How the EU vote affects your holiday spending

Holidaymakers heading abroad this summer are in a quandary over their spending money. Whether the result is for Remain or Leave in 12 days' time there will be an impact on the value of the pound. Should you buy foreign currency now - or wait and see? We weigh up the options for British travellers.

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Our tests show that three in five of the cheapest deals listed on comparison sites leave holidaymakers exposed to huge bills if they suffer the most common travel mishaps.

Amy and Marcus Gault from Cropredy, Oxfordshire, with children Dotty,13, and George, 11. For piece on rip off fees to change names on flights. Pictured with dog 'Turnip'.
For Money Mail.
Picture by Damien McFadden: 07968 308252.

When Amy Gault needed to change the name on a plane ticket, she expected to pay a small admin fee. However, Flybe tried to charge her £329 - more than double what she had paid for the flight.

Thomas Cook under-occupancy charges ate up half our £1,900 Florida villa discount

It was only after I had booked the Florida villa holiday with Thomas Cook that I was made aware that while the price quoted was what I would pay, it included an under-occupancy fee that I hadn't known about. When the booking confirmation came through, I had been charged six under-occupancy fees totalling £984. Is this fair?

Tiffany Brien pictured at Helens Bay beach after winning the Miss Northern Ireland competition...Picture by Mark McCormick..Mark McCormick..Tel +447917891331..marxphoto@gmail.com..www.markmccormickphotography.com..

The Mail on Sunday looks at the cost-cutting steps you can make - everything from buying foreign currency and airport parking, to even sending your bags ahead.

A general view of Phang Nga Bay at Ao Phang Nga Bay National Park, Krabi Province, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia.


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The sale of currencies such as the South African rand and the Thai baht have shot up by 20 per cent in the first three months of the year compared to the same time in 2015.

A thief with a love of loos, a neighbour armed with a blow torch and weather wild enough to take out a motor home - the oddest insurance claims that have prevented caravan owners from hitching up.

The world's local bank should hang its head in shame over the lousy rates it offers customers sending cash overseas. HSBC has been found to be the worst high street bank for forex transfers

Week in the Mediterranean sun gets more expensive for British tourists as pound dives

The pound has fallen to €1.24 yesterday, the lowest since June 2014, amid growing uncertainty in the run up to June's referendum over the UK's membership in the European Union. This means that having a meal, a drink or buying a tub of suncream in many European destinations has become more expensive for British holidaymakers, according to the Post Office Travel Money's latest holiday costs barometer.

If you - or your holiday - are not quite run of the mill, do not fret. It is possible to find affordable insurance for almost any trip. The Forbes were able to take their family away after help from Macmillan.

'I opened the Lloyds Premier Duo credit card around 18 months ago but haven't received any points for a year and now I can't save money on the flights I should be able to use my points for'

Sharm El Sheikh appears little more than a ghost town after attack on Russia airliner

The Egyptian resort on the Red Sea is still suffering after the downing of a Russian holiday jet. The number of tourists visiting last month has almost halved compared to the same time last year. A welcoming sign belies the reality of empty swimming pools and abandoned hotels. The UK Foreign Office is still advising against all but essential travel by air to Sharm El Sheikh airport. Travel firms including Thomas Cook have cancelled all bookings to the resort. The average number of nights tourists are spending in the country went down by 67.2 per cent in February this year compared to 2015, from 9.2 to 5.5.

Perfection

The so-called European cover Albert Heath had been sold excluded Spain, Cyprus, Turkey and Malta - the very place he had just been.

Fliers from Britain pay the second highest rate of tax on flights in the world - and now MP for Crawley, Henry Smith, is calling for the 'stealth tax' to be cut further by the Chancellor.

A female Aedes aegypti mosquito in the process of acquiring a blood meal from a human host. 
The The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, announced new guidance for doctors whose pregnant patients may have traveled to regions with a tropical illness linked to birth defects. Officials say doctors should ask pregnant women about their travel and certain symptoms, and, if warranted, test them for an infection with the Zika  virus. The virus is spread through mosquito bites.  

FILE - This 2006 file photo provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 
(James Gathany/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP, File)

Firms including British Airways, Thomas Cook and Thomson are refusing to commit to helping women who are not yet expecting, but are hoping to become pregnant soon.

Wherever I end up buying, I'm nervous about getting ripped off when sending money abroad. How can I find the best deal?

‘Help! Hertz are hounding us for £120 of car hire damage that we didn't do'

Solicitor Rachel Croft, 34, and her husband, Richard, 36, an accountant thought they were clued up when it came to hiring a car. But a few weeks after returning from holiday they received a demand for payment from Hertz, despite obtaining a document which said the car did not have any damage.

The pound has crashed against the US dollar in recent months meaning holidaymakers heading across the Atlantic will get less bang for their buck.

Judge Melissa Clarke awarded the claimants £458 each for their delay, but her decision is not legally binding, which means other courts don't have to follow the ruling.

From buying flights on sale to swapping your home: How to broaden your horizons on a

Nearly a quarter of families book their summer holiday this month due to a mix of post-Christmas blues and attractive low deposit deals. Here Tara Evans looks at ways of cutting holiday costs without compromising on quality.

Those who are looking to grab a bargain break for 2016 will find the best deals in Scandinavian countries, where prices have fallen by as much as 39% in Denmark,

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People booking holiday accommodation through RightSki.com and ChaletHunter.com have been defrauded to the tune of £60k this year, Action Fraud says.

We cut the cost of our dream holiday using a house swap inspired by Cameron Diaz

It is one of Hollywood's corniest Christmas movies - but for some The Holiday, starring Cameron Diaz, is the inspiration for a luxury getaway on the cheap. The story hinges on the romcom's leading characters falling for new partners following an international house swap. Whether it is a spring, summer or winter holiday you are after, it is never too early to start looking for an exchange partner. Follow our 12-step guide to a trouble-free property exchange.

A general view of the parliament building on the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary.


D1D9E2 Budapest - View at Parliament Building, Danube River,

The price for a two-night break for two people in Budapest, including return flights, B&B; accommodation, city transfers, food, drinks and snacks was £405, the Post Office said.

Booking your flight exactly 53 days before you depart shaves 26 per cent off your travel costs according to research by travel comparison site Momondo.

Six days on the slopes for less than £300: The best ski resorts to grab a bargain break

Bankso resort in Bulgaria, La Thuile in Italy and the French, Les Deux Alpes, have topped the list for the best resorts to hit the slopes on a budget. Keen skiers and snowboarders could pay as little as £295.26 for 6 days skiing before hotel costs and travel, according to research by No.1 Currency.

Those heading for the pistes of Europe should not just check the snow forecast or buy the trendiest ski gear. It is vital to pack the right insurance too. Harriet Berry knows why cover is vital.

How to bag yourself a cheap ski holiday

Stop the costs of hitting the slopes snowballing out of control with This is Money's top tips for bagging yourself a ski-holiday bargain - covering everything from the cheapest resorts, when to travel and how to get your kit to your resort for less.

The Mail on Sunday shows you how to shop, invest and live in the US. Slavica Vojinovic uses shipping firm MyUS to buy archery gear for her business.

Visit the Romanian capital with a friend and you could get away with spending just £172, for a 'first-class' hotel room with meals, car hire and a few other spends

Woman in hammock on beach

Some 55 per cent of respondents said they wanted to head off somewhere outside the UK in the coming twelve months, down from 57 per cent last year.

Travelodge accused of 'overbooking' after it bumped travellers to different location

One of Britain's biggest hotel chains has been accused of overbooking rooms, with a couple facing a transfer elsewhere, despite having already paid for and confirmed their room. The row echoes complaints on internet forums at alleged overbooking.

Bali remains the best value long haul holiday destination

The idyllic Indonesian Island of Bali, where a bottle of beer will set you back just 91p, is the long-haul winter holiday destination with the lowest cost of living for the third year running. The price of meals, drinks and other tourist staples has fallen in half of the 33 destinations surveyed in the Post Office Travel Money Long Haul Holiday Report.

Coconut fresh cocktail profile beach woman drinking tropical Caribbean.
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To offer cheap travel insurance policies for as little as £10, insurers commonly cut cover and add exclusions into their small print.

Sint Maarten a plane of KLM Airline flying low over Maho beach into the Princess Juliana International Airport.
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Last week the European Court of Justice ruled that mechanical faults are the airline's responsibility - even when they occur unexpectedly.

Family booked on phantom flight to Portugal by budget travel agent left mystified at the

A family who turned up to Birmingham Airport in the mood for a sun drenched 10 day trip to Portugal were left panicking after it transpired the flight didn't actually exist. Darren Hall, his wife and two children were set to depart from the airport to Faro on Monarch flight ZB408 departing at 13.15, according to the travel itinerary booked through budget travel agents Lowcostholidays.

Jennifer Wilkins was without her luggage for several days during a trip to Bali. Here, Tara Evans explains what to do when a dream trip takes a turn for the worse.

Panic over renewing your passport, costly travel cover and currency deals, penalties for going over your baggage limit...going on holiday can feel more of a trial than a treat - unless you plan ahead.

How to claim EU flight delay compensation|(EC) 261/2004

Passengers whose flight is heavily delayed or cancelled have the right to compensation under European law. We explain how.

Don't get stung at the car hire desk: How to beat the sneaky fees

Car hire excess insurance is the bugbear of many holidaymakers, who are often forced into buying the policy at the rental desk through fear of facing a high bill following an accident. Excess charges have been rising steadily over the past few years. Drivers hiring in Turin, for example, can expect to pay up to £1,800 towards the bill if they do not have insurance to cover it. Mark Bower has claimed twice for accidentally locking his keys in his hire car boot on a ski trip, something not covered automatically by most car hire firms' basic excess policies.

Bagging holiday bargains: where to find the cheapest food, wine and taxis abroad

Holiday-makers looking for a bargain this winter should head to North Africa while those with more cash to splash should stick to the South of France, according to figures published today. A meal for two in Tunisia comes out at £10.32, while a glass of Coca Cola is just 39p. One 30-minute taxi ride only costs £1.72. In comparison, Transport for London estimates that the average cost of a 16 to 30 minute taxi ride in London will cost anything from £15 to £22.

We explore the best ways to track down a fabulous holiday escape without breaking the bank. Sabu Mehdi (pictured) went online to find a bargain break in Paris.

Family ski trip: Stop the costs from snowballing out of control with This is Money's clever tricks to bag a winter holiday bargain

Stop the costs of hitting the slopes snowballing out of control with This is Money's top tips for bagging yourself a ski-holiday bargain

Sun trap: The dream of many people with shares in resorts in the sun has turned into a nightmare

New legislation to clean up the timeshare industry and give existing owners the right to quit contracts is on hold after claims that it would ruin legitimate operators.

Travel insurers rejecting claims from holidaymakers who have had a drink or two

Insurers appear to be using alcohol consumption as a reason not to pay out even when there is little evidence that inebriation contributed to the accident. There are also cases where insurers jump to conclusions about what happened - for example they assume that a customer was drunk because of their age or because they were staying at a resort known for its party culture.

Geneva surprise: The Swiss city had plenty to keep us occupied, including a bicycle tour

Could Geneva, voted the current best city destination to visit in Europe, really be done on a shoestring? Lee Boyce put the Swiss city's budget claims to the test.

Laura and Sean Parks from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, who were left £1,000 out of pocket after booking a Loch Ness Valentine's weekend away, which turned out to be a scam.
pic taken from MOL

Online auction scams masquerading as firms such as eBay lure buyers via an email or pop-up advert. Laura and Sean Parks lost £1,000 on a fake holiday booking.

Gap-year: This is Money has come up with some top tips to preparing your kids for their travels abroad.
   

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Cheap days out: Use discounts and vouchers to cut the costs of keeping the kids amused this summer

British travel costs, accommodation and entertainment and can prove more expensive than going abroad. We show how to save money on home shores over the holidays.

Horrified: Richard and Elisse Anson with their daughter Emily

Richard and Elisse Anson were left bitterly disappointed by their recent summer holiday. Here we outline your rights - and how to get your money back.

SOPHIE MORBEY

It is crucial to pack the best means of paying your way, plus an insurance policy that will cover you against potential disaster.

Dream wedding: Getting married abroad can cost much less than the average £20,000 wedding price tag

The average UK wedding carries a whopping £20,000 price tag. But savvy planners could cut a whopping £12,000 off the bill by moving their big day abroad.

In competition: Essex lads Ryan Lindsey, 21, and Tom Norman, 23, plan to write a book about their adventures abroad

Ryan and Tom are travelling Europe with the same maximum budget of £1,000 - the winner will be the person who manages to travel farthest and widest.

Frozen card: The money, which in the case of car hire can be thousands, never actually leaves the card, but the holidaymaker cannot spend it for anything up to a month

The ring-fenced money, which in the case of car hire can be thousands, never actually leaves the card, but the holidaymaker cannot spend it for up to a month.

Hens: Charlotte and her friends take to the beach

Charlotte Banks called the owner to arrange a late check out - only to discover they had never heard of her. She is one of a string of victims of property rental fraud.

Worry: Nicola feared she might have to pay significantly more for another family trip to Disney World

Holiday cover can cost more than the trip itself for those with a medical condition - but here's how to cut the bill. A stroke failed to stop Nicola Hague's travels

Despairing: After more than a year, the Spareys' only option is a small claims court

The Spareys, from Bideford, Devon, left at 5.47am the day after they were supposed to have travelled. They asked for compensation, but the airline refused.

Savvy: Inga Skrebyte used a website to compare costs

With airlines, including Ryanair and easyJet, the advertised prices can be less than £20. But there are other expenses to consider.

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In the driving seat: Which? shares its advice to help you avoid unexpected charges when hiring a car abroad

Had a holiday nightmare and want help? Which? is offering readers free legal guidance. This week it helps readers hit with 'stealth' car hire charges.

ACGWYC Hotel in Rockingham Western Australia

Which? offering readers free legal guidance. These readers arrived on holiday to find their accommodation had been overbooked.

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Have you had a holiday nightmare and want free legal guidance from Which? It's offering readers free legal guidance, starting this week with Adrian Thompson, whose flight was delayed by 7 hours.

Battle: Belinda Smith, who went to Hydra, was shocked at the attitude of insurers

Belinda Smith, who went to Hydra, began her search for travel cover with optimism. But soon she was shocked and upset at the attitude of insurers.

Flight delays: Thomas Cook will give you cash compensation instead of vouchers, but you must specify your preference.

My family and I have been offered Thomas Cook vouchers as compensation for our flight delay. Do I have to accept therm or can I ask for cash instead?

Refund: East Coast tried to refund our reader with vouchers instead of cash.

The return journey of my London-Edinburgh train ride was so delayed that I was entitled to a full refund from East Coast Trains. They sent the refund in vouchers.

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