Setting off on a much-needed getaway is always exciting, especially when you’re venturing into uncharted territory. However, the ever-rising costs associated with vacations, from airfare and hotels to meals and sightseeing, can be overwhelming and deter many from even thinking about a vacation.
But fear not, as a travel expert has revealed a common mistake that could unnecessarily increase your holiday expenses by hundreds of dollars. And, fortunately, there’s an easy fix.
Consumer watchdog Which? took to TikTok with travel enthusiast Lauren Bell to reveal some insider tips she follows when planning her getaways.
Lauren has revealed a simple but effective strategy for cutting accommodation costs, the Mirror reports. “I would never book a hotel via computer without checking the price on my mobile first,” she says.
It may seem trivial, but this small step can lead to significant savings. Lauren shared her own success stories: “We knocked £270 off the price of an apartment in Amsterdam on Booking.com and saved almost £100 on a weekend in Florence with Expedia, simply by booking a dedicated room on mobile instead of using a laptop.”
According to consumer watchdog Which?, these exclusive deals are only visible when using a smartphone rather than a desktop computer, potentially disadvantaged those less tech-savvy.
To ensure you always get the best price for your hotel stay, experts recommend comparing prices on multiple booking sites on both your computer and mobile phone. However, it is recommended that you contact the hotel directly to confirm that you are getting the best possible price before making payment.
Another money-saving tip when booking a holiday is to avoid paying for seats with your fellow travellers, says Lauren, unless you’re flying with Ryanair or Wizz Air.
She revealed: “Jet2 and BA have told us they will always try to seat groups together where possible, but Wizz Air and Ryanair are more likely to split them up unless they pay to sit together.”
And while it’s easy to overlook certain pre-trip tasks, such as exchanging money, due to the prevalence of foreign cards, you should never leave this until you get to the airport. Lauren warns that exchange rates at airports are “notoriously terrible.” She advised that it’s always better to exchange your money elsewhere.
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