Money saving expert Martin Lewis has offered his top advice for UK tourists heading abroad this summer, focusing on how to avoid unnecessary fees and get the best deals. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Lewis emphasised the importance of planning ahead to maximise spending money while on holiday.
Lewis warned against buying currency at airport kiosks, which often have the worst exchange rates and highest fees. Instead, he recommended using specialist overseas debit or credit cards, or prepaid cards, which typically avoid the non-sterling exchange rate fee of around 3%. He also advised always paying in the local currency and using comparison sites for cash exchanges, checking all charges and fees.
For those travelling to Europe, Lewis highlighted the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which provides access to state healthcare at the same cost as local residents. With 5.4 million cards expiring in 2018, he urged travellers to check their cards and renew for free via the EHIC or NHS website.
On accommodation, Lewis suggested booking with free cancellation and checking prices periodically. If the price drops, travellers can rebook and cancel the old reservation to save money. For car hire, he advised comparing petrol policies—opting for 'full to full' over 'full to empty' to avoid paying for unused fuel—and purchasing standalone excess insurance, which can cost around £10 per week instead of £10 per day.
Finally, Lewis reminded travellers to check their passport's validity, as some countries require it to be valid for at least six months beyond the travel date. Renewing early can add up to nine months of remaining validity to the new passport, potentially saving hassle later.
