Save GBP632 on Your Half Term Holiday 'Extras'

CHESTER, England, February 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With the February school half term break just around the corner (21-25 Feb), research from comparison site travelsupermarket.com has revealed that parents can save up to GBP632 on the cost of holiday 'extras' for their getaway.

Any parent will know that going on holiday over the school holidays can be more expensive, so it's important to save money where possible. However, whilst holidaymakers are becoming increasingly savvy and shopping around to bag great deals on cheap holidays ( http://www.travelsupermarket.com/holidays/), travellers can still end up wasting the money they have saved on their holiday on travel 'extras', which many don't think about until the last minute.

If you are going away this half term, now is the time to act to make sure you aren't wasting money unnecessarily.

Save GBP146 by pre-booking airport parking

By pre-booking your airport parking ( http://www.travelsupermarket.com/c/extras/airport-parking/) you can save over GBP146* on airport short stay options. And even with long stay parking, you can save over GBP110, when you pre-book either on-airport or off-airport options. Get this booked as soon as possible - the earlier you do, the more you can save.

Save GBP191 on travel insurance

You can save nearly 78 per cent by comparing different insurance providers for a trip to a worldwide destination rather than panicking and buying at the airport as you jet off. And for those heading to Europe, savings are still over GBP40 on a single trip policy and GBP62 for those undertaking winter sports. Get insurance as soon as you book your holiday so you can benefit from cancellation coverage.

Save over GBP130 on car hire

The difference between hiring from the terminal on arrival or through using price comparison to book in advance can easily exceed GBP130 on a medium sized family car. Booking earlier than that will save you even more cash.

You will often find that smaller cars are the most popular options, so it's worth having a look at larger cars - you might get one for less than a small hatchback if demand for small cars is high.

Save GBP165 on holiday money

Whatever you do, don't buy holiday money at the airport as you'll generally have to pay commission and will get poorer exchange rates.

It's also worth looking at more than just high street banks and travel agents to compare as there may be cheaper options out there, particularly with online services.

If you look online you can find the best deals with the likes of ACE-FX, Travelex and ICE. You can order from your computer and either pick up at the airport or have home delivery. Based on changing 1500 Euros, you could save over GBP165 compared to airport rates.

Notes to Editors:

Money Saving Examples:

    
                      AVERAGE PRICE        Travelsupermarket.com      TOTAL
                                             COMPARATIVE PRICE       SAVING

    Airport        Manchester Airport   Pre-book parking price for  GBP146.01
    Parking*       Terminal 2 short     the same car park using
                   stay gate price      travelsupermarket.com
                   GBP216               GBP69.99

    Travel         Europe with winter   Europe with winter sports    GBP62.38
    Insurance**    sports insurance     insurance from GBP17.62 with
                   costs GBP80 from     Cheapertravelinsurance.co.uk
                   Post Office Premium

    Car Hire*** -  Hertz price for pay  Car hire price at GBP70.69  GBP131.95
    medium family  on arrival for car   with Argus
    car group C    hire is GBP202.63 on
    (Astra, Focus) the Hertz website

    Holiday        Price for EUR1,500:  Best price for EUR1,500 in  GBP167.01
    Money****      Airport price from   cash for home delivery:
                   Thomas GBP1457.14 at GBP1290.13 from Ace-FX with
                   the airport rate of  free delivery at a rate of
                   1.05 and 2% handling 1.16
                   fee

*Price based on stays from 19 to 26 February for 8 days. travelsupermarket.com sourced on 07 February 2011 and on airport direct websites for MAN/LHR/LTN

**Price based on a family of 4 for 8 days policy starting 19 February 2011. Prices for best price policies sourced on travelsupermarket.com 07 February 2011 and worst prices from Manchester Airport Post Office

***travelsupermarket.com and Hertz websites sourced on 07 February 2011

****travelsupermarket.com sourced on 07 February 2011

About travelsupermarket.com

http://www.travelsupermarket.com 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, First Choice, Radisson, Sol Melia, easyCar, Auto-Europe and many more, ensuring users are presented the best possible price at all times. It searches:

    
    - Over 650 scheduled, low cost and charter airlines from 39 individual
      suppliers

    - Over 200,000 individual hotels from over 42 individual hotel suppliers

    - Over 200 individual car hire providers from over 21 suppliers

    - 1,000s of individual package holidays from over 34 suppliers

Additionally, travelsupermarket.com (http://www.travelsupermarket.com/) also compares prices on travel insurance and on airport car parking.

travelsupermarket.com 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.

travelsupermarket.com won 'Best Meta Search/Price Comparison Website' and 'Online Travel Brand of the Year' at the Travolution Awards 2009.

    
    For further press information contact:

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