Your Summer Holiday Checklist | JS Insurance

Summer Holiday Checklist

If you are travelling this summer in Europe or elsewhere, here is a Summer Holiday Checklist of essential items to consider before leaving home.

Holidays are not just about flights and hotel bookings, but many more costs that can add to the trip’s price.

Here is some information that might be useful and provide a Summer Holiday Checklist for you or your family.

Currency

When you want to exchange money, you should look at the best rates and avoid purchasing currency at the airport, as they have a captive audience and typically charge a higher commission than other providers. Plenty of other options include pre-paid currency cards or taking a credit or debit card with you.

It is also an excellent idea to let your bank know that you are abroad so they do not block your card when you use it abroad.

Passport Renewal

If you are travelling soon, you should check the expiry date of your passport. Some countries require that your ticket have at least six months of validity. Last-minute passport renewals cost British travelling abroad £14m in 2015. It now costs £72.50 to renew an adult passport. You will usually receive a replacement passport within three weeks.

Airport Parking

When you travel by plane and need to park your car for any length of time, you should book in advance to get the best deal. For example, if you turn up at Gatwick’s South Terminal on the day you are travelling, the airport parking cost would be £360 or £45 per day. If you plan, you can save up to £239.00.

Airport Transfers

As well as the flight, you should consider how you plan to get to the airport. It would be best if you thought about how long it will take you to get to and from the airport. Taxis are always available, but you should check what they will charge to your final destination beforehand. You should also research if the hotel you are staying in has free airport transfers. This could save you money and time.

GHIC and Travel Insurance

You should purchase Travel Insurance before leaving your home and, if possible, well before your holiday. Don’t just rely on your Global Health Insurance Card. This will provide emergency medical assistance in most European countries but does not cover, for example, Repatriation back to your home or some pre-existing medical conditions.

Insure Gadgets

Most Travel Insurance policies will cover valuables, such as iPads and cameras, but there is a limit on the cover for single articles. Also, it should be noted that most Travel Insurance policies do not cover Mobile Phones. You should check with your Home Contents Insurance or purchase a Travel Insurance policy that does cover Gadgets.

Check-in Early

Some airlines charge you for selecting a seat. If you travel as a family or group and want to sit together, you might have to pay extra. Airlines have a policy of ‘first come, first served, so if you check in early, you have a better chance of being allocated seats together and not paying any extra.

Tourist Tax

Some countries charge a tourist tax which you might have to pay on arrival or at your hotel. It would be best to research this beforehand so you are not left with an unexpected cost on arrival.

Mobile Roaming

European roaming charges are to be scrapped from 15th June 2017. If you travel outside of Europe, these charges might still be made, and you should check with your Mobile Phone provider.

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