Holidays can be really expensive, so any ways to save money are always welcomed – and one simple tip could make your cash go a lot further.
Going on holiday is always an exciting time, especially if you’re heading off somewhere that you’ve never been before. But, like most other things these days, they are getting more and more expensive.
The cost of flights, accommodation, luggage, food and activities can really add up, and for many people, the total is simply too off-putting to even consider going away.
However, according to one travel expert, there’s one big mistake that many of us make when booking a holiday – and it could be adding hundreds of pounds to the overall cost. Thankfully though, it can be pretty straightforward to get around it.
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The consumer experts at Which? recently shared an informative video on TikTok enlisting the help of travel expert Lauren Bell, who lifted the lid on a couple of things she would ‘never’ do when booking a holiday.
And she said that just by switching up the way you search for a place to stay, you could potentially save hundreds of pounds – leaving you with more cash to spend actually enjoying your trip.
In the video, she said: “I would never book a hotel on a computer, without checking the price on my mobile phone first.”
Although this might seem pointless – after all, it’s the same accommodation – you might find there’s actually savings to be made. Lauren explained: “We slashed £270 off the price of an apartment in Amsterdam on Booking.com, and we saved almost £100 on a weekend in Florence with Expedia, just by booking a mobile exclusive instead of using a laptop.”
According to Which?, these exclusive deals can only be seen while you’re using a smartphone rather than a desktop – meaning those who are less tech-savvy could end up losing out.
To always get the best price for your hotel stay, the experts suggest comparing prices on your computer and mobile phone for several booking sites. You should still contact the hotel directly to ensure you’re getting the best-possible price before paying.
Another way to save money while booking a holiday is to avoid paying for seats with your travel companions, according to Lauren – except if you’re flying with Ryanair or Wizz Air.
She said: “Jet2 and BA told us that they’ll always try to seat groups together where possible, but Wizz Air and Ryanair are more likely to split you up unless you pay to sit together.”
And although it can be easy to forget about certain tasks before you go – like exchanging money, thanks to the popularity of overseas cards – you should never wait until you get to the airport to do this.
Lauren explained that the exchange rates here are ‘notoriously terrible’, so it’s always worth changing your money elsewhere.
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