Don't Break the Bank on Holiday Extras this Jubilee Half Term

CHESTER, England, May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Brits can save more than £450 on holiday 'extras'
• Holidaymakers urged to buy in advance to make huge savings on car hire, insurance and more

Many families will be taking advantage of the extra Jubilee Bank Holiday, this half term and jetting off on a family break. But new research from TravelSupermarket has found that families could be overpaying by up to £456.51 on holiday 'extras', such as airport parking, travel insurance and travel money on a typical family half term break.

To ensure that holidaymakers' hard-earned cash makes it onto the plane with them, TravelSupermarket has demonstrated a number of ways that savvy families can make big savings on their half term break with just a little forward planning.

Save up to £65.30 on airport parking

The earlier you book the more savings you can make on both long and short stay parking options. For example, the long stay price for eight days parking at Heathrow Airport (2 June - 9 June) is £137.60. However by booking ahead online with TravelSupermarket, holidaymakers would pay just £72.30, a saving of £65.30.

Save £78.78 on travel insurance

By comparing travel insurance online you can easily save yourself up to £78.78 compared to high street prices for a half term family policy to Turkey. A single trip family travel insurance policy to cover a holiday to Turkey over the June half term would cost £90.88 with the Post Office. However, a policy offering the same levels of cover from Virgin Money is available on TravelSupermarket's travel insurance site from just £12.10, a significant saving of £78.78.

Save up to £130.49 on car hire

Make sure you pre-book your car hire and save money on walk-up prices. You can save up to £130.49 by using our comparison site and booking online before you fly. A medium family car with pick up from Malaga Airport over the June half term will cost just £77.72 with Argus Car Hire via TravelSupermarket. This compares to Hertz's walk up price of £208.21 for the same car type, the same week.

Save £64.41 on car hire excess

Pre book your policy here in the UK and ensure you have full protection for damage to your car at a fraction of the price you will pay when picking up your car at the airport. TravelSupermarket found an 8 day excess policy online for £23.91 at TravelSupermarket.com compared to £88.32 with Budget for a large saloon car hired at Malaga Airport.

Save £117.53 on travel money

Avoid a last minute dash at the airport and get the most from your travel money by planning ahead and purchasing your currency online. You can save up to £117.53 or 9.98% per cent on buying €1500 cash when ordering online with ICE for collection (£1207.73) compared to a walk up rate at the airport. Fair FX, ICICI, ACE FX and The Change Group also offer market leading cash deals.

Bob Atkinson, travel expert from TravelSupermarket says: "Holidaymakers know they can save significant amounts of money by shopping around for their flights and accommodation in advance, but fewer consider the saving they could make on the cost of holiday 'extras'. Often items such as travel insurance and car parking are left until the last minute and can end up costing more than they need to.

"By shopping around online and by booking far in advance of a holiday, our research has found travellers could end up with more than £450 in their back pocket on a range of typical 'extras' which are likely to be essential for anyone going away with a family over half term.

"Booking early also offers other advantages you may not have considered. For example you should always book your travel insurance the minute you book your holiday as this will cover you for any cancellations. And taking out car hire excess insurance here in the UK not only save your money but avoids the hard sell at the car hire desk and gives you piece of mind."

Notes to Editors:

All prices correct as of 14 May 2012

About TravelSupermarket

TravelSupermarket is an online comparison service where customers can find the best value travel options for their needs and purchase over the internet. The website compares flights, car hire, hotels, cruise, package holidays plus dynamic packaging by searching hundreds of travel websites. The information supplied is unbiased and is designed to save the customer time and money.

The site thrives on offering its users accurate real time availability by taking information directly from suppliers such as Opodo, British Airways, Thomas Cook, Radisson, Auto-Europe and many more, ensuring users are presented the best possible price at all times. It searches:

• More than 650 scheduled, low cost and charter airlines from 35 individual suppliers
• More than 200,000 individual hotels from over 41 individual hotel suppliers
• More than 200 individual car hire providers from over 20 suppliers
• 1,000s of individual package holidays from over 20 suppliers

Additionally, travelsupermarket.com also compares prices on travel insurance and on airport car parking.

TravelSupermarket is part of the Moneysupermarket.com Group PLC.

http://www.moneysupermarket.com is a website where consumers can compare personal finance products, save money and apply online. The website has several service areas including personal loans, credit cards, mortgages, current accounts, savings accounts, motor insurance, home insurance, travel insurance, health insurance, mobile phones, broadband and shopping.

Emma Morris
TravelSupermarket
emma.morris@travelsupermarket.com
+44(0)1244-220-671