Travel Tips

Having escaped for a short weekend break and desperate to find an Italian restaurant in the area, I tried to login to the hotel’s free Wi-Fi, only to find out they required my name, address and email address before giving me access. Now call me paranoid, but there’s no way I was giving out my details.

Why? Well, if I’m logged into free Wi-Fi in a hotel miles from my home, it stands to reason that my house is empty – giving a green light to anyone able to access the information.

We are all so familiar with the Internet and social media – Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, etc. – that we often overlook the security implications of using it. How many of you publish to Facebook the fact that your off on holiday soon, or tweet it to your followers, or check-in at a venue on Foursquare without a moment’s thought that you’re announcing to the world and his wife that you aren’t at home, or that you home isn’t going to be occupied?

Our social media habits are increasing the risk of burglaries, particularly when we are away on holiday – in 140 characters or less you could be announcing to family, friends or burglars that your home is going to be unoccupied and for how long.

Research into the social media habits of 3000 people for The Co-operative Travel and The Co-operative Insurance revealed that 51% of children regularly update their social media status about family holidays. Around 44% of respondents said they are friends with people they have never met and 37% said they have no privacy setting to prevent their information falling into the wrong hands.

Trevor Davis, Director of Retail Distribution for The Co-operative Travel, explains: “The traditional precautions people take to protect their homes whilst they’re on holiday are being undermined by the growth in social media. This is particularly true for families with teenage children, who perhaps aren’t as aware of the need to avoid telling strangers that your house will be unoccupied.

“This year’s holidaymakers are likely to be particularly vulnerable, due to the growing availability of Wi-Fi connections in hotels and resorts. This is allowing people to keep updating their accounts while abroad and inevitably raises the awareness that the user is away from home.”

Holidaymakers need to be aware of the information they give out, and the implications of sharing data with the wrong people. For example, Police in America uncovered a gang who targeted Facebook users, and broke into 50 homes after checking when the owners were away on holiday.

Tips for securing your information on social media sites:

• Don’t use Foursquare to check-in to venues: airports, hotels or places abroad that will suggest that your home is empty
• Watch who you share your data with – use privacy settings properly
• The more specific you are about where you live, the easier it will be for a burglar to locate your home. Use a general location, such as a city or county.
• Don’t publish dates of your holiday
• Post updates about your holiday and photos after your holiday, not during
• Keep personal information to a minimum
• Don’t accept friendship requests from people you do not know – it may seem like a bit of harmless fun to add them but you just can’t be sure who they really are
• Make sure your children are aware of the risks and don’t let them publish too much information about your holiday.

Air Passenger Duty (APD) is a tax on flights from the UK; an unavoidable, highly criticised tax that is collected at the point of sale by airlines on behalf of the Government.

The amount of APD levied is based on distance flown and class of flight with the basic levels currently standing at the following rates for economy flights:

• Band A – flights to Europe £12
• Band B – flights of up to 4,000 miles £60
• Band C – flights to the Caribbean £75
• Band D – flights to Australia and New Zealand £85

Flights in premium seats are charged at double the above rates.

But what happens to the tax you have paid if for any reason that you are unable to fly? Strictly speaking, as the tax is only payable to the Government when you take your flight, you are entitled to a refund. However, many passengers don’t know they are entitled to a refund of their APD, and those that do know are often hampered by airlines that charge an ‘administration fee’ – often more than the tax – to refund your money.

If you don’t reclaim your APD your airline benefits as your tax doesn’t become payable to the Government until you board your flight.

This non refunding of APD is costing the consumer millions. In fact, the The Air Travel advisory Bureau, ATAB stimates that since the introduction of APD in 1994, airlines have withheld tens of millions of pounds from their customers – a Which? report estimated that in 2003 Ryanair pocketed in excess of £5,000,000 pounds in un-refunded taxes.

Outraged by the withholding of APD refunds, the ATAB has teamed up with law firm Barker Gillette to launch a coordinated legal claim against UK airlines that have not refunded APD to passengers.

ATAB Chairman, Tony White said, “It is a scandal that some airlines hang on to this money. It never belonged to them. It’s a tax collected on the behalf of the Government. With a couple of exceptions, most of the UK airlines make it as difficult as possible to get your money back. If you don’t actually fly, for whatever reason, you are entitled to get the APD refunded. The airlines already have your credit card details, they should refund your card immediately. They make it difficult or expensive in the hope that you’ll go away – and most people do just that”.

Over the past few months ATAB has been closely monitoring how different airlines behave when it comes to APD refunds.

“It is truly shocking, we’ve found some airlines that will charge an “administration fee” greater than the value of the refund. This is a complete rip-off and it’s our intention to put an end to it. If you have booked an airline ticket out of the UK anytime since 1994, and not flown, then we want to hear from you” said White.

Steven Barker, a Partner with Barker Gillette, said “Our primary aim will be to ensure that all claims are valid and properly made out. We hope and expect that Airlines will co-operate with us in agreeing and refunding valid claims and that claimants need only seek the assistance of the Courts in respect of legal issues that might not be agreed”

If you have had problems reclaiming your APD check out the ATAB advice at www.atab.org.uk/action-now/reclaim-your-taxes/

Want a great way to make you feel as though you’ve had an extra day’s holiday?

It’s simple really, and not too expensive, you just need to book an airport hotel room for the night before you fly out on holiday. By booking a stay the night before you fly you’ll awaken refreshed and ready for your flight, relaxed, knowing that you don’t have to face the hassle of a journey to the airport, as you’re already there!

There are several options available to you if you choose to book an airport hotel, you have on-airport hotels – usually the large recognized chains of hotel, such as the Hilton – but you also have some hotels which are located just off airport, or, cast your net slightly further afield and you have the option of hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfast establishments.

On-airport hotels

The most expensive option is often to book an on-airport hotel. Although slightly more costly, the biggest advantage of an on-airport hotel is its location, it is on-airport and on the day of your flight you just have a short walk to get to check-in.

Always check the location of your hotel before booking as some airport hotels are situated just a short shuttle bus ride from the airport with the airport hotel sending a shuttle to pick you up from the terminal.

Just off airport hotels

Hotels that are situated just-off airport are usually located a short shuttle-bus or taxi ride from the airport. These hotels often have the name of the airport in their title, but it’s best to check before booking. Some just-off-airport hotels provide free transfers to and from the terminal, others will arrange transfers for you but there may be an additional charge.

Quite often, the hotels that are situated just off airport are slightly cheaper than those on-airport hotels.

Off airport hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs

If you look for accommodation slightly further afield from the airport you’ll find a huge variety of choice, from the recognized hotel chains to smaller, often independent, hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfasts. The choice is often vast and with prices to suit everyone’s pocket.

When booking off-airport hotels always check the location and how easy it will be to travel to the airport. You will find that some off-airport hotels and guesthouses include transfer fees in their prices, others operate their own transfers or can arrange transport for an additional fee.

Parking options

If you plan to drive to the airport, check out the parking options when booking your hotel room. Quite often, hotels – on-site, off-site and even guesthouses and B&Bs – will offer parking at a reduced rate for guests. Some hotels have their own on-site parking, while others will have a deal with a car parking company that will move your car to their car park.

Park and stay

Park and stay, or park and fly as it is sometimes known, is often offered by on-airport, off-airport and some of the smaller hotels and means that you book your hotel room and airport parking as a package. Enquire about park and stay packages when you are looking to book a hotel room as significant discounts can be made when booking both parking and rooms together.

Park and stay packages aren’t limited to off-site or on-hotel parking, you can also book meet and greet valet parking too. Ask your hotel or check their website for details.

Utilize twilight check-in

If you’re staying at an on-airport hotel check out the twilight check-in options offered by your airline. Some airlines, such as British Airways, offer the facility to check-in your luggage the night before you fly. Not only is this very convenient as you avoid having to transport your luggage from the hotel to the airport on the day of your flight, the check-in queues are often shorter later in the day.

If you’re looking for the next up-and-coming destination, the best beach to top up your tan or the hottest high street for hitting the shops, who better to ask than someone who travels the world for a living?

That’s exactly what Jet2.com did when it polled its 940 cabin crew members and pilots to ask them to reveal their top travel tips.

The airline’s crew members have built up a wealth of knowledge on the best places to visit and the airline has tapped into this to share with customers its top travel hotspots.

Ian Doubtfire, managing director of Jet2.com, said: “It’s always interesting to hear where those in the know go! We thought it would be good to find out some insider information from our aircraft-based staff on where they love to visit when they have some time off. So if you have ever wondered where cabin crew go on holiday, their secrets are finally revealed!”

The best destination for beautiful beaches

Providing a great service to customers and flying aircraft is no mean feat, so like all of us, air crew need a well earned rest somewhere warm and sunny. When it comes to perfect sandy beaches and gorgeous blue sea, Spanish resorts bagged the top three spots, with Majorca receiving the most nominations.

1. Majorca – especially the resorts of Pollensa, Cala D’Or and Palma.

2. Malaga – from the black sand of Playa de la Malagueta, to the quieter beaches a short drive up the Costa del Sol.

3. Tenerife – with white, golden or black sand beaches, it was felt there was something for all.

4. Croatia – from the spectacular Golden Horn, to the long sandy Nin’s Lagoon.

5. The Algarve – with over 100 miles of spectacular beaches, varying from the surfing heaven of Praia da Arrifana to the secluded Praia da Marinha.

The best city break

It seems old favourites really can’t be beaten, with cabin crew preferring to visit cities which combine history, shopping, culture and great hospitality. The city with a beach, Barcelona, was the clear favourite with capital cities – Rome and Paris – neck and neck for the second spot, the fourth favourite was the popular city of Prague and the fifth favourite was the stunning city of Venice.

The best locations for retail therapy

If you’re planning on hitting the high street for a spot of serious shopping, then Jet2.com’s cabin crew know the best destinations for picking up bargains or splashing the cash.

1. New York – from Bloomingdales and Macy’s to Fifth Avenue there’s great shopping at stateside prices.

2. Turkey – open air markets, chic boutiques and Turkish bazaars, whether you’re a haggler or high end fashionista, you can shop to your heart’s content.

3. Milan – the home of Armani and Versace, Milan is a must-visit city for lovers of designer labels.

4. Nice – the place in France to see and be seen, with the shops to match!

5. Estepona – this small Spanish town on the Costa del Sol came out high in the rankings, with cabin crew recommending leather goods and the great market.

Dream destination

Even though they spend all their working life in the air, cabin crew still dream of spending their spare time getting on a long flight to some of the world’s most exotic destinations. The top tipped aspirational escapes were: the Maldives, Australia, the Caribbean (Barbados), USA and Canada and Hong Kong. Jet2.com’s flights from northern airports to Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona offer the opportunity to connect for a long haul flight to destinations across the globe.

Travel insurance has always been a tricky subject. With so much small print it’s hard to know if the cover you’ve got is sufficient and if it will cover the places and activities that will be involved in your trip. For students, the emphasis is certainly on budget and this opens many potholes as you risk ending up with a policy that doesn’t cover your requirements. Below are 7 tips that should make getting student travel insurance a bit more straightforward…

• Get annual cover. In the long run you’ll often find that an annual policy is better and more cost effective than buying separate policies every time you go away.
• Do your research! Unsurprisingly, doing a bit of research and comparing costs of policies online will save you a lot of money.
• Buy in numbers. If there are a group of you going away then try and get your policies together. Buying in bulk can often bring cheaper prices
• Declare medical issues. Trying to hide any medical issues could result in your claim being void – the last thing you want is to be stuck in a foreign hospital and no insurance.
• Read the small print. As with everything, the key issues are in the small print so you can’t miss them. It’s boring, but it could be crucial!
• Plan your activities. Don’t waste money on activities you aren’t going to do. If you’re not skiing, don’t include it on your policy.
• Check the excess. You don’t want to end up with an excess that will void all your belongings. Check what you’re getting and plan accordingly.

Following these 7 hints should hopefully make getting student travel insurance slightly less of a drag!

Lanzarote is a beautiful place to travel and has plenty to attract visitors, whether they are on a package holiday or backpacking around the world. There are so many travel destinations out there to choose from that it’s easy to overlook places that are renowned as package holiday destinations, but below are 5 great reasons that should convince you if you ever had any doubts.

• La Geria Wine region – the La Geria region is a paradise for wine lovers and perfect for couples looking for a beautiful getaway on their holiday. Unlike any vineyard you will have seen before, this will take your breath away.
• Beautiful Accommodation – Finding a Lanzarote hotel in beautiful surroundings with all the facilities you could possibly need isn’t difficult. There are a huge range of options there, catering for both backpackers on a budget and families looking for luxury.
• Beaches – Lanzarote is packed with beautiful beaches, not least Playa Blanca where white sands are mixed with winding trails that lead you to stunning vistas of the coastline. Playa Mujeres attracts the most tourist attention and will leave you sun kissed and content.
• Timanfaya National Park – With an active volcano at its heart, the Timanfaya National Park is often top of the list for people visiting Lanzarote. Taking a trip there is reminiscent of walking on the moon and as the ground under foot warms your feet you can see the lava bursting to get out. Los Hervideros also offers lava based fun that is more than worthy of a visit.
• Palacio Spinola – Those looking for a culture shot should head to Palacio Spinola. It preserves a colonial atmosphere and was once home to the governor. Head there on a Sunday when the market takes over and musicians in costumes flood into the plaza.

This is just the start, Lanzarote has so much to offer visitors that if you’re bored of the beach, you can check out the history and if that gets too much you can hot things up by an active volcano! Whatever you’re looking for, Lanzarote can certainly deliver.

Imagine waking to the earthy murmur of the ocean, the sun gently streaming in through the gaping holes of the blinds of your own personal hotel suite…looking out across the beautiful green lawn, the beautifully constructed patio area lit from the glistening reflection of the edge of hotel pool and peering at the incredible golden sanded beach only a few small steps away from the original source of that seducing sound you first awoke to…picture it? Now imagine yourself on a Caribbean holiday!

Located on the outskirts of the capital of the city, Bridgetown, Barbados the hotel Savannah is one of the most romantic beachfront mansions on the whole of the Island. Historically charming, the building is originally divided in to two, split between the main house and the plantation house, overlooking the courtyard and the gardens. With a two-channel pool with a four-storey waterfall, swim-up bars, an indoor lounge, air-conditioned fitness centre complete with aerobics and yoga classes, an open-air fine dining restaurant overlooking the courtyard, the incredible waterfall and a beach bar and grill overlooking the ocean, you wouldn’t even need to leave the hotel grounds…but if you find that you do? The Garrison racetrack, Barbados museum, Quayside Centre and Black Pear restaurant are all within walking distance. Looking to leave the Island? Travel no further than the VH Victoria Resort, Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

Located on an 18-hole golf course, family run but not exactly family friendly, the Victoria resort is the ideal location for a couple’s romantic, stress-free getaway. Incredibly quiet, the resort has two swimming pools, Gourmet a la Carte restaurant, its own private gym, tennis courts, scuba diving lessons and Tex Mex Beach Club and bar. The honeymoon suites are complete with a Jacuzzi on the balcony and a built-in shower for two. The beach is only 5 minutes away but if you’d rather be swept off your feet you could always a shuttle bus that runs regularly from nine until five. It’s sister hotel, the Gran Ventana is incredibly lively with a popular team for evening entertainment, but nothing beats the intimate, serene setting of the VH Victoria resort, perfect for those special Kodak moments between you and a loved one…For the complete package? Fly over to Negril.

Nestled in the beautiful residence of Negril on the Island of Jamaica, Couples Swept Away is the perfect intimate romantic getaway. With incredible views, breathtaking beaches, gourmet restaurants and luxury spas, the hotel is an adult exclusive. Located on the beach, the hotel offers 24-hour dining, wonderful night entertainment: with eight bars, weekly bonfires, live music shows and star lit movie nights on the beach. With nothing but your loved one to distract you, the gentle heat of the sun, an array of indulgent Jacuzzi’s, kayaking, scuba diving and isolated paddleboats and sailing, there is literally no higher ranking resort on the whole of the Island.

This is a guest post by James Rowland of lowcostholidays.com.

Now that the worst of the winter weather is over our attention is turning towards the summer holidays.

However, with the cost of fuel rising rapidly – oil prices are now at their highest since 2008 – some airlines have introduced fuel surcharges to protect their income and pass the fuel burden on to passengers.

While not all airlines have added fuel surcharges, air travellers will end up paying for the fuel price increase one way or another, either through increased ticket prices, or as airlines reduce services and therefore reduce capacity flight prices will naturally increase.

With a possible increase in air travel prices it becomes more and more important to secure good holiday deals as best we can. So how can we look for ways to save money on our summer holiday?

Below are some tips to help you save money when you book your summer holiday:

Avoid school holidays
Demand for flights and accommodation increases greatly during school holidays and with it prices, so, if at all possible, book your holiday in school term time. If you are uncertain when the school holidays are, just do a search for a school in your area and check their website for dates.

Shop around for currency deals
One of the worst places to exchange foreign currency is to do it at your holiday hotel, so always make sure you buy your foreign currency in advance. Shop around online to get the best deal and don’t just compare rates, work out what you will actually get for your money.

Book your airport parking early
Booking your airport parking early you can save up to 60% on the gate prices. Also, as car park spaces fill up, airport parking companies often increase their prices, so for the best possible price always book early.

Travel insurance
If you plan to take more than one holiday this year, consider buying an annual policy as this could work out cheaper than buying several single-trip policies.

Regional airport versus busy hub
Landing charges are often cheaper at smaller, regional airports compared to busy hubs, and consequently flights to these smaller airports are often cheaper. Check all your options, but be aware that although an airport may be named after a major city, it may be 60 miles or more away and the cost of transportation to and from the airport may outweigh the savings.

After months of speculation, the European Parliament and the Council have given the go ahead for passengers travelling by sea and inland waterways to be afforded similar rights as air and rail passengers.

The regulations are due to be published on 9 December 2010 and come into force at the end of 2012.

The new rights include:

• guarantee of reimbursement or rerouting in situations of cancellation or of delay at departure of more than 90 minutes;
• adequate assistance (such as snacks, meals, refreshments and, where necessary, accommodation up to three nights, with a financial coverage up to €80 per night) in situations of cancellation or delay at departure of more than 90 minutes;
• compensation, between 25% and 50% of the ticket price, in situations of delay in arrival or cancellation of journeys;
• non-discriminatory treatment and specific assistance free of charge for disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility both at port terminals and on board ships, as well financial compensation for loss or damage of their mobility equipment;
• minimum rules on information for all passengers before and during their journey, as well as general information about their rights in terminals and on board ships;
• establishment by carriers and terminal operators of complaint handling mechanism available to passengers;
• establishment of independent national bodies for the enforcement of the regulation, through, where appropriate, the application of penalties.

If the recent snow has got you thinking about escaping the worst of the weather, or if you’re taking a domestic flight to visit family and friends this Christmas, here are some tips that will help you reduce the hassle of flying this festive season.

If you haven’t booked your flight yet, get on and do it. If you can avoid the busiest days – traditionally just before Christmas and 27 and 28 December, this will reduce your queuing times and the airport terminals will be less busy.

Whatever day you’re flying, expect queues and be prepared. Do as much as possible before you set off for the airport:

Check-in online

Most airlines allow you to check-in online by printing off your own boarding passes, or having your boarding pass sent to your mobile phone. Printing on your own boarding pass will save you queuing at the terminal – you only have to drop off your baggage, if you are travelling with checked-in luggage.

Travel with hand luggage only

Travelling with hand luggage only will help you breeze through the airport when you’re plane lands, no queuing at the baggage carousel wondering if your suitcase made it on the plane.

Arrive early

Because there’s going to be more people flying, you should expect to encounter queues at check-in and also passing through security. To ensure you have plenty of time, arrive early – not too early – but do allow extra time for queuing.

Hand luggage

Don’t forget the liquids in hand luggage rules – no liquids in containers larger than 100ml. If you are carrying presents in your hand luggage, carry them unwrapped as they could be subjected to checks at security.

Don’t carry party poppers, either in your hand luggage or checked-in luggage. These fun, seemingly harmless party accessories are actually explosive items and as such are banned from aircraft.

There are also restrictions on the carriage of Christmas crackers – so if you plan to carry some check with your airline and airport before travel.

Travelling to the airport

Plan your journey to the airport in advance allowing extra time – not only will the airports be busier at this time of year, so will the roads. For a list of route planners and further tips check here.

If you’re planning to travel by taxi, book it in advance; don’t wait until the morning of travel to book it.

Public transport timetables change over the festive period, sometimes a limited service is operated at weekends and bank holidays so check in advance.

Weather disruptions

Heavy snow is currently affecting the whole of the UK. If this continues over the Christmas period, there will likely be disruption to flights and transportation to the airports. Should your area be affected you should check with your airline in prior to travelling to the airport.

While the airport operators are responsible for the day-to-day running of the airports, ultimate responsibility for your flight rests with your airline so you should contact your airline for an up-to-date status of your flight. Check your airline’s website for details – you could try phoning, but lines are likely to be very busy. Alternatively, try twitter, many of the airlines, and airports, are on twitter – follow them and send them a direct message for up-to-date information.