Holiday warning for anyone heading abroad to make two crucial passport checks NOW – or risk losing £1,000s
Millions of Brits will be jetting off to enjoy a break over the coming months, yet it could all end in disaster if important documents are not given due diligence.
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Travellers must check their passport for key details and not assume it is valid for travel even if it's still in date.
First, you'll usually need at least six months left before your passport goes out of date to travel to many countries.
However, if you're going to the EU, you can enter if there is at least three months left.
Second, you also need to check that your passport is not more than 10 years old on the day you are due to enter a country.
Many overseas authorities will turn you away at the border if your passport is more than 10 years old - meaning a wasted and expensive trip.
Yet travellers are unaware of the rules, and get caught out at the airport.
Alvaro Iturmendi, travel insurance expert at comparison site Confused.com says: 'If you're heading on a summer getaway soon, it's absolutely crucial to check your passport's validity well in advance.
"Many countries now require your passport to be less than 10 years old and to have at least three or six months left before it expires, so even if it looks in date, it may still not be accepted.
'Failing to check could mean being denied entry at your destination or even being refused boarding, causing major disruption to your holiday plans.
"And unfortunately, travel insurance won't cover the cost of an emergency passport or missed flights and holidays in this situation.
"So it's always best to double-check your passport's issue and expiry dates as soon as you start planning your trip, and leave plenty of time to renew if needed.
" Our passport checker can help you avoid unnecessary stress, cost, and disappointment.'
Before you travel, check the specific rules of a country to make sure you don't get caught out.
If your documents are not within the time frame you'll need to get them renewed.
The sooner you check your passport the better.
If you realise it needs renewing, you then have plenty of time to get it sorted.
Nearer your travel date, you will have to pay extra if you want your passport application to be fast-tracked.
I went to the UK's biggest Wetherspoons with rooftop bar overlooking the beach
The UK passport office says it's a good idea to give up to 10 weeks to get a new passport.
Some may get it quicker, but in the worst case scenario it could take longer.
If you buy a holiday and can't go on it, you'll see all your money go down the drain.
To save more cash on your holidays, remember to check if the hotel or car hire you booked has changed in price.
If you can cancel for free, you may be able to save some cash.
Use a comparison site such as SkyScanner, TripAdvisor, Trivago or Kayak to find the best prices.
You should also think about how you will pay for items when you're abroad.
Some banks and card providers charge fewer fees on overseas spending than others.
Also check whether your phone offers you free roaming many providers have changed since Britain left the EU.
How to avoid roaming charges
Simrat Sharma, a mobiles expert at Uswitch, said switching to an eSIM - short for embedded SIM - can be cheaper than using international roaming.
'eSIMs make it easier to change networks," she said.
"So for example, if you're abroad you can quickly connect to the local network to pay local rates - without having to add or swap a physical local SIM card for your device.
"This means travel eSIMs are almost always cheaper than using international roaming, as users are effectively tapping into the same network plans as locals.
If you're regularly switching numbers or travelling to different locations, you'll be able to keep them all safely in digital format rather than carrying around a number of small cards.
'The software can easily be accessed via your device's app store and uploaded to your phone in a few quick steps."
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