holiday

Make sure your plastic matches your wallet

Rebecca Atkinson — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:46:49 +0000

When times are tough or you have a vital purchase to make, it's all too tempting to whack all your expenses straight onto plastic. But often, we forget about the finer details, such as when we’ll pay it back and how much it will cost us, and don’t worry about it until the statement comes in.

Don't dismiss VISA chargeback

Rebecca Atkinson — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:58:47 +0000

As no-frill airlines continue to go bust, and with Ryan Air warning that many more face collapse next year, people booking flights are rightfully concerned about losing their money.

Are you covered against collapsing airlines?

Rebecca Atkinson — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:04:44 +0100

The collapse of XL Leisure, the UK’s third largest packaged holiday provider, highlights a potential hazard facing thousands of holidaymakers.

Because, while travel insurance may cover you for medical treatment overseas or lost or stolen luggage, it is highly unlikely to cover you in the event of an airline going bust.

Get your money back

Rebecca Atkinson — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:11:54 +0100

Tens of thousands of holidaymakers have been left in limbo after XL Leisure Group, Britain’s third biggest package holiday firm, went into administration early this morning.

Cut the cost of entertainment

Rebecca Atkinson — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:08:29 +0100

You can't have failed to notice the rising cost of food, fuel and utility bills, but you might have missed the fact that entertainment is also increasing in price.

Thousands stranded as budget airline goes bust

Rebecca Atkinson — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:49:01 +0100

Thousands of holidaymakers have been left stranded after budget airline Zoom went into administration.

The firm suspended all flights yesterday evening (28 August), with all aircraft grounded. It blames the crippling cost of crude oil, claiming this has added around $50 million to annual operating costs.

Credit card rates hiked as holiday season gets going

Rebecca Atkinson — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:52:42 +0100

MBNA has been accused of hitting its credit cards customers with unexpected increases in their APR rates, just as they are about to head off on holiday.

The US company, which issues cards on behalf of Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Virgin, has increased APRs for existing customers by up to 34.95%.

The art of haggling

Chris Thomas — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:43:20 +0100

Some people seem to get a bargain on everything they buy, from a house or car to a sofa or mobile phone. Their gift of the gab seems to secure them a good price. But is haggling an art, or is it simply the case that if you don’t ask, you don’t get?

Don't rely on plastic to keep you afloat abroad

Chris Thomas — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:10:34 +0100

We were down to our last few Thai baht when I saw a cash machine. Without a second thought, I put in my card, punched in my pin and waited for the cash to come out. Except it didn’t. And neither did my card. My frantic button pushing produced nothing more than a message on the screen telling me to contact my card issuer.

Get your holiday finances sorted

bill — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:38:30 +0100

Going on holiday is a chance to relax and unwind. But in order to make your trip as stress-free as possible, it pays to prepare ahead. Rebecca Atkinson explains how to find the right travel insurance for you and get the best possible deal on your travel money.