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Speaking on This Morning, the money saving expert Martin Lewis turned his forensic hand to the topic of flight compensation and when you will and won’t be entitled to some cash

Martin Lewis has highlighted a little-known six-year rule that means you may be entitled to compensation without realising it.

Speaking on This Morning, the money saving expert turned his forensic hand to the topic of flight compensation. While many will know that, under EU law adopted by the UK following Brexit, passengers are often entitled to financial compensation following lengthy flight delays, they may not be aware of a useful bit of small print.

“Did anyone have a flight delay or cancellation this summer? Or actually, the law says you can go back six years, except in Scotland where it is five years. So if you’ve had this happen to you during this time, except in certain circumstances, you are entitled to a fixed amount of compensation. £520 per person, so a family of four is over a grand, depending on the length of flight and the length of the delay and some other things,” Martin told Cat Deely and Ben Shephard on Tuesday’s programme.

That means it is well worth looking back at flights you may have taken as long ago as 2019 to see if any of them were delayed enough for you to claim some compensation. Online tools such as AirHelp let you check if you’re owed cash for free.

Martin went on to explain that other criteria that can determine whether you’re owed compensation.

“First of all, it has to be a UK or EU-regulated flight. That is, any flight leaving the UK or European airport, that is pretty simple. Or any flight arriving to a UK or EU airport, but then it has to be a UK or EU airline. Easiest way to think of that, British Airways from New York to London is EU regulated, American Airlines from New York to London is not,” he said.

“Then for a delay to count you have to have arrived, not left, three hours late. So when they open the doors of the plane.

“Cancellation rules, they have to have cancelled less than 14 days before the flight. If it’s more, it’s deemed that you have more time to organise. If it’s less, then it depends on when the replacement flight would’ve landed, what you’re entitled to. You’ll need to look that up. There are free tools online that’ll do this for you, you do not need to pay.”

As many passengers have found out to their displeasure, there are certain situations in which airlines don’t have to pay out despite lengthy delays or cancellations.

“The final thing is it must be the airline’s fault, which is much broader than it may sound. If it is a weather issue, if it is air traffic control, if the airport shuts down, it’s not the airline’s fault. If it is staffing problems for the airlines, technical problems for the airlines, if it is a knock-on impact that means your flight is delayed, it is generally the airline’s fault,” Martin said.

When it comes to whether or not you should claim, Martin suggested the following rule of thumb.

“It’s a slight moral thing. If you were three hours and one minute late, sat in the airport bar, having a great time, I wouldn’t bother. We don’t want airlines to go bust. If you were 12 hours late, the kids were sleeping on the floor, it was an absolute disaster, go get your money,” he concluded.

THERE are loads of ways for Brits to use apps to slash bills this summer.

You can easily find the cheapest prices for food, petrol, flights and parking. If you use them regularly, you could easily save hundreds a year.

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CHEAPER PETROL

One great option for drivers is the PetrolPrices.

The name is the giveaway here. This app is designed to help you find the cheapest petrol prices in the area.

You can see the locations on a map, or find them as a list sorted by lowest price, distance, and even brands.

Site owners can upload their own prices, and users can report the fuel costs too.

It means you don’t have to drive around looking for the cheap prices – or face a price shock at the pump.

Another handy tip is using the Google Maps fuel efficiency feature.

Turn it on by going into Google Maps > Profile > Settings > Navigation > Route Options > Prefer Fuel-Efficient Routes.

“Google Maps can estimate fuel or energy efficiency for different vehicle types, including electric and combustion engine cars, as well as petrol motorcycles,” Google explained.

“The more fuel or energy efficient the route, the lower your vehicle’s fuel or energy usage.”

You should also tell Google your engine type in Google Maps > Profile > Settings > Your Vehicle.

That can give you even better fuel-efficiency.

“The most fuel or energy-efficient route can be different based on the engine type,” Google said.

“For example, diesel vehicles’ relative fuel economy advantage is generally greatest in motorway driving.

“Hybrid and electric vehicles tend to provide greater efficiency in stop-start town and hill driving where they can benefit from regenerative braking.”

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FOOD PRICES

For food savings, you’ll want to first take a look at Trolley.

It lets you compare prices for groceries across supermarkets, with a long list of stores including:

• Asda
• Sainsburys
• Aldi
• Home Bargains
• Morrisons
• Tesco
• Boots
• Wilko
• Coop
• Waitrose
• Superdrug
• B&M
• Ocado
• Iceland
• Savers
• Poundland

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The app says it’ll save you up to 30% on a weekly shop, but your own success will vary depending on what you buy and how much you spend.

Another option – recently tested by The Sun’s tech desk – is to use the Google Gemini chatbot.

You can use it to plan your food shop by asking the bot to find the cheapest prices.

It’s also worth noting that you can bag cheap or free food by picking up leftovers or stuff that would be otherwise thrown away.

Two apps – Olio and Too Good To Go – are packed with food bargains.

And if you want free food, Sky customers can bag a weekly treat from the Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference range through the MySky app.

Just go to the Sky VIP panel (which is free to join) to claim your freebie.

We’ve seen ice lollies and pizzas so far, but there’s a new option every week.

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FLIGHT COMPARISONS

There’s no denying that Skyscanner is a brilliant option for finding cheap flights.

But you should also take a look at Google Flights, which has some clever tricks.

For a start, when you’re searching for flights, it can show you the cheapest window to book.

“For example, these insights could tell you that the cheapest time to book similar trips is usually two months before departure, and you’re currently in that sweet spot,” Google said.

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“Or you might learn that prices have usually dropped closer to takeoff, so you decide to wait before booking. Either way, you can make that decision with a greater sense of confidence.”

You can also turn on price tracking for specific dates (like if you’re off to a wedding) or for any dates (if you just want a holiday at some point soon).

This feature will only appear if you’re signed in to your Google account.

And right now, Google Flights is getting an upgrade with the Flights Deal feature.

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It’s currently only in the US, Canada, and India – but it looks likely to land in the UK eventually too.

The feature works using AI with Google saying it’s “for flexible travellers whose number one goal is saving money“.

“Instead of playing with different dates, destinations and filters to uncover the best deals, you can just describe when, where and how you’d like to travel — as though you’re talking to a friend — and Flight Deals will take care of the rest,” Google said.

For example, you could search for a “week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only”, Google revealed.

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Then it’ll use Google Fights data to show you the latest options from loads of airlines.

CHEAP PARKING

Lastly, make sure you’re not overpaying on parking.

There’s a great app called JustPark, which you might be familiar with as a way to pay at some car parks.

But it also lets people rent out their driveways, which means you can bag some great bargains.

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We tried it out earlier this year and found £6 for all-day parking in London on a weekday.

You can book them far in advance, and even add on insurance that covers the excess if your car ends up getting damaged.

You can easily check and amend (or cancel) your driveway parking through the app from anywhere. So you could add extra time if you’re running late.

And it’s potentially a great way to bag a bargain for sports fixtures by getting near-stadium parking.

You could also turn it into a side-hustle by renting out your own parking space.

So you wouldn’t just be saving money, but making some quick cash too.

HOMEOWNERS could make easy money ahead of the new Premier League season – simply by having a driveway they’re not using.

A team of experts has analysed postcodes near the nation’s major stadiums to determine where householders could earn the most money by renting out their driveways to fans.

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According to Leasing Options, residents living near Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (N17) enjoy the highest earning potential, with an average daily income of £22.25 throughout the year.

Other lucrative areas include postcodes near Leeds‘ Elland Road Stadium, where homeowners can make £22 a day, and Chelsea‘s Stamford Bridge in London, offering £21.50 per day.

For those living near Wembley Stadium, the country’s iconic football venue that hosts the England National Team, cup finals and events like the recent Community Shield, the earning potential is similar at £21 per day.

Likewise, residents near Scotland’s Hampden Park and Wales’ Cardiff City Stadium can expect to earn around £21 a day.

Further down the rankings, homeowners in Liverpool living near Anfield and Everton Stadium can still earn a respectable £13 per day, with prices often more than tripling on matchdays or during special events.

With the Premier League season kicking off this weekend, renting out an unused driveway could be one of the simplest and most effective sidehustles for homeowners looking to make some extra cash.

It isn’t just sporting events either, as some of the highest earners this year so far are music events – including high-profile concerts and festivals.

These events often result in single-day earnings that surpass what would typically be made in a week – making them a particularly lucrative option for those living nearby.

At the top of the list is Oasis at Heaton Park in Manchester, where driveway rentals can fetch an average of £165.67 per day during the event. 

Following closely is Beyonce’s tour stop at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, with homeowners earning an average of £150.26 per day during her shows. 

Similarly, the Wimbledon Championships in London provide an average earning potential of £101.08 per day for residents near the All England Tennis Club.

Other notable events include Guns N’ Roses at Villa Park in Birmingham, where locals can earn £97.40 daily, and Sabrina Carpenter’s concert at Hyde Park in London, which offers average earnings of £94.92. 

Stadiums that can provide income opportunities year-round

1. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London): £22.25/day
2. Elland Road (Leeds): £22.00/day
3. Stamford Bridge (London): £21.50/day
4. Wembley Stadium (London): £21.00/day
5. Hampden Park (Glasgow): £21.00/day
6. Cardiff City Stadium (Cardiff): £21.00/day
7. OVO Arena Wembley (London): £21.00/day
8. Marshall Arena (Milton Keynes): £15.00/day
9. Anfield (Liverpool): £13.00/day
10. Everton Stadium (Liverpool): £13.00/day

Leasing Options analysed data from JustPark to identify the UK’s most profitable areas for driveway rentals.

The study focused on over 25 major cities and key 2025 events, mapping more than 750 postcode districts using public data.

Commercial listings were excluded, location accuracy was verified and districts with insufficient data were removed, leaving over 550 reliable areas.

Median weekday and weekend rates were averaged to calculate daily earning potential, while event-day prices were separately assessed for major fixtures.

Commenting on the data, Mike Thompson, Chief Executive Officer at Leasing Options, said: “With demand for event parking soaring across the UK, it’s clear that homeowners have a real opportunity to turn their unused driveways into a valuable source of extra income.

“Our data shows that locations near major stadiums like Tottenham Hotspur, Elland Road and Wembley consistently attract high rental prices.

“During big-name events, these figures can more than triple.

“It’s a smart, low-effort way for people to benefit from the buzz around them, especially in areas where parking is at a premium.

“As we look ahead to a packed 2025 event calendar, the potential for driveway rentals is only set to grow.”

How to rent out your driveway

For those interested in turning their unused driveway into a steady source of income, there are a handful of steps you can follow.

Check Eligibility – Review your mortgage or lease agreement to ensure renting out your driveway is allowed, and also check with your local council to confirm you don’t need planning permission.

Choose a Platform – Platforms like JustPark, YourParkingSpace and ParkOnMyDrive make it easy to list your driveway.

You can sign up, create a profile and provide details about your parking space, such as dimensions, location and availability.

Set Your Price – Research current rates in your area using the platform’s tools or by browsing other listings.

You can even adjust the price for special events or peak times to maximise earnings.

Add Photos and a Description – Make sure upload clear photos of your driveway and write a good description, highlighting features such as proximity to venues, security and ease of access.

Manage Bookings – Set your availability for weekdays, weekends or specific dates. Also use the platform’s booking system to approve requests and communicate with renters.

Ensure Insurance – Consider public liability insurance to cover accidents or damages while someone is using your driveway.

Track Your Income – You must keep records of your earnings and remember that if they exceed £1,000 annually, you’ll need to declare them to HMRC under the Property Income Allowance.

This comes as Sun Motors recently looked at the family motors that lose the least value over time – with a luxury compact SUV taking the top spot.

New data from the analysis of 40 million UK car sales over a typical three-year ownership period highlights which family models hold their value best.

Experts from Carmoola have recently released their new Car Depreciation Index, developed with vehicle data specialists Brego, which ranks the top-performing family cars for resale value.

They found that the Porsche Macan is the slowest-depreciating family car sold in the UK – losing just 19.9% of its value over three years.

The Macan is particularly popular in the UK due to its blend of sporty performance, SUV practicality and the prestige of the Porsche badge.

It’s championed for being agile and powerful, with a well-tuned suspension that makes it enjoyable to drive on various UK roads, from city streets to country lanes.

A WARNING has been issued to savers missing out on hundreds of pounds ahead of a key Bank of England (BoE) decision this week.

People risk the cash blow because they’re leaving money in low-paying easy access accounts.

The latest data from Moneyfactscompare.co.uk reveals someone with £10,000 in savings could earn an extra £300 by switching to an account with a higher interest rate.

Adam French, from the comparison site, said savers were in danger of their hard-earned cash “languishing” by making the mistake.

“Simply switching a £10,000 savings pot away from a high street bank’s easy access account to a market-leading one-year fix can leave you £300 better off in 12 months’ time.

“Not a bad return for a few minutes’ work, if you aren’t going to need access to the money sooner.”

The warning comes ahead of the BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Thursday (August 7) where it will decide what to do with the base rate.

The base rate is charged to high street banks and other lenders and usually reflected in savings and mortgage rates.

Any fall is good news for mortgage holders who tend to see rates plummet, but it spells bad news for those with savings accounts.

The bank is widely expected to cut the base rate, which currently sits at 4.25%.

The MPC, made up of nine members, last met in June when it decided to keep interest rates unchanged.

Six members voted to keep rates at the existing level while three members voted for a cut to 4%.

The BoE uses the base rate to control inflation, with a hike designed to discourage spending and keep prices in check.

The current Consumer Price Index (CPI) measure of inflation is 3.6%, over the BoE’s 2% target.

However, the MPC is under pressure to lower interest rates to get the stagnating economy growing.

How to make your savings work harder

You can’t do anything to control what the BoE does with the base rate, but you can make your savings work harder.

One way to do this is by locking your savings into a fixed-term account.

These accounts pay out an interest rate for a set period of time, from anywhere between six months and five years.

Fixed-rate savings accounts generally offer better interest rates in exchange for you not being to withdraw any cash.

Just bear in mind you may have to pay a charge for any early withdrawals.

Second, it’s worth making the most of ISAs which allow you to save money without having to pay tax on any interest earned.

You can spread a total of £20,000 across various ISA types including Cash ISAs and Stocks and Shares ISAs.

And of course, shop around for the best deals so you’re not left with a low-paying savings account.

Comparison sites like moneyfactscompare.co.uk and moneysavingexpert.com can help you find the best account suited to you.

BRITS jetting off to Europe for their summer holidays could risk losing cash if they pick the wrong time to buy the currency.

When heading abroad, it is not uncommon for many holiday-goers to exchange cash into the currency of the country they are travelling to.

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But when you convert cash from one currency to another, you could end up getting more money in exchange or in some instances less.

Factors such as inflation and the economic stability of a country can impact how much a currency is worth.

Currently, the Great British Pound (GBP) is worth more than the Euro, a popular holiday destination for many Brits.

So for example, if you had £100 and exchanged it you would get €116 in return.

While UK holiday goers currently get more money back when they swap their cash for Euros, returns have been better in previous years.

Back in 2024, £1 was worth €1.18.

Tony Redondo, founder of Cosomos Currency Exchange told The Sun that factors such as “soft UK economic data” and “rising geo-political tensions” is pushing the Pound to Euro exchange rate lower.

Inflation fell to 3.4% in the 12 months to May, raising expectations the Bank of England could cut interest rates tomorrow, June 19.

This can lower the value of the Pound as investors seek to get higher returns elsewhere.

With this in mind, Tony said that holiday goers heading to Europe before the end of the month, should buy Euros “soon”.

He said: “It might be best to buy soon to protect from any further possible downside.”

But the money expert said that those not travelling until the end of school holidays have no need to panic.

He said: “A calculated gamble would be to wait it out as the world moves at such a pace nowadays, that hopefully, the Pound has time to recover.  

“After all, in 17 out of the last 20 years, the Pound has gone up in value against the Euro in either July or August. “

It is worth noting that exchange rates can go up and down, so it is worth checking online currency converters to see how much you can get.

MORE HOLIDAY MONEY HACKS

When heading abroad there are a few hacks to ensure you don’t end up losing money.

Customers should avoid exchanging money at the airport as they tend to have higher fees due as they cater to a captive market.

Kara Gammell, personal finance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “If you have a holiday booked and want to make the most of current rates.

“Don’t wait to buy your travel money at the airport as you will pay a premium – and never pay for your currency with a credit card as paying on plastic means you’ll be charged a ‘cash advance fee’.

This fee is charged on ATM withdrawals but also on transactions such as online gambling and buying foreign currency.

You should also be aware that banks tend to charge customers a fee for using their debit or credit card abroad.

For example, NatWest charges customers a 2.75% fee for spending your debit card abroad.

That would add a £1.16 charge to the cost of a jacket which cost £42.16.

But some banks don’t charge you for spending abroad.

For example, Monzo does not charge its customers foreign transaction fees nor does First Direct.