Your gap year should be all about creating memories that last a lifetime, and, by incorporating these 4 ‘Must Dos’ into your travel plans abroad, there’s no way you can go wrong…

The post 4 Things You MUST Do On Your Gap Year appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

For those brave revellers who actually do opt to brave the cold and head out to Britain’s city centres, blustering winds, rowdy crowds and deadlocked roads predictably await.

Complemented by a dismal journey home involving two night buses and an extortionate taxi ride, we vow to welcome in the next year from the comfort of an exotic holiday destination – preferably, far away from home and from Great Uncle John’s rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

Like most of our New Year’s resolutions, this dream rarely materialises. Don’t make the same mistake in 2014.

If you’re still ‘hmm-ing’ and ‘ahh-ing’ over those last minute travel plans, here are our top 5 most fabulous New Year’s destinations to help you make a final decision…

The post The top 5 most fabulous New Year’s destinations appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

MyTravelMoney Mystery Shop data is collected in real time on August 19th from 10:30am-10:45am

Key Findings

• Don’t waste a minute waiting in line at an airport bureau or a Pound in your currency exchange, compare options online!
• 0% Commission? I don’t think, we call your bluff!
• Online currency specialists offer markups as low as 1%, that’s a save!
• Banks may tell you no fees, but there’s no feeking way that’s true.

Co-Founder at MyTravelMoney Stevan Litobac comments:

“If you look back you’ll see that history repeats itself! Banks and airport bureaus repeatedly claim ‘0% Commission’ which is nothing more than a misleading strategy to get you to do business with them. Online specialists can offer you a more transparent way to buy your holiday money. Research your options! ”

For press enquiries or comment: press@mytravelmoney.co.uk

The post Weekly Mystery Shop | Markups As Low As 1% appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Hi there and welcome to another episode of MyTravelMoneyTV. We don’t know about you but these spots of sunshine in the UK are just such a tease! We want the works, to be able to lie in the sun and sip on Pimm’s without it being over in 2 hours! Luckily there are some great places you can escape to in May to make sure you get not only a generous dose of vitamin D, but also that break that you deserve. So here we go, the top 5 places with the best deals in May.

Crete, Greece
Want to escape the rate race in the UK but avoid the crowds of mainland Greece? Then Crete is the perfect place for you. The lower coast is the southernmost part of Europe and with quaint villages and silence created by imposing mountains, you’ll find yourself laying in the sunshine on an island that seems lost in time. For a day out exploring the culture of Crete, we recommend visiting an abundance of old monasteries and churches dotted around the island, and definitely tasting the rich yoghurts and local cuisine at a roadside tavern.

Bahamas
Who isn’t tempted by a string of islands scattered among the turquoise seas of the Caribbean. Why’s it different from any other island? The Bahamas offer white beaches, great diving spots and historic villages. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, there’s a plethora of water-sports to try your hand at. From sailing to fishing or even the local pastime of bonefishing, the Bahamas has plenty to keep you occupied.

New Orleans, USA
Now Orleans is a great place to visit any time of year but we particularly love it in May. Not only can you enjoy the sun and avoid the hot and sticky humid months, but it’s also the month of the fabulous ten day cultural Jazz Fest. This great festival celebrates genres from jazz to blues to rock and rap. What do we recommend in New Orleans? The cocktail culture! New Orleans has laid claim to the Sazerac, a stiff drink of whiskey, bitters, sugar, absinthe and a twist of lemon. Great after a long day of seeing the winding Mississippi or sampling beignets, the popular New Orleans Creole desert.

Istanbul, Turkey
Fabulously Eastern with shimmering mosques and heavenly vistas, Istanbul is just wonderful for a romantic break, particularly in May. It’s not all history and and culture though, Istanbul is becoming the new hotspot for glamorous bars and restaurants. If you only see one thing, make it the Aghia Sophia, the Byzantine cathedral turned mosque and now a museum. Dominating the city skyline you’ll be doubly impressed by its luxurious interior.

Tuscany, Italy
For unspoiled, beautiful landscapes, culture to keep you nothing but occupied and cuisine to make your mouth water, Tuscany has it all. Think beautifully restored ancient farmhouses, medieval hill-top villages and of course the beautiful cities of Florence and Sienna. Foodies love Tuscan food and the local wine is just exquisite. It is the perfect landscape for exploring, particularly outside of the hot and crowded summer months.

So we hope you’ve enjoyed our video and wish you a wonderful May wherever you decide to go. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to tweet us @MyTravelMoneyUK

Written by Sofia Kluge on Google+

The post Where is hot and has good holiday deals in May? appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Hi there and welcome to another episode of MyTravelMoneyTV. No matter where you are travelling to or how long for, you will want to consider the smartest and safest way of carrying your money around with you whether it be in the form of cash, credit cards or prepaid currency cards. The truth is that there a number of pros and cons for each type, depending on some determining factors.

In today’s episode, we will outline some of the best ways you can travel with your money so you can make and informed decision on the type that is best suited for your trip.

Cash

This tends to be a very convenient method as providing you have the correct currency, you can use it anywhere in the world.

So what are the pros?

•  Getting cash is quick and fast, and when ordered online you take advantage of markups as low as 1% giving you a better deal on your currency. Next day delivery means you have more time to spend on packing without worrying about picking up the cash elsewhere.
• Most countries have bureau de changes dotted around for quick conversion if you are running short, even in rural areas.
• Cash is convenient for small payments, such as parking if you’ve hired a car or haggling in places like Morocco.

Sounds great so what are the Cons?

• You need to be careful on where you choose to buy your currency. Banks and Airports can apply markups of up to 10% but this can be avoided by buying online with markups of only 1-3% added. It is also a good rule of thumb to know that 0% Commission advertised at Bureau de Change are a myth and should largely be ignored. Banks and businesses aren’t in the market to give away free currency and it is simply a marketing gimmick.
• Travelling with a large amount can be dangerous and should be avoided in high crime countries and cities so always be sure to budget for your daily trips and leave the rest of your cash in a hotel safe.

Credit Cards

Ideal for large purchases such as airline tickets, hotel bills and car rentals but again are subject to pros and cons.

• Credit card purchases are exchanged at the inter-bank exchange rate, usually the cheapest rate you can get for currency exchange.
• You don’t need to be concerned with having to handle large amount of cash which makes it a safer and more secure alternative.
• Visas and Mastercards can be used in almost any country which can save a lot of time and effort.

So what are the Cons?

• On the downside, some places won’t take credit cards particularly in small villages and rural places so you will need to research availability of credit card payments before you travel.
• If you do need cash for small payments, you will be subject to very high ATM charges to get cash advances with credit cards, sometimes charging international withdrawal rates of up to 5%.
• You will need to be stay on top of monthly bill payments so not great if you’re going on a long trip or a gap year.

Top Tip: Don’t forget, if you’re going abroad and taking your credit or card, it is always important to make sure you let your bank or provider known when and where you are going as international activity can set off a fraud alert and block your card.

Prepaid Currency Cards

A very popular and smart way of carrying your currency particularly if you are travelling around the US or Eurozone.

Pros

• Prepaid currency cards are as convenient as credit card but have the bonus of not being able to go over your prepaid amount so you can budget better.
• They allow you to be smart and load your card when exchange rates are at their best enabling you to get a better deal on your currency.
• The cards are widely accepted and Euro Currency Cards are great if travelling around Europe as are US Dollar Cards when making trips around the States.

Cons

• Occasional inactivity and application fees of up £10 sometimes apply but these are one-off and will add up to less than international credit card fees.

So we hope that this video has given you an insight in to the options available when travelling abroad, and you have a better understanding of which form of currency is best suited for your trip.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter @mytravelmoneyUK for the latest travel news and tips or reach out to me at sofia@mytravelmoney.co.uk

Written by Sofia Kluge on Google+

The post What are the best ways to carry money when travelling? appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Key Findings
It has been proven by our desk research that Airport Currency Bureaus remain the most expensive place to buy travel money adding mark-ups of nearly 10%

• Independent research shows Airport Bureaus apply markups of over 10% away from the real interbank exchange rate
• Airport Bureaus remain the most expensive place to buy your travel money, adding mark-ups of up to 9.61%
• Banks and airports that offer 0% commission do not exist and should not be bought in to
• When buying travel money, the exchange rate is the key indicator to obtaining the best value on your chosen currency
• The cheapest and fairest way to obtain your currency is by comparing deals with an online currency specialist. They will only tend to add markups from as little as 1.5% away from the interbank exchange rate giving you the best deals.
• MyTravelMoney.co.uk desk research finds that buying online is substantially cheaper than buying at the airports

Mystery Shop data collated is true to live recordings of rates between 8:15am-8:30pm, 26th November 2013

For press enquiries or comment: press@mytravelmoney.co.uk

Written by Sofia Kluge on Google+

The post Travel Money Mystery Shop | 9.61% Markups added by Airport Bureaus appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Key Findings
The cheapest and fairest way to obtain your currency is by comparing deals with an online currency specialist. They will only tend to add markups from as little as 1% away from the interbank exchange rate giving you the best deals.

• Airport Bureaus remain the most expensive place to buy your travel money, adding mark-ups of up to 9.75%
• Banks and airports that offer 0% commission do not exist and should not be bought in to
• When buying travel money, the exchange rate is the key indicator to obtaining the best value on your chosen currency
• High Street banks have poor exchange rates adding mark-ups of between 4-6%, a significant amount on top of the true mid-market exchange rate
• Independent research shows Airport Bureaus apply markups of over 10% away from the real interbank exchange rate
• MyTravelMoney.co.uk desk research finds that buying online is substantially cheaper than buying at the airports

Mystery Shop data collated is true to live recordings of rates between 10:00am-10:15am, 19th November 2013

For press enquiries or comment: press@mytravelmoney.co.uk

Written by Sofia Kluge on Google+

The post Travel Money Mystery Shop – Lose 60 Euros to Airport Bureaus appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

– The cheapest and fairest way to obtain your currency is by comparing deals with an online currency specialist. They will only tend to add markups from as little as 1% away from the interbank exchange rate giving you the best deals.

– When buying travel money, the exchange rate is the key indicator to obtaining the best value on your chosen currency

– It has been proven by our desk research that Airport Currency Bureaus remain the most expensive place to buy travel money adding mark-ups of over 10%

– 0% commission should almost always be ignored as high mark-ups are added instead

– Travel money mystery shop data was collected between 1.00pm and 1.15pm on 5th November 2013

Web Editor at MyTravelMoney  Sofia Kluge comments:

”Airports once again appear to be the world’s most expensive place to buy travel money. As you are a captive customer, our research and data shows that you lose around £70 on every £600 you exchange. Remember, 0% commission doesn’t mean free travel money. The true, hidden cost of converting currency is within the exchange rate.”

For press enquiries or comment: press@mytravelmoney.co.uk

Sofia Kluge on Google+

The post Travel Money Mystery Shop – Only 1% Markups when you buy online appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Hi there and welcome to another episode of MyTravelMoneyTV. So today I’m going to talk about Airport Lounge access, what the benefits are and some of our insider Top Tips to getting in. You probably envision Airport Lounges at the likes of Heathrow and Gatwick to be something exclusive, brimming with VIP’s and costs being sky-high. Well before I begin, you’ll be pleased and probably surprised to know that Airport Lounges are not that exclusive, cater for budget travellers and prices are pretty agreeable.

So what are the benefits?

There are just so many! Firstly, the lounges offer large comfortable chairs, TV’s and newspapers in an abundance of languages to keep you entertained while waiting for your departing flight. Computers, Wi-Fi access and power sockets are all available so you can get on with work if you’re on business or even just checking Facebook. The best aspect of taking advantage of Airport Lounges are the food and drink available. Most lounges have an open bar so you can drink to your heart’s content and snacks and often buffets are available to all passengers. With departure hall café and restaurant prices being so high, lounge access could actually save you money as it sometimes works out cheaper.

So how can you get access?
There are a few options. You may have never even considered it before but it’s quite straightforward and like I said, not too pricey either.

Membership
Many companies offer annual memberships and with an annual fee you can turn up for any flight as early as you like knowing you can relax in the lounge at your convenience. Next time your flight is delayed, you can look forward to the luxury of the lounges as opposed to the stuffy departure halls. We recommend Priority Pass, serving over 600 lounges worldwide with annual membership prices starting at just £69.

One-off pass
You don’t have to be a member to get luxury treatment, and can buy a pass as and when you need it. Perhaps you get to the airport early and have time to kill or just want to relax in style to prepare for the long-haul. One-off passes are great for budget travellers as well. With the launch of MyTravelMoneyExtras you can book in advance and get up to 60% discount off your airport lounge access which is a brilliant saving and you rest assured knowing that your airport lounge is booked and ready on the day of your flight.

Get Elite Status
Most Frequent Flyers programmers offer Lounge access to their loyal customers. If you fly regularly it is absolutely worth joining a programme if you haven’t already done so, and then maintaining those air miles so you can obtain elite status. When you travel with a Star Alliance member airline such as Lufthansa or Swiss Airlines, Gold status allows you to chill out and relax in over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide regardless of what class you travel, so it’s great to start racking up those miles.

Go as a guest
Most membership passes allow you to bring a guest in with you. So if you’re travelling with an annual member or someone with elite frequent flyer status, make sure that they take advantage of it and bring you in with them! You could always hang around outside the lounges and ask passengers entering if they’ll take you in a guest too. Cheeky but it works!

So as you can see, there a number of ways to get access to Airport Lounges and with prices starting at just £14 per entry if not free, you can get luxury without paying luxurious prices.

I hope you have enjoyed this video and be sure to follow us on Twitter @MyTravelMoneyUK for the latest travel tips and top money saving tips.

Thank you for watching and goodbye.

The post How to get access to Airport Lounges appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.