have found that they can cut their own labour costs by going online. Some airlines have a programme called “Frequent Flier” where families can accumulate air miles or get upgrades.
If you book direct with a hotel, you may be able to negotiate a good price as cancellations do occur and you can probably get a good deal with complimentary meals, use of gym or even use of a spare bed to save charges for an extra room. Alternatively, by searching online and comparing different airlines you will see many have cut their prices and you could get special deals on rooms or package holidays.
By checking up on exchange rates online as well as with your local banks, you can save money before you travel. If you take out a large amount, perhaps your own bank should be informed as they may get suspicious if these amounts are suddenly used in a far off destination and this could cause your card to be blocked. Similarly to avoid overspending, take only one card with you and use your debit card to get cash at ATM’s during bank working hours. Some banks make charges for these withdrawals, so always check first and keep some spare cash on you for emergencies.
Don’t forget to insure you and your family members as you never know who might fall ill whilst you are away. Children are often prone to ear infections from pools, elderly relatives can slip easily by the poolside and there are endless possibilities of catching viruses, especially from crowded ‘planes. Broken limbs from skiing or adventurous types of holidays are frequent. Cancellations due to various reasons can also be insured, your luggage may get lost or damaged with an airline – all the above should be considered. Peace of mind is one of the most important things to have on holiday – after all it is supposed to be relaxing!