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Overseas holidays & travel planning

Get help with questions about international travel including package holidays.

Can I still use my current passport whilst applying for a new one, if it is still valid?
My current passport end date is 16th June 2024 so I know that I can use it (I believe) up until 16th January 2024. I am out of the country for the third week of October 2023, and then am hoping to go away from 24th to 29th December 2023. I then may need to go away at the start of February 2024. So I am thinking about the…
Moved hotels at own expense due to wildfires - can I reclaim?
Myself and a friend were staying in Puerto de la Cruz during the recent wildfires. Whilst we were not directly impacted by the wildfires themselves, there was smoke in the air and ash all around the grounds of the hotel by the Saturday. We enquired about the possibility of moving to a different hotel further south, however…
Tips on transferring large amount overseas
We'v left the UK and are selling our house. I was just wondering if anybody has any tips on the best way to move the proceeds of that overseas? We've transferred some smaller amounts using brokers like TorFX so far as the bank's rates but was wondering if there is a (safe) way to get a better deal on larger amounts.
Loss of deposit on a sold villa
Help! We booked 2 villas in Cyprus online on 05/06/2021 to stay 25/05/2022 to 05/06/2022 and paid a £1100 deposit. It took us an awfully long time to find the villas because of the number of people, 11, the age range, 0 to 62 and we needed to be in or near Larnaca for a wedding. Even booking a year in advance, most of the…
Heathrow parking
Watching Martin last night, he spoke about arranging airport parking through a comparison site. I never knew this was possible, any recommendations on what sites/companies to use? and is this sort of thing secure? I don't want to arrive at Heathrow at 4am in the morning, only to be told there is no booking.
holiday prices
Hi new to the forum .I was looking at holiday prices ,found some But flying from the uk from the airport close to me is £1818 pounds more than one futher away and that is with the same holiday company. How can they justify the price difference . heathrow airport price is £1550.all in and from Glasgow international £3368.…
Anyone use this All Inclusive trick? Worth it?
I seen a trick on YouTube where if you are arriving at your all inclusive resort late in evening would be to book a cheap hotel near airport overnight then travel to your all inclusive the following morning. I guess the theory behind it is your not getting the benefits from the all inclusive first day you arrive so it…
Last minute getaway in September - avoiding wildfires?
I'll jump right in here and say of course you can't predict wildfires or arson. Want to book a week away in September, Greece/Turkey/Cyprus looks nicest and seems to have better weather but also seem to be the hardest hit with wildfires. Mostly just looking for advice on if you'd dodge those areas or if the lower temps in…
Sending your old passport back when you renew your passport
I just used an ordinary 1st class stamp ( not large letter ) on an old padded envelope, and put it in the pillar box in my local Tesco's and got confirmation of its arrival at the Passport Office three days later - easy peasy - no need for tracked or any other expensive means of sending.
Passport renewal - success story
Thought I would put this here as an indicator of passport renewal time-scales as of August 2023 in case people are concerned how long it may take. UK passport holder, last one expired 2002. Did an online renewal application 3rd August, sent my old passport off on 7th August, new passport received 16th August and old…
ESTA Expiring On Cruise?
We're trying out our first cruise from Florida this year. Our ESTAs are valid till the 14th Nov 2023. We fly out 5th of Nov 2023. It's a repositioned cruise where we fly back from Barbados. We're scheduled to leave the States on the12th Nov 2023 for the Caribbean. I wanted to check there was no need to extend or reapply…
Urgent Advice for a tricky holiday compensation
I am after some advice please Returned from a lovely holiday in Sorrento, the actual departure from Naples airport was disastrous to say the least, basically we were flying back to Manchester, with Jet2, There was a bit of a delay at the departure gates due to fly back at 12.15, it was 13.30 when we were advised that due…
Travel insurance not covered when non travelling family member became ill
We have travel insurance with NatWest bank. Had it for years never claimed. we booked a holiday to Greece in October 2022. Fast forward to May 2023 and my mother was categorised as end of life on 18 May 23 so we cancelled our holiday which was due to fly out on 25th May 23. My mother had been under a consultant for years…
Special assistance problem yesterday
I booked special assistance for my wife who has incurable secondary cancer in the lungs and severe arthritis. We checked in at the assistance desk and she said she would manage the steps to the aircraft but slowly. We were told someone would be at the gate to take her to the aircraft. When we got to the gate we had our…
Problem extending travel insurance with ABTA
My family have all insured with ABTA for a trip ti France this year, which was fine. My daughter then used them for a 2 week trip to Spain. She enjoyed it so much that she decided to stay a week longer, and rebooked her flight for a reasonable fee. However the problem arose when she tried to extend her ABTA travel…
When is best to book a holiday for Summer 2024?
Booked a self catering packaged hol in Jan this year for 7n. We got back last week and it was really good. It was really hard to save up the £100pwpp as we booked so late. Little one starts school in Sept so I'm already thinking of booking holiday for Summer 2024. In your experience when is best time to book? We are 2…
Denied Boarding due to maintenance
I received an email about 12 hours before my flight saying they denied my Boarding due to maintenance issues. I would like to check my rights. Does the airline need to book me with a different company if their first flight out is to days later. This flight is from Belgrade to london with wizzair. I'm on the way to the…
Replacement passport printed: strange TNT tracking text sent on same day.
Should I worry about this? (I worry about everything these days!) 08.25 today August 2, 2023, I got a text and e-mail saying my new passport is printed and will be transferred to the delivery supplier in the next few days. But at 07.25 also today, I had a text message from TNT to say that "Passport items are scheduled for…
Best way to spend money in Scandinavia
I'm travelling to Denmark and Sweden next year on a short break (as an individual within a small group) & I know that both these countries don't use the euro but have their own currencies. Both seem to accept cash or card, with a seeming tendency towards cashless payments especially in Sweden. What do forumites recommend…
Booked a package holiday but company didn't book the first nights accommodation
I booked a package holiday to the maldives with mercury Holidays This included flights out and speedboat to the island arriving on 12th March morning. However after reviewing documentation the day after booking i noticed they haven't booked accommodation that I can check in to until the 13th. I raised this with the company…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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Overseas holidays & travel planning

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