6 ways to save money on your holidays this summer

To go or not to go? That is the question, when it comes to summer holidays.

Cost is always a factor when planning a getaway, and with Christmas now that long behind us, not everyone will have been able to save as much as they'd planned.

John Lowe of MoneyDoctors.ie shares his six money-saving holiday tips to follow so you don’t miss a trick when you’re treating you and your family to that long-awaited break abroad.

1. Book smart

With airlines eager for your business, trawl SkyScanner for cheap flights and set an alert on GoogleFlights to see if they fluctuate.

Try ClickAndGo, LastMinute.com, Secretescapes.com, HolidayPirates, BudgetTravel.ie (the largest travel agent in Ireland) or SunSearchHolidays and build your own break.

Note: many HolidayPirates trips depart from the UK).

A quick look on SkyScanner and Airbnb this week resulted in a seven night trip to Vigo, Spain for two adults and two children for less than €840.

Travelling last minute is one of the best ways to capitalise on resorts rushing to fill rooms at low rates.

Buy through sites like Trivago.com, Expedia.com, Hotels.com or Booking.com to accumulate rewards that convert to money off future holidays.

2. Think ahead

If you don’t have the savings and you need to borrow, shop around. Credit unions may be the cheapest and most flexible. Putting it on your credit card is the most expensive option, if you are only making minimum payments each month.

Do not borrow for longer than one year. Remember, like Christmas, summer holidays come around every year!

Money-saving sites like Pigsback, Groupon, DoneDeal and LivingSocial work just as well abroad. You can find some real bargains on local events, meals, spa deals and day trips – so get clicking.

3. Reward yourself

Check if you can convert any of your retailer points to Avios points (Aer Lingus’ loyalty scheme), or redeem your Tesco Clubcard points against Stena Line or Irish Ferries travel tokens. Other retailers are now looking at this incentive – stay alert for new entrants to these schemes.

4. Food and drink

Staying in an Airbnb or apart-hotel gives you the option to shop at a local supermarket and cook your own food. While it might not be for every night – remember, you’re still on holidays! – it’s an excellent way to save money.

Consider packing a picnic for days on the beach, or backpack snacks for sightseeing. You’ll save a pretty penny – and you’ll never have to queue for a table!

5. Banking abroad

One of the least expensive, most secure and convenient methods of payment, credit cards are also one of the most widely accepted – and they’re less conspicuous than a wad of cash. The only problem may be the exchange risk.

If you’re travelling within the EU, most Irish banks don’t charge for ATM withdrawals (although foreign banks may impose their own charges).

For US, Canada, Australia, UK and five other currencies, try the nifty An Post FX card. You buy up to 10 currencies here in Ireland at half decent rates and no commission. It’s also a safe way to travel with money. Revolut have also created a stir with their card: over 2 million alone in Ireland has subscribed.

6. Travel insurance

For the sake of peace of mind it is well worth reviewing your travel insurance needs:

• If your family travels more than once every two years, multi-trip insurance is almost always better value than a single-policy purchase.
• You may see insurers offering both Travel Disruption and Flight Cancellation cover. There’s usually no need to select both options, as you can end up paying for the same cover twice.
• If you have health insurance, you are almost guaranteed to save money on your travel cover – but even gadget insurance can save you up to 10 per cent if you book with the same insurer.
• Make sure to start your travel insurance from the day you buy it; that way, if something happens before you leave, you will be covered.

Whatever you do, have fun and enjoy the holiday!

For more information click on John Lowe's profile above or on his website.