Hotels are one of the priciest parts of a holiday, with UK travellers now spending around £92 per night on domestic overnight trips on average. But there’s a way to save money
Certain days are better to book on(Image: Getty)
If you’re planning a holiday, it’s always a bonus to save some money. The costs can quickly mount up between flights, accommodation and of course, activities.
However, there’s a brilliant way to book your hotel that could save you hundreds. Hotels are often the most expensive part of a holiday, with UK travellers now spending around £92 per night on average for domestic overnight trips.
If you’re staying in a big city, that cost can soar even higher.
Take London, for instance, where recent industry data shows average room rates nearing the £200-a-night mark.
But experts at Webpop design have shared a simple trick that could save your hard-earned cash.
Once you’ve decided where you want to book, clear your browser cookies and cache or use a private window, then search again, reports the Express.
The price you find could be significantly lower.
This is because booking sites use dynamic pricing and tailor your results based on what they know you’re looking for.
By clearing your cache and cookies, you give yourself a fresh start to search from, free from dynamic pricing.
There are also certain times of day which are better for booking holidays – for example, Tuesdays are likely to offer lower prices. This is because the weekend rush is over, and there is often more availability.
Sites will also be keen to fill any remaining slots quickly. And booking sites are eager to fill up their remaining hotel stays – fast.
If you’re flexible with your travel dates, consider booking your stay from Sunday to Thursday. You’ll avoid the weekend price hikes and likely snag a bargain.
So if you don’t mind missing out on a weekend in your dream destination, aim to book your accommodation during these days.
Ni jet lag drag – prep is key for your long-haul flight, as Nigel Thompsonlearns with help from Qantas and Maddy Edgar, Qantas Business and First Class flight attendant
Maddy Edgar has shared her flight attendant tips(Image: Supplied)
Have you ever stood in an airport immigration queue at the end of an overnight long-haul flight feeling like death warmed up?
And then the cheery cabin crew from your plane breeze by in their special fast-track lane looking as fresh as a daisy? The jet lag from eight hours or (much) more at 40,000ft in an aircraft cabin can leave you feeling – and looking – like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards.
Australian flag carrier Qantas, which has had a cabin crew base in London for 20 years, operates some of the longest flights in the world. It is currently working on Project Sunrise, which by 2027 should link both London and New York City directly to Sydney with record-breaking 20-hour nonstop journeys.
We asked Maddy Edgar, Qantas Business and First Class flight attendant, to share her top tips for travelling long haul, including how to prepare, pack, and manage jet lag.
Qantas operates on some of the longest flight routes in the world (Image: Supplied)
PRE AND POST- FLIGHT CARE
First up, plenty of sleep is key. The night before one of my long-haul flights, I steam my uniform, pack the essentials (more on that later), and log into our Qantas portal to confirm my crew position and review roles and responsibilities. Then I head to bed to get as much sleep as possible.
It’s also incredibly important to stay hydrated. I have an extensive skincare routine and hydration plays a huge role both before and after a long-haul flight. The lack of humidity in cabin air can really dry out your skin and lips, so besides drinking plenty of electrolyte-infused water, a hydrating skincare routine is a must.
In the morning, to prepare for our 17-hour direct flight from London to Perth – one of the longest in the world – I start by cleansing my face with Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser. Now I have a clean base, I apply The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid over Mario Badescu Rosewater spray to maximise water absorption. It makes a huge difference in keeping my skin plump.
Next, I use a thicker-than-usual moisturiser, such as Wella Skin Food, to protect my skin barrier. Then, even though I’m inside a plane, we’re also closer to the sun, so I apply a generous amount of 50+ La Roche-Posay SPF to protect against higher UV rays and premature aging. Plus, as an Aussie, the smell of SPF makes me feel right at home. I’d also add that Laneige lip mask is essential.
A top tip for your skin throughout the flight – invest in a mini travel-sized version of your favourite hydration mist so you can keep spritzing during the flight.
Then once we land and I’m at my hotel it’s time for a much-needed skin reset and some self-care. Face masks are a must. I love using the viral Bio Collagen mask or Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Rehydrating Mask.
WHAT’S IN MY CARRY-ON BAG?
Inside my bag I have some long-haul flight attendant essentials I just can’t live without.
I always keep fresh supplies of everything I need because there’s no Australian Priceline or Tesco 40,000ft up.
Here’s what I pack:
Travel-sized Mario Badescu Rosewater spray.
My entire long-wear make-up kit, including my favourite Hourglass Concealer and Rimmel lip liner for touch-ups after waking up from crew rest.
Travel-sized hair spray, bobby pins, and spare hair ties.
Latte coffee sachets.
Mints and fresh mint gum.
Toothbrush and toothpaste.
iPad, iPhone and chargers.
Nail glue, in case one of my French tip acrylics pops off unexpectedly.
PJs and a book for getting cosy in our crew rest area.
Healthy high-protein snacks such as protein bars, protein shakes, and boiled eggs.
Sometimes, I even squeeze in a quick Sainsbury’s shop for Galaxy chocolate bars to bring back to my Aussie family in Perth.
Flying can be tiring business(Image: Getty Images)
MANAGING JET LAG POST-FLIGHT
As a former primary school teacher, I had a pretty regular bedtime. Now, as an international long-haul flight attendant with Qantas, jet lag and time zones can throw me. But honestly, I wouldn’t trade this dream job for anything.
My main go-to tip? Focus on sleep hygiene. I love listening to meditation music to unwind after a flight. Keeping the room dark and cosy is a must, and I can’t resist a bit of lavender pillow spray. It makes all the difference.
I also try not to stress about when to sleep or wake up. If I’m tired, I just close my eyes and enjoy the quiet.
It’s all about finding that balance, so I’m ready to welcome our Qantas customers with a smile when I fly again.
A packing method that went viral last year has been revealed to be a huge risk for those wanting to save money on their luggage allowance
This popular packing method isn’t worth the risk(Image: Prostock-Studio via Getty Images)
Packing to maximise your luggage allowance can be a challenge, especially for those prone to over-packing. Whether you’re a fan of rolling your clothes instead of folding them, or prefer to pack your suitcase upright rather than laying it flat, there are numerous hacks that can help you optimise your suitcase space.
However, trying to sneak in more than your allowance permits can be risky and could even result in a broken suitcase if overstuffed. Leaving behind bulky items like hairdryers and towels, which are typically provided by hotels, can lighten your load.
There are also some unconventional methods to squeeze more out of your luggage. One flight attendant even suggested using a Duty-Free bag for extra items, as this doesn’t count towards your baggage allowance.
While you might get away with sneaking a plastic bag from Duty-Free onto your flight, there’s one slightly crafty packing method that will likely land you in hot water.
Keeping track of each airline’s luggage allowance can be perplexing, and when in doubt, it’s best to verify. While wearing an extra layer or two, instead of packing them, is unlikely to cause any issues, there’s one thing that’s sure to land you in trouble, reports the Express.
Passengers warned of popular packing method that could see you denied boarding(Image: Getty)
Many of us often pack a neck pillow to ensure comfort during a flight, particularly on long-haul journeys, but some TikTok users have suggested bringing an empty pillowcase and stuffing it with clothes to create a makeshift pillow.
TikTok is a fantastic source for travel tips, especially packing advice, but one packing trick shared on the platform could potentially result in you being denied boarding.
The ‘pillow hack’ that went viral last year involves passengers stuffing an empty pillowcase or even a neck pillow with additional clothes to avoid paying for extra luggage. While this has worked for some, it has spectacularly backfired for others.
Using the ‘pillow hack’ when flying can lead to denied boarding(Image: Getty)
One user who attempted this crafty packing technique was ultimately denied boarding after a dispute with airport staff. TikToker @natashaorganic was caught with a pillowcase full of clothes at Orlando International Airport and was eventually escorted away by airport security after refusing to pay for extra luggage.
While it might seem like a cost-effective option, it could end up costing you more, especially as airline luggage policies are continually changing and becoming stricter. You wouldn’t want to risk having to discard clothes at the gate after your pillow stuffed with clothes is discovered.
The massive growth in digital payments in Brazil has reached yet another milestone.
As of the end of 2024, Pix, the country’s government-backed system that enables citizens to exchange funds seamlessly via their mobile phones, has become the country’s preferred method of transactions, surpassing cash, credit cards, and traditional interbank electronic transactions.
According to numbers from the Banco Central do Brazil, 76.4% of the country’s 211 million population now use Pix, followed by debit cards at 69.1% and cash at 68.9%.
“Pix has transformed the Brazilian economy; it expanded financial inclusion, formalized part of the informal economy, and gave the government greater visibility into transactions,” explains Reginaldo Nogueira, national director at the Brazilian Institute of Capital Markets (Ibmec).
“It’s not just a payment innovation; it’s a structural reconfiguration of how money circulates and how the state collects revenue,” he adds. According to the Brazilian Banking Federation, there were 68.7 billion Pix transactions in 2024 alone, a massive 52% increase from the prior year, reaching roughly $5 trillion in value.
The massive uptick was due to increasing person-to-business transactions via the system, which recorded a 90% year-on-year jump in 2024, according to a study by Matera Research.
Pix recorded its largest one-day volume on December 20, 2024, when the system handled 252.1 million transactions.
“The central bank’s digitalization agenda, led by Pix, is in full swing and transforming how Brazilians make payments,” said Rodrigo Teixeira, director of administration at the central bank. The central bank aims to expand PIixs functionalities into the credit side, incorporating features such as installment payments and enabling future Pix transactions to be accepted as collateral in lending transactions.
Pix is also growing on the stablecoin side, with the central bank recording a massive increase in Tether (a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar) transactions over Pix this year. Courtnay Guimarães, head of Digital Assets at Bradesco Bank, explains, “With a crypto account and Pix, anyone can convert funds in real time, gaining access to up to 180,000 assets globally.”
He has a technically solid defence and drives through the covers with ease. But he can also pick the ball off a length and deposit it over mid-wicket as he did on Tuesday.
“He’s not a slogger, is he? He’s playing proper shots,” was how Brook put it succinctly.
England also know the importance of an opening partnership if their rebirth after the troubles of Jos Buttler’s final 18 months as captain is to be successful.
Eoin Morgan’s World Cup-winning team had Buttler’s fireworks, a match-winner in Ben Stokes and Joe Root’s calmness but none of that would have been possible without Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow setting platforms that would have been too big for the 1970s.
In Tests, England’s best performances under McCullum’s leadership – in Rawalpindi, at The Oval, or at Edgbaston – have all been built on significant opening partnerships.
Like Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley against the red ball, Duckett and Smith attack the white like they are playing different sports.
To get technical, Duckett’s average interception point against seamers is around 1.77m, 33cm behind Smith’s.
While right-hander Smith targets boundaries in front of him, left-hander Duckett has scored only 18% his career runs against pacers in the ‘V’.
And in McCullum, Smith has a coach who opened 107 times in ODIs and did so in a New Zealand side that reached a World Cup final – an ideal sounding board should one be needed.
As one may expect with England’s relaxed approach, however, Smith has largely been left to create his own plans during his first week in the job.
“He knows how to bat,” Brook said.
“Like I said so many times, he’s done it in Test cricket for periods.
“He’s gonna have a good go at it at the top in one-day cricket and I think everybody’s excited to see how he goes.”
Brook knows there will be bumps to come but Smith will be given every chance to lead England on their ride.
A new TikTok travel hack has seen holidaymakers being refused onboard their flight, and it’s all to do with how they’re packing their luggage
The packing hack can spectacularly backfire [stock image](Image: Getty Images)
When it comes to jet-setting, there are specific rules and regulations we must adhere to at the airport, particularly regarding what you can pack and how much is permitted in the UK. However, a recent TikTok trend has resulted in travellers being denied boarding.
The ‘travel packing’ trend has seen a whopping 402 per cent increase in Google searches over the past month alone. Travel packing involves holidaymakers seeking innovative ways to maximise their luggage space – a necessity as budget airlines continue to tighten their baggage allowances. Nonetheless, holiday provider Travel Republic has unveiled some top travel hacks that won’t land you in hot water at the airport this summer.
So, what’s this TikTok travel hack all about? In 2023, the ‘pillow hack’ was making waves on social media, reports the Express. This crafty trick involved passengers stuffing an empty pillowcase or neck pillow with extra clothes to dodge paying for an additional bag for clothing.
TikToker, @natashaorganic, recently posted a video showing the hack spectacularly backfiring, which has amassed 2.8 million views and nearly 300,000 likes.
The footage depicts a passenger looking rather disgruntled after staff at Orlando International Airport informed them they needed to pay for extra baggage for their pillowcase full of clothes.
This resulted in a dispute with the airport staff, and as the passenger failed to comply with their request, they were subsequently denied boarding and escorted from the gate by airport police.
No traveller would want to invest all that time, money, and effort only to be informed that they cannot board their flight.
Kate Staniforth, head of marketing at Travel Republic, commented: “Whilst many TikTok users have claimed this hack works, unfortunately, this is not always the case and you can be caught out.
“It’s down to the discretion of the airline staff, meaning you could be left with a choice between paying for additional luggage or leaving your items behind.
“You don’t want to risk the enjoyment of going on holiday and having to either leave your possessions or pay for additional luggage at the airport as it is nearly always cheaper to pay for baggage in advance.”
Budget airline Ryanair has shared a simple packing tip which can help passengers “save space” in their hand luggage – and it’s something that is often recommended by travel experts
Ryanair has strict luggage allowances(Image: Getty Images)
Ryanair, famed for its budget-friendly fares, has a strict baggage policy that can catch passengers off guard, leading to unexpected fees at the airport. The amount of luggage you can bring depends on whether you’ve purchased a standard fare, chosen Priority, or paid extra for cabin or hold baggage.
No matter your baggage allowance, Ryanair has shared a simple packing tip they claim will help you “save space”. The airline advises against leaving any space unused, suggesting: “Roll your clothes instead of folding. They’ll wrinkle less and you’ll have much more room in your luggage to fit in any extras you pick up while you’re away.”
This rolling technique is often endorsed by seasoned travellers. For those flying with a standard ticket on Ryanair, only one small bag is allowed free of charge, which must not exceed 40 x 20 x 25cm.
Should your bag be larger than these limits, you might end up paying an additional fee at the airport, so it’s crucial to ensure everything fits within the permitted dimensions.
Lifestyle experts from Oakley have weighed in on the matter, highlighting that the effectiveness of rolling clothes to maximise luggage space actually hinges on the technique used.
They explained: “While the age-old advice of rolling clothes to save space is nothing new, the real game-changer lies in the technique.
“Instead of simply rolling each garment individually, consider layering items within each other before rolling. For example, place socks and underwear inside shirts or pants to create compact bundles that save both space and preve.”
You can boost your luggage allowance by purchasing a Priority ticket which not only allows you to board earlier but also entitles you to a second larger cabin bag measuring 55 x 40 x 20cm and weighing up to 10kg.
When it comes to distributing weight, Ryanair also shared a handy tip for customers, reports the Express. They said: “Do pack your heaviest items, for example, shoes [and] jeans, in the bottom of your wheelie suitcase. You’ll find it’s much easier to roll as the weight will be more evenly distributed.”
Passenger who want to take extra luggage but also save money, in the long run, should always book and pay for any additional bags in advance of their flight. It’s always cheaper to do this online before you arrive at the airport.
What is Ryanair’s luggage allowance?
All Ryanair fares include one small personal bag which can be brought on board, such as a handbag or laptop bag, but this can only measure up to 40 x 20 x 25cm and must fit under the seat in front of you. Anything more than that and you’ll have to pay extra.
Passengers can pay for Priority which entitles them to board via the Priority boarding queue at the gate, plus take one small personal bag measuring 40 x 20 x 25cm and a 10kg bag measuring 55 x 40 x 20cm.
If you’re looking to check in a bag, you have the option to add either a 10kg or 20kg check-in bag to your booking.
However, these must be dropped off at the check-in desk prior to going through security and both options come with an extra charge.
