Money saving tips for the Summer Holidays from hotukdeals

The summer holidays are just a few weeks away and whilst we all love going abroad to soak up some sun, it can be an expensive trip for many families. In fact in 2018 UK residents spent a huge £45.4 billion* on visits overseas – that’s a lot of ice cream!

To help families make the most of their money, hotukdeals, the UK’s biggest deal-sharing community with over 1.8 million members, has put together top tips on the best ways to save.

Be flexible with destination and dates

If you don’t have fixed holiday dates and destinations you can find some great deals, even during the school holidays. Make sure to clear your browser cookies if you have already been researching particular dates or locations, to reset the prices and save some money. Use comparison websites such as Skyscanner or Momondo to search for flights and hotels separately and set up alerts to make sure you don’t miss out on any price drops.

Get the best rates on your money

Forgetting to exchange money before you get to the airport can set you back a small fortune - they take the highest commission and you will end up paying a significant amount.

Price comparison websites will show the best exchange rates you can get in your area leading to massive savings if you are exchanging large amounts. Also make sure to look at the rates aboard for using your credit/debit card as transaction fees and withdrawal fees can set you back. You can get great rates abroad with providers such as Monzo, Revolut or Starling who all offer the best rates on cash withdrawals and fees.

Be at one with nature

Choosing to camp instead of booking expensive hotels can be a great way to spend some quality time with the family and have a fun adventure without the price. Everyone can benefit with a disconnect from technology but the key to a stress-free camping holiday is to make sure all your equipment is working before you leave. You can look for great deals on kit in our camping section. A more luxurious experience is to look at glamping and outdoor cabin options so your accommodation is ready and warm when you arrive.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate

The travel industry runs on the art of negotiation. No one wants empty rooms in hotels, empty seats on flights or spaces on activities and tours. When dealing with travel agents, hotels or tour operators make sure to ask about potential discounts available, especially if booking last minute. If some tours look too expensive you can always arrange your own trips for sightseeing and travel. Simply research the location you are visiting, check for discounts on museums and attraction tickets and purchase local travel yourself.  

Make sure to check out expert advice put together by the members at hotukdeals before booking any holidays including the best places to exchange money, flight discounts and last minute deals. You can also find the best deals for activities closer to home with discounts on restaurants, theme parks and freebies. Simply download the hotukdeals app on iTunes or Google Play and to set up keyword alerts on any products you need and let the money saving begin.

About hotukdeals:

hotukdeals is the UK’s biggest deal-sharing community where over 1.8 million users find, rate and share the best deals from on and off the high street every day. Members use the temperature gauge to vote on deals so other users know that the hotter the deal, the stronger the offer. hotukdeals is a founding member of Pepper.com, the world’s largest social commerce group.

Notes to editors:

*Based on ONS travel trends for 2018: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/leisureandtourism/articles/traveltrends/2018