Avoid these six holiday rip-offs!

Going on holiday this summer? Don't be duped by these six terrible tricks!

Holidays should be a time to get away from the stresses of everyday life, and jet off to fresher pastures.

But with so many things to remember, essential tasks can quickly be put on the back burner, and if you're not careful, you could get short-changed.

Here are six of the most common holiday rip-offs, and what you can do to ensure you don't get caught out by them.

1. Airport parking charges

A trip to the airport by car can quickly become an expensive affair, with parking fees costing more than the flight, in some cases.

Express train services aren't much better, and, if you're using an airline like Ryanair or easyJet, can put a dent in what was meant to be a budget holiday.

The solution

If you're determined to take your car to the airport, there is really only one rule: Book as early as you can.

Use a search engine such as Holidayextras.co.uk, which will find you the best deal on your chosen dates. It also guarantees if you find a cheaper price within 24 hours of booking, it will give you the parking spot free of charge.

For rail travellers, instead of using express services, why not take a slower train which stops at a few extra stations? OK, it may not get you to the airport in record time, but it will save you a packet on your train fare.

And, here's one for the books. If you're flying from Stansted with Ryanair, you can ride the Stansted Express for £14.40 instead of the usual £21, saving £6.60 on the normal fare.

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Plus, rival easyBus offers single fares to Luton, Gatwick and Stansted from just £2.

You'll have to book your seat well in advance to get the lowest fare, but return fares are capped at £13.99, making it a good alternative to pricey rail fares.

2. Buying food at the airport

When I was on holiday in Morocco, I made the classic mistake of going to the airport on an empty stomach.

The result? I was starving when I got there. And, with a four hour flight staring me in the face, I had no choice but to go to the one café in the airport and buy a sandwich that was so dry it looked like one of those plastic food models you see outside Japanese restaurants.

And the worst part of it all? It cost £5.

The solution

Airports bump up their food prices because they know you'll have no choice but to buy from them. So, bring your own.

The 100ml rule may mean you can't bring bottled drinks, but that doesn't mean you can't bring food. So, bring as many snacks and sandwiches as you can, you'll save a small fortune.

3. Exchanging money

Two of the worst places you can change your money are at the airport, and your hotel.

Though they may be convenient, the rates you'll get are a real rip-off.

The solution

Plan ahead! If you're determined to leave your travel money until the last minute, Travelex lets you to order your currency online and pick it up at selected airports.

That way, you'll get a better rate, and have the convenience of being able to pick up your currency at the airport. You can even order it on the day of departure (just leave at least four hours for collection).

4. Extortionate debit and credit card charges

Banking in Britain might be free, but when we venture abroad it's a very different story. When on holiday, there are charges for taking money out of an ATM, paying in shops, and even to convert it back to sterling.

Many banks charge you a flat fee for using your debit or credit card to pay for something abroad, as well as a 'conversion fee' of around 2.75%.

So be very wary about using debit and credit cards abroad.

The solution

While some plastic may not be fantastic, there are some which prove very useful when abroad.

The best credit cards to use abroad are the Halifax Clarity Credit Card and Santander Zero Credit Card*, as they both charge 0% commission on all overseas transactions. There's also no cash withdrawal fee if you take out money abroad - although you will be charged interest from the day you withdraw that cash.

If you have the Santander Zero Current Account,* you'll be given a debit card that you can use abroad for purchases and cash withdrawals fee-free!

You may also want to consider a pre-paid currency card which allows you to pre-load your card with funds to use overseas. You can find out more about these cards in The best cards for spending abroad.

For more on the plastic you should pack with you while away, read The best cards to use abroad.

5. Dynamic currency conversion

Dynamic currency conversion is a practice I'm seeing more commonly in Europe, especially in smaller stores, and at ATMs.

When paying for something in a shop, or withdraw cash at an ATM, some stores will give you the option to pay in pounds.

If you've never seen this before, it may seem logical to do this, as it shows you how much you'll be paying straight away.

One word: don't. The retailer earns a commission from the transaction, therefore the rate you'll be offered will be much less competitive than the one you'll get from your bank.

The solution

Simple: always opt to pay in the local currency.

6. Excess baggage and check-in charges

This is an absolute minefield. These days, you have to be on your guard from the moment you start booking your flights.

If you don't tick (or un-tick) the right boxes online, you could end up facing a host of extra charges when you arrive at the airport. What's more, if you don't read the terms and conditions carefully, you could get charged hefty fees for checking-in at the airport, as well as checking-in your luggage.

Ryanair is one budget airline frequently accused of ripping off customers in this way (have a look at its daunting table of fees) -- but it's certainly not alone.

Most budget airlines will also charge between £3-£5 per person, per trip if you pay by debit or credit card.

The solution

Forewarned is forearmed. Check the charges before you pay and un-tick any boxes for things you don’t want. Always check-in online to avoid being charged to check-in at the airport. It's also worth packing light and squeezing all of your luggage into a small cabin bag to avoid paying to check your luggage in.

You could also consider paying for your flight with a prepaid Mastercard to avoid being charged the £3-£5 fee - however, be warned you won't have the Section 75 protection that you get when you pay by credit card.

This is a classic article that has been updated for 2011.

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