Summer is just around the corner and maximizing the excitement of a future holiday without worrying about the costs can be difficult.
Insurance experts at Howden Insurance have compiled some top tips for travel enthusiasts wanting to book their 2024 summer holiday at a lower price. These tips will provide you with insights into a successful and cost-effective booking process.
Fly mid-week to save money
When it comes to catching a flight, keeping costs at a minimum is a must.
Tuesday is the cheapest day to book a flight, but for domestic flights, between Monday and Wednesday is your best bet for getting a great deal.
For international flights, Wednesday and Thursday are the cheapest days to book, with potential savings of up to 20%.
Airfare can be prone to slight fluctuations depending on how close the flight is to the time of booking, so it is important to keep a constant eye out for any offers or deals that might occur.
However, booking in advance is more likely to be a money-saving guarantee.
Book your extras early on
Expenses that may not seem an initial priority when booking your summer holiday may turn out to be the ones that cost the most.
Airport parking is much cheaper to book in advance if you are planning on leaving your car behind as opposed to paying on the day.
Luggage will also be more expensive to add on at the airport, and you can end up paying almost double the price if you don’t organise it prior to your departure date.
Look into booking toward the end of summer for lower prices
Flights are available to purchase for about a year in advance, and prices are guaranteed to change throughout the 12 months; they tend to spike closer to the time, so booking at least six months before you intend to go on holiday is recommended, especially if you are planning a long-haul flight.
Prices in summer are more than likely to reach an all-time high in June and become less expensive in August, so if you have the flexibility to book later in summer, the end of August is your best bet if you want to save some money whilst still getting a healthy dose of vitamin D and sunshine.
Check Tripadvisor before booking to compare hotel prices, ratings, and inclusions
It is easy to browse for places to stay abroad and select the cheapest one, but there are certain things that need to be taken into consideration; you don’t have to spend a fortune on a 5-star hotel to guarantee good quality and a great stay.
Always research by comparing reviews to their prices, as cheaper hotels can have just as good recommendations as much more expensive ones.
It’s sensible to price up the offerings of different hotels – all-inclusive may seem more appealing when it comes to saving money, but some hotels can be misleading in what exactly that entails.
If you’d like unlimited alcohol or drinks on your holiday, it can be a common misconception that all hotels include that in their packages.
The hotel may advertise ten restaurants in the hotel but, in some cases, not all will be included in the price, so double-check the fine print to avoid disappointment upon arrival.
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