Holiday warning to anyone with a trip booked this summer on eight things you need to do NOW

The Sun

16-05-2025

MILLIONS of Brits will be getting ready to jet abroad for some sun, sea and sangria this summer.
But before you pack your bags and head for the airport, there are a few crucial things you need to sort now to avoid holiday hell.
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Forget the stress and save some serious pennies by tackling these eight holiday jobs today.
Book travel insurance now
Booking travel insurance should be one of the first things on your holiday checklist.
It provides essential protection against unexpected events, such as illness, accidents, or lost luggage, saving you from potentially hefty expenses.
Travel insurance also offers cover for flight cancellations, holiday disruptions, and other unforeseen hiccups that can affect your plans before you even set off.
Sorting your insurance as soon as you book your trip ensures you have comprehensive protection and peace of mind well in advance.
There's no obligation to purchase travel insurance from your travel agent or holiday company, though they often offer it as part of your booking.
Banks, supermarkets, and insurance providers also offer travel cover, and using a comparison website can help you find the best deal tailored to your needs.
To get started, you'll need to provide details such as the names and ages of all travellers, your destination, and any pre-existing medical conditions.
Once you input this information, you can filter results based on the level of cover, the excess you're willing to pay, and the price.
While it's tempting to choose the cheapest option, make sure to check the policy details carefully - lower-cost deals might not offer the protection you need.
SPENDING ABROAD: Tips to Avoid High Fees
You'll also need to decide whether to opt for single-trip cover or annual multi-trip cover, depending on how often you travel.
If your requirements are more complex, consider working with a regulated insurance broker, which you can find via the British Insurance Brokers' Association.
Finally, don't forget to check your current account, as some banks offer complimentary travel insurance to their customers.
However, always review the details of what's included to ensure the cover meets your needs.
What should you look for in a good travel insurance policy?
TRAVEL insurance policies can vary a great deal, but here are some "must have
Medical expenses - A good policy will give cover of £1million or more for travel in Europe and £2million or more for the USA
Repatriation service - The costs of getting you back to the UK for medical reasons should be covered automatically by your policy
Cancellation and curtailment - A good policy will cover you for £2,000 or more if you have to cancel or shorten your holiday
Missed departure - Covers additional accommodation costs and travel expenses up to £500 or more if you miss your flight due to circumstances out of your control
Delay - You'll usually be covered for £250 or more if your travel plans are delayed due to circumstances out of your control
Baggage cover - Covers you if your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen. Look for policies that have cover of £1,500 or more.
Check your EHIC/GHIC
Next, check your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
These cards give you access to state-provided healthcare in many European countries at the same cost as locals.
Make sure yours is valid, and if it's expired, apply for a new GHIC.
You can apply for a new card up to nine months before your current card expires.
These cards are free and last for up to five years.
Apply by visiting the NHS Business Authority.
Lock in car hire early
If you're planning to hire a car for your trip, it's wise to book as early as possible.
With demand soaring, prices tend to rise the closer you get to your travel dates.
Securing your car hire now not only guarantees the best deals but also avoids the risk of missing out altogether.
Turning up at the car hire desk without a booking can end up costing you hundreds of pounds more.
You can also save up to £200 in popular holiday destinations by choosing firms or branches located outside the airport.
Many of these providers even offer free shuttle services to make the process hassle-free.
The best deals are usually found online through price comparison websites, so take advantage of these tools to shop around.
To save even more, avoid paying for extras such as satnavs or children's car seats - bringing your own can significantly cut costs.
Another key tip is to purchase your excess insurance cover in advance. Comparison sites like moneymaxim.co.uk offer policies for as little as £15 a week.
In contrast, buying this cover at the car hire desk can set you back an average of £259, according to icarhireinsurance.com.
These policies protect you against the hefty insurance excess charges you'd face in the event of an accident.
Even if you buy your own excess insurance, be prepared to provide a credit card in the name of the main driver when you collect the car. This is a standard requirement for car hire companies.
By planning ahead, you can save money, reduce stress, and enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.
Book airport parking now
If you need to park at the airport and aren't getting dropped off, book your airport parking online in advance to get the best deal.
You'll save hundreds of pounds compared to paying on the day.
Most airports offer on-site parking, which you can book directly via their website before you travel.
Private firms also offer parking outside the airport grounds.
Typically, you'll be met at the terminal, and your car will be parked for you, then returned when you arrive home.
Use a comparison site such as Holiday Extras, Airpark or SkyParkSecure, but check on MoneySavingExpert.com's airport parking guide first, as it has discounts of up to 45% via its links.
It's also worth opting for a flexible booking in case of any flight delays or cancellations.
How to avoid drop-off fees
IF you are being dropped off at the airport there are ways to avoid dreaded drop-off charges at your local airport:
Aberdeen: Its long-stay car park is free for up to one hour, and there's a free shuttle bus to the terminal.
Belfast City: The long-stay car park is free for up to 10 minutes. From here, it's only a small walk to the terminal.
Belfast International: The long-stay car park is free for up to 15 minutes and is a six-minute walk from the terminal.
Birmingham: The airport charges for its "premium set down" area, but its drop-off car park is free for up to 10 minutes. It's a 10-minute walk from the terminal.
Bournemouth: There are no free parking options here.
Bristol: There's a free one-hour waiting zone by the "Silver Zone'
car park to the south of the terminal.
East Midlands: Its "Long-stay 2" car park is free for up to an hour. It's a 15-minute walk to the terminal.
Edinburgh: Its long-stay car park is free for up to 30 minutes.
Exeter: There are no free parking options here.
Gatwick: Free drop-offs are available at its long-stay car parks with free shuttle buses.
Glasgow: You can stay for free for up to 30 minutes at its Long-stay car park.
Glasgow Prestwick: There are no free parking options here.
Heathrow: Drop-offs of up to 30 minutes are free in Heathrow's long-stay car parks.
Leeds Bradford: There's a one-hour free parking zone, and the terminal is a three to four minute walk away.
Liverpool: Its "Drop Off 2" car park is free for up to 40 minutes and is a five to 10-minute walk to the terminal.
Luton: Its Mid Stay Car Park is free for up to 15 minutes. It's a 10 to 15-minute walk to the terminal. Alternatively, its Long Stay Car Park is free for one hour.
Manchester: There's a free drop-off area, which is a short shuttle bus ride away from the terminal.
Newcastle. Its "Short Stay 2" car park is free for up to 15 minutes.
Norwich: There are no free parking options here.
Southend: Its "Long Stay 3" car park is free for up to 15 minutes.
Southampton: There are no free parking options here.
Stansted: Its mid-stay car park is free for an hour. There's a free shuttle bus to the terminal every 10 minutes.
Get yourself a fee-free card
Using your credit or debit card abroad can cost you up to 5% in fees, and withdrawing cash from an ATM might add around £5 per transaction.
However, some cards let you spend abroad without any extra charges, so it's worth finding the right one.
For fee-free spending and cash withdrawals abroad, consider these options:
First Direct: No fees for paying or withdrawing with its debit card overseas.
Santander Edge Current Account: No fees for transactions or withdrawals abroad, but it costs £3 a month, and you must deposit at least £500 monthly.
Starling: No fees for spending or cash withdrawals abroad.
Monzo: No fees for spending or cash withdrawals abroad.
Chase: No fees for spending or cash withdrawals abroad.
Many credit cards charge a 3% foreign transaction fee, but some offer fee-free spending:
Barclaycard Rewards Card: No transaction fees abroad and uses Visa's exchange rate for better value.
NatWest Credit Card: Fee-free spending abroad with no extra charges.
Alternatively, consider a pre-paid travel card.
These are not linked to your bank account and need to be topped up before your trip, helping you stick to your budget.
Save on foreign currency
Make your travel money go further by keeping an eye on exchange rates and buying your currency when the pound is strong.
Planning ahead can save you a significant amount compared to last-minute exchanges.
Order your foreign currency online before your trip to avoid the poor exchange rates often found at airport bureaux de change.
Using tools like TravelMoneyMax on moneysavingexpert.com can help you compare rates from various providers, ensuring you get the best deal for your holiday cash.
Sort out your mobile data
Roaming fees can catch tourists off guard, leaving them with hefty bills that could spoil their holiday.
These fees are charged when your mobile connects to a local network overseas to access the internet, make calls, or send texts.
Depending on your provider, you may face a daily charge or pay based on the amount of data used.
Research by Uswitch found roaming fees can reach up to £7 per MB, meaning costs can quickly spiral without you realising.
Additionally, Ofcom reported that 14% of UK customers had experienced accidental roaming in the past.
To avoid unexpected charges, check your mobile provider's roaming policy before you travel.
If free roaming is included in your plan, you're in luck. If not, consider purchasing a travel data package to control costs.
Alternatively, rely on free Wi-Fi hotspots or purchase a local SIM card once you arrive at your destination.
Planning ahead can save you money and stress while abroad.
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.
She said: "eSIMs make it easier to change networks.
"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."
Re book to save
Holiday cancellations are awful, especially when you're already travelling and get stranded.
However, cancellations can also be beneficial if you use them strategically to save money on your trip.
The trick is to monitor prices as your departure date approaches.
You might find that hotel room rates have dropped since you initially booked.
If you spot a lower price for the same room at the same hotel, you can cancel your original booking (assuming it's cancellable without fees) and rebook at the cheaper rate.
Alternatively, you could use the price drop as an opportunity to upgrade to a better hotel for a similar price.
Comparison websites like Expedia, Kayak and Travel Supermarket can help you quickly check prices.
Keep in mind that prices might rise closer to your travel dates, so check periodically in advance.
The most important thing is to ensure you can cancel your original booking without incurring any charges, otherwise, it's best to stick with your existing plans.