BALANCE_DECEMBER_2019 - 49

JOURNEY
HACKS
Nicky Kelvin, Travel Expert
from the The Points Guy UK,
on bagging a great getaway
deal this Christmas

Q

Can you get better
deals by contacting
hotels directly?
Some hotels offer bestprice guarantees when
booking directly, so you
may be able to get the
best price this way. Hotel
chains may let you earn
points, if you book directly
with them. Online travel
agents, however, may
offer discount codes, free
nights, or air mile-earning
opportunities by clicking
through to the sites from
airline shopping portals

Where are the
best places to book
travel last minute?
When booking your flight,
I'd recommend going
directly through the
airline when booking
a cash ticket rather than
opting to use a third-party
site. You can also use
The Points Guy valuations
guide to work out what
value you are getting from
your miles. This means
you can compare them
to see what they're worth
before using against the
equivalent cash prices

What apps and websites do you recommend for finding the
best last-minute deals on flights and accommodation?
The Points Guy UK! We scour the internet to source the best deals for
flights. It's also useful to sign up for newsletters from your favourite
airlines so you can hear about deals and points offers early. Another
good one is ExpertFlyer - set an alert for award tickets on flights and
you'll get an email alert to snatch your flight before anyone else does

Q

What are
the best
times of the day to book?
Deals and cheap fares can pop
up and disappear at any time.
Flexibility both in terms of when to
make a booking and when to travel
will give the best chance of
nabbing the very best deals

48

Q

What one thing
must you never
forget when booking
a last-minute trip?
Do not forget to buy
comprehensive travel
insurance so you're
fully protected
wherever you go.
Be aware that travel
insurance bought
through an airline,
may be for flight
protection only

Q

How can
credit card
points lead to discounts?
Points and miles are best used on
hotels and flights. Compare these to
the price of the same ticket to ensure
you're getting the best value from
your points. It can also be great
value to buy a cash ticket
and use your points to
upgrade

Q

Q

Q

Q

How can last-minute travellers ensure they are booking
safely with a certain operator?
If prices seem too good to be true, lower than on major websites,
and with a company you've never heard of, then it's one to avoid.
It's beneficial to book travel on a credit card, not only to ensure
you earn points, but also because you will be protected in case
of any issues, such as the company going bust or not delivering
on what you thought you had bought. Ensuring you have
comprehensive insurance in place is also key

Q

What are the best
days to travel on?
When booking long-haul flights
with multiple airlines, a Saturday night
stay is key for unlocking the cheapest
fares, so always try adding one to your ticket
to see how much you might save. Most airlines
have a rule for their cheap fares that you need
to stay in the destination over a Saturday
night. You'll find a ticket to New York
from Monday to Saturday is usually
much more expensive than one
from Monday to Sunday

What compromises might
travellers have to make in
order to book last minute?
There's a risk that you won't be
able to fly from your preferred
airport and if you're travelling in
a large group you may not be able
to sit together. Sometimes you get
lucky and it all falls into place, but
flexibility and an open mind will
help you enjoy your trip

Q

How can travellers avoid
being ripped off?
Check the availability of discount
codes and sales on sites to ensure
you are getting the best price.
Also, familiarise yourself with the
airline's policies to avoid being
charged a large fee just because
you weren't aware of the protocol.
Low-cost airlines charge fees to
print a boarding pass at check-in
BALANCE_DECEMBER_2019

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