TRAVEL HACKS
Copyright © Summersdale Publishers Ltd, 2018
Illustrations by Kostiantyn Fedorov
All rights reserved.
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DISCLAIMER
Neither the author nor the publisher can be held responsible for any loss or claim arising out of the use, or misuse, of the suggestions made herein.
CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Disclaimer
Introduction
Booking Hacks
Packing Hacks
Pre-flight Hacks
Budget-beating Hacks
Hacks on the Go
Accommodation Hacks
Hiking and Camping Hacks
Beach Hacks
City Hacks
Survival Hacks
Everything Else
Final Word
INTRODUCTION
In the age of budget airlines that fly across the globe and smartphones that can provide detailed offline maps, book taxis, restaurants and hotels, as well as take ‘artistic’ photos with just a few clicks, you might think you’ve got it pretty good when it comes to travelling. But where’s the app to stop your toiletries from leaking all over your best Hawaiian shirt, or to save that extra bit of space in your suitcase for your beloved unicorn slippers? Don’t bother googling it, those apps don’t exist. You’ve got Travel Hacks now so everything is going to be OK.
This book will give you practical hints and tips for all kinds of excursions and accommodation, from beach holidays to camping trips, and from the most humble of hotel rooms to the front seat of your car. Armed with this book, you can set off and head for any horizon you fancy, safe in the knowledge that you’ll be able to navigate without the aid of the internet, clear water from your ears and protect your precious food store from marauding wildlife, all in the time it takes you to turn a few pages. Bon voyage!
BOOKING HACKS
All journeys start with a single step – but sometimes that single step isn’t a simple one. This chapter will show you how to overcome the online obstacles that can appear even before you’ve decided which swimsuit to wear, ensuring that you’ll get the best price on your travel and accommodation.
INSIDER INFO
Unless you’re a Knight of the Round Table, you’re probably not a fan of spam. But there is such a thing as ‘good’ spam when it comes to getting advance information on cheap flights.
Simply signing up to an airline’s mailing list will actually generate useful emails detailing special offers and bonus air-mile promotions. So, instead of information about bulk deals on protein shakes or the hot new colours for this season’s wall paint, your inbox will be full of travel goodness.
THE EARLY BOOKER CATCHES THE WORM
When it comes to travel arrangements, leaving things to the last minute is not always advisable. You might be tempted by a ‘late deal’ scenario, but nothing beats the smug satisfaction of having locked that flight date into your calendar – especially if you want to post annoying updates on social media about how many ‘sleeps’ you have left.
Booking flights in the first four months of the year – and at least 47–53 days before you wish to depart – will usually give you the cheapest price.
FLY FLEXI
For most people, having to change travel plans is a serious pain. Whether you’re taking the trip of a lifetime or just looking forward to your annual family break, the last thing you want is a spanner in the works. But there is a way to dodge this bullet and potentially save money.
By booking with airlines that provide flexible fares you can reserve a seat on your chosen date and later change that date should you need to, which means that you can potentially book off-peak and – provided the dates are available – fly peak. Especially useful in a school summer holiday scenario. Some companies will offer free hold luggage and early boarding with this option too, but offers vary so be sure to read the Ts and Cs.
ONE-WAY VAYCAY
You would think that committing to travel to and from your destination with the same company would get you a better deal on your ticket – customer loyalty and all that – but that’s not always the case.
It might actually be cheaper to buy two low-priced one-way tickets, usually with different airlines, rather than a round-trip ticket. The same can also apply to train journeys, so shop around!
THE 24-HOUR RULE
Even if you’ve been hack-smart and got your early-bird fare locked in (see page 10), there might still be a way to save even more of your hard-earned cash.
Many airlines allow travellers to cancel tickets within 24 hours of booking without a fee. You should always read the small print, but it’s worth a final check after booking your flight: a better price or flash airfare sale might have popped up!
REFUND REQUEST
Nobody enjoys finding out they could have paid less for something. Even though the money’s gone and you’ve probably forgotten all about it, finding out that somebody else paid less is aggravating. But don’t break out the punchbag just yet.
If you book a flight and then find out that by some miracle the prices have since gone down, ask the company to refund the difference. It might not always work, as all airlines have different policies, but it wouldn’t do you any harm to ask.
PLUS ONE
To most regular-thinking folks, the fewer days you spend on holiday, the less it will cost. A logical argument in my eyes. However, many accommodation companies are one step ahead and know that they can put the prices up for this type of short getaway routine. So, if you’re able to turn that weekend trip into a long-weekend stay or turn a week into an odd-sounding eight days of escape, try it and perhaps you’ll beat them at their own game.
DRIVING FOR A BARGAIN
So you’ve decided to hire a car while you’re on holiday? How very brave of you! I’d recommend a tank; it will save you having to learn how to drive on the wrong side of the road – you’ll be driving on both.
If you’d rather get a hire car, the trick is to book it as early as possible before you travel. It can be as cheap as £6 a day (excluding extras like insurance), which is worth booking in preparation, rather than having to pay 10 times that amount when you arrive.
