Podcast Summary
Passport validity: Check your passport's validity at least six months before intended entry date and ensure it's not more than 10 years old to avoid entry denial and additional travel costs.
Proper preparation is key to saving money and avoiding inconvenience when traveling abroad. Specifically, Martin Lewis emphasizes the importance of checking the expiry date and age of your passport before your trip. Many countries now require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your intended entry date and should not be more than 10 years old. Failing to meet these requirements could result in being denied entry and additional travel costs. This issue has affected many travelers, including those who have recently changed their surname and had to obtain a new passport. Therefore, it's essential to check your passport's validity well in advance of your trip to avoid any potential issues.
Car rental booking tips: Book early for best prices, check for price drops, beware of excess insurance hard sell, consider standalone insurance, regularly check for price drops can lead to savings
When planning a holiday, it's crucial to book car rentals early to secure the best prices, but keep checking for price drops closer to your travel date. Another important tip is to be aware of the hard sell for excess insurance at pick-up and consider purchasing standalone excess insurance beforehand to save money. Additionally, regularly checking for price drops on your bookings, whether it's for a car rental or a hotel, can lead to significant savings. For instance, Michael saved $449 by canceling and re-booking a two-week car rental in the USA. Overall, being proactive and informed about car rental and travel booking processes can help you save money and avoid unexpected expenses.
Car hire insurance: Compare prices and find discounts on car hire insurance using a comparison site like Money Maxim, and have a credit card ready to leave as a deposit to avoid pressure and save money at the rental desk.
It's essential to have stand-alone car hire insurance before traveling, as the car rental desks may pressure you into buying their insurance, which can be costly. You can compare prices and find discounts on Money Maxim, a car hire insurance comparison site. Make sure to have a credit card in your name ready to leave as a deposit, as most rental companies require this. Remember, the profit for car rental firms often comes from insurance sales, so be firm and prepared to ignore their hard sell. By obtaining your insurance beforehand, you can save money and avoid unnecessary stress at the rental desk.
Car rental insurance, Exchange rates: Prepaid standalone excess insurance for car rental saves money, while using a specialist overseas credit or debit card ensures near-perfect exchange rates and potential cashback
When it comes to car rental, it's essential to have prepaid standalone excess insurance before you travel. This can save you a significant amount of money, but it may require some effort to obtain. Meanwhile, when spending money abroad, using a specialist overseas credit or debit card can help you get near-perfect exchange rates and even earn cashback. The Chase MasterCard is an example of such a card, and it's relatively easy to obtain since it's a debit card. By following these tips, you can save money on car rental and get the best possible exchange rates when traveling.
Currency conversion while traveling abroad: Paying in local currency instead of home currency using your credit or debit card while traveling abroad is more beneficial due to better exchange rates offered by foreign banks or cash machines. Utilize credit cards with attractive cashback or rewards programs to maximize savings.
When traveling abroad, it's more beneficial to pay in the local currency instead of your home currency using your credit or debit card. This is because your card issuer typically offers less favorable exchange rates compared to foreign banks or cash machines. Instead, opt to let your card do the currency conversion for you to get the best possible rate. Another key takeaway is that there are various credit cards offering attractive cashback and rewards programs. For instance, the Halifax Clarity Mastercard provides £20 cashback when you make a transaction within 90 days of getting the card. The Barclaycard Rewards Visa, on the other hand, offers a quarter of a percent cashback on almost all UK and overseas spending. These cards can be easily obtained and used to maximize savings during travel. Additionally, it's essential to pay off your credit card balance in full each month to avoid accruing interest charges. Some cards, like the Halifax Clarity Mastercard, charge interest on cash withdrawals even if you pay off in full. Lastly, it's important to understand the fees associated with using your card abroad. While some cards, like the specialist cheap cards mentioned, may not charge fees for foreign transactions, overseas cash machines or merchants might impose their own fees. Always be aware of these fees to avoid any unexpected charges.
International Travel Money: When traveling internationally, consider using a specialist card with no fees for physical cash or using a credit/debit card for transactions to get the best exchange rate
When it comes to getting money for international travel, the best approach depends on your specific needs and circumstances. If you prefer to have physical cash on hand, it's generally better to get it before you leave, using a specialist card with no fees and doing a comparison to find the best exchange rate. However, if you plan to use a credit or debit card for most of your expenses, it's important to understand that you'll get the exchange rate on the day of your transaction, so comparing rates before you go may not be as crucial. Additionally, be aware that some prepaid cards may offer different exchange rates depending on when you load the money onto the card. Overall, it's essential to do your research and consider the various options to ensure you get the best value for your money while traveling internationally.
Travel Money Cards in Europe: Using travel money cards like Chase in Europe can offer significant benefits such as near-perfect exchange rates and cashback. Best rates are found when exchanging on the same day. Ensure valid E-HIC or G-HIC health insurance cards for access to state-run healthcare and avoid fraudulent websites.
When it comes to exchanging currency for a holiday in Europe, using a travel money card like Chase can offer significant benefits. These cards often provide near-perfect exchange rates and even cashback. However, it's important to note that the best rates are typically found when exchanging on the same day. Additionally, those planning a trip to the EU should ensure they have valid E-HIC or G-HIC health insurance cards to access state-run healthcare at local prices. Be cautious when applying for these cards online to avoid fraudulent websites. Remember, these cards are free and offer valuable cost savings for travelers.
European Health Insurance Cards, Flight Rights: Having E-HIC and G-HIC for Europe travel is essential for healthcare access. Flight cancellations or delays on EU/UK airlines may lead to compensation. Early check-ins increase family seating likelihood, and airlines ensure seating for young children next to adults.
Having an E-HIC and G-HIC with you while traveling in Europe is crucial for accessing healthcare services. If lost or forgotten, you can still receive temporary certificates to prove coverage, but it's much easier to have the cards on hand for every family member. Additionally, passengers have rights when it comes to flight cancellations or delays. If flying on EU or UK regulated airlines departing or arriving at UK or EU airports, compensation is available for delays over three hours. Be sure to research and claim this compensation if your flight falls under these guidelines, and remember that the earlier you check in for your flight, the higher the likelihood of sitting together as a family. Lastly, if you're traveling with children, most airlines guarantee seating next to at least one adult for children under a certain age. By understanding these points, you can better prepare for your travels and potentially save money and time.
Ryanair seating policy for families: Ryanair requires payment for seat selection to ensure families sit together, unlike most other airlines. Enforcement of CAA rules against separating families can be weak, so planning ahead is crucial.
If you're traveling with a child under 12 on Ryanair, you'll need to pay for seat selection to ensure they're seated next to an adult. This is unlike most other airlines, where families are generally seated together. While it's against CAA rules for airlines to separate families, enforcement can be weak. So, it's essential to be aware of this policy and plan accordingly to avoid unexpected separations. Remember, the money-saving tips never stop, even when we're on a podcast special. If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to reach out to Martin Lewis Podcast at bbc.co.uk. Keep in mind that offers and rates mentioned in the podcast are accurate at the time of recording, so double-check if you're listening on demand. Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to BBC Sounds and leave a review, no matter how you listen.