Martin Lewis has warned Brits about the financial precautions to take before going abroad this summer.
The money-saving expert, 53, was speaking on the summer special of his live money show on ITV this evening, which was filmed at Aerospace Bristol.
During the episode, Martin revealed his top tricks for cutting the cost and hassle of summer getaways this year, including the ‘things to do now to help when you go’.
After receiving a question from the audience, the financial guru revealed the best practices to adopt when it comes to paying for items abroad.
When getting out physical cash before going away, Martin advised to go on a UK travel cash comparison website to find out which of the bureaus will give you the best rate.
However, he urged viewers to never get cash out at the airport – as this is where you’ll get the worst deal.
‘Never get it at the airport,’ Martin emphasised.
And as for getting cash out while actually on holiday, he said only to visit an overseas bureau de change if you know there’s a good rate.
Martin Lewis has warned Brits about the financial precautions to take before going abroad this summer
The money saving expert, 53, was speaking on the summer special of his live money show on ITV this evening
Martin also addressed the age old debate of whether to pay in pounds or the local currency when paying via card machine while on holiday.
After asking the audience for a show of hands, he confirmed that you should always select the local currency option as you ‘get hideous rates abroad’.
He said: ‘If you pay, and you pay in pounds, it’s the card machine or the ATM that’s doing the conversion and their rates are pants!’
Even though card machines will try to get you to pay in pounds, Martin said: ‘The reason they’re trying to force you and be so aggressive is because it makes them more money, it doesn’t save you money.’
As well as financial considerations, Martin emphasised the importance of checking your passport is in date before travelling.
He also said 1.8 million EHIC cards are due to expire this year and those looking for a new one will now need a GHIC.
These cards will give the holder access to health services abroad at the same price as a local.
However, he said that these should be used in addition to travel insurance, and not as a replacement.
Martin issued ‘three crucial alerts’ about checking your documentation before travelling
He urged viewers to never get cash out at the airport – as this is where you’ll get the worst deal
GHIC cards can be obtained for free – though fraudulent websites will often try to flog ‘fast-track’ deals.
Martin said: ‘You can renew for free. You must never pay for your EHIC or GHIC card.’
Often, finding the best deals for for holidays, especially as a family, will take a bit of effort.
The MoneySavingExpert founder said cancelling (if free or cheap) and then rebooking may sometimes mean you can end up with a better-value deal.
In addition, knowing your flight compensation rights before you go may help you win back hundreds of pounds if a payout is needed.
Delays and cancellations that are the fault of the airline could see you getting money back into your pocket.
Last week, Martin shared a little known tip that could protect tourists’ health this summer – and in years to come.
Speaking on his Martin Lewis Podcast, the financial whizz asked how many of us know if the sunscreen bottles we have in the back of our cupboards are still in date.
Money man Martin Lewis turned his attention to a health tip in a recent episode of his podcast
POAs often appear as a tiny jar with a figure indicating the months the product will last
Lewis pointed his listeners in the direction of the letters POA on bottles of sunscreen, saying knowing what it means could save their future health (stock image)
Sun cream products applied to the skin are designed to protect us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, both UVA and UVB – but they have a shelf life.
With a bottle in hand, the broadcaster told his audience there’s a very easy way of working out whether you should pack the sun protection you have in your case, or throw it in the bin.
During the podcast, he said: ‘Just a quick tip on sunscreen. When you get your sunscreen, turn the bottle around because on the back you’ll see a POA number.’
POA stands for ‘period after opening’ and is usually 12 or 24 months, he explained. It’s also often found on makeup products too, and usually appears as 9M, 12M, 18M or 24M.
Lewis said that a simple label could help prevent sunburn, or worse, a future skin cancer diagnosis.
He said: ‘[When you open the bottle] Put a little note of the date, write that onto the sunscreen and you’ll know if you try to use it in a year’s time whether it’s still valid or not.’
