Travellers could be throwing away over £1,000 every time they book a holiday, as data reveals the small decisions that make a big difference. With 9 in 10 (89%) UK holidaymakers concerned about being able to afford their trip, travellers are ditching traditional booking methods and embracing unconventional hacks to secure a cheaper break.
A massive 88% of UK adults are reporting issues with rising living costs, however, nearly all (96%) class holidays as an essential spend, meaning bargain‑hunting is no longer a hobby, it’s a core money-saving strategy.
To make holidays less of a financial worry, Post Office Travel Insurance is sharing practical tips for saving money on your next booking:
- Using AI to find the lowest prices
85% of AI users used AI to plan a holiday last year and one of the ways to use it to analyse historical pricing data. This can help you predict the cheapest moment to book and uncover lower‑cost destinations and routes travellers might not have considered.
For example, one finance influencer using AI to track flights to find the most affordable option, including hidden routes and lesser-known airports and airlines, saved up to £660.
- Optimising loyalty schemes
UK travellers are becoming savvier with using loyalty scheme points across partner airlines and hotel chains to find the best discounts.
4 in 10 (42%) of British Airways customers (aged 25-34) say loyalty points influence their choice of travel brand, and with the cost-of-living squeeze, almost half (47%) say rising prices make them more likely to join these programmes.
With a British Airways Amex Card, you can collect 1 Avios point for every £1 you spend at selected retailers . 20,000 points and paying an extra £2 could get you your next flight to Europe..
- Finding the calendar sweet spot
Flexible dates and airports are becoming essential for travellers trying to outsmart airline algorithms. Data shows Tuesday and Wednesday flights can typically be cheaper, and surprisingly Saturdays also come out as good value.
Midweek flights can be up to 20% less expensive, especially on international routes.
- Booking self-transfer flights
Another good way to save is by creating split bookings to beat algorithm-driven fare hikes. By booking each leg of a journey separately, you can mix airlines, airports and timings to build the cheapest possible itinerary.
This self‑transfer approach offers far more flexibility than standard return tickets and combining low‑cost carriers with major airlines can unlock significant savings, particularly on long‑haul routes. You can save up to £424 on a flight from Manchester to Singapore by opting for a self-transfer option..
- Choosing annual multi-trip travel insurance
Buying travel insurance that covers you for a whole year can be better value than taking out single-trip policies each time, if you go abroad multiple times a year.
For example, an Economy single-trip policy to cover a week in Spain in May costs around £37 for a 60-year-old with no medical conditions, while an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy comes in at just over £48, meaning, if you go on holiday three times a year, you may be able to save almost 50% simply by purchasing annual cover.
Adam Edinburgh, Head of Post Office Travel & New Products, commented:
“Holidaymakers are working harder than ever to get the best possible value from their trips, carefully planning and budgeting to make their money go further.”
“That’s why travel insurance is playing a bigger role than ever. It provides peace of mind that those savings won’t be wiped out if something goes wrong, whether that’s a cancellation, medical emergency or lost belongings.”
Find out more about Post Office Travel Insurance, visit: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-insurance
