Photo by Summer Holiday Alert: Martin Lewis’ Crucial Tips to Save You Hundreds
As the summer holiday season approaches, many of us are eagerly counting down the days until we can escape to sunnier climes. However, with the excitement of planning a trip abroad comes the risk of incurring extra costs and fees that can quickly add up. That’s why personal finance guru Martin Lewis is urging holidaymakers to ‘act now’ to avoid being turned away at the airport or being scammed by service providers.
Passport Problems
One crucial aspect to check before heading abroad is your passport. With recent changes to passport rules, many people have found themselves turned away due to an out-of-date passport, even if it still has months before it expires. Women who have changed their name after getting married and asked for a new passport are among those most likely to be affected. To avoid any issues, Martin Lewis advises checking your passport and those of your family members to ensure they have at least six months left on them before you travel.
Check your passport expiry date before you travel
Car Hire Nightmares
When hiring a car abroad, it’s easy to get caught out by optional extras and insurance cover that can quickly add up. Martin Lewis recommends buying standalone insurance beforehand, which can save you up to £25 per day. This can cut the daily cost of your rental by as much as half.
Don’t get caught out by car hire extras
Rebooking Tip
If your booking has a no or low cancellation fee policy, Martin Lewis suggests constantly checking for lower prices in the time before your holiday and cancelling and rebooking if necessary. This could mean snagging a last-minute offer, even on something you booked months ago.
Keep an eye out for better deals
Health Insurance
Having a European or Global Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC) can save you a steep hospital bill if you end up needing healthcare while on holiday. However, many people try to get these at the last minute and end up getting scammed or forced to cough up cash when the doctor tells them their insurance is out of date. Martin Lewis warns against Googling for EHICs, as many shyster sites claim to offer fast-tracked services that don’t exist.
Don’t get scammed - apply for your EHIC/GHIC through the NHS website
By following Martin Lewis’ crucial tips, you can avoid extra fees and save hundreds on your summer holiday. Remember to act now and take away the risk of being turned away at the airport or being scammed by service providers.
